If there’s one recipe that never lets me down on a chaotic week, it’s Slow Cooker Steak Bites. Truly. This is the kind of meal that feels fancy enough for a dinner party but is secretly doing all the work while you’re answering emails, helping with homework, or finally sitting down with that cup of coffee you reheated three times.
These Slow Cooker Steak Bites are rich, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth tender—without demanding constant attention. And that, my friend, is my favorite kind of cooking.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Slow Cooker Steak Bites
Let me count the ways:
- They’re set-it-and-forget-it comfort food at its best
- Made with simple, budget-friendly ingredients
- Tender enough to cut with a fork
- Perfect for weeknights and special occasions
- Smell so good while cooking that everyone keeps wandering into the kitchen asking, “What’s for dinner?”
If you’ve ever wanted a steak dinner without standing over a stove all night, these Slow Cooker Steak Bites are your answer.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Nothing fancy here—just honest ingredients doing delicious things together.
- Sirloin steak (3 pounds) – Cut into bite-sized pieces
- Kosher salt & black pepper – Simple seasoning goes a long way
- Olive oil – For searing (flavor alert!)
- Sweet onion – Thinly sliced for gentle sweetness
- Garlic cloves – Because steak loves garlic
- Beef stock or broth – Unsalted lets you control the flavor
- Au jus gravy mix (1 packet) – The secret to rich, savory sauce
- Unsalted butter – Thinly sliced, because butter makes everything better
- Fresh parsley (optional) – For a pop of color and freshness
How to Make Slow Cooker Steak Bites (Step-by-Step)
Don’t worry—this looks like more steps than it really is. Once you get everything going, your slow cooker takes over like a champ.
1. Season the Steak
Place your sirloin steak bites into a large bowl. Sprinkle with kosher salt and black pepper, then toss until everything is nicely coated. Simple, but important.
2. Sear for Big Flavor
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add half the olive oil. Sear the steak bites in batches—don’t overcrowd the pan. You’re not cooking them through here, just giving them a gorgeous golden crust.
Transfer the seared steak pieces straight into your 6-quart slow cooker. Add more oil if needed between batches.
(Yes, you can skip searing—but trust me, this step adds restaurant-level flavor.)
3. Add the Aromatics
Once all the steak is in the slow cooker, add the sliced onion and garlic. Give everything a gentle toss so those flavors get cozy together.
4. Build the Sauce
Pour in the beef stock, then sprinkle the au jus gravy mix evenly over the top. Lay the butter slices right on top like little flavor blankets.
5. Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover and cook:
- HIGH: 3–4 hours
- LOW: 6–8 hours
If you’re around, give it a stir every 30 minutes or so—but don’t stress if life gets busy. This recipe is forgiving.
6. Serve & Enjoy
Finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley if you’re feeling fancy. Then serve hot and watch them disappear.
My Favorite Cooking Tips (Learned the Hard Way)
- Sirloin is ideal: It’s tender, flavorful, and holds up beautifully in the slow cooker.
- Don’t skip the butter: It melts into the sauce and makes everything luxuriously rich.
- Sauce too thick? Add a splash of warm beef broth and stir. Too thin? Let it cook uncovered for 15–20 minutes.
- Want extra flavor? A splash of Worcestershire sauce works wonders.
And if your sauce looks a little too glossy and indulgent… that’s not a problem. That’s dinner winning.
How I Usually Serve These Steak Bites
These Slow Cooker Steak Bites are incredibly versatile. Here are a few favorites from my kitchen:
- Over mashed potatoes (classic and cozy)
- With buttered egg noodles
- Alongside rice or cauliflower rice
- Served as an appetizer with toothpicks (dangerously snackable)
- Tucked into hoagie rolls for an easy steak sandwich night
Honestly, I’ve even spooned leftovers straight from the fridge the next day—no shame here.
A Little Personal Note from My Kitchen
I first made these Slow Cooker Steak Bites during one of those weeks where everything felt loud and busy. I needed something comforting but low-effort—because cooking felt like one more thing.
By dinnertime, the house smelled like garlic, butter, and slow-cooked goodness. Everyone was happier. Even me. That’s when I knew this recipe was staying.
FAQs About Slow Cooker Steak Bites
Can I use a different cut of steak?
Yes! Chuck steak works well and becomes very tender, though sirloin stays a bit firmer and meatier.
Do I really need to sear the steak first?
You don’t have to, but it adds depth and flavor. If you’re short on time, you can skip it—no judgment.
How do I store leftovers?
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or microwave.
Can I freeze these Slow Cooker Steak Bites?
Absolutely. Let them cool completely, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat slowly.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! This dish actually tastes even better the next day once the flavors have settled in.
A Cozy Ending from My Kitchen to Yours
There’s just something special about Slow Cooker Steak Bites—they’re comforting, dependable, and feel like a warm hug after a long day. Whether you’re feeding a family, hosting friends, or just treating yourself to a stress-free dinner, this recipe has your back.
If you make these Slow Cooker Steak Bites, I hope they bring a little calm, a lot of flavor, and maybe even a quiet moment of joy to your table. Happy slow cooking
If You’re Craving More Cozy Dinners…
If this recipe put you in a slow-cooker state of mind, you’re in the right place. These comforting favorites pair perfectly with your Slow Cooker Steak Bites and make meal planning feel easy (and honestly, kind of fun). Save a few now—you’ll be grateful on the next busy night:
- Love that buttery, beefy flavor? You’ll feel right at home with Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites—rich, saucy, and dangerously good over mashed potatoes.
- Need the ultimate comfort-food side? A big scoop of Crockpot Mashed Potatoes turns steak bites into a cozy, restaurant-worthy dinner with almost no effort.
- In the mood for something hearty and classic? Slow Cooker Beef and Noodles is a true family favorite and perfect when you’re craving old-fashioned, stick-to-your-ribs comfort.
- Feeding a hungry crowd or planning leftovers? Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole is filling, budget-friendly, and made for busy weeknights.
Whether you’re planning dinners for the week or just collecting cozy ideas for later, these recipes keep that warm, comforting slow-cooker feeling going—one easy meal at a time
Print
Slow Cooker Steak Bites
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Slow Cooker Steak Bites are tender, juicy pieces of sirloin slow-cooked in a rich, buttery gravy with onions and garlic. This easy, hands-off dinner is perfect for busy weeknights, cozy weekends, or meal prep, delivering big steakhouse flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
3 pounds sirloin steak, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small sweet onion, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 cup unsalted beef stock or broth
1 packet (1 ounce) au jus gravy mix
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, thinly sliced
Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Place the steak bites in a large bowl and season with kosher salt and black pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add half of the olive oil. Sear the steak in batches until browned on all sides. Transfer the steak to a 6-quart slow cooker.
Add the remaining olive oil to the skillet if needed, then transfer any remaining steak to the slow cooker.
Add the sliced onion and garlic to the slow cooker and gently toss with the steak bites.
Pour the beef stock over the steak. Sprinkle the au jus gravy mix evenly on top.
Lay the sliced butter over the top of the mixture.
Cover and cook on HIGH for 3–4 hours or LOW for 6–8 hours, stirring occasionally if possible.
Garnish with fresh parsley before serving, if desired.
Notes
Sirloin works best for tender, juicy steak bites that hold their shape.
Searing the steak adds extra flavor, but you can skip it if short on time.
Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, noodles, or with crusty bread to soak up the gravy.
Leftovers reheat beautifully and taste even better the next day.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg