Slow cooker smothered steak is a classic comfort food recipe that is the perfect weeknight dinner solution. A tender, juicy steak is smothered in a rich, thick gravy – all made effortlessly in your slow cooker!
I know what you’re thinking: “Steak in a slow cooker? Won’t that turn into a big pot of mush?” The answer is no, not if you sear the steak before it goes in the slow cooker to give the meat a beautiful crust and lock in all the delicious juices.
Just a few minutes of prep time can turn the most humble steak into a melt-in-your-mouth masterpiece with delicious gravy. This is the perfect recipe for tougher cuts of meat, like sirloin steak, which are more affordable but not known for their tenderness.
And this recipe is so easy that even a kitchen novice can make it. All you need is a few simple ingredients, your slow cooker, and a little patience. I’ll go over the step-by-step directions and give you my best tips!
Reader Review
I made this for my husband & daughter & they loved it. I couldn’t find sirloin steaks at the grocery store so I substituted 4 one inch thick chuck eye steaks. Crock pot recipes are so easy because you can leave them for several hours to do other things.
— Linda
Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Sirloin steak: Look for an excellent, marbled cut of sirloin. The marbling (those little white lines of fat running through the meat) will help keep your steak tender and flavorful as it cooks low and slow in the crockpot.
- Onion
- Green bell pepper
- Butter
- Garlic
- Flour
- Brown gravy mix: I like to use the packaged stuff for convenience.
- Worcestershire sauce
- Brown sugar
- Seasoning: Smoked paprika, onion powder, steak seasoning
- Water
Are you looking for more easy slow cooker dinners for busy weeknights? Try slow cooker huli huli chicken, slow cooker BBQ chicken ranch sandwiches, or slow cooker sweet pork.
How to Make Slow Cooker Smothered Steak
- Sprinkle both sides of your sirloin with smoked paprika, onion powder, and steak seasoning.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and quickly sear your seasoned steak on both sides. You’re not trying to cook it through; just get a nice golden brown crust on the outside.
- Remove the steak from the pan and place it in your slow cooker. Add butter to the same pan and toss in your sliced onion and bell pepper. Stir everything around until the veggies pick up all those tasty bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Toss in the minced garlic and sprinkle with flour. Stir for about a minute until the flour is absorbed and everything smells amazing.
- Scoop that delicious veggie mixture on your seared steak in the slow cooker.
- In a small bowl, whisk together one envelope of brown gravy mix, water, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar until smooth. Pour the gravy all over the steak and veggies in the slow cooker.
- Pop the lid on your slow cooker and cook on low for about 6 hours or high for 4 hours until the steak is tender and the veggies are soft.
- Once the cooking time is up, remove the steak from the slow cooker and whisk in the second envelope of brown gravy mix. Cook on high for a few minutes to thicken the sauce and make it rich and delicious.
Serving Ideas
Now that you’ve got a big batch of Slow Cooker Smothered Steak, it’s time to talk about serving ideas. Here are a few of my favorite ways to enjoy this delicious dish.
- Mashed potatoes: Is anything more comforting than a big scoop of creamy mashed potatoes topped with tender steak and gravy? I think not.
- Over rice: A bed of fluffy white rice is the perfect canvas for soaking up all that rich, savory gravy. It’s a classic combo that never gets old.
- Egg noodles: If you’re in the mood for something different, try serving your smothered steak over a bed of buttery egg noodles. It’s like a cross between pot roast and beef stroganoff, and it’s delicious.
- Hoagie rolls: Slice up your steak and pile it on a soft hoagie roll with plenty of sautéed veggies and gravy for a messy, delicious sandwich perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
- Meal prep: Portion your smothered steak into individual containers with rice or veggies for easy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week.
How to Store
Transfer your steak and gravy to an airtight container (or several if you’re portioning it out for meal prep). Your smothered steak will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days, making it perfect for quick and easy meals all week.
When you’re ready to eat, reheat your smothered steak in the microwave or stovetop until it’s heated. If the gravy seems a little thick, you can thin it out with a splash of water or beef broth.
