Go Back
–+ servings
A plate of mashed potatoes topped with slow cooker steak bites, served with coleslaw and a small bunch of red grapes on the side.
Print Recipe
No ratings yet

Slow Cooker Steak Bites

This is a great recipe for Slow Cooker Steak Bites — tender, flavorful beef in rich gravy using affordable round steak with very little prep work for an easy dinner. The best fork-tender, restaurant-quality beef that falls apart with every bite!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time3 hours
Total Time3 hours 15 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Author: Melissa Griffiths

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds round steak cut into 1 to 1½-inch pieces
  • 1 packet Lipton onion soup mix
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon beef bouillon
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Optional thickener:

  • ⅓ cup cold water
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Instructions

  • Cut steak into bite-sized pieces (about 1 to 1½ inches). Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  • Place the steak bites in the slow cooker.
  • In a small bowl add the water, onion soup, bullion, and garlic powder. Stir to combine and pour over the steak.
  • Cover and cook on Low for 6–8 hours or High for 3–4 hours, until the steak is fork-tender.
  • If you’d like a thicker gravy, whisk together ⅓ cup cold water and 2 tablespoons cornstarch. Stir into the slow cooker during the last 15–20 minutes of cooking. Let it simmer with the lid slightly ajar until thickened.
  • Adjust the salt and pepper to taste. Spoon the steak bites and gravy over mashed potatoes, cooked rice, or egg noodles. Enjoy!

Notes

Slow Cooker Size: 6-quart
Recipe Variations & Substitutions:
  • You can make this with sirloin steak and it's delightful but more expensive. I tested this recipe with round steaks because they are much more economical (about half the price in my area) and are really well suited for long cooking time in the slow cooker. It really is a good option for making a round steak tender.
  • You can sear the meat up on the stove with a little oil in a hot pan before adding it to the slow cook if you'd like. It adds good color and flavor but I also like not adding an extra step on busy days. It's up to you.
  • Adjust the salt so that the meat and gravy are slightly salty so that when added to something plain like rice, potatoes, or noodles it adds enough salt. You'll need to adjust it to taste based on what kind of bullion you used.
  • You can omit the bullion and use beef broth instead if that's what you have on hand. 
  • You can thicken the sauce so it's a gravy or you can leave it so it's more of an au jus, we like both! 
 
Make It In The Instant Pot:
Instant Pot Steak Bites
  1. Sear the meat: Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add a little oil and sear the steak bites in batches until browned. Remove and set aside.
  2. Deglaze the pot: Add a splash of water and scrape the bottom of the pot to release any stuck bits.
  3. Add all ingredients to the pot: Return the steak to the Instant Pot. Add remaining ingredients.
  4. Pressure cook: Close the lid, seal the valve, and cook on High Pressure for 25 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
  5. Optional thickening: Turn on Sauté mode. Stir in the cornstarch slurry (⅓ cup cold water + 2 tablespoons cornstarch). Simmer for a few minutes until thickened.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 of 6 servings | Calories: 330kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 52g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 143mg | Sodium: 246mg | Potassium: 806mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.02g | Vitamin A: 0.02IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 5mg

QR code

Scan this QR code with your phone's camera to view this recipe on your mobile device.

qr code