Is round steak good for slow cooking?

Absolutely! Round steak is one of the best cuts of beef for slow cooking. Because it’s lean and full of connective tissue, it benefits tremendously from low, moist heat over several hours. Using a slow cooker round steak method allows the fibers to break down gently, resulting in meat that’s tender, flavorful, and ideal for soaking in savory gravies or sauces. It’s a great way to take an inexpensive cut and turn it into a rich, home-cooked meal.

Does round steak get more tender the longer you cook it?

Yes, round steak becomes more tender the longer it cooks especially in a slow cooker. The key is to give slow cooker round steak enough time (at least 6–8 hours on low) to allow the collagen to break down into gelatin. This process creates that fall-apart texture we love. Cutting cooking time short can leave the meat tough, but when done properly, it’s as tender as pot roast.

What is the best cooking method for round steak?

While round steak can be grilled or pan-fried if it's sliced thin, the best method for a juicy and tender result is cooking it low and slow. That’s why slow cooker round steak has become such a popular choice it brings out the best in this cut. You can season it, layer it with onions and broth, and let it cook all day to create a rich, fork-tender meal without much effort.

How to cook round beef in a slow cooker?

Cooking round beef in a slow cooker is simple and rewarding. Start by layering sliced onions and mushrooms in the bottom of the slow cooker, then add your round steak and season it with dry onion soup mix. Pour in beef broth, cover, and cook on low for 7–8 hours. Near the end, whisk a little cornstarch into the juices to create a thick, savory gravy. The result is perfectly cooked slow cooker round steak that’s ideal over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles.

Slow Cooker Round Steak – 7 Easy Steps to Juicy, Tender Beef

Description

This slow cooker round steak uses the power of the crock pot to deliver tender steaks in a rich mushroom and onion gravy.

Ingredients

Scale

1 1/2 – 2 pounds round steak

1 package onion soup mix

1 large yellow onion (sliced)

8 ounces mushrooms (sliced)

2 cups low sodium beef broth

3 Tablespoons cornstarch

Salt and pepper (to taste)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat the slow cooker while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.

Spread half the onions and mushrooms on the bottom of a slow cooker, followed by the steaks. Sprinkle the steaks with the onion soup mix, flipping them over to coat both sides with the seasoning.

Spread the remaining onions and mushrooms on top, then pour in the beef broth.

Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. Remove about 1/4 cup of the juices from the crock pot. Whisk in the cornstarch to form a slurry. Stir the slurry back into the slow cooker, turn the heat up to high, and continue to cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, another 15-20 minutes, or until juices are thickened. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Notes

Before doing anything else, turn your slow cooker onto high! Preheating the slow cooker before you add any ingredients to it cuts down on cooking time and allows all your flavorful ingredients to heat up faster.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 4
Calories: 338kcal
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 1466mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 0.5g
Trans Fat: 3g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 44g
Cholesterol: 107mg