If you love tender beef with rich, savory gravy, this Slow Cooker Beef Steak is the perfect comfort-food dinner! Beef steaks slowly cook with sweet onions, garlic, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and simple seasonings until they’re fork-tender and full of flavor.
The slow cooker does most of the work, creating a delicious homemade gravy that tastes wonderful spooned over the beef. Serve it with creamy mashed potatoes, rice, or roasted vegetables for a satisfying family meal.
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7–8 hours on LOW or 4–5 hours on HIGH
- Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes on LOW
- Servings: 6
- Course: Dinner, Main Course
- Cuisine: American
- Method: Slow Cooker
Ingredients
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For the Beef Steak
- 2 pounds beef round steak or chuck steak, cut into serving-size pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced (optional)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¾ teaspoon salt, or to taste
For the Gravy
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons cold water
Optional Garnish
– 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Beef Steaks
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Pat the beef steaks dry with paper towels. If using a large round steak, cut it into six serving-size pieces.
In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, thyme, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over both sides of the beef, gently pressing it into the meat.
Step 2: Sear the Beef
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Sear the beef pieces for approximately 2–3 minutes per side until browned. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan.
Transfer the browned beef to your slow cooker.
Tip: Searing adds extra flavor, but the beef will still cook properly without this step.
Step 3: Prepare the Onion and Garlic
Using the same skillet, add the sliced onion and mushrooms if using.
Cook for 3–4 minutes until the onions begin to soften. Add the minced garlic and tomato paste and cook for another minute.
Transfer the mixture to the slow cooker and spread it over the beef.
Step 4: Make the Cooking Sauce
In a bowl or measuring jug, whisk together beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce.
Pour the mixture over the beef and onions in the slow cooker.
Make sure the beef is surrounded by the liquid, although it does not need to be completely submerged.
Step 5: Slow Cook Until Tender
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Cover the slow cooker with its lid.
- LOW: Cook for 7–8 hours.
- HIGH: Cook for 4–5 hours.
Cooking times vary depending on the thickness and cut of beef and your slow cooker. The steaks are ready when they are tender and easily pierced with a fork.
If the beef is still tough, continue cooking and check again after 30 minutes.
Step 6: Thicken the Gravy
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Carefully remove the beef steaks and place them on a serving plate.
In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and cold water until smooth.
Stir the mixture into the hot cooking liquid in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH for approximately 15–20 minutes, stirring once, until the gravy thickens.
Alternatively, transfer the liquid to a saucepan and simmer with the cornstarch mixture until thickened.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
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Return the beef steaks to the slow cooker and spoon the thick gravy over them.
Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired.
Serve hot with mashed potatoes, rice, egg noodles, or your favorite vegetables. Enjoy every tender, flavorful bite!
Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Beef Steak
- Choose the right cut: Chuck steak and round steak work well for slow cooking.
- Don’t skip the seasoning: Paprika, thyme, garlic, and onion add wonderful savory flavor.
- Sear for extra flavor: Browning the beef helps develop a richer taste.
- Keep the lid closed: Opening the slow cooker frequently releases heat and increases cooking time.
- Cook until fork-tender: Tougher cuts need enough time for their connective tissue to soften.
- Adjust the gravy: Add a little extra beef broth if it’s too thick, or more cornstarch slurry if it’s too thin.
Easy Variations
- Slow Cooker Steak and Potatoes: Add 1 pound of baby potatoes and 2 sliced carrots around the beef before cooking.
- Creamy Mushroom Steak: Stir in ½ cup heavy cream or sour cream after cooking for a creamy gravy.
- Garlic Butter Beef Steak: Add 2 tablespoons butter during the final 30 minutes.
- Pepper Steak: Add sliced bell peppers and extra black pepper.
- Tomato Beef Steak: Add one 14.5-ounce can of diced tomatoes for a richer tomato-based sauce.
- Spicy Beef Steak: Add chili flakes or a little cayenne pepper for extra heat.
What to Serve with Slow Cooker Beef Steak
This hearty beef dinner pairs perfectly with:
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Buttered egg noodles
- Steamed white rice
- Roasted carrots
- Garlic green beans
- Creamy coleslaw
- Steamed broccoli
- Warm dinner rolls
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store leftover beef steak and gravy in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooled beef with gravy in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Warm gently in a covered saucepan over medium-low heat until heated through. Add a splash of beef broth if needed.
- Microwave: Heat individual portions in a microwave-safe dish, covered, stirring or turning as needed, until steaming hot.
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking. Reheat leftovers to 165°F (74°C).
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best beef steak for a slow cooker?
Chuck steak, round steak, and blade steak are excellent choices because they become tender during long, moist cooking.
2. Can I put raw beef steak directly into the slow cooker?
Yes. You can place thawed, seasoned beef directly into the slow cooker. Searing first is optional and mainly adds extra flavor.
3. Why is my slow cooker beef steak tough?
It may need more cooking time. Tougher beef cuts need several hours of slow cooking to become tender. Continue cooking until the meat is easily pierced with a fork.
4. Can I add potatoes and carrots?
Absolutely! Add baby potatoes and thick carrot pieces around the beef before cooking. They will absorb the delicious gravy as they soften.
5. Can I make the gravy without cornstarch?
Yes. You can use 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour mixed with a little cold water instead. Whisk thoroughly to avoid lumps.
6. Can I prepare this recipe the night before?
You can season and portion the beef and prepare the vegetables and sauce ingredients separately. Refrigerate everything, then assemble in the slow cooker just before cooking. Do not refrigerate the ceramic insert with raw meat and then place it directly into a heated slow cooker unless the appliance manufacturer allows it.
Printable Recipe Card
Slow cooker round steak and gravy recipe – Easy Recipes
Slow Cooker Beef Steak
Tender beef steaks slowly cooked with onions, garlic, mushrooms, and savory homemade gravy.
PREP TIME
15 minutes
COOK TIME
7–8 hours LOW
TOTAL TIME
7 hr 15 min
SERVINGS
6
Ingredients
- 2 lb beef round steak or chuck steak
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced (optional)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¾ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp cold water
- Fresh parsley, optional
Instructions
- Pat beef dry, cut into serving pieces, and season with paprika, thyme, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Sear in olive oil for 2–3 minutes per side. Transfer to slow cooker.
- Cook onions and mushrooms in the same skillet for 3–4 minutes. Add garlic and tomato paste; cook 1 minute.
- Transfer onion mixture to slow cooker.
- Whisk beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce. Pour over beef.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until fork-tender.
- Remove beef. Mix cornstarch with cold water and stir into hot cooking liquid.
- Cook gravy on HIGH for 15–20 minutes until thickened.
- Return beef to gravy, garnish with parsley, and serve.
