The beauty of this Crock Pot Cube Steak and Gravy is in its simplicity. With minimal prep and a handful of pantry-friendly ingredients, you get tender beef steaks bathed in a luscious, savory gravy that’s infused with onion, mushroom, and subtle garlic notes.
Perfect for busy weeknights or lazy Sundays, this slow cooker dish lets you get on with your day while your kitchen fills with the comforting aroma of a hearty, home-cooked meal. Serve it with mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles to soak up every last drop of that delicious gravy—it’s a true crowd-pleaser.
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
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4 cube steaks
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1 packet onion soup mix
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1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
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1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
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1 medium onion, sliced
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1 cup beef broth
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2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
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1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
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1/2 teaspoon black pepper
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1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
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2 tablespoons water (if using cornstarch)
Directions:
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Place the sliced onions in the bottom of a slow cooker.
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Layer the cube steaks on top of the onions.
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In a medium bowl, mix together the onion soup mix, both cans of soup, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper.
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Pour the mixture over the steaks in the slow cooker.
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Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 4 hours, until the meat is fork-tender.
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(Optional) If you prefer a thicker gravy, mix cornstarch with water to form a slurry and stir into the gravy during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
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Serve hot over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 6 hours | Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
Kcal: 385 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
A Comfort Classic: Crock Pot Cube Steak and Gravy
There’s something incredibly satisfying about coming home to the aroma of a hearty meal simmering away in the slow cooker. When it comes to comfort food, few dishes hit the spot quite like Crock Pot Cube Steak and Gravy. This dish is a nostalgic staple for many, featuring tenderized cuts of beef slow-cooked in a savory, creamy gravy made with onions, mushroom soup, and a blend of simple seasonings. It’s rich, flavorful, and perfect for feeding hungry mouths on a busy weeknight or cozy weekend.
Crock Pot Cube Steak and Gravy is a Southern-inspired comfort meal that embodies the essence of home cooking—warm, hearty, and unpretentious. Cube steak, which is typically a lean cut of beef that’s been tenderized using a mechanical process, transforms during slow cooking into something wonderfully tender and deeply flavorful. The low and slow method allows the meat to soak up every bit of the gravy, turning it into melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
Why This Recipe Works So Well
One of the standout reasons this dish is so popular is its simplicity. You don’t need a long list of ingredients or hours of prep. Most of the components are pantry staples—cream soups, dry onion soup mix, beef broth—and once they’re in the pot, the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting. The result is a rich, savory gravy that perfectly complements the tender steak, all with minimal effort.
Additionally, the slow cooking process breaks down the connective tissue in the cube steak, making it incredibly tender without the need for marinating or searing. This is a win-win for busy cooks who want great results with little fuss.
The blend of onion, mushroom, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce adds layers of depth to the gravy, making it far more flavorful than the sum of its parts. What seems like a simple mixture becomes complex and comforting after hours in the crock pot.
The History and Roots of Cube Steak
Cube steak has long been a budget-friendly cut, widely used in American households for decades. Traditionally, it’s made from top round or top sirloin cuts of beef, which are then run through a tenderizing machine called a “cubing” machine—hence the name. The process leaves the meat with a textured appearance, helping it absorb flavors and cook more evenly.
This technique originated as a way to make tougher cuts of meat more palatable, especially during times when food needed to be stretched further—such as during the Great Depression. Over time, cube steak found its way into regional favorites like chicken fried steak, Swiss steak, and of course, the beloved cube steak and gravy.
In Southern kitchens especially, cube steak and gravy is a dish passed down through generations. It’s often associated with family dinners, Sunday suppers, and holiday gatherings where comfort food reigns supreme.
How to Serve It
Crock Pot Cube Steak and Gravy is wonderfully versatile when it comes to serving. It’s traditionally paired with a starch to soak up all that luscious gravy. Some of the best pairings include:
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Mashed potatoes: Arguably the most classic combination. The creamy potatoes act as a perfect vessel for the rich gravy.
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Egg noodles: A slightly lighter, yet still comforting choice that adds texture.
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White or brown rice: Ideal for absorbing the sauce, making every bite flavorful and filling.
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Buttered biscuits or cornbread: For a more Southern twist, use biscuits to scoop up every last drop.
Steamed or roasted vegetables such as green beans, carrots, or corn make excellent sides, offering color and balance to the richness of the main dish.
Tips for the Best Crock Pot Cube Steak
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Don’t skip the onions. Even if you’re not a huge fan, they melt down during cooking and add incredible flavor to the gravy.
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Low and slow is the way to go. While cooking on high is an option, cooking on low ensures the steaks are fall-apart tender.
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Use homemade beef broth if possible. Store-bought works, but homemade adds extra depth and richness.
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Thicken the gravy if needed. If you prefer a thicker gravy, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of water and stir it in during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
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Let it rest before serving. Giving the dish a few minutes to cool allows the gravy to set slightly, making it easier to serve.
Customizing the Recipe
One of the best parts about this dish is how easy it is to tailor it to your preferences. While the base recipe is delicious as-is, here are a few ways to put your own spin on it:
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Add mushrooms. Fresh sliced mushrooms add texture and an earthy flavor that pairs beautifully with the onion and beef.
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Use different cream soups. Swap cream of chicken for cream of celery or cream of onion for a slightly different profile.
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Make it spicy. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to give it a gentle kick.
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Make it gluten-free. Use gluten-free cream soups and thicken the gravy with a cornstarch slurry instead of flour.
This recipe also freezes well, making it ideal for meal prep or storing leftovers. Simply portion it into airtight containers and freeze for up to three months. When ready to eat, reheat slowly on the stovetop or microwave until warmed through.
The Emotional Power of Comfort Food
There’s something nostalgic and almost therapeutic about cooking and eating meals like Crock Pot Cube Steak and Gravy. It’s the kind of dish that reminds many people of their grandparents’ kitchen, of coming home from school to the smell of dinner already on the table, or of gathering around for a family meal after a long day. In a fast-paced world full of takeout and meal kits, this recipe is a reminder that sometimes, the simplest meals are the most memorable.
Slow-cooked dishes like this one also give us the opportunity to connect more deeply with the process of cooking. They ask us to wait, to anticipate, and to savor. And in doing so, they help restore some balance in our often hectic lives.
Conclusion: A Tried-and-True Classic Worth Keeping
Crock Pot Cube Steak and Gravy is more than just a weeknight dinner—it’s a tradition, a comfort, and a crowd-pleaser that never goes out of style. It offers a perfect balance of ease, flavor, and satisfaction. Whether you grew up with it or are trying it for the first time, it’s the kind of recipe that quickly becomes a regular in your meal rotation.
Its humble roots, minimal prep time, and melt-in-your-mouth texture make it an ideal dish for both novice and experienced cooks. Whether you’re feeding a busy family, looking for a no-fuss meal, or simply craving some old-fashioned comfort, this slow-cooked favorite delivers every single time.
So, pull out your crock pot, gather your ingredients, and let this dish bring a little bit of warmth and tradition to your table.