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If you’re looking for a comforting, melt-in-your-mouth dish that’s effortlessly delicious, the Crockpot Steak Bites with Mushrooms Recipe is exactly what you need. This dish combines tender beef stew bites with earthy mushrooms and rich garlic butter, slow-cooked to perfection so every bite bursts with flavor. It’s the kind of meal that feels special yet comes together with ease, perfect for a cozy dinner that everyone will rave about.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Crockpot Steak Bites with Mushrooms Recipe lies in its simple, wholesome ingredients that each add their own texture and depth to the dish. From the tender beef to the aromatic garlic, every element enhances the overall heartiness and warmth.
- Stew beef (1 ½ – 2 lbs.): Choose well-marbled pieces for juicy, flavorful steak bites that stay tender through slow cooking.
- White mushrooms (8 oz.): These add a mellow earthiness and soak up the savory juices beautifully.
- White onion, chopped (1/2): Provides a subtle sweetness and depth that complements the mushrooms and beef.
- Butter (6 Tbsp, sliced): Melts into a luscious sauce that binds the flavors together with richness.
- Garlic, minced (3 cloves): Brings a fragrant punch that balances the hearty flavors.
- Beef broth (¾ cup): Adds moisture and intensifies the meaty taste throughout cooking.
- Salt (1 tsp): Essential for seasoning and bringing out the full flavors of each ingredient.
- Black pepper (1 tsp): Offers a gentle heat to lift the dish’s savory profile.
- Chopped parsley (for garnish): Adds a fresh, vibrant touch to finish the dish elegantly.
How to Make Crockpot Steak Bites with Mushrooms Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Beef for Extra Flavor
Start by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat and searing the stew beef until it develops a nice brown crust. Don’t worry about cooking it through; this step is all about enhancing flavor and locking in juices. Once browned, transfer the beef to your slow cooker along with the mushrooms, chopped onion, sliced butter, minced garlic, beef broth, salt, and pepper. Gently stir to combine everything evenly.
Step 2: Slow Cook for Tender Perfection
Cover your slow cooker and cook everything on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours. This slow cooking process transforms the beef into irresistibly tender steak bites while allowing the mushrooms and onions to release their natural sweetness and soak up the buttery, garlicky sauce. For an extra touch, you can quickly sear the beef and mushrooms in a hot skillet after cooking to add a golden finish.
Step 3: Garnish and Serve
Just before serving, sprinkle chopped parsley over the steak bites to add a pop of color and fresh flavor. This final touch not only makes the dish look inviting but also balances the richness perfectly.
How to Serve Crockpot Steak Bites with Mushrooms Recipe
Garnishes
A generous sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley adds brightness and color, while a few extra pats of butter on hot steak bites elevate the richness even more. You could also try a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a subtle tang that pairs beautifully with the mushrooms.
Side Dishes
This Crockpot Steak Bites with Mushrooms Recipe shines alongside creamy mashed potatoes that soak up the luscious sauce, buttery garlic bread for sopping every last drop, or even steamed green beans for a crisp, fresh contrast. For a lighter option, serve with a side of roasted vegetables or a simple green salad with a zesty vinaigrette.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the steak bites over a bed of fluffy rice or buttered egg noodles to turn it into a hearty one-pot style meal. For a crowd-pleaser, stack the steak bites and mushrooms on toasted baguette slices for an irresistible appetizer or casual dinner option everyone can enjoy.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, place leftover Crockpot Steak Bites with Mushrooms Recipe into an airtight container and refrigerate. Properly stored, it will stay fresh for up to 3 days, making it great for quick lunches or easy dinners later in the week.
Freezing
This dish freezes quite well. Transfer cooled leftovers to a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty zip-top bag and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge for best texture and flavor.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating. Adding a splash of beef broth can help keep the steak bites moist and tender during reheating.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Absolutely! While stew beef works wonderfully here, you can substitute with chuck roast cut into bite-sized pieces or sirloin tips. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time if using very tender cuts.
Do I have to brown the beef before slow cooking?
Browning isn’t absolutely necessary, but it adds tremendous flavor and a beautiful texture to your steak bites. Skipping that step may result in a less rich and less visually appealing dish.
Can I add any other vegetables?
Yes! Feel free to toss in sliced bell peppers, carrots, or pearl onions to bulk up the dish and add layers of flavor. Just keep in mind they may alter the cooking time slightly.
Is it possible to make this recipe in an Instant Pot?
Definitely. Use the sauté function to brown the beef, then pressure cook on high for about 35 minutes. Finish with a quick release and sear the beef and mushrooms if desired.
What can I use if I don’t have beef broth?
No worries if you don’t have beef broth on hand. You can substitute with vegetable broth, mushroom broth, or even a mixture of water and a bit of soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce to keep that deep umami flavor.
Final Thoughts
The Crockpot Steak Bites with Mushrooms Recipe is one of those dishes you’ll want to make again and again. It’s easy to prepare, requires just a handful of ingredients, and rewards you with tender, flavorful beef bites swimming in a luscious, garlicky mushroom sauce. Whether for a special weekend dinner or a simple weekday meal, this recipe is a true crowd-pleaser you’ll feel proud to serve. Give it a try—you might just discover your new favorite comfort food.
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Print
Crockpot Steak Bites with Mushrooms Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Crockpot Steak Bites with Mushrooms recipe offers tender, flavorful beef stew meat slow-cooked with mushrooms, onions, garlic, and butter in a savory beef broth. Perfectly easy and comforting, this dish can be served straight from the crockpot or seared quickly in a skillet for added texture.
Ingredients
Meat
- 1 ½ – 2 lbs. stew beef
Vegetables
- 8 oz. white mushrooms
- ½ white onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids & Fats
- 6 Tbsp butter, sliced
- ¾ cup beef broth
Seasonings
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- Chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the stew beef pieces on all sides. You don’t need to cook them through; just ensure they get a nice color to develop flavor.
- Combine ingredients in slow cooker: Transfer the browned beef into the crockpot along with the mushrooms, chopped onion, sliced butter, minced garlic, beef broth, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything gently to combine evenly.
- Slow cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours, allowing the beef to become tender and flavors to meld.
- Optional final sear: For extra texture and flavor, use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked beef and mushrooms to a hot skillet and sear briefly to get some color on them.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped parsley over the dish if desired, and serve warm as is or with your favorite sides.
Notes
- Do not worry about fully cooking the beef in the browning step; it will finish cooking in the slow cooker.
- If in a hurry, choose the high setting to reduce cooking time to 4 hours.
- Using a slotted spoon helps avoid transferring excess liquid when searing for a crispier texture.
- This dish pairs well with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
