Cube Steak Bites in Brown Gravy
Cube steak strips cook in brown gravy with onion and mushrooms for only 3 to 4 hours. The short window keeps the beef in bites instead of threads.
Cube Steak Bites in Brown Gravy
Course: Main CourseDifficulty: Easy4
servings15
minutes3
hours30
minutesCube steak strips cook in brown gravy with onion and mushrooms for only 3 to 4 hours. The short window keeps the beef in bites instead of threads.
Ingredients
1 1/2 lb cube steak, cut into 1 inch strips
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 large yellow onion, sliced
8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
1 1/2 cups unsalted beef stock
1 packet (0.87 oz) brown gravy mix
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp Dijon mustard
Directions
- Cut the cube steak into strips about 1 inch wide. Trim any hard gristle you can see.
- Toss the strips with the flour, salt, pepper and garlic powder until each piece is lightly coated.
- Spread the onion and mushrooms over the bottom of a 5 to 6 quart slow cooker.
- Lay the floured strips on top in as thin a layer as the pot allows. Thick stacks cook unevenly.
- Whisk the stock, gravy mix, Worcestershire sauce and mustard until smooth and pour it over the beef.
- Dot the butter on top and cover with the lid.
- Cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours. Do not use HIGH, because the thin strips toughen when they cook hard.
- At 3 hours, test a piece with a fork. It should break with light pressure and a probe should read at least 160°F.
- Stir gently so the strips do not shred, then let the gravy sit uncovered for 10 minutes to thicken.
- Taste for salt and serve over mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles.
Notes
- If the gravy is too thin, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch into 2 tablespoons of cold water and stir it in for the last 15 minutes. Do not leave this in the pot on warm for more than an hour, because the strips keep softening. Leftovers keep 3 days.
Why a short cook works for cube steak
Cube steak is already tenderized by the butcher, so it needs hours, not a full day. The flour coating thickens the gravy as it cooks and gives the strips something to hold onto. Cutting them into inch strips means every piece gets coated and cooks evenly.
Mushrooms release a lot of water, which is why this does not need much stock.
Swaps and one to skip
Round steak, sliced thin, can stand in, though it will be a bit chewier. Button mushrooms are fine instead of cremini. Do not swap in a thick chuck steak, which needs far longer and will stay tough in a 3 to 4 hour window.
What to serve with it
Mashed potatoes are the classic partner, and wide egg noodles are just as good. Add green beans or peas for color. Plain white rice also soaks up the gravy well.
The mistake to dodge
Leaving it on warm all afternoon. Thin strips keep softening and the texture drifts from tender to mushy. Serve it soon after it finishes.
Dredge the strips in the flour mixture right before they go in the pot, and shake off the extra. Too much flour makes the gravy pasty and heavy.
Cube Steak Bites in Brown Gravy at a glance
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cooking time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Servings: 4 servings
- Ingredients: 12, led by cube steak, all-purpose flour, kosher salt, black pepper
Tips for Cube Steak Bites in Brown Gravy
If the gravy is too thin, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch into 2 tablespoons of cold water and stir it in for the last 15 minutes. Do not leave this in the pot on warm for more than an hour, because the strips keep softening. Leftovers keep 3 days.
Cube Steak Bites in Brown Gravy FAQ
How long does Cube Steak Bites in Brown Gravy take?
Cube Steak Bites in Brown Gravy takes 3 hours 30 minutes of cooking after 15 minutes of prep.
How many people does Cube Steak Bites in Brown Gravy serve?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
What do I need to make Cube Steak Bites in Brown Gravy?
12 ingredients, led by cube steak, all-purpose flour, kosher salt, black pepper. Amounts are in the recipe card above.
Part of: 4 Inspiring Crockpot Steak Bite Ideas
