Slow Cooker Mississippi Beef Cubed Steaks Recipe
If you’re craving a hearty, melt-in-your-mouth meal that practically makes itself, the Slow Cooker Mississippi Beef Cubed Steaks Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. This dish combines tender cube steaks with a rich blend of savory seasonings and tangy pepperoncini peppers, all slow-cooked to perfection. The magic lies in how the au jus gravy and ranch seasoning mingle with buttery goodness, creating a saucy, flavorful experience that’s both comforting and downright addictive. Whether you’re feeding family or friends, this recipe is sure to become a staple at your dinner table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting started with the Slow Cooker Mississippi Beef Cubed Steaks Recipe is refreshingly simple. Each ingredient plays a crucial role, from building the depth of flavor to achieving that perfect texture that the slow cooker tenderizes so beautifully.
- 6 cube steaks: These tender beef slices are the star of the dish, offering juicy, flavorful bites once slow-cooked.
- 1 ounce au jus gravy packet: Adds a rich, savory base that deepens the beef’s natural flavors.
- 1 ounce ranch seasoning packet: Brings a creamy, tangy kick that complements the beef and peppers perfectly.
- 1/3 cup water: Helps the seasonings blend and keeps everything moist during the long cooking time.
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into cubes: Melts into the sauce to create a luscious, velvety texture.
- 6 pepperoncini peppers: Provide a mild tangy heat and a nice bite that brightens the dish.
How to Make Slow Cooker Mississippi Beef Cubed Steaks Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Start by laying your cube steaks flat, ready to layer in the slow cooker. This simple prep step sets the stage for a beautifully even cook and ensures every bite is tender.
Step 2: Mix the Seasonings
In a small bowl, combine the au jus gravy packet, ranch seasoning packet, and water. Stir until well mixed—this flavorful liquid will become your slow cooker’s magic sauce.
Step 3: Layer the Ingredients
Place the cube steaks in a single layer in the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour the seasoning mixture evenly over the steaks. Scatter the pepperoncini peppers on top, and then dot the butter cubes evenly across everything, allowing them to melt into the sauce as it cooks.
Step 4: Cook Low and Slow
Cover your slow cooker and set it to low. Let it work its magic for about 8 hours. The long, gentle cooking time is key to breaking down the meat fibers and infusing it with flavor, resulting in tender, juicy steaks swimming in a rich, buttery sauce.
Step 5: Final Touches
Before serving, give the sauce a gentle stir to combine any melted butter and seasonings. The sauce should be thick and glossy, perfect for spooning over the meat and your favorite sides.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Mississippi Beef Cubed Steaks Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or a light dusting of cracked black pepper adds a pop of color and a fresh zing that contrasts beautifully with the richness of the beef. If you like a bit more heat, some thinly sliced extra pepperoncini never hurts!
Side Dishes
This Slow Cooker Mississippi Beef Cubed Steaks Recipe pairs wonderfully with creamy mashed potatoes, which soak up all that incredible sauce. Roasted vegetables or a crisp green salad balance the richness, making every bite balanced and satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the cubes steaks over buttered egg noodles or even inside a toasted hoagie roll as a hearty sandwich. Drizzle the sauce generously and top with a few pepperoncini for that signature tangy bite.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying this delicious meal, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making for an even better lunch or dinner the next day. Consume within 3 to 4 days for the freshest taste.
Freezing
This recipe freezes beautifully. Portion your leftovers into freezer-safe containers, making sure to include plenty of sauce. When properly sealed and frozen, the dish will stay great for up to 3 months.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave, covering loosely to preserve moisture. Stir occasionally to warm evenly and restore that silky sauce texture before serving.
FAQs
Can I use different cuts of beef for this recipe?
Absolutely! While cube steaks are traditional and ideal because they become tender with slow cooking, you can also try chuck steaks or rump steaks. Just remember, thicker cuts might need a longer cook time to become fully tender.
Is it necessary to use pepperoncini peppers?
Pepperoncini peppers give this dish its signature tang and mild heat, but if you can’t find them, banana peppers or mild pickled peppers can be a fine substitute. They help balance the richness beautifully.
Can I make this recipe in an instant pot?
Yes! Cooking this recipe in an Instant Pot can significantly cut down the cook time. Use the pressure cook setting for about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Just make sure to allow natural pressure release so the meat stays tender.
What if I’m not a fan of ranch seasoning?
You can swap out the ranch packet for a blend of garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley, and dill for a homemade seasoning mix. It won’t be exactly the same, but it will still add fantastic flavor.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
To go dairy-free, substitute the butter with olive oil or a non-dairy butter alternative. The sauce will still be rich and flavorful, though it may lack a bit of the silky texture that butter provides.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like coming home to the comforting aroma of the Slow Cooker Mississippi Beef Cubed Steaks Recipe simmering away all day. It’s a hands-off, delightful way to elevate simple cube steaks into a dish that’s both flavorful and effortless. I encourage you to give this recipe a try—it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will have everyone asking for seconds and the recipe itself.
Print
Slow Cooker Mississippi Beef Cubed Steaks Recipe
- Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Slow Cooker Mississippi Beef Cubed Steaks recipe offers a tender, flavorful meal perfect for busy days. The beef is slow cooked with a blend of au jus gravy and ranch seasoning, topped with butter and tangy pepperoncini peppers, resulting in a rich and savory dish that melts in your mouth.
Ingredients
Beef and Seasoning
- 6 cube steaks
- 1 ounce au jus gravy packet
- 1 ounce ranch seasoning packet
- 1/3 cup water
Additional Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 6 pepperoncini peppers
Instructions
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Place the 6 cube steaks evenly in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Add Seasoning Packets: Sprinkle the au jus gravy packet and ranch seasoning packet over the steaks for rich and savory flavor.
- Add Water: Pour 1/3 cup of water over the seasoned steaks to create the cooking liquid essential for slow cooking.
- Add Butter Cubes: Distribute the 8 tablespoons of unsalted butter cubes evenly on top of the steaks to add richness and help create a delicious sauce during cooking.
- Place Pepperoncini Peppers: Add the 6 pepperoncini peppers on top of the butter and meat; they add a subtle tangy heat that balances the dish.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, allowing the meat to become tender and infused with the seasonings.
- Serve: Once cooked, carefully remove the steaks and serve with the buttery, flavorful sauce spooned over the top.
Notes
- For thicker gravy, remove the steaks after cooking and transfer liquid to a saucepan. Simmer and thicken with cornstarch slurry if desired.
- Use gloves if handling pepperoncini peppers to avoid skin irritation.
- This recipe pairs well with mashed potatoes or steamed vegetables.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
