Crockpot Steak Bites (Easy Recipe!) (2024)

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These crockpot steak bites will become a new family favorite. Tender bites of steak are perfectly seasoned and slow cooked with garlic, onions, and au jus gravy mix for a mouthwatering dish that’s easy enough for any day of the week.

For more easy and delicious crockpot beef recipes try these incredible Crockpot Salisbury Steaks, this tender and delicious crockpot brisket with BBQ sauce, or this easy Crockpot Chili Recipe.

Steak used to be a special occasion food, but this easy recipe will change all that. Not only is it super simple, but the kids will absolutely love it because the steak is cut into bite-size pieces, making it easy to eat.

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Your whole family will devour the tender, juicy steak bites smothered in au jus gravy. Served with mashed potatoes or egg noodles, you have a super simple dinner with the slow cooker doing most of the work. It’s such an easy weeknight meal!

The best part? These steak bites are freezer-friendly, so it’s a great recipe to stash away in the freezer to thaw overnight, heat and serve the next day.

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If you love easy slow cooker meals as much as I do, you should definitely try my Crockpot Chili Mac and Crockpot Frito Pie. Both are family-friendly, but the kids will go crazy for the Frito pie.

Now, let’s get started on those crock pot steak bites.

Table of Contents

Ingredients

This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

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  • Sirloin Steak — Cut the steak into bite-sized pieces (approximately 1″ cubes) before cooking. If you don’t have sirloin on hand, feel free to use another cut of beef like round steak, beef stew meat, or chuck roast.
  • Kosher Salt — Kosher salt is large than table salt. It adds flavor and helps tenderize the meat during the cooking process. If you’re substituting regular table salt, use half the amount.
  • Black Pepper — Fresh cracked black pepper yields the best flavor.
  • Vegetable Oil — This is used for searing the steak. Olive oil or avocado oil may be used instead of vegetable oil.
  • Onion — Thinly slice the onion before adding it to the steak bites in the crockpot.
  • Garlic — Instead of mincing the garlic, cut it into thin slices.
  • Beef Stock — Use unsalted beef stock to keep the steak bites from getting too salty. Unsalted beef broth can be substituted if needed.
  • Au Jus Gravy Mix — This mix is found in the condiment section of the grocery store and makes a delicious gravy to go with the beef!
  • Butter — Use unsalted butter since we’re adding salt elsewhere in the recipe.
  • Parsley — Totally optional and used as a garnish, but it makes for a pretty presentation.

Equipment You’ll Need

Gather your tools and ingredients to get these tender steak bites cooking right away! Here’s what you need for this delicious recipe:

How to MakeSteak Bites in the Crockpot

This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below.

Step 1: Cut the steak into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss to combine.

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Step 2: Heat a large skillet with half of the oil over medium-high heat. Sear the steak bites in the hot skillet in batches, and then place them in the Crockpot. Add more oil to the pan if needed.

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Step 3: After you’ve seared all the steak and added it to the crockpot, add onion and garlic, tossing them with the steak bites.

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Step 4: Pour the unsalted beef stock over the steak pieces. Sprinkle the au jus gravy packet over the top. Lay thin slices of butter on top.

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Step 5: Put the lid on your slow cooker and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low 6-8 hours. Stir the steak every 30 minutes or so, if you can. Serve with a garnish of fresh parsley (optional).

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Serving Suggestions

Serve these tender steak bites with your favorite sides like mashed potatoes or egg noodles. The flavorful gravy pairs wonderfully with potatoes and noodles!

For more side dish options, try my Stovetop Mac and Cheese, Old-Fashioned Potato Salad, or a crunchy Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cheddar. Green beans or a simple side salad also pair well with this steak recipe.

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Storage and Freezing

Refrigerator: Store leftover steak bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezer: Freeze these cooked steak bites for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe bag or container.

Reheating: You can reheat these easy crockpot beef tips in the slow cooker, in a pan on the stove, or in the microwave until warmed through. I recommend reheating on the stove since reheating meat in the microwave sometimes gives it a rubbery texture.

Crockpot Steak Bites Recipe Tips and Tricks

  • For a milder onion and garlic flavor, you can sauté the onions and garlic first before adding them to the slow cooker.
  • Searing the steak before adding it to the crockpot is optional. However, your steak will be much tastier if you take the time to complete this step. It locks in the juices and gives the meat a bolder flavor.
  • Take care not to overcrowd the steak bites while searing. If it’s too crowded, the steak won’t get brown on all sides.
  • To make the au jus into a thicker, rich gravy, make a cornstarch slurry with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water. Add it to the crockpot near the end of the cooking process (about 30 minutes before it’s done).

