Slow Cooker Steak Bites are a savory and tender dish made by slow-cooking seasoned steak pieces with onion, garlic, and a flavorful broth. This recipe is perfect for creating a rich and hearty meal with minimal effort.
Importance of Slow Cooker Meals
Slow cooker meals are a staple in busy households due to their convenience and ability to infuse deep flavors over time. They require minimal preparation and can cook unattended, making them ideal for anyone with a hectic schedule.
Highlight Key Benefits
Ease: Minimal prep and hands-off cooking.
Flavor: Slow cooking enhances the natural flavors of the ingredients.
Versatility: Can be served with various sides like mashed potatoes, noodles, or vegetables, and can also be customized with different herbs and spices.
Why You’ll Love Slow Cooker Steak Bites
Effortless Cooking
Slow Cooker Steak Bites require minimal preparation. Simply season the steak, sear it briefly, and let the slow cooker handle the rest. This hands-off approach is perfect for busy days.
Rich Flavor
The slow cooking process allows the steak to absorb the flavors of the broth, onion, garlic, and seasonings, resulting in incredibly tender and flavorful bites. Each piece is infused with a deep, savory taste that’s hard to resist.
Family-Friendly
This dish is a hit with the whole family. The tender steak bites are easy to eat and pair well with a variety of sides, making it suitable for both kids and adults.
Customizable Options
You can easily adjust the recipe to suit your preferences. Add your favorite herbs and spices, or include vegetables like mushrooms and carrots to make it your own.
Ingredients and Equipment Needed
Sirloin steak or alternatives: Use high-quality sirloin steak for the best results, though other cuts like chuck roast or ribeye can be substituted.
Kosher salt & black pepper: Essential for seasoning the steak.
Olive oil: Used for searing the steak, adding a rich flavor.
Small sweet onion & garlic: These aromatics enhance the flavor profile of the dish.
Unsalted beef stock or broth: Provides a base for the slow-cooked steak bites.
Au jus gravy mix: Adds depth and richness to the broth.
Unsalted butter: Adds a silky texture and flavor to the dish.
Fresh chopped parsley: Used as a garnish to add a fresh, herbaceous note.
Equipment
Slow cooker (6 to 8 quarts): Essential for slow cooking the steak bites to tender perfection.
Knife: For chopping the onion and garlic, and cutting the steak into bite-sized pieces.
Tongs: Useful for searing the steak and handling the meat without piercing it.
Preparation Steps
Seasoning and Searing
Tossing Steak Bites with Salt and Pepper
1. Begin by cutting the sirloin steak (or alternative cut) into bite-sized pieces, approximately 1 to 2 inches in size.
2. Season the steak bites generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Toss the pieces to ensure even coverage of the seasoning.
Searing Steak in Batches
3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a tablespoon of olive oil.
4. Once the oil is hot, add the steak bites in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the skillet. This helps achieve a good sear on each piece.
5. Sear each batch for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the steak pieces develop a nice brown crust. Remove the seared steak bites from the skillet and set them aside on a plate.
Assembling in the Slow Cooker
Layering Steak, Onion, Garlic, and Liquids
6. In the slow cooker, begin by adding the seared steak bites, ensuring they are spread out evenly.
7. Add the chopped small sweet onion and minced garlic over the steak bites. The onion and garlic will add a rich, aromatic base to the dish.
8. Pour in the unsalted beef stock or broth, making sure the liquid covers the steak and vegetables. This will keep the steak bites moist and flavorful during cooking.
9. Sprinkle the au jus gravy mix evenly over the contents of the slow cooker. This mix will dissolve and create a rich, savory sauce as it cooks.
10. Add small cubes of unsalted butter on top. The butter will melt and blend into the sauce, adding a silky texture and enhancing the flavor.
Cooking Settings
11. Set your slow cooker to the desired cooking setting:
HIGH for 3-4 hours: This setting is ideal if you need the dish to be ready faster.
LOW for 6-8 hours: This setting allows for a slower, more gradual cooking process, resulting in extremely tender steak bites.
12. Cover the slow cooker with the lid and let it cook undisturbed. The slow cooker will work its magic, infusing all the flavors together and tenderizing the steak bites.
Serving Suggestions
Serving Over Mashed Potatoes or Noodles
Slow Cooker Steak Bites pair wonderfully with creamy mashed potatoes or buttery noodles. The rich sauce from the steak bites enhances the flavor of these sides, creating a comforting and hearty meal. Simply spoon the steak bites and sauce over a generous portion of mashed potatoes or noodles for a satisfying dish.
Low-Carb Options Like Side Salads
For a lighter or low-carb option, serve the steak bites alongside a fresh side salad. A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette can balance the richness of the steak bites. Consider adding ingredients like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions to your salad for added texture and flavor.
Additional Sides (Roasted Potatoes, Vegetables)
Roasted potatoes and vegetables make excellent sides for Slow Cooker Steak Bites. Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of vegetables and adds a slight caramelization that pairs well with the savory steak bites. Popular choices include roasted carrots, Brussels sprouts, and asparagus. Simply toss the vegetables with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast them in the oven until tender and golden brown.
