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Slow Cooker Steak Bites are fork-tender, buttery, and swimming in a rich au jus gravy, and the best part is your crockpot does all the work. I started making these on busy activity nights when the girls had back-to-back practices and I needed dinner waiting when we walked in the door. Pile them over a heap of loaded mashed potato cakes and watch the whole family clean their plates.
These crockpot steak bites are a true dump-and-go dinner, with no fancy cuts or complicated steps required.
Slow Cooker Steak Bites Quick Look
- 🕒 Prep Time: 15 minutes
- 🌡️ Cook Time: 4 hours (on high)
- ⏳ Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- 🍽️ Serving: 8 servings
- ⚡ Calories: 330kcal
- 🌶️ Flavor Profile: Savory, buttery, and beefy with steakhouse au jus richness
- ✋ Difficulty: Easy, a dump-and-go meal like our Mississippi steak bites
Quick Answer
To make Slow Cooker Steak Bites, season cubed sirloin with salt and pepper and sear it in batches, then add it to a slow cooker with sliced onion and garlic. Pour in beef stock, sprinkle an au jus packet over the top, and lay slices of butter across everything. Cover and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or low for 6 to 8 hours until fork-tender.
Jump to:
- Slow Cooker Steak Bites Quick Look
- Quick Answer
- Why This Recipe Works
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Key Ingredients
- Variations and Substitutions
- How to Make Slow Cooker Steak Bites
- Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Serving Ideas and Suggestions
- Slow Cooker Steak Bites FAQs
- Other Recommended Slow Cooker Beef Recipes
- Slow Cooker Steak Bites
Why This Recipe Works
Click to see the technique science
- Searing builds deep flavor. Browning the steak bites before they hit the crockpot creates a savory crust that flavors the entire au jus gravy.
- Sirloin stays tender. Sirloin has enough marbling to turn melt-in-your-mouth tender over low, slow heat without drying out.
- The au jus packet is a shortcut to richness. It delivers concentrated beefy, seasoned flavor with zero extra effort, so the gravy tastes like it simmered all day.
- Butter finishes the gravy. Slices of butter melt into the stock and au jus to create a glossy, restaurant-style sauce.
- Low and slow does the work. Hours in the crockpot break down the beef gently, so every bite is buttery and the gravy thickens on its own.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It is a hands-off, dump-and-go dinner that tastes like a steakhouse meal.
- Tender steak bites in buttery au jus gravy are pure comfort food the whole family loves.
- It pairs with almost anything, from mashed potatoes to our homemade french fries.
Key Ingredients
Here is what you need for these tender, buttery Slow Cooker Steak Bites.
- Sirloin Steak: Cut into bite-sized pieces. Sirloin is affordable, beefy, and turns wonderfully tender in the slow cooker.
- Au Jus Gravy Mix: A one-ounce packet that gives the gravy its deep, seasoned, steakhouse flavor.
- Beef Stock: The base of the au jus gravy. Use unsalted so you can control the seasoning.
- Butter: Sliced and laid over the top, it melts into a silky, glossy sauce.
- Onion and Garlic: Thinly sliced for a savory, aromatic backbone in every bite.
See recipe card for exact quantities.
Variations and Substitutions
These Slow Cooker Steak Bites are easy to adapt to whatever you have on hand.
- Add mushrooms: Toss in sliced mushrooms for an earthy, steakhouse twist.
- Make it spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce.
- Thicken the gravy: Stir in a cornstarch slurry during the last 30 minutes for a thicker sauce.
- Swap the cut: Use chuck roast or stew meat for an even more budget-friendly batch.
- Serve over noodles: Spoon them over egg noodles, like our steakhouse beef tips and noodles.
How to Make Slow Cooker Steak Bites
- Season the steak. Place the cubed sirloin in a large bowl with the salt and pepper and toss to coat.
- Sear the steak. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with half the oil, then sear the steak bites in batches until browned and transfer them to an 8-quart slow cooker.
- Add the onion and garlic. Toss the sliced onion and garlic into the slow cooker with the seared steak bites.
- Pour in the beef stock. Add the beef stock to the slow cooker.
