Crockpot steak bites transform affordable sirloin into fork-tender comfort food that practically cooks itself while you go about your day. I remember the first time I made this recipe on a snowy January evening – the house filled with that rich, savory aroma of beef and onions, and my grandchildren kept wandering into the kitchen asking when dinner would be ready. There’s something magical about coming home to a meal that’s been simmering all day, waiting to wrap you in warmth.
This recipe reminds me of the Sunday pot roasts my grandmother used to make on her farm, where the meat would cook low and slow until it practically melted on your fork. But unlike those all-day affairs that required constant attention, these crockpot steak bites need just a quick sear before the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting. The au jus gravy creates this luscious sauce that’s perfect for spooning over fluffy mashed potatoes or egg noodles. My family has been asking me to make this every week since I first served it, and I have a feeling yours will too. Time to get that crockpot ready!
What Makes This Crockpot Steak Bites Recipe So Special
I’ve been making slow cooker meals for over forty years, and this crockpot steak bites recipe has earned its place in my most-loved collection. The beauty of this dish lies in how it turns an ordinary weeknight into something that feels special without demanding your time or attention. Let me share why this recipe works so beautifully:
- Uses affordable cuts you’ll find at any grocery store – Sirloin steak is budget-friendly, and you can substitute with round steak or chuck roast depending on what’s on sale
- Comes together in under 20 minutes of active work – A quick sear and a few tosses into the crockpot, then you’re free for the rest of the day
- Delivers melt-in-your-mouth texture every single time – The slow cooking breaks down the meat fibers until each bite is impossibly tender
- Creates a rich, savory gravy with minimal effort – The au jus mix combines with beef stock and butter to form a sauce that rivals anything you’d get at a restaurant
- Adapts beautifully to whatever you have on hand – Skip the searing when you’re rushed, swap proteins, or adjust seasonings to suit your family’s tastes
- Feeds a crowd without breaking your budget – Three pounds of steak stretches to serve 6-8 people when served over potatoes or noodles
In my kitchen, I’ve found that recipes like this become true workhorses – the ones you return to again and again because they’re reliable, delicious, and forgiving.
Ingredient Spotlight
Sirloin steak forms the foundation of this recipe, and I always choose sirloin because it offers excellent flavor at a reasonable price while staying tender during the long cooking process.
Kosher salt and black pepper season the meat before searing, creating that essential layer of flavor that carries through the entire dish.
Vegetable oil provides the high smoke point needed for achieving a proper sear on the steak without burning, though I’ve used avocado oil in a pinch with great results.
Sweet onion adds natural sweetness and depth as it melts into the gravy during cooking – I prefer sweet onions over yellow because they contribute a gentler, more rounded flavor.
Garlic cloves infuse the sauce with aromatic warmth, and thinly slicing them rather than mincing ensures they don’t burn during the long cooking time.
Unsalted beef stock creates the liquid base for your gravy while allowing you to control the salt level, which is especially important since the au jus mix contains sodium.
Au jus gravy mix delivers concentrated beefy flavor and helps thicken the sauce into that perfect spoonable consistency my family loves.
Unsalted butter enriches the gravy with silky texture and adds a touch of luxury to this otherwise simple dish – Betty’s tip: laying the butter slices on top means they slowly melt down through the meat as it cooks.
Fresh parsley brightens the finished dish with color and a hint of freshness, though I’ll be honest – my grandkids usually skip this part!
How to Make Crockpot Steak Bites Step by Step
Step 1. I’ve learned that seasoning the steak cubes generously with salt and pepper in a large bowl before cooking makes all the difference in building layers of flavor.
Step 2. Heat one tablespoon of vegetable oil in your skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers, then sear the steak in batches – Betty always says don’t crowd the pan or you’ll steam instead of sear.
Step 3. After years of making this, I’ve found that browning the meat for about 2-3 minutes per batch creates those caramelized bits that add incredible depth without fully cooking the steak.
Step 4. Transfer the seared steak to your crockpot using tongs, letting any excess oil drip off as you go.