Using Steak Bites as Appetizers with Dipping Sauces
Slow Cooker Steak Bites can also be served as appetizers at gatherings or parties. Arrange the steak bites on a platter and provide a variety of dipping sauces to complement them. Some popular options include horseradish cream, garlic aioli, or a tangy barbecue sauce. Skewer the steak bites with toothpicks for easy serving and dipping.
Tips and Substitutions
Searing Tips
Preheat the Skillet: Ensure your skillet is hot before adding the steak bites to achieve a good sear.
Avoid Overcrowding: Sear the steak bites in small batches to maintain the skillet’s temperature and ensure even browning.
Use High Smoke Point Oil: Olive oil works well, but you can also use vegetable or canola oil for a higher smoke point.
Adding Mushrooms, Herbs, or Spices
Mushrooms: Add sliced mushrooms to the slow cooker for extra umami flavor. They complement the steak and soak up the delicious juices.
Herbs: Fresh or dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano can enhance the flavor profile. Add these to the slow cooker along with the other ingredients.
Spices: Experiment with additional spices such as paprika, cumin, or a pinch of cayenne pepper for a subtle kick.
Substituting Different Cuts of Beef
Chuck Roast: A budget-friendly alternative that becomes tender when slow-cooked.
Ribeye: Offers a richer flavor due to its marbling but is pricier.
Brisket: Another great option, known for its tenderness and flavor when cooked slowly.
Making It a True Dump-and-Set Recipe
Skip the Searing: While searing adds flavor, you can skip it for a more straightforward approach. Just season the steak bites and place them directly into the slow cooker.
Pre-Mixed Seasoning: Use a pre-mixed seasoning blend to save time on measuring individual spices.
Ready-Made Broth: Use store-bought beef broth or stock instead of making your own to simplify the process further.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Cooling and Storing in the Fridge
Cooling: Allow the steak bites to cool to room temperature before storing.
Refrigeration: Transfer the cooled steak bites and sauce into an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing Tips
Portioning: Divide the steak bites into meal-sized portions for easier thawing and reheating.
Storage: Place the portions in freezer-safe bags or containers, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label with the date.
Freezing: Store in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
Reheating Methods
Slow Cooker: Reheat on low for 1-2 hours until warmed through.
Skillet: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the steak bites with a bit of sauce. Stir occasionally until hot.
Microwave: Place steak bites in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until hot.
FAQs
How to Thicken the Au Jus into Gravy?
To thicken the au jus, create a slurry by mixing 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with an equal amount of cold water. Gradually stir the slurry into the hot liquid in the slow cooker, cooking on high until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
Do I Have to Sear the Steak First?
Searing the steak is not mandatory but highly recommended. It enhances the flavor by caramelizing the surface of the meat and locking in juices. If short on time, you can skip this step and still achieve a tasty result.
What Steak Is Best for Slow Cooker?
Sirloin steak is ideal for its balance of tenderness and flavor. Other good options include chuck roast, which becomes very tender when slow-cooked, and ribeye, which is flavorful due to its marbling. Each cut provides a different texture and taste experience.
Slow Cooker Steak Bites are tender pieces of seasoned steak, slow-cooked with onions, garlic, and a rich broth to create a savory, flavorful dish. This recipe is perfect for busy days when you need a hands-off approach to cooking, delivering a hearty and satisfying meal with minimal effort.
Ingredients
3poundssirloin steakcut into bite-sized pieces
2teaspoonskosher salt
1teaspoon black pepper
2tablespoons olive oil
1smallsweet onionthinly sliced
3clovesgarlicthinly sliced
1cupunsalted beef stockor broth
1ounceau jus gravy mix(1 packet)
4tablespoonsunsalted butterthinly sliced
fresh chopped parsley for garnishoptional
Instructions
Place the steak into a large bowl with the salt and pepper and toss to combine.
Get a large skillet hot over medium-high heat and add half of the oil. Sear off the steak pieces in batches and place them into a 6-quart slow cooker. Add more oil to the pan if needed.
Once all the steak is seared, add the onion and garlic to the slow cooker, toss with the steak bites.
Pour in the beef stock. Sprinkle the au jus packet over the top. Lay slices of the butter over the top.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW for 6-8 hours. Stir every 30 minutes or so if you can.
Serve with a garnish of fresh parsley if using.
Notes
Cut of Meat: Sirloin steak is recommended for its balance of flavor and tenderness, but other cuts like chuck roast or ribeye can be used.
Searing: While not required, searing the steak bites before slow cooking adds depth and richness to the flavor.
Customizable: Add vegetables like mushrooms or carrots, or experiment with different herbs and spices to suit your taste.
I'm passionate about sharing sweet and savory recipes that I've meticulously tested and perfected in my own kitchen. Join me on this delicious journey to experience the best of culinary creativity.