Crockpot Steak Bites
Crockpot Steak Bites are tender, bite-sized pieces of steak slow-cooked in a rich, savory sauce. It tastes like a slow Sunday dinner, but it can easily come together on a busy weeknight.
Tender sirloin and sweet onions slow-cook in a savory au jus sauce. A little butter and a splash of Worcestershire round it out.
I make these on the nights I want a real dinner but don’t want to stand at the stove. I sear the steak and get it into the slow cooker before lunch. Then I forget about it until the kitchen starts to smell incredible. My husband always asks what’s cooking. We like the bites best piled over mashed potatoes with plenty of that au jus spooned on top.
Recipe Highlights
- Easy slow cooker dinner
- Quick prep, then hands-off
- Make-ahead and freezer-friendly
- Great over potatoes, rice, or noodles
- Budget-friendly dinner for 6
Ingredient Notes
Please check the recipe card below for a detailed, printable ingredient list.
STEAK – I use top sirloin, but round steak or chuck roast both work well. For the most tender bites, slice across the grain.
AU JUS GRAVY MIX – Grab a 1-ounce packet from the gravy aisle. It does the work of a from-scratch gravy.
BEEF BROTH – Regular or low-sodium both work. If you only have bouillon, dissolve enough to make 1 cup.
ONION – I like sweet onion, but a yellow onion works fine. Slice it thin so it softens all the way down.
GARLIC – Fresh minced garlic is best, but ½ teaspoon garlic powder works in a pinch.
OLIVE OIL – Any neutral oil sears just as well. Vegetable or canola oil is fine if you’re out.
BUTTER – I use unsalted so I can control the salt. Add it in pats over the top near the end.
How To Make Crockpot Steak Bites
Please check the printable full recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- Set the sliced onions in the slow cooker as a base.
- Season the steak, then sear it in a hot skillet until browned.
- Make the sauce in the same skillet and pour it over the steak.
- Top with butter, cover, and slow-cook until fork-tender.
Short on time? Our Air Fryer Steak Bites cook in a fraction of the time.
More Amazing Beef Crockpot Recipes
Planning, Leftovers and Storage
STORE – Let the steak bites cool, then keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
FREEZE – Freeze the bites and sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
REHEAT – Warm them gently in a skillet or the microwave until heated through.
MAKE AHEAD – Sear the steak and mix the sauce up to a day ahead. Store them separately, then combine and slow-cook when you’re ready.
Serving Suggestions
A COMFORTING CLASSIC – Pile the steak and sauce over Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes for a true comfort plate. The creamy potatoes soak up all of the au jus.
A GERMAN FAVORITE – Serve the bites over German Spätzle so the soft noodles catch the sauce. It is the way we like them best at home.
A SAVORY GREEN SIDE – Add a side of Green Beans with Bacon and Onion for color and a little crunch. The bacon plays well with the rich beef.
SOMETHING FRESH AND TANGY – A cool Oma’s German Cucumber Salad balances the hearty steak. It comes together while the slow cooker does its thing.
FOR SCOOPING UP THE SAUCE – Set out warm Air Fryer Garlic Bread for the sauce. Every last spoonful is too good to leave behind.
Recipe Variations
BBQ Steak Bites – Swap the au jus mix for your favorite BBQ sauce. Add a little honey or brown sugar for sweetness.
Garlic Butter Steak Bites – Stir minced garlic into the butter and skip the au jus mix for a buttery, garlicky version.
Mushroom Gravy – Add sliced mushrooms with the onions and swap the au jus for a mushroom gravy mix.
Teriyaki Pineapple – Use teriyaki sauce instead of au jus and add pineapple chunks for a sweet and savory twist.
Recipe Variations
BBQ Steak Bites – Swap the au jus mix for your favorite BBQ sauce. Add a little honey or brown sugar for sweetness.
Garlic Butter Steak Bites – Stir minced garlic into the butter and skip the au jus mix for a buttery, garlicky version.
Mushroom Gravy – Add sliced mushrooms with the onions and swap the au jus for a mushroom gravy mix.
Teriyaki Pineapple – Use teriyaki sauce instead of au jus and add pineapple chunks for a sweet and savory twist.
Recipe Success Tips
SEAR FIRST – Browning the steak in a hot skillet first gives the bites deep, roasted flavor and color.
