Crockpot Steak Bites: Easy & Flavorful Recipe
Effortless Weeknight Comfort Beef.
Tender, juicy steak bites simmered in a savory garlic butter sauce, all made effortlessly in your crockpot.
I remember one particularly chaotic Tuesday. The day just got away from me, and by 4 PM, I had zero energy for dinner. I looked at the sirloin in the fridge and then at my trusty crockpot. I cubed the steak, threw together a simple sauce, and just let it go. A few hours later, the whole family was quiet at the dinner table, just enjoying these melt-in-your-mouth bites. It felt like a small victory, a warm, delicious hug at the end of a long day.
Why You'll Adore This Recipe
- •It's a true 'set it and forget it' meal.
- •The steak becomes incredibly tender and flavorful.
- •Your kitchen will smell absolutely divine while it cooks.
- •Perfect for busy weeknights when you still want a cozy, home-cooked dinner.
- •The savory sauce is perfect for soaking up with potatoes or bread.
Wow, this recipe is a game-changer! My husband and kids couldn't get enough. The steak was unbelievably tender, and the sauce is just divine over mashed potatoes. This is officially in our regular dinner rotation. Thank you!
Essential Ingredient Guide
- Steak: Sirloin is my favorite for its tenderness, but a chuck roast works beautifully too and is often more budget-friendly. Just make sure to trim any large pieces of fat.
- Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: Using low-sodium soy sauce and beef broth is key. It lets you control the saltiness of the final dish, as the sauce will reduce and concentrate as it cooks.
- Butter: Don't skip the butter! Adding it at the end creates a silky, rich sauce that clings to every single bite of steak. It’s what makes it feel so luxurious.
Complete Cooking Process
- Start by cubing your steak into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch each.
- Patting them dry is a small step that makes a big difference for getting a good sear.
- A quick browning in a hot skillet builds a deep, savory flavor foundation. You don't need to cook it through, just get some color on the outside.
- This sauce is so simple. Just whisk everything (except the butter) together in a bowl.
- Pour this flavorful mixture right over the seared steak in the crockpot.
- Dot the top with your cubes of butter. As it melts, it will enrich the entire dish.
- This is the easy part. Just put the lid on and let the crockpot do its thing.
- Cooking it low and slow is the secret to that fall-apart tender texture.
- Try to resist lifting the lid! It lets all that wonderful heat and steam escape.
A Few Common Questions
→Do I have to sear the steak before putting it in the crockpot?
Honestly, you don't *have* to. If you're really short on time, you can skip it. But, that browning step creates a much deeper, richer flavor in the final dish. I think it's worth the extra 10 minutes.
→Can I add vegetables to this?
Of course! Sliced mushrooms, onions, or even baby potatoes would be wonderful. I'd add heartier vegetables at the beginning and something like broccoli in the last 30 minutes so it doesn't get mushy.
→How can I thicken the sauce if I want it more like a gravy?
Easy! In the last 30 minutes of cooking, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to make a slurry. Stir it into the crockpot and let it cook until thickened.
→Can I use a different cut of meat?
Yes, this recipe is forgiving. Beef stew meat, round steak, or flank steak would also work well. Just adjust cooking time as needed for tenderness.
Crockpot Steak Bites: Easy & Flavorful Recipe
Crockpot steak bites are tender steak cubes in a savory marinade. This easy recipe is perfect for weeknights or appetizers. Serve with rice or noodles!
Timing
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
3-4 hours
Total Time
3 hours 15 minutes
Recipe Details
Ingredients
For the Steak Bites
- 012 lbs sirloin steak or chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 021 tablespoon olive oil
- 031/2 teaspoon salt
- 041/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Savory Sauce
- 011/2 cup low-sodium beef broth
- 021/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 032 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 044 cloves garlic, minced
- 051 teaspoon onion powder
- 061/4 cup unsalted butter, cubed
For Garnish & Serving
- 012 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 02Cooked rice, mashed potatoes, or egg noodles
Instructions
Pat the steak cubes dry with a paper towel and season with salt and pepper.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the steak cubes in batches for 1-2 minutes per side, until browned. This step is optional but adds amazing flavor. Transfer the seared steak to the crockpot.
In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, and onion powder.
Pour the sauce over the steak bites in the crockpot. Add the cubed butter on top.
Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or on HIGH for 1.5-2.5 hours, until the steak is tender.
Gently stir everything together. The butter should be fully melted, creating a rich sauce.
Serve warm over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles, and garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes & Tips
- 1Feel free to add 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms along with the steak for a classic steak and mushroom flavor.
- 2A sliced onion added to the bottom of the crockpot will melt into the sauce and add another layer of sweetness.
- 3This recipe also works great as an appetizer! Just serve the bites on a platter with toothpicks.
Tools You'll Need
- •Pat the steak cubes completely dry before searing for the best crust.
- •Don't overcrowd the skillet when browning the steak; work in batches if you need to.
- •Every slow cooker is a little different, so start checking for tenderness on the earlier side of the cook time.
- •For the richest flavor, use low-sodium beef broth instead of water.