Tender, juicy bites of beef smothered in a savory sauce, this Crock Pot Steak and Gravy is pure comfort food. A budget-friendly dinner that cooks itself, this flavorful slow cooker meal is one the whole family will enjoy.
The perfect dinner to come home to, this steak and gravy is ideal for busy nights. It's a recipe that requires 7-8 hours of cooking time, which means you can prepare it in the morning and it'll be deliciously tender by the time you're done work, just like this steak and potatoes in the crock pot.
Made with stewing beef, a gravy packet, and staple pantry seasonings, it's similar to this slow cooker Swiss steak in that it provides both nourishing ingredients and cozy flavor.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy ingredients: This slow cooker steak and gravy is made with only a handful of ingredients from the fridge, and the rest are pantry staples that you'll likely already have.
- Flavorful: There is nothing more comforting than coming home to a bowl of tender steak that's lightly seasoned and smothered in gravy.
- Hands-off cooking: This recipe requires no major kitchen skills as all the effort is done with the crock pot. So, it's perfect for even beginners in the kitchen and great for busy lifestyles.
Ingredients
- Stewing meat: Although just about any cut of beef can work for the recipe, pre-cut stew beef saves you time and yields tender bites.
- Beef broth: Both homemade and store-bought beef broth work in the recipe. If you're purchasing broth, try to get a low-sodium version so you can adjust the seasoning yourself.
- Brown gravy mix: A classic for a reason, it'll give the most comforting flavor and thicken the sauce as it cooks.
- Tomato paste: A little goes a long way with paste as it helps thicken the gravy and balance the flavors. Do not substitute it for canned tomatoes, or the gravy will lose its creamy texture.
- Worcestershire sauce: Adds depth to the recipe. Though you can make the crock pot stew meat and gravy without it, you will notice its absence.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Au Jus: If you prefer a thinner sauce in place of a thicker gravy, use a packet of au jus instead.
- Protein: In place of the stew beef, you can make this recipe with chicken thighs or pork chops for a whole new dinner.
- Vegetables: A great way to stretch crock pot steak recipes is to add extra vegetables to the mix. For steak and gravy, simmering some sliced mushrooms with the beef makes a delicious dinner.
How to Make Steak and Gravy in the Crock Pot
This steak and gravy in the crock pot is an easy recipe that's prepped in just 5 minutes and makes your busy night that much easier.
- Step 1: Layer the bottom. Place the stew beef and vegetables into the bottom of the crock pot.
- Step 2: Combine the sauce. Whisk together the remaining ingredients to make the sauce. Then, pour it over the meat and vegetables.
- Step 3: Begin cooking. Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 7-8 hours.
- Step 4: Serve. Before serving, give the steak and gravy a stir and then plate it with your chosen side dishes. We love glazed carrots or crockpot Brussel sprouts.
Expert Tips
- Chopping vegetables: Try to chop the bell pepper and onion into bite-sized pieces. Not only will they cook more evenly, but it also makes it nicer for serving.
- Stir to coat: When you pour the gravy mixture over the beef and vegetables, make sure that everything is coated before you begin slow cooking.
- Don't use frozen meat: Your beef should be fully thawed before you cook it. Thaw the beef overnight before you need it.
- For the most tender results: Crock pot recipes with steak are always best cooked "low and slow". Cooking your meat at a lower temperature for a longer time results in bites that are much more tender.
Storage Directions
- Once cooled, store leftover beef and gravy in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can reheat it in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
- You can also freeze the recipe for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe bag. Let it thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating it the next day.
Serving Suggestions
Steak and gravy in a crock pot is one of the simplest dinner recipes you can have on hand for hectic weeks or even Sunday night dinners.
- Serve it with a side of slow cooker focaccia bread or even crockpot cornbread.
- This is a dish to serve over white rice, noodles, or some cream cheese mashed potatoes.
- Finish off Sunday night dinner with crockpot blueberry cobbler and a scoop of ice cream.
Recipe FAQs
For tender meat, you need to cook it at a low temperature for more time. This means cooking the meat for over 7 hours. Make sure you stir it frequently and check that there is enough sauce or liquid in the crock pot to keep it from drying out.
While it can bring out more flavor and keep the beef tender, it's not necessary to sear the meat every time before slow cooking.
Yes. This slow cooker recipe is great for freezer-meal prep, as it is still very juicy when reheated. Once it's cooked and cooled, store both the beef and gravy in a freezer-safe bag and lay them flat. It will keep for up to 2 months in the freezer. Then, just thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.
More Delicious Crock Pot Steak Recipes
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Crock Pot Steak and Gravy
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds stew meat
- 1 medium green bell pepper diced
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 ounce packet brown gravy mix
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Place the stew meat, bell pepper, and onion in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
- In a medium bowl, add beef broth, gravy mix, garlic powder, black pepper, paprika, dried thyme, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk until well combined and pour over the stew meat.
- Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours.
Notes
- Worcestershire sauce brings out a delicious savory flavor to the steak. If you love the flavor, add an extra splash to the crockpot.
- Once you pour the gravy over the beef, give everything a good stir to combine it and make sure it's all coated.
- Avoid cooking on high. The meat will cook up more tender and juicy when cooked slowly at a low temperature.
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is an estimate. It may vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact ingredient numbers, I recommend calculating them with your preferred nutrition calculator.
Ryan Allen says
The steak comes out so tender and flavorul everytime. Such a great dump and go recipe.