If you know you’ll have leftovers, store the steak and gravy separately from any rice or noodles. This prevents the grains from getting soggy and helps everything reheat more evenly.
Tips
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- I know it’s an extra step, but taking the time to sear your steak before adding it to the slow cooker makes a world of difference in terms of flavor and texture. That little bit of browning adds so much depth and richness to the dish. It also helps keep the steak in one piece and prevents it from turning into a big pot of mush. Don’t get me wrong, the big pot of mush would still taste good, but it would be more like shredded beef than steak.
- While I love the combination of smoked paprika, onion powder, and steak seasoning, you can mix things up and use your favorite blend of spices. Maybe you like a little more heat from cayenne pepper or a garlic based seasoning.
- The beauty of this recipe is that it’s endlessly customizable. For an extra layer of flavor, add sliced mushrooms, diced potatoes, or even a splash of red wine to the slow cooker. The possibilities are endless!
Reader Questions
Of course! While sirloin is my go-to for this recipe, you can use any steak you like. But personally, the slow cooker wouldn’t be my first choice for cooking expensive steak. I cook that in the air fryer, sous vide, or on the grill and use this recipe for cheaper cuts of meat like sirloin, beef tips, or stew beef.
Yes! Sear the steak and sauté the veggies as directed, then transfer everything to a baking dish. Cover with foil and bake at 325°F for about 2-3 hours or until the steak is tender.
While you can technically freeze leftover smothered steak, the texture of the meat and veggies can get a little funky after thawing, so I don’t recommend it.
Yes, other veggies work great in this recipe. Sliced mushrooms, diced potatoes, and baby carrots would all be delicious additions to this dish.
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Slow Cooker Smothered Steak Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds sirloin steak
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon steak seasoning
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 onion sliced
- 1 green bell pepper sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 envelopes brown gravy mix 1 ounce
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- Season both sides of your steaks with paprika, onion powder, and steak seasoning.2 pounds sirloin steak, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon steak seasoning
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the steaks quickly on both sides. You want to get a little color, not cook them.
- Remove the steaks from the pan and place them at the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Add your butter, onion, and pepper to the skillet.4 tablespoons butter, 1 onion, 1 green bell pepper
- Stir this around until the butter melts and the peppers and onion pick up the steak bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Toss in your garlic and flour and stir everything together for 1 minute.2 cloves garlic, 2 tablespoons flour
- Add this pepper-onion mixture to the slow cooker.
- Next, in a small bowl, combine one brown gravy mix, water, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar. Whisk to combine.1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 2 envelopes brown gravy mix, 2 cups water, 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- Pour this over the steak in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low 6 hours or high 4 hours or until the meat is tender.
- Remove the steak from the slow cooker.
- Whisk in the second envelope of brown gravy mix.
- Add the steak back to the gravy.
- Serve over rice or mashed potatoes.
Notes
- Searing your steak before adding it to the slow cooker makes a world of difference in terms of flavor and texture. It helps keep the steak in one piece and prevents it from turning into a big pot of mush.
- While I love the combination of smoked paprika, onion powder, and steak seasoning, you can mix things up and use your favorite blend of spices. Maybe you like a little more heat from cayenne pepper or a bit of sweetness from brown sugar.
- The beauty of this recipe is that it’s endlessly customizable. For an extra layer of flavor, add sliced mushrooms, diced potatoes, or even a splash of red wine to the slow cooker.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
Searing meat doesn’t “lock in juices.” That’s a myth that’s been disproved over and over again.
Nowhere in the recipe does it say sear meat “to lock in juices”. Actually says searing will add flavor – which it does! No need to make uncalled for snarky remarks.
I made this for my husband & daughter & they loved it. I couldn’t find sirloin steaks at the grocery store so I substituted 4 one inch thick chuck eye steaksl. I seared them in a cast iron skillet. The gravy was a little thin so I whisked in Wondra Flour to make it thicker. Crock pot recipes are so easy because you can leave them for several hours to do other things.
Love your air fryer recipes.