- Add the au jus and butter. Sprinkle the au jus packet over the top and lay the butter slices across everything.
- Cover and cook. Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or low for 6 to 8 hours, stirring occasionally, then garnish with parsley and serve.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Do not skip the sear, it is the single biggest flavor builder for the whole batch of crockpot steak bites.
- Cut the steak evenly into bite-sized pieces so everything cooks at the same rate.
- Stir every 30 minutes if you can so the butter and au jus coat every piece.
- Use an 8-quart slow cooker so the steak bites have room to cook in a single layer.
- Thicken the gravy with a quick cornstarch slurry in the last half hour if you like it thicker.
- Let them rest a few minutes before serving so the gravy clings to each bite.
Serving Ideas and Suggestions
Serve these Slow Cooker Steak Bites over creamy mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or rice so none of that au jus gravy goes to waste. They are fantastic next to loaded mashed potato cakes and a simple green vegetable.
For a hearty steakhouse-style plate, pair them with homemade french fries and a crisp salad. The buttery gravy is made for dipping and drizzling.
Hosting a comfort-food night? Set these crockpot steak bites out alongside our award-winning slow cooker chili for an easy, hands-off spread.
Slow Cooker Steak Bites FAQs
Sirloin is the best cut for Slow Cooker Steak Bites because it is affordable, beefy, and turns tender over low heat. Chuck roast or stew meat also work well for a budget-friendly batch.
Searing is highly recommended for the best Slow Cooker Steak Bites because it builds a savory crust that flavors the entire au jus gravy. If you are short on time you can skip it, but the flavor will be milder.
Yes, cook the Slow Cooker Steak Bites on low for 6 to 8 hours instead of high for 3 to 4 hours. Low and slow makes them even more tender.
To thicken the gravy, stir in a slurry of one tablespoon cornstarch mixed with two tablespoons cold water during the last 30 minutes of cooking the Slow Cooker Steak Bites.
Slow Cooker Steak Bites are delicious over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, rice, or with french fries. The buttery au jus gravy is perfect for spooning over any starchy side.
Yes, these crockpot steak bites reheat beautifully. Store them in the gravy in an airtight container for up to 4 days and warm them gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Craving more easy beef dinners? Try our better than take-out beef and broccoli next.
Planning a Sunday dinner? Make our stuffed pork loin the centerpiece.
Love hands off dinners like this? Our slow cooker chicken marsala recipe delivers the same set it and forget it magic.
Round out the appetizer table with these steak bites and our creamy French onion dip.
Slow Cooker Steak Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 pounds sirloin steak cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 small sweet onion thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic thinly sliced
- 1 cup unsalted beef stock
- 1 ounce packet au jus gravy mix
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter thinly sliced
- fresh chopped parsley for garnish optional
Instructions
- Place the steak into a large bowl with the salt and pepper and toss to combine.3 pounds sirloin steak, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Get a large skillet hot over medium-high heat and add half of the oil. Sear off the steak pieces in batches and place them into an 8-quart slow cooker. Add more oil to the pan if needed.2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Once all the steak is seared, add the onion and garlic to the slow cooker, toss with the steak bites.1 small sweet onion, 3 cloves garlic
- Pour in the beef stock. Sprinkle the au jus packet over the top. Lay slices of the butter over the top.1 cup unsalted beef stock, 1 ounce packet au jus gravy mix, 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low 6-8 hours. Stir every 30 minutes or so if you can. Serve with a garnish of fresh parsley if using.fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Notes
- Cut the steak into even bite-sized pieces for consistent cooking.
- If using a skillet for searing, make sure it’s very hot to get a good sear on the steak.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan while searing – cook in batches if necessary.
- Stir the steak bites occasionally while cooking in the slow cooker for even flavor distribution.
- If you like a thicker sauce, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with water and add it to the cooker in the last 30 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving to add a pop of color and freshness.
Nutrition
Love This Recipe?
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Add fresh mushrooms 30 minutes before finishing- our new favorite! Serve over baked potatoes. Thanks for this great recipe.
I like the McCormick au jus gravy packet, thanks!
I can’t wait to try this…looks and sounds delicious, but I would like to know what au jus packet you recommend. Thnx