The Best Slow Cooker Cube Steak Recipe I've Ever Tried - Meals With Maria (2024)

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This slow cooker cube steak is a real rockstar dish. It’s super low ingredient and delightfully delicious! Give this a try and enjoy a mouthwatering cube steak bathed in a heavenly gravy that’s sure to leave you craving for more.

The Best Slow Cooker Cube Steak Recipe I've Ever Tried - Meals With Maria (1)

How to Make This Slow Cooker Cube Steak

The Best Slow Cooker Cube Steak Recipe I've Ever Tried - Meals With Maria (2)

Start by placing a couple of pounds of cube steak at the bottom of your slow cooker. Next up, sprinkle it with Lipton Onion Soup mix. Pro tip: If you have the beefy version, that works wonders too! But that’s not all—enter the star of the show, a large sliced onion. If onions aren’t your thing, fear not; a tablespoon of onion powder can work its magic as a surprising substitute.

The Best Slow Cooker Cube Steak Recipe I've Ever Tried - Meals With Maria (3)

To elevate the flavors and thicken that gravy just right, we’re adding a packet of brown gravy mix and two cans of cream of mushroom soup. Trust me; this combo prevents a watery consistency and results in a thick, luscious gravy that clings perfectly to the cube steak.

The Best Slow Cooker Cube Steak Recipe I've Ever Tried - Meals With Maria (4)

Now, the waiting game begins. Set your slow cooker on low for six hours, and get ready for the aroma of anticipation to fill your kitchen. When the magic is complete, unveil an amazing cube steak that’s been simmering to perfection.

For this culinary adventure, I managed to snag some cube steak on sale at Walmart, making it not only delicious but also budget-friendly. The onions, cooked to almost caramelized perfection, add a flavorful touch. Serve it up with a side of French green beans, using a recipe from my green bean video (linked here), and some wallet-friendly rice pilaf. The best part? This dinner can be whipped up for less than ten dollars!

What to Serve with Slow Cooker Cube Steak

My favorite way to serve this slow cooker cube steak is with boxed rice pilaf and canned green beans. Here are some additional ideas for sides:

  • 5 Ingredient Slow Cooker Mac n Cheese
  • Lemon Roasted Asparagus
  • Crock Pot Green Beans and Bacon
  • Air Fryer Frozen Brussels Sprouts
  • Fluffy Mashed Potatoes
  • My Mother in Law’s Spinach Rice

Make it Healthier:

I’m always looking for new ways to add veggies to my dishes. Here are some ideas to add more nutrients to this dish or make it lighter:

  • Use Campbells Healthy Request cream of soup
  • Serve it alongside your favorite veggie!
  • Try adding some chopped zucchini or spinach to the crock pot.
  • Try serving the cube steak over cauliflower rice (I just buy the frozen stuff and microwave it!)

Make it Kid Friendly:

I always recommend you adjust recipes based on what your family likes. If your kids or even other family members are weary of this dish here are some swap recommendations to get them trying new things without serving a completely different dish:

  • Top the dish with some shredded mozzarella for a cheesy twist!
  • Cut the meat up really small and serve it over pasta or even mix it in with mac n cheese.
  • Grated parmesan would be good on this dish. My kids love anything covered in parmesan cheese.

Swap Ideas:

  • Use Cream of Mushroom or Cream of Chicken Soup depending on what you have/like.
  • You can also make this dish with chuck roast or pork chops. If you are cooking chuck roast, cook it for 8-10 hours (check for doneness).
  • If you don’t have cream of chicken soup on hand, you can always make your own using this recipe: homemade cream of chicken soup
  • If you don’t have or don’t like fresh onions, just use 2 teaspoons of onion powder instead.

Shopping Tips:

  • Stock up on your favorite meats when they go on sale and freeze them. In this case, cube steak, chuck roast, or pork chops will do! (I found mine on clearance at Walmart!)
  • I like to stock up on “cream of” soups when they are on sale. They are a great base for many dishes and sauces.
  • Some stores offer generic gravy mix, cream of soup, and onion soup mix. These are generally cheaper than brand name.

As always, please share your own recommendations on how to make this dish healthier, more kid friendly, swap ideas, and budget shopping tips in the comments!

FOR MORE INEXPENSIVE SLOW COOKER RECIPES CHECK OUT THESE VIDEOS:

MORE SLOW COOKER RECIPES TO TRY:

  • Crock Pot Italian Sausage – So easy, my mother in law taught me this!
  • Mississippi Pot Roast (A family Fav!)
  • Money Saving Poor Man’s Stew

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The Best Slow Cooker Cube Steak

  • Author: Maria
  • Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Indulge in the savory simplicity of slow cooker cube steak—sear, simmer, and succumb to the rich flavors of tender meat bathed in a luscious, budget-friendly gravy, creating a culinary masterpiece that’s easy on the wallet and a delight for the taste buds!

