Description
Slow Cooker Steak Bites: Tender beef cooked low and slow with garlic, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Easy, delicious, and perfect for a crowd!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds (900g) beef chuck or sirloin, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons (45ml) olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (16g) cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon (15g) brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons (12g) kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon (2g) black pepper
- 1 teaspoon (3g) garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon (2g) onion powder
- ½ teaspoon (1g) dried thyme
- 3 garlic cloves, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 medium onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 1 cup (240ml) beef broth
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) soy sauce
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the beef by patting the cubes dry with paper towels. This crucial step ensures proper browning. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch, brown sugar, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried thyme. Toss the beef cubes in this mixture until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, sear the seasoned steak bites for 1-2 minutes per side until they develop a rich brown crust. You’re not cooking them through—just developing flavor. Transfer the browned Steak Bites to your slow cooker.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the diced onions, cooking for 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in a splash of beef broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up all the flavorful browned bits from the bottom.
- Step 4: Transfer the onion mixture to your slow cooker, then add the remaining beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and bay leaves. Stir gently to combine all ingredients without dislodging the seared coating from the meat.
- Step 5: Cover and cook your Slow Cooker Steak Bites on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the meat is fork-tender. The longer, slower cooking option generally yields more tender results, but both methods work beautifully.
- Step 6: Once cooking is complete, remove the bay leaves. If you prefer a thicker sauce, transfer 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid to a small bowl and whisk in 1 tablespoon of cornstarch until smooth. Stir this mixture back into the slow cooker and cook on high for an additional 15 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1100mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 140mg