Step 5. Layer the thinly sliced onion and garlic over the steak, gently tossing everything together so the aromatics distribute evenly.
Step 6. Pour the beef stock over the meat, then sprinkle the au jus gravy mix across the top – I don’t stir at this point because I want the seasonings to gradually work their way down.
Step 7. Betty’s tip: Arrange those thin butter slices across the surface so they slowly melt and enrich every bite as the crockpot works its magic.
Step 8. Cover and set your slow cooker to High for 3-4 hours or Low for 6-8 hours, stirring occasionally if you’re home (though it’s not required).
Step 9. The key I discovered is testing a piece of steak at the minimum cooking time – if it’s not fork-tender yet, just keep cooking in 30-minute increments.
Step 10. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired, then serve these crockpot steak bites warm over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles.
Keeping This Recipe Fresh
I typically store leftover crockpot steak bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days. The beauty of this dish is that the flavors actually deepen overnight as the meat continues to absorb that rich au jus gravy. I use glass containers with tight-fitting lids because they don’t absorb odors and make reheating simple.
Betty’s freezing method works wonderfully for this recipe – portion the cooled steak bites and gravy into freezer-safe bags, removing as much air as possible before sealing. They’ll maintain their quality for up to 3 months in the freezer. I’ve found that freezing in single-serving portions makes weeknight dinners even easier since you can thaw just what you need. Simply move a portion from freezer to refrigerator the night before you plan to enjoy it.
For the best texture, I reheat the steak bites on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of beef stock if the gravy has thickened too much. The microwave works when you’re in a hurry, but I’ve noticed it can make the meat slightly chewier. My preferred approach is actually reheating in the slow cooker on low for about an hour – it brings back that just-cooked tenderness and keeps the meat from drying out.
Perfect Partners for Crockpot Steak Bites
- Creamy mashed potatoes soak up that luscious au jus gravy beautifully, creating the ultimate comfort food combination that my family requests most often
- Buttered egg noodles offer a lighter alternative while still providing that satisfying base for the rich sauce
- Roasted green beans with garlic add a crisp, fresh element that cuts through the richness of the beef – try my garlic butter steak bites with mushrooms for another delicious variation
- Simple garden salad with ranch dressing provides a cool, refreshing contrast to the warm, hearty steak bites
- Honey-glazed carrots bring a touch of sweetness that complements the savory flavors without competing with them
- Steamed broccoli offers a nutritious side that pairs well with the protein-rich main dish – you might also enjoy my slow cooker garlic butter beef bites and potatoes for a complete one-pot meal
The key to a well-rounded plate is balancing the rich, tender meat with something fresh and something starchy. In my kitchen, I usually serve this over mashed potatoes with a side of roasted vegetables for a complete meal that satisfies everyone at the table. If you love easy crockpot recipes, my slow cooker garlic beef potatoes is another family favorite.
FAQs
I recommend searing for the best flavor, but yes, you can absolutely skip it for a true dump-and-go version – the steak bites will still be delicious, just with slightly less depth.
To prevent this issue, simply return the meat to the crockpot and continue cooking in 30-minute increments until it reaches that fork-tender consistency, making sure there’s enough liquid.
Many home cooks find success with round steak, stew meat, or chuck roast – all work beautifully in this recipe and sometimes cost even less than sirloin.
Crockpot Steak Bites
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Season the steak cubes generously with salt and pepper in a large bowl, tossing to coat evenly.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear the steak in batches for 2-3 minutes, browning on all sides without overcrowding the pan. Transfer seared steak to the crockpot.
- Add the sliced onion and garlic to the crockpot, gently tossing with the steak to distribute evenly.
- Pour the beef stock over the meat, then sprinkle the au jus gravy mix across the top.
- Arrange the butter slices over the surface of the meat and liquid.
- Cover and cook on High for 3-4 hours or Low for 6-8 hours, stirring occasionally if possible.
- Test a piece of steak for tenderness at the minimum cooking time. If not fork-tender, continue cooking in 30-minute increments until desired tenderness is reached.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired and serve warm over mashed potatoes or egg noodles.