Ingredients

Scale

  • 2 pounds cube steak
  • 1 packet Lipton Onion Soup mix
  • 1 medium to large onion, sliced (or 1 tablespoon onion powder)
  • 1 packet brown gravy mix
  • 2 cans cream of mushroom soup

Instructions

  1. Place cube steak at the bottom of the slow cooker.
  2. Generously cover with Lipton Onion Soup mix.
  3. Add sliced onions over the steak (or use onion powder as a substitute).
  4. Sprinkle brown gravy mix evenly.
  5. Pour in cream of mushroom soup.
  6. Set the slow cooker on low for six hours.
  7. Allow the magic to happen as the flavors meld and the gravy thickens.
  8. Serve the cube steak with the caramelized onions over the top.
  9. Pair it with your favorite sides, such as French green beans and rice pilaf.
  10. Enjoy a budget-friendly and delicious slow cooker cube steak dinner, perfect for any special occasion!

  • Prep Time: 5
  • Cook Time: 360

Keywords: Slow cooker cube steak, Budget-friendly recipes, Easy homemade meals, Heavenly gravy, Affordable family dinners, Luscious comfort food, Simple slow cooker dishes, Flavorful meal ideas, Caramelized onion recipes, Delicious and economical cooking

Maria Ronan is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Links on this site may include affiliate links to Amazon and its affiliate sites on which the owner of this website will make a referral commission. Thank you for supporting Meals With Maria! My videos and website are for entertainment purposes only. Any information related to food, food safety, cooking, recipes, etc. are my opinions only. Maria Ronan is not liable and/or responsible for any advice, services, or product you obtain through this video and website.

The Best Slow Cooker Cube Steak Recipe I've Ever Tried - Meals With Maria (2024)

FAQs

How do you cook cube steak so it's tender? ›

The best way to cook cube steak for tenderness is slowly and evenly, so a slow cooker can do the trick when you have ample time to spare. However, braising, pan-frying, and sauteing also work. Just be sure to cook with enough liquid to keep the steak moist.

Why do you soak cube steak in milk? ›

It's milk. Here's why:

A steak that marinates in an acidic or enzymatic liquid too long, such as citrus juice or cola, becomes tough or mushy. But the acid in milk is so mild that you can soak beef in it long enough to tenderize it effectively, without damaging the proteins on the surface.

What is the difference between stew meat and cube steak? ›

It comes from the top or bottom round, a tough portion near the rump of the cow usually used as stew meat. But cube steak has been pounded with a textured mallet or tenderized mechanically, a process that breaks down the muscle fibers, making it tender enough to pan-fry on the stove.

Should cube steak be rinsed before cooking? ›

No need to rinse it before cooking if you're not adding any batter or breading to the surface. Keep the temperature relatively low and cook the meat slowly, setting aside 1.5 to 2 hours for the entire process. Rushing the cube steak with higher heat will only toughen it.

How do you make cubed steak less chewy? ›

Getting Tender Cube Steak

I pan-fried in oil as well as browning in the pan, then adding some stock. Those versions were okay, but ended up chewy and even a little dry. To keep them moist and tender, first dredge the steaks in all-purpose flour.

What is the secret to tender steak? ›

Salting. Most cuts of steak benefit from being salted up to an hour in advance of cooking, but especially tougher cuts. In addition to seasoning the steaks, salt helps break down proteins and make the meat more tender. Liberally salt the steaks up to an hour before cooking, then proceed according to your recipe.

What is the best liquid to tenderize meat? ›

Acids can help break down tough meat. Soaking meat in a marinade made with lemon or lime juice, vinegar, buttermilk or even yogurt can help tenderize tough proteins.

Do you rinse meat after soaking in milk? ›

Cover and place the meat and milk marinade in the refrigerator between 4 to 12 hours—whatever you deem as the perfect wait—before rinsing and patting the meat dry. And if you're adventurous, the marinade doesn't only work for meet but grilling classics like corn on the cob.

Why is my cube steak always tough? ›

What Makes Cube Steak Tough and Chewy in the First Place? Cube steak, also known as minute steak or Swiss steak, is a cut of beef usually taken from the top round or top sirloin. These cow parts are well-known because of their high collagen and connective tissue content, which can make the meat tough and chewy.

Are cube steaks healthy? ›

Conclusion. Cube steak can be a flavorful and nutritious addition to your diet, providing valuable protein and key nutrients.

What is another name for cube steak? ›

In parts of the southern United States, cube steak is also known as bucket steak, a name derived from the cardboard buckets in which stacks of them are often sold.

Should you wash blood off meat? ›

While washing meat and poultry to remove dirt, slime, fat or blood may have been appropriate decades ago when many slaughtered and prepared their own food, the modern food safety system doesn't require it. Meat and poultry are cleaned during processing, so further washing is not necessary.

Can you overcook cube steak? ›

It's possible that the steak was simply overcooked. Sirloin is a lean cut of meat, and if it's cooked for too long or at too high of a temperature, it can become tough and dry.

How do you tenderize beef cubes quickly? ›

You can velvet meat and make it melt-in-your-mouth tender by quickly tossing chunks of beef or chicken in about ¾ tsp of baking soda for about 15 minutes before your next stir fry, then rinse and pat the meat dry before putting in the pan.

How long to simmer beef cubes until tender? ›

Add the beef, beef broth and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a slow simmer. Cover and cook, skimming broth from time to time, until the beef is tender, about 1½ hours.

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