Slow cooking is a great way to turn less expensive cuts of meat into tender, delicious meals. While slow cooking is commonly used for tougher cuts like chuck roast or pork shoulder, many people wonder if you can also use it to cook steaks. Specifically, can you slow cook frying steak?
The short answer is yes, you can absolutely slow cook frying steak! While it may seem counterintuitive, slow cooking can help break down the connective tissues in frying steak, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth tender piece of meat.
In this article, we’ll look at the benefits of slow cooking frying steak, how to prepare the steak, what ingredients to use, cooking times and temperatures, as well as some delicious frying steak slow cooker recipes to try. Keep reading to learn how to transform an inexpensive cut of meat into a hearty, delicious family meal.
Benefits of Slow Cooking Frying Steak
Here are some of the top advantages of using a slow cooker for frying steaks:
Tenderizes the Meat
One of the biggest benefits of slow cooking over other cooking methods is how it helps break down tough cuts of meat. The long cooking time combined with moist heat helps dissolve collagen and connective tissues.
This makes the meat incredibly tender – often fall-apart tender. Even inexpensive cuts like frying steak can become meltingly tender after several hours in a slow cooker.
Infuses with Flavor
In addition to becoming tender, the meat also infuses with flavor during the slow cooking process. As the steak simmers for hours in a delicious sauce or broth, it will soak up all those tasty flavors.
You can experiment with different seasonings, herbs, spices, and sauces to give your steak the perfect flavor profile. The meat will end up infused with much more flavor than just grilling or pan frying alone.
Convenient and Hands-Off
Once you prep the ingredients and turn on the slow cooker, the work is done. Unlike grilling or stovetop cooking that requires monitoring, slow cooking allows you to go about your day while dinner cooks itself.
You can prep in the morning and come home to a house filled with delicious aromas and a perfectly cooked meal. This hands-off convenience makes slow cooking great for busy households.
Cost Effective
Frying steak is already less expensive than higher quality steaks like ribeye or tenderloin. Cooking it in a slow cooker stretches your food dollars even further.
You can buy frying steak in larger quantities when it’s marked down and then freeze what you don’t immediately need. Pull it out to slow cook for an easy, budget-friendly dinner any night of the week.
How to Prepare Frying Steak for the Slow Cooker
Preparing the steak properly before slow cooking is important for safety as well as optimal flavor. Here are some tips:
Choose the Right Thickness
Look for frying steaks that are 1-2 inches thick. If the steaks are too thin they’ll overcook and become tough. Aim for thicker steaks which will hold up better to the lengthy cooking time while remaining juicy.
Trim Off Excess Fat
Too much visible fat can make the dish greasy. Use a sharp knife to trim off any large pieces of visible fat before cooking. Leave a thin layer over the meat for flavor.
Pat Dry with Paper Towels
Make sure to thoroughly pat the steaks dry before seasoning. Any moisture on the surface can prevent spices and seasoning from properly adhering to the meat.
Season Generously
Slow cooking gives you the opportunity to really layer in lots of seasoning. Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried herbs like thyme – season boldly on all sides. The flavor will penetrate deep into the meat as it cooks.
Quick Sear Before Slow Cooking
While not strictly necessary, taking the time to sear the steaks first will add a ton of flavor. Get a skillet very hot on the stovetop with a bit of oil. Add the steaks and let them get a nice brown crust, just 1-2 minutes per side. Transfer the seared steaks to the slow cooker.
Ingredients to Use
In addition to flavoring the steak itself, experiment with different ingredient combinations in the slow cooker to infuse even more flavors. Consider adding:
- Onions
- Garlic
- Carrots
- Celery
- Mushrooms
- Potatoes
- Green beans
- Tomatoes
- Beef broth or stock
- Red wine
- Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, oregano
- Spices like paprika, cumin, chili powder
- Worcestershire or soy sauce
Combining the steak with veggies, broth, and seasonings results in a delicious one-pot meal. The steak both tenderizes and soaks up flavor while the vegetables and starches become ultra tender.
Slow Cooker Times and Temperatures
One tricky thing about using a slow cooker is figuring out the timing. Here are some guidelines for slow cooking frying steak:
Low Setting (200°F)
Cooking on the low setting will take 8-10 hours, perfect for starting in the morning and finishing at dinner. Use this setting when cooking larger or tougher cuts of frying steak.
High Setting (300°F)
The high setting cuts the cooking time in half, so you can expect the steak to be done in 4-6 hours. Use high when cooking smaller or more tender cuts of meat.
Don’t Overcook
It can be tempting to cook it longer to make it more tender, but too much time in the slow cooker can make the meat mushy and dry. Stick within the recommended time frames for best results.
Allow to Rest
Once done cooking, use a slotted spoon to transfer the steaks to a plate or cutting board. Allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing to allow the juices to reabsorb into the meat.
Frying Steak Slow Cooker Recipes
To give you an idea of how to slow cook frying steak, here are a few delicious recipe ideas you can try:
Slow Cooker Steak Fajitas
- 1-2 lbs frying steak, sliced thin
- 1 onion, sliced
- 3 bell peppers, sliced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp fajita seasoning
- Juice of 1 lime
Cook on low setting for 6-8 hours. Serve steak and veggies in tortillas with desired toppings like guacamole, salsa, cheese, etc.
Slow Cooker Steak and Mushroom Stroganoff
- 1.5 lbs frying steak, cubed
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Cook on low for 7-9 hours. Stir in sour cream at end and serve over egg noodles.
Slow Cooker Steak Chili
- 2 lbs frying steak, cubed
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeno, sliced
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained
Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Add beans in the last 30 minutes. Top with shredded cheese, sour cream, etc.
Conclusion
While it may seem unusual, slow cooking is actually an ideal way to cook less expensive frying steak. The low and slow heat helps transform the meat into a tender, mouthwatering dish with tons of flavor.
To summarize:
- Look for 1-2 inch thick steaks
- Trim excess fat and pat steaks dry
- Generously season all over
- Quickly sear in skillet before slow cooking
- Add flavorful ingredients like veggies, broth, and seasonings
- Cook on low 8-10 hours or high 4-6 hours
- Allow steak to rest before serving
With the endless ingredient combinations possible, you can enjoy a different slow cooker frying steak recipe every night of the week. This budget-friendly cut becomes meltingly tender and full of flavor. Give it a try for an easy, delicious family dinner.