Cube steak is a budget-friendly cut of beef that’s tenderized by a machine, leaving it with a distinctive pattern of small indentations. Although it’s often used in recipes like country-fried steak, it’s also a perfect candidate for slow-cooking in a crock pot. This low-and-slow cooking method breaks down the meat, transforming it into a tender and flavorful dish. In this article, we’ll dive into the world of cube steak recipes crock pot, offering delicious ideas for your next hearty meal.

What Is Cube Steak?

Before we jump into the recipes, let’s talk a bit more about cube steak. This cut typically comes from the round or chuck portions of the cow and is mechanically tenderized, which gives it a distinctive texture. The tenderizing process helps to break down the muscle fibers, making it a bit easier to chew compared to the tougher cuts of beef from which it’s derived.

Cube steak is widely available and inexpensive, making it a popular choice for home-cooked meals. Its versatility means it can be used in a variety of dishes, from steaks to stews, and it benefits immensely from slow-cooking methods like those employed in a crock pot.

Why Use a Crock Pot?

Crock pots, or slow cookers, are an excellent tool for busy home cooks. The low and steady heat cooks meats thoroughly while retaining moisture, making it the perfect method for transforming tougher cuts of meat, such as cube steak, into melt-in-your-mouth meals. Additionally, crock pots are easy to use, allowing you to set it and forget it while it does all the work for you.

Using a crock pot for cube steak recipes ensures that your meal will be flavorful, tender, and ready when you are.

Cube Steak Recipes Crock Pot: Essential Ingredients

To get started with cube steak recipes crock pot, you’ll want to have a few key ingredients on hand. These form the base of many recipes and can be customized depending on your taste preferences:

• Cube Steak: The star of the show. You’ll need enough to feed your household, typically 1-2 pounds for a family of four.
• Broth or Gravy: A rich beef or chicken broth enhances the flavor of the cube steak, keeping it moist while slow-cooking. For a thicker, heartier option, use gravy instead.
• Onions and Garlic: These aromatic vegetables add depth to the flavor profile of your dish.
• Seasonings: Common spices include salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce can also add umami flavor.
• Vegetables: Potatoes, carrots, and mushrooms are popular additions, adding texture and nutrition.
• Cream of Mushroom Soup: A crock pot favorite, this soup helps create a creamy, flavorful sauce as it mingles with the meat.

Cube Steak with Gravy in the Crock Pot

One of the most popular cube steak recipes crock pot options is cube steak with gravy. It’s a simple dish that brings the steak, gravy, and vegetables together in a mouth-watering meal that practically cooks itself.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ – 2 pounds cube steak
• 1 packet onion soup mix
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Ingredients: Season the cube steaks with salt and pepper. Set them aside.
2. Layer the Crock Pot: Place the sliced onions and minced garlic at the bottom of the crock pot. This creates a bed for the steaks and infuses the dish with rich flavor as it cooks.
3. Add the Steak: Lay the cube steaks over the onions and garlic.
4. Mix the Gravy: In a bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and onion soup mix. Pour this mixture over the cube steak.
5. Cook Low and Slow: Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the cube steak is tender and easily pulled apart with a fork.
6. Thicken the Gravy: If the gravy is too thin, you can thicken it by removing a few tablespoons of the liquid and mixing it with the cornstarch. Stir it back into the crock pot and let it cook for an additional 15 minutes to thicken.
7. Serve: Serve the cube steak and gravy over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles for a complete meal.

Cube Steak and Vegetables in the Crock Pot

Another fantastic variation of cube steak recipes crock pot is the addition of vegetables. By adding a few root vegetables or mushrooms, you can create a one-pot meal that is nutritious, flavorful, and satisfying.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ – 2 pounds cube steak
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 ½ cups beef broth
• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Ingredients: Season the cube steaks with salt and pepper and set aside. Chop your vegetables.
2. Layer the Crock Pot: Place the diced potatoes, carrots, mushrooms, and chopped onion at the bottom of the crock pot.
3. Add the Steak: Place the cube steaks on top of the vegetables.
4. Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, soy sauce, and minced garlic. Pour this mixture over the steaks and vegetables.
5. Cook on Low: Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 7-8 hours. By the end of the cooking time, the vegetables should be tender and the cube steak should be soft and flavorful.
6. Serve: Serve hot, with the steak and vegetables plated together. The broth-based sauce from the crock pot serves as a delicious gravy for everything on your plate.

Cube Steak and Mushroom Crock Pot Recipe

For mushroom lovers, this recipe is a match made in heaven. The earthy flavors of mushrooms pair perfectly with the tender cube steak in this savory dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ – 2 pounds cube steak
• 2 cups sliced mushrooms
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Ingredients: Season the cube steaks with salt and pepper. Slice the mushrooms and onions.
2. Layer the Crock Pot: Add the mushrooms and onions to the bottom of the crock pot.
3. Add the Steak: Place the seasoned cube steaks on top of the mushrooms and onions.
4. Mix the Sauce: In a bowl, mix the cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, and ranch seasoning. Pour over the cube steaks.
5. Cook on Low: Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours until the steak is tender and the flavors are well blended.
6. Serve: Serve with mashed potatoes or over egg noodles for a comforting and hearty meal.

Tips for Perfecting Cube Steak Recipes Crock Pot

• Don’t Overcook: While it’s difficult to overcook cube steak in a crock pot, it’s still best to monitor your cooking time. Six to eight hours on low is typically enough to yield tender results.
• Add Vegetables Wisely: If you prefer firmer vegetables, add them halfway through the cooking time instead of at the beginning.
• Season Generously: Cube Steak benefits from bold seasonings. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different spice blends or sauces to enhance the flavor.
• Rest Before Serving: Let the steak rest for a few minutes after removing it from the crock pot. This helps the juices redistribute throughout the meat, making it even more flavorful.

Cube steak is a fantastic option for slow cooking, and when paired with a crock pot, it transforms into a tender and delicious meal with minimal effort. Whether you’re craving a hearty plate of cube steak recipes crock pot with gravy, vegetables, or mushrooms, these dishes are sure to satisfy your comfort food cravings. With a few simple ingredients and some patience, your crock pot can turn this affordable cut of beef into a restaurant-quality meal that your family