Slow Cooker Steak Bites are one of those recipes that makes busy weeknights feel effortless. The first time I made these, I was amazed at how tender and flavorful the beef became with such minimal effort on my part.
There’s something magical about coming home to a house filled with the aroma of beef slowly cooking in savory gravy. Growing up in the Midwest, Sunday pot roasts were a staple, but Betty showed me this modern version that fits our hectic schedules without sacrificing any of that homestyle comfort. The beef becomes so tender it practically melts on your tongue, and that rich au jus gravy begs to be soaked up with mashed potatoes or noodles. My husband declares this one of his favorite meals, and the kids love that the bite-sized pieces are easy to eat. Your kitchen’s about to smell incredible.
Why Slow Cooker Steak Bites Belongs in Your Recipe Box
This dump-and-set recipe transforms simple ingredients into pure comfort food with almost no active cooking time. I’ve been making these Slow Cooker Steak Bites for years, and they’ve saved countless weeknight dinners when I needed something reliable and delicious.
- Effortless preparation with just minutes of hands-on time
- Fall-apart tender beef that melts in your mouth
- Rich, savory au jus gravy perfect for serving over starches
- Freezer-friendly for easy make-ahead meals
- Customizable with different cuts of beef or seasonings
- Family-friendly bite-sized pieces kids actually enjoy
Understanding Your Ingredients
Sirloin Steak: Cut into bite-sized pieces for even cooking. I always choose sirloin for these Slow Cooker Steak Bites because it’s lean, cost-effective, and becomes incredibly tender with slow cooking.
Kosher Salt: Use kosher salt rather than table salt. In my kitchen, I prefer the larger granules that season the meat more evenly without making it too salty.
Sweet Onion: Thinly sliced onion adds natural sweetness and becomes meltingly soft. The onions also add body to the gravy as they break down during cooking.
Fresh Garlic: Thinly sliced garlic infuses the cooking liquid with aromatic flavor. Fresh garlic is essential for the depth of flavor in these Slow Cooker Steak Bites.
Unsalted Beef Stock: Forms the base of your au jus. Choose unsalted or low-sodium stock since the au jus gravy mix contains plenty of salt already.
Au Jus Gravy Mix: This convenient packet adds concentrated beef flavor and helps thicken the gravy. One standard packet is perfect for the amount of liquid.
Unsalted Butter: Sliced butter on top melts into the cooking liquid, creating rich, silky gravy that coats every piece of beef beautifully.
Betty’s Tested Technique
Step 1. Betty always starts by tossing the steak pieces with salt and pepper in a large bowl. This ensures every piece is evenly seasoned before cooking.
Step 2. I’ve found that searing the steak in batches over medium-high heat creates deep, caramelized flavor. Through trial and error, I learned not to overcrowd the skillet – work in batches for the best browning on your Slow Cooker Steak Bites.
Step 3. The key I discovered is transferring seared steak directly to the slow cooker and adding more oil to the pan between batches. This keeps each batch searing properly rather than steaming.
Step 4. After years of making this, I know to add the onion and garlic right to the slow cooker with the meat. They’ll soften and flavor everything as it cooks low and slow.
Step 5. My family prefers when I pour in the beef stock, sprinkle the au jus packet evenly over the top, and lay those butter slices across the surface. As everything cooks, it creates the most incredible gravy.
Step 6. Betty’s tip: Cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW for 6-8 hours. If you can stir every 30 minutes, do it – this helps distribute the flavors evenly and ensures tender Slow Cooker Steak Bites throughout.
Step 7. The best approach I’ve tested is serving these immediately over mashed potatoes or noodles with a garnish of fresh parsley. The gravy soaks into the starches and creates pure comfort food.
Making the Most of Leftovers
I typically store leftover Slow Cooker Steak Bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delicious.
Betty’s freezing method works beautifully for these. Transfer cooled steak bites and gravy to freezer-safe bags or containers and freeze for up to 3 months. This makes for easy future meals when you need dinner in a hurry.
For the best texture, I reheat by thawing overnight in the refrigerator, then warming gently in the slow cooker on LOW for 1-2 hours. You can also reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of beef broth if the gravy has thickened too much. For single servings, the microwave works perfectly.
Complete Your Meal
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Essential for soaking up every drop of that rich au jus gravy from these Slow Cooker Steak Bites.
- Buttered Egg Noodles: Wide egg noodles catch the gravy beautifully and create a complete comfort meal.
- Roasted Carrots: Sweet roasted carrots add color and nutrition while complementing the savory beef.
- Green Beans with Garlic: Fresh green beans provide a crisp, bright contrast to the rich, tender steak bites.
- Dinner Rolls: Soft rolls are perfect for sopping up any remaining gravy on your plate.
- Simple Side Salad: A crisp salad with tangy vinaigrette balances the richness of this dish.
FAQs
I recommend searing for the best flavor, but you can skip it in a pinch. Just add the seasoned raw steak directly to the slow cooker with all other ingredients and omit the olive oil.
Many home cooks find success with chuck roast, round steak, or beef stew meat. Chuck roast becomes especially tender with the low and slow cooking method.
To prevent this issue, remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow some liquid to evaporate. You can also whisk in a cornstarch slurry or add a tablespoon of flour mixed with water.
Slow Cooker Steak Bites
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- 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 without overcrowding, then place them into a 6-8 quart slow cooker. Add more oil to the pan as needed between batches.
- Once all the steak is seared, add the onion and garlic to the slow cooker and 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 surface.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW for 6-8 hours. Stir every 30 minutes if possible for best results.
- Serve with a garnish of fresh parsley if using. Spoon the au jus gravy over the steak bites.