LOW AND SLOW – Cook on low for the most tender, fork-ready steak. It’s worth the wait.
UNIFORM PIECES – Cut the steak into even, bite-sized pieces so everything cooks at the same rate.
SKIM IF NEEDED – For a cleaner sauce, spoon off any extra oil from the top before serving.
EXPERT TIP – Take the steak off the heat as soon as it’s fork-tender to keep every bite juicy.
Commonly Asked Questions
How Long Do You Cook Steak Bites In The Crockpot?
Cook crockpot steak bites on low for 4 to 5 hours. Low and slow is what makes them tender, so it’s worth the wait. Smaller, even pieces cook a little faster, so check them around the 4-hour mark. Once the steak is fork-tender, they’re ready to serve.
How Do You Make Steak Bites Tender In The Slow Cooker?
The secret to tender steak bites is low heat and enough time. Cooking on low lets the steak slowly break down until it’s fork-tender. Steak bites turn tough when they cook too hot or too fast, so skip the high setting. Searing first and cutting even pieces help too.
Can You Make Crockpot Steak Bites Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can prep crockpot steak bites a day ahead. Sear the steak and stir together the sauce, then store them in separate containers in the fridge. When you’re ready, add everything to the slow cooker and cook as directed. It’s an easy way to get dinner going fast.
Which Cut Of Steak Is Best For Steak Bites?
Top sirloin is my favorite cut for steak bites. It’s lean, cooks up tender, and won’t break the bank. Chuck roast is another great pick, since it stays tender through long cooking. Round steak works too and keeps things affordable. Here’s a quick guide to choosing:
|
Cut |
Texture After Cooking |
Good to Know |
|
Top sirloin (this recipe) |
Tender and lean |
Lean with good flavor, my go-to |
|
Chuck roast |
Very tender, a little richer |
Holds up best over long cook times |
|
Round steak |
Tender and very lean |
The most budget-friendly pick |
More Easy Slow Cooker Recipes
Love a hands-off dinner? Here are more slow cooker recipes my family asks for again and again.
Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole – A cheesy, crowd-pleasing dinner that layers up in minutes.
Slow Cooker Adobo Chicken – Tangy, savory chicken that practically cooks itself.
Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings – Cozy comfort food with tender dumplings and rich broth.
Boneless Ribs in the Crock Pot – Fall-apart ribs with almost no hands-on work.
Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Sliders – Easy party sliders ready when you are.
Crockpot Steak Bites
Ingredients
- 3 pounds top sirloin steak cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1½ teaspoons salt plus more to taste
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 large onion thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil I used extra virgin
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 package Au Jus Gravy Mix about 1-ounce
- 1 cup beef broth or bouillon, dissolved to make 1 cup
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup butter sliced into pats
Garnish (optional)
- parsley chopped
Instructions
- Place the sliced onions in the bottom of the slow cooker to make a bed for the steak.
- Pat the steak dry, then season it all over with the salt and pepper.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the steak in batches until browned on all sides. Transfer it to the slow cooker, on top of the onions.
- In the same skillet, add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and au jus mix. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring, until the sauce is combined.
- Pour the sauce over the steak and top with the butter pats.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, until the steak is fork-tender.
- Once cooked, you can gently stir the steak bites to bring everything together in the sauce.
- Serve hot with the sauce and onions. Garnish with parsley if you like.
Equipment
Notes
Slow Cooker Times
ON LOW: 4 to 5 hoursFOOD SAFETY
Nutritional Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Cheerful Cook team members are not trained nutritionists or medical professionals. Calorie information and nutritional values are estimates. If you have nutritional concerns, we recommend using a nutritional calculator.
Maike Corbett grew up in German kitchens learning to cook and bake alongside her Omas before spending over a decade running full-service restaurants in the US. She founded Cheerful Cook in 2017 to share practical, tested comfort food recipes that actually work on busy weeknights, drawing on both her American restaurant experience and her German home-cooking roots. Her work has been featured on MSN, Yahoo, the Associated Press, and other major media outlets.
Very good. Both of my kids said they really liked this recipe.
My whole family loved this.
Easy to follow!!!
Very tasty! Will definitely make this again!! Easy and clear directions!