Additions and Variations

Add more herbs. Make this slow cooker beef tips recipe more flavorful by adding a few sprigs of thyme or rosemary.

Spruce it up before serving. Boost that flavor even more right before serving by topping with a heaping tablespoon of pesto or a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten up the flavors.

Add mushrooms. Stir in some seared mushrooms a few minutes before serving for added texture and flavor. It’s an inexpensive way to stretch this dish even further!

Make it keto-friendly. Leave out the au jus and add more flavor with one of the options mentioned above like additional herbs, a squeeze of lemon juice, or seared mushrooms.

Make it a dump and go recipe. If you’re in a hurry, skip the searing step, dump everything into your crockpot, set it, and forget it until dinnertime. Ultimate easy dinner!

Cook with potatoes. Get the complete meal done all at once! Quarter some potatoes and add them right to the slow cooker with the steak bites to minimize your time in the kitchen.

Try with cream of mushroom soup. Instead of the au jus, you may like the steak bites with cream of mushroom soup and beef stock. Thicken it with a little cornstarch, and you’ll have lots of sauce to serve over noodles or mashed potatoes.

Add a little spice. Sprinkle some red pepper flakes over the au jus and butter before cooking to add just a slight kick of heat to these delicious beef tips.

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Crockpot Steak Bites FAQ

Can you use stew meat as steak bites?

Absolutely! Stew beef makes delicious steak bites, and you have the added convenience of not needing to cut it into pieces before searing.

Can you put raw steak in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can put raw steak in the slow cooker. Searing the meat first locks in the flavor and juices, but if you don’t have time for searing, you can just dump the steak pieces in the crockpot right away. The dish will be less flavorful but still quite tasty.

What steak is good for the Crockpot?

Sirloin, round steak, stew meat, or chuck roast are all great options for making steak bites in the slow cooker.

Why is my beef chewy in the slow cooker?

If your steak is chewy, you haven’t cooked it long enough to break down the collagen. Return the steak to the crockpot, cooking in 30-minute increments until fork tender. Make sure there’s some liquid in the slow cooker. Add a little more broth if you need to.

More Delicious Crockpot Recipes

  • Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes (Philly Cheesesteak Style!) – the whole family will love this meal. Perfect for busy weekdays.
  • Crockpot Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken – absolutely delicious over a bed of rice.
  • Crockpot Jelly Meatballs – perfect party appetizer and SO EASY!
  • Slow Cooker Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches – easy dump-and-go meal
  • Crockpot Loaded Baked Potato Soup – the best way to enjoy hot, hearty soup on a cold winter’s day.

Or view our entire collection of crockpot recipes!

Recipe

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Recipe

4.61 from 123 votes

Crockpot Steak Bites

Author: Jaclyn

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 4 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Total: 4 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Tender steak bites are cooked in the crockpot in a flavorful au jus that's perfect for serving over mashed potatoes or egg noodles.

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds sirloin steak cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 small sweet onion thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic thinly sliced
  • 1 cup unsalted beef stock
  • 1 1 ounce packet au jus gravy mix
  • 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter thinly sliced
  • fresh chopped parsley for garnish optional

Instructions

  • Place the cubed steak into a large bowl with the salt and pepper; toss to combine.

  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add half of the oil. Sear the steak pieces in batches and place them into the slow cooker. Add more oil to the pan if needed.

  • Once all the steak has been seared, add the onion and garlic to the slow cooker. Toss with the steak bites.

  • Pour in the beef stock. Sprinkle with the au jus mix and top with slices of the butter.

  • Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low 6-8 hours. Stir every 30 minutes or so, if you can. Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley, if desired.

Notes

  • Round steak, stew meat, or chuck roast can be used in place of sirloin.
  • The searing step is optional but gives the steak bites more flavor.
  • You can use unsalted beef broth in place of the beef stock if needed.
  • Refrigerate leftovers for 3 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 527kcal

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Did You Make This Recipe?

Share it with me on Instagram @crayonsandcravings and follow on Pinterest @crayonsandcravings for even more!

