Tender Cube Steak with Gravy – Slow Cooker or Stove Top

ByJennifer Banz May 18, 2023November 14, 2023 November 14, 2023

41 Comments

Servings: 6

Cals: 317

Fat: 20

Carbs: 7

Fiber:

Protein: 25

Time: 2 35

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This easy cube steak recipe uses minimal ingredients that provide maximum flavor. Recipes like this make the best comfort food! Below you will find instructions to make this easy dinner recipe in the crock pot or on the stove top.

Cube Steak Recipe

I am loving quick and easy meals that are hits with everyone in my family. My family gobbled it right up! This easy Cube Steak Recipe is one of my favorite ways to cook minute steaks. I love to make it on the stove top or in the crockpot and then serve it with cauliflower rice or keto mashed potatoes for a delicious meal, just like my Keto Beef Stroganoff.

Cubed steak, minute steak, or Swiss steak are all a budget-friendly cut of beef (usually top round steak) that have been tenderized using a mechanical tenderizer, but they can still be very tough. I like to cook it low and slow in an onion gravy to get the meat fall apart tender.

Ingredients needed

Here is everything you need to make slow cooker cube steak recipe perfectly. The full printable recipe card can be found toward the bottom of the page or by clicking here.

2-4 tablespoons Cooking oil – avocado oil, vegetable oil, butter, or avocado oil

6 Cubed Steaks (4 ounces each) – these are minute steaks which is a tough piece of beef that has been run through a meat tenderizer and “cubed”

Salt and pepper to taste

12 ounces Cream of Mushroom Soup – you can use whatever canned one you like.

1 Medium Onion, diced – you could also use sliced onions if you prefer.

2 Cups Beef broth or chicken broth

How to make cube steaks tender in the crockpot or stove top

For both the stove top and the crockpot, I start this recipe by seasoning both sides of the cube steak, then browning both sides in a hot skillet for 3-4 minutes with some oil until they are nicely golden brown. A nice brown crust is an easy way to add a lot of extra flavor to the final dish and I think it is well worth the minimal effort.

Some people like to coat their cubed steaks in seasoned all purpose flour before browning. This is so the flour can help thicken the final dish. I prefer to thicken the final gravy if is needs it. I give instructions for this in the recipe card.

I cooked 6 steaks for this recipe, so I had to brown mine in two batches. This only took 10 minutes in my hot cast iron skillet. I then removed the fried cube steaks and set them aside while I made the savory gravy.

For the stove top version of this recipe, I made the gravy in my skillet which included onions sautéed in the remaining oil, then I added cream of mushroom soup and beef broth.

I whisked all of that together, then added the steaks back to the skillet and let them simmer for 2.5 hours, or until the cube steak is tender. Season with black pepper to taste

How to make crockpot cubed steaks

If you want to make this for a busy weeknight, I recommend slow cooking the steaks all day in the crock pot so you have them ready to go for dinner.

To make this in the crockpot, you follow the same method as above, except after we sauté our onions, we add them to the slow cooker, followed by the cream of mushroom soup and the beef broth. Mix well, then submerge the steaks in the gravy and let it slow cook.

Pro tip:

You really need to let these minute steaks cook low and slow for the most tender steak. Searing is not usually enough, in my experience. They require lots of cook time to become tender.

I hope you enjoy this easy cube steak recipe! If you want more easy crockpot recipes, please check out my Crockpot Swedish Meatballs, Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce, Crockpot Chicken Fajitas, and Crockpot Chicken Tacos!

Tender Cube Steak with Gravy – Crockpot or Stove Top

This easy Minute steak recipe with gravy uses simple ingredients that provide maximum flavor. Below you will find instructions to make this cube steak recipe in the crock pot or on the stove top.

Jennifer Banz

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 2 30

Total Time 2 35

Serving Size

Equipment

Slow Cooker (Click here for the one I love)

Ingredients

2-4 tablespoons Cooking oil
6 Cubed Steaks (4 ounces each)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 Medium Onion, diced or sliced
12 ounces Cream of Mushroom Soup
2 Cups Beef broth

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

For Stove Top

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the cubed steaks on both sides with salt and pepper. Sear both sides of the cubed steak in the hot oil, about 3 minutes on each side. I did 3 steaks at a time. Remove the steaks from the skillet and set aside.
Reduce the skillet to medium heat and add in the onion. Cook until translucent, about 5-8 minutes. Add in the mushroom soup and the beef broth. Whisk to combine. Add the steaks back to the skillet and submerge in the gravy. Reduce the heat to low and let simmer for 2.5 hours, or until the cubed steaks are tender.

For Crockpot

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Season the cubed steaks on both sides with salt and pepper. Sear both sides of the cube steak in the hot skillet. About 3 minutes on each side. I did 3 steaks at a time. Remove the steaks from the skillet and set aside.
Reduce the skillet to medium heat and add in the onion. Cook until translucent, about 5-8 minutes. Add cooked onions to the crockpot with the mushroom soup and the beef broth. Whisk to combine and add the steaks to the crockpot, submerging them in the gravy. Cook on high for 4 hours, low for 8 hours, or until the steaks are tender.

To Serve

Serve this tender steak and gravy recipe with rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or egg noodles. For low carb, use cauliflower rice or mashed cauliflower.

Notes

Thickening the gravy (if needed):
- Xanthan gum: Add 1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon of oil. Stir into the gravy and bring to a boil to thicken.
- Arrowroot starch or cornstarch: Mix with 1 tablespoon to water and stir into the gravy. Bring to a boil to thicken.
For the cream of mushroom, I used a store bought one that was gluten free. It added 5 carbs per serving to the recipe. You can make your own following this recipe!
Store the leftover cube steak and gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 317 | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 20g

Jennifer Banz

Jennifer Banz is the creator of the recipe website Low Carb with Jennifer, and the author of the cookbook "Live Life Keto"