Simple Smothered Steak (Slow Cooker)

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This Slow Cooker Smothered Steak includes tender steak, mushrooms, onions and peppers slow cooked in a rich, savory, luscious gravy perfect for serving with rice or mashed potatoes.

A plate of white rice topped with slow cooker smothered steak covered in gravy and garnished with herbs, served with iced tea and a lemon wedge, placed on a red checkered cloth. A plant is blurred in the background.

I have always loved making and eating this easy dinner recipe! Simple Smothered Steak (Slow Cooker) is called simple for a reason! The beauty of this recipe lies in it's versatility as it's a great fridge cleaner! I use whatever vegetables I need to use.

This was inspired by my smothered hamburger steaks with mushroom gravy on this site, and pairs well with this loaded mashed potato casserole.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Tender and Juicy Meat: Slow cooking makes the steak incredibly tender and juicy, allowing the flavors to meld together perfectly.
Easy Dinner: With common ingredients and minimal prep work, this recipe comes together easily. Then, you can set it and forget it, freeing up your time for other activities.
Flavorful Gravy: This gravy is rich and flavorful and smothers the steak, making every bite delicious.
Versatile Meal: Slow cooker smothered steak works with various sides like mashed potatoes, rice, or vegetables, making it a versatile dish for any meal.
Comfort Food: This dish is total comfort food, offering a warm, hearty meal that's perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Sirloin Steak: Use ribeye, round steak, chuck steak, blade steak, New York strip, chuck roast or stewing beef instead.
Smoked Paprika: Use regular paprika instead.
Onion Powder and Steak Seasoning: For wonderful flavor.
Butter: Oil will work if needed.
Onion: Yellow or white onions work best but red or purple onion will work in a pinch.
Green Bell Pepper: Red or yellow peppers will work too and add a little more color.
Mushrooms: Use your favorite variety.
Garlic Cloves: Use minced garlic instead.
All Purpose Flour: Used to thicken gravy.
Brown Sugar: Use white sugar if necessary but brown sugar works best.
Worcestershire Sauce: Use soy sauce or red wine instead.
Brown Gravy Mix: Substitute one of the gravy mix packages with a ranch dressing envelope for different flavor.
Water: Use beef broth, vegetable broth or red wine instead.

See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.

Substitutions and Variations

Don't have the correct ingredients on hand? Or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change this easy recipe.

Add Vegetables: Add peas, corn, green beans or carrots if desired.
Add Bacon: Add chopped, almost crisp bacon for extra flavor.
Add Heat: Add a bit of chili pepper flakes, diced jalapeno pepper, our jalapeno powder, smoked jalapeno powder, or chipotle powder to the mixture for a bit of heat. You can also serve up our homemade hot pepper sauce on the table as well.

Instructions

Four seasoned pork chops sizzling in a frying pan, creating a simple recipe that's both quick and delicious.

A frying pan with sliced green peppers and onions being cooked, topped with a sprinkle of white flour, evokes the flavors of smothered steak, shown on a light marble surface.

Season both sides of your steaks with the paprika, onion powder and steak seasoning.
Heat a large skillet over medium high heat and sear the steaks quickly on both sides. You are just looking to get a little color not cook them.
Remove the steaks from the pan and place into the bottom of your slow cooker.
To the pan add your butter, onion and mushrooms.
Stir this around until the onions and mushrooms pick up the steak bits from the bottom of the pan.
Toss in your garlic and flour and stir everything together for 1 minute.

A simple smothered steak dish in a slow cooker with sautéed onions and green bell peppers mixed with spices and tender pieces of meat.

A stainless steel bowl filled with a light brown liquid viewed from above, placed on a white surface next to a slow cooker containing sliced vegetables for a simple smothered steak.

Add this mushroom 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.

A slow cooker filled with smothered steak, featuring beef, sliced green bell peppers, and onions in a seasoned broth.

A close-up of simple smothered steak cooked in a slow cooker, covered in a thick, brown gravy and garnished with chopped parsley.

Pour this into 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 sliced peppers and stir until coated. Add the steak back to the gravy.
Serve over rice or mashed potatoes.

If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy smothered pork chops with tomato gravy.

A plate with rice topped with a simple smothered steak covered in brown sauce, garnished with herbs, accompanied by Brussels sprouts.

Storage

List how to store this dish in the fridge/how long it's safe to do so etc.

Refrigerator: Allow the smothered steak to cool down to room temperature and place in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer: Allow to cool completely and place in air tight, portion-sized containers or heavy-duty freezer bags for up to 3 months.

Reheat From Refrigerator:

Microwave: Place on a microwave-safe dish, cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, and heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

Stovetop: Place in saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.

Reheat From Freezer:

Thaw the steak and gravy in the refrigerator overnight and then once defrosted use microwave or stovetop to reheat..

Make Ahead:

Chop vegetables, season the steak, and have ingredients ready to go for up to 24 hours in advance. Store it in the refrigerator until needed.

What To Serve With

Pair the smothered steak with mashed potatoes, rice, or a crusty bread to soak up all of the delicious gravy.

Tips

Sear the steak in a hot skillet before placing it in the slow cooker to make your steak look better and taste better.
After browning the steak, allow onions and mushrooms to deglaze the pan to capture all the flavorful bits before adding to slow cooker for more flavor.
Season your steak well and don't be shy
Resist the urge to lift the lid during cooking, as it releases heat and can extend cooking time.
Allow the steak to rest for a few minutes before serving to let the juices redistribute.

FAQ

Do you have questions about slow cooker smothered steak? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about it.

Do I need to brown the steak before adding it to the slow cooker?

While not totally necessary, it is highly recommended to improve flavor and gives the meat a nice color.

Can I cook the smothered steak on high instead of low?

Yes, you can cook the steak on high, but the best results are generally achieved by cooking on low for a longer period. Cooking on high may result in a less tender texture.

What cut of meat is best for slow cooker smothered steak?

The best cut for slow cooker smothered steak is sirloin steak but ribeye, round steak, chuck steak, blade steak, New York strip, chuck roast or stewing beef will definitely work instead. Generally tougher, more affordable cuts like chuck steak, round steak, or blade steak become tender and flavorful when cooked slowly on low.

Video

More Slow Cooker Beef Recipes

Do you like slow cooked beef? Here some recipes you may also like to try.

Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.