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Crockpot Steak Bites (Easy Recipe!) (2024)

FAQs

Can you put raw steak in a slow cooker? ›

Yes, you can add raw steak to a slow cooker to cook it to your desired doneness level. Slow cooking steak is a convenient way to cook steak over several hours, tenderizing it and adding exceptional flavor along the way.

Does meat get more tender the longer it cooks in a slow cooker? ›

Collagen makes meat tough when cooked quickly, but when slow-cooked, it breaks down into gelatin, giving you that juicy, tender mouthfeel. Fattier — and cheaper — cuts of beef can also be good for slow cooking, because the fat helps to ensure the beef won't dry out while adding extra flavour.

Is filet mignon good in the slow cooker? ›

Yes! Slow cooked steak is a wonderful way to make savory and tender fillets each time.

Can you overcook steak in a slow cooker? ›

If you cook meat at too high of a temperature in your slow cooker, you're likely to overcook it. When you cook your food slowly at a lower temperature, you unlock the magic of slow cooking. Some of the best cuts of meat for slow cookers are tougher cuts like chuck roast or oxtail.

Can you cook steak in slow cooker without liquid? ›

If your slow cooker is 3/4 full, no extra liquid is required. However, if you're cooking a smaller amount of food, add 1-2cm of liquid in the bottom of the slow cooker bowl to ensure there's enough liquid for cooking. Don't add too much liquid, because as the food cooks, it produces its own liquid.

Do you need to brown meat before slow cooking? ›

"Browning, or caramelizing, meat before putting it into a slow cooker isn't 100 percent necessary, but it is well worth the effort for the most flavorful and full-bodied end result," he says. "The caramelized surface of the meat will lend rich flavor and color to the finished dish."

How to cook steak so it falls apart? ›

Cover and slow cook the steaks in the oven at 300 degrees F for 2-3 hours or until the meat is very tender and begins to fall apart. The flour that was used to brown the steaks helps to thicken the gravy as it cooks.

Which steak is easiest to cook? ›

When it comes to beef, the best candidates for pan-searing are boneless, quick-cooking cuts between one and one-and-a-half inches thick, such as NY Strip, rib eye or filet mignon.

Does meat need to be submerged in a slow cooker? ›

When cooking meat or poultry, the water or liquid level should cover the ingredients to ensure effective heat transfer throughout the crock. Some manufacturers of slow cookers recommend adding liquid to fill the stoneware 1/2 to 3/4 full.

What tenderizes meat in a slow cooker? ›

So how does slow cooking tenderize? Broth, water, or juices are always added along with the meat. The moist heat they provide softens the connective tissue that binds the muscle fibers in the meat, helping it to fall apart more easily.

Why are my potatoes still hard in the crockpot? ›

Insufficient Liquid: If there wasn't enough liquid in the crockpot, it could have caused uneven cooking. Potatoes need to be fully submerged in liquid to cook evenly. Old Potatoes: Very old or stored potatoes can become starchy and may not soften as well during cooking. It's best to use fresh, firm potatoes.

What is poor mans filet mignon? ›

Last night we had an interesting cut of beef. The proper name is 'Tares Major'. It is a cut from the Chuck section right below the front leg. It was just as tender as a filet with a whole lot of beef flavor and at a fraction of the cost of the filet.

Why is my filet mignon tough? ›

Filet Mignon Temperature Tip: Aim for an internal temperature of 130-135ºF, after resting, for medium-rare. Remember, there isn't much fat in the lean filet. Higher heat quickly denatures the protein strands, making them tough and chewy.

Why can't you put raw meat in a slow cooker? ›

If you simply pop some raw meat in your slow cooker, it won't have a chance to brown, which adds some much-needed flavor and cuts down on plenty of unappealing grease. Instead, you're better served by browning raw meat in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker with your other ingredients.

Why was my steak dry in slow cooker? ›

The most likely cause of this is overcooking. As meat cooks, its muscle fibers shorten in both length and width and eventually squeeze out the juices they normally hold. As you can imagine, this leaves meat dry, and often stringy in texture. To avoid this problem, choose less-tender cuts of meat.

What happens when you cook a steak slow? ›

It's More Tender and Flavorful

Aside from being juicier, slow-cooking makes meat a lot more tender and flavorful. The extra juices help to accomplish this but it's mainly the long-cooking time that brings out the richness of the meat.

Can you leave raw meat in slow cooker overnight? ›

Yes, it is generally safe to cook meat in a crock pot overnight, ensuring it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to avoid foodborne illnesses. I would just let it run on low, not warm, all night.

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