Crock Pot Cube Steak (Easy Slow Cooker Recipe with Gravy)

Crock pot cube steak is fork-tender beef slow-cooked in a rich, savory gravy until it falls apart. You simply sear the cube steaks, layer them in the slow cooker with a simple gravy mix, and cook low and slow for 6-8 hours. It is an easy, hands-off comfort dinner made with pantry ingredients. Below is the full slow cooker cube steak recipe, plus tips, gravy variations, and answers to the questions people ask most.

What Is Cube Steak?

Cube steak is a thin cut of beef (usually top round or top sirloin) that has been tenderized by a mechanical cubing machine, which leaves the small square indentations that give it its name. That tenderizing is exactly why it is perfect for the crock pot: slow, moist cooking turns an inexpensive, tough cut into tender, gravy-soaked beef. In this crock pot cube steak recipe, the slow cooker does all the work.

Why You will Love This Slow Cooker Cube Steak

• Hands-off comfort food – sear, layer, and let the slow cooker do the rest.
• Budget-friendly – cube steak is one of the cheapest beef cuts.
• Rich homemade gravy – simple pantry ingredients, big savory flavor.
• Feeds the family – serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.

Ingredients

For the cube steak

• 2 lbs cube steak (about 4-6 pieces)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil

For the gravy

• 1 large onion, sliced
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 packet (1 oz) onion soup mix
• 1 packet (0.87 oz) brown gravy mix
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 tsp garlic powder

How to Make Crock Pot Cube Steak (Step by Step)

1. Dredge the steaks. Mix flour, salt, and pepper. Coat each cube steak on both sides.
2. Sear for flavor. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the steaks 2 minutes per side. (Searing is optional but adds deep flavor.)
3. Layer the slow cooker. Place sliced onion in the bottom of the crock pot, then arrange the seared cube steaks on top.
4. Make the gravy. Whisk beef broth, onion soup mix, brown gravy mix, cream of mushroom soup, and garlic powder. Pour over the steaks.
5. Slow cook. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the beef is fork-tender.
6. Serve. Spoon the cube steak and gravy over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.

Tips for the Best Crock Pot Cube Steak

• Don’t skip the sear if you have time – it builds the richest gravy flavor.
• Low and slow wins – LOW for 8 hours gives the most tender result. Beef is safe once it reaches the USDA safe minimum temperature.
• Thicken the gravy at the end with a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water) if you like it thicker.
• Don’t lift the lid often – it releases heat and adds cook time.

Gravy Variations

• Mushroom lovers: add 8 oz sliced mushrooms with the onions.
• No cream soup: use 2 packets of brown gravy mix + an extra cup of broth.
• Ranch twist: swap the onion soup mix for a ranch seasoning packet.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of broth to loosen the gravy. Cube steak and gravy also freezes well for up to 3 months.

What to Serve With It

Mashed potatoes are the classic pairing (they soak up the gravy). Egg noodles, white rice, or buttered biscuits all work, with a simple green vegetable on the side.

Crock Pot Cube Steak Recipe

Crock Pot Cube Steak (Slow Cooker Cube Steak and Gravy)

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 hours hrs

Total Time 8 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 380

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the cube steak

• 2 lbs cube steak about 4-6 pieces
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil

For the gravy

• 1 large onion sliced
• 2 cup beef broth
• 1 packet onion soup mix 1 oz
• 1 packet brown gravy mix 0.87 oz
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup 10.5 oz
• 1 tsp garlic powder

Method

 

1. Mix flour, salt, and pepper. Coat each cube steak on both sides.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the steaks 2 minutes per side. Searing is optional but adds deep flavor.
3. Place sliced onion in the bottom of the crock pot, then arrange the seared cube steaks on top.
4. Whisk beef broth, onion soup mix, brown gravy mix, cream of mushroom soup, and garlic powder. Pour over the steaks.
5. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the beef is fork-tender.
6. Spoon the cube steak and gravy over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.

Notes

For a thicker gravy, stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water) at the end. Nutrition values are estimates.

More Beef Recipes You will Love

• Hamburger Helper Beef Stroganoff
• Hawaiian Beef Stew
• Recipe for Shaking Beef
• Venison Cubed Steak

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to brown cube steak before putting it in the crock pot?

No, but searing first adds deeper flavor and a better gravy. If you are short on time, you can skip it and add the steaks straight to the slow cooker.

How long does cube steak take in the crock pot?

6-8 hours on LOW or 3-4 hours on HIGH, until the beef is fork-tender. LOW gives the most tender result.

Why is my crock pot cube steak tough?

It likely needs more time. Cube steak becomes tender as the connective tissue breaks down – if it is still tough, cook it longer on LOW.

Can I make cube steak and gravy without cream of mushroom soup?

Yes. Use two packets of brown gravy mix and an extra cup of beef broth for a mushroom-free gravy.

What goes with crock pot cube steak?

Mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles are the most popular. They soak up the rich gravy.

Can I freeze cube steak and gravy?

Yes, it freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat with a splash of broth.