Easy Slow Cooker Round Steak with Gravy (Tender Recipe!)

Have you ever looked at a budget-friendly cut of beef like round steak and felt a little intimidated? It’s a lean and flavourful cut, but if not cooked correctly, it can end up tough and chewy. Many people believe that you need an expensive, well-marbled roast to achieve a truly tender and delicious beef dinner. But what if the secret to melt-in-your-mouth steak was as simple as turning on your slow cooker?

This Easy Slow Cooker Round Steak recipe is a true game-changer. It’s a simple, “dump-and-go” meal that transforms an inexpensive cut of beef into a succulent, fall-apart tender masterpiece. With just a few minutes of prep, your slow cooker does all the hard work, simmering the steak with mushrooms and onions in a rich, savory broth that becomes a creamy, luscious gravy. Get ready for a new family favorite that delivers maximum comfort with minimal effort.

What You’ll Need: Ingredients

This recipe uses simple, flavour-packed ingredients to create a rich and savory meal. The combination of seasonings and a creamy finish makes for an unforgettable gravy.

this now & bake later ❤️

Timing

The beauty of this recipe is its “set it and forget it” nature. While the cooking time is long, your active, hands-on time is just a few minutes at the beginning and end.

• Preparation Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time (Low): 6–8 hours
• Cook Time (High): 3–4 hours
• Gravy Thickening Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 3.5 to 8.5 hours (almost entirely hands-off!)

Step-by-Step Instructions

This recipe couldn’t be simpler. Just layer, set, and wait for the magic to happen!

Step 1: Layer Ingredients in the Slow Cooker

Begin by placing your round steak in the bottom of your slow cooker crock. There’s no need to sear the meat first—this is designed to be an ultra-easy recipe! Top the steak evenly with the sliced mushrooms and the sliced sweet onion.

Step 2: Add Seasonings and Liquids

In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle this seasoning mixture evenly over the onions and mushrooms. Finally, pour the beef bone broth and Worcestershire sauce over everything.

Step 3: Cook Low and Slow

Place the lid on your slow cooker and set it to cook. For the most tender, melt-in-your-mouth result, cook on the Low setting for 6-8 hours. If you’re shorter on time, you can cook on the High setting for 3-4 hours.

Pro Tip: Resist the urge to peek! Lifting the lid releases heat and steam, which can increase the cooking time. Let your slow cooker work its magic undisturbed.

Step 4: Create the Creamy Gravy

About 15 minutes before you’re ready to serve, it’s time to transform those delicious cooking liquids into a rich gravy. In a small bowl, create a slurry by whisking together the 3 tablespoons of tapioca flour and 3 tablespoons of cold water until it’s completely smooth and free of lumps. Stir this slurry into the liquid in the slow cooker. Then, stir in the heavy whipping cream. Replace the lid and turn the slow cooker to the High setting for the final 15 minutes to allow the gravy to thicken.

Step 5: Slice or Shred and Serve

Once the gravy has thickened, carefully remove the steak from the slow cooker. It will be incredibly tender. You can either slice it against the grain or use two forks to pull it apart into large, shredded pieces. Serve the tender beef immediately, generously smothered with the creamy mushroom and onion gravy.

Nutritional Information

Here is an estimated nutritional breakdown per serving, assuming the recipe makes 8 servings.

• Calories: 380 kcal
• Protein: 35 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fat: 22 g (Saturated Fat: 10 g)

This dish is a fantastic source of high-quality protein and is relatively low in carbohydrates.

Healthier Alternatives

While this is a comforting classic, you can make a few simple swaps to fit different dietary needs:

• Leaner Cut: Ensure your round steak is well-trimmed of any excess visible fat before cooking.
• Lower Sodium: Use a low-sodium beef broth and a low-sodium Worcestershire sauce to have better control over the final saltiness of the dish.
• Gluten-Free Gravy: This recipe is already designed to be gluten-free by using tapioca flour! You can also use cornstarch or arrowroot powder to make your slurry if you don’t have tapioca flour on hand.
• Lighter Creaminess: You can substitute the heavy whipping cream with half-and-half or evaporated milk for a slightly lighter, lower-fat gravy.

Serving Suggestions

This slow cooker round steak and its incredible gravy are just begging to be served over something that can soak up all that deliciousness.

• Over Mashed Potatoes: The classic and ultimate pairing. Serve the tender steak and gravy over a generous scoop of creamy mashed potatoes.
• With Noodles or Rice: This dish is also fantastic served over wide egg noodles or fluffy white rice.
• Low-Carb Option: For a delicious low-carb meal, serve the steak and gravy over a bed of creamy mashed cauliflower.
• Add a Green: A simple side of steamed green beans, roasted broccoli, or a crisp green salad would be the perfect fresh accompaniment.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

This recipe is incredibly foolproof, but here are a few tips for guaranteed success.

• A Lumpy Gravy: This is a common issue when thickening sauces and happens when a starch is added directly to a hot liquid.
  • Solution: Always create a slurry first! Mix the tapioca flour (or cornstarch) with a small amount of cold water in a separate bowl until it forms a smooth paste. This allows it to dissolve evenly when you stir it into the hot liquid in the slow cooker.
• Tough or Chewy Meat: While the slow cooker is great at tenderizing, using the wrong setting for your time frame can affect the result.
  • Solution: If you have the time, always opt for the “low and slow” method (6-8 hours on Low). This gentle, prolonged cooking is the absolute best way to break down the tough connective tissues in a lean cut like round steak, resulting in maximum tenderness.
• A Bland Final Dish: This is a simple recipe, so the quality of your ingredients matters.
  • Solution: Use a good-quality beef bone broth (rather than just water or a standard broth) for a richer, deeper flavour. Don’t be afraid to season the final dish with a little extra salt and pepper after tasting.

Storing and Reheating Tips

This is a fantastic make-ahead meal, and leftovers are often even more flavourful the next day!

• Storing: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freezing: This dish freezes beautifully. Let it cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
• Reheating: Reheat the steak and gravy gently in a saucepan on the stove over low heat until warmed through.

Conclusion

This Easy Slow Cooker Round Steak recipe is a true testament to the magic of low-and-slow cooking. It takes a humble, budget-friendly cut of beef and transforms it into an exceptionally tender, flavourful, and comforting meal with a built-in creamy gravy. It’s the perfect, minimal-effort solution for a busy day when you’re craving a hearty, homestyle dinner.

We are so excited for this to become a new staple in your recipe collection. Give this simple recipe a try and let us know how much your family loved it in the comments below! Don’t forget to rate the recipe and subscribe for more easy and delicious slow cooker ideas.

FAQs

Q1. Do I need to sear the round steak before putting it in the slow cooker?

While searing meat can add an extra layer of flavour, this recipe is specifically designed to be a quick and easy “dump-and-go” meal. It is absolutely delicious without the extra step of searing!

Q2. What is the difference between top round and bottom round steak?

Both are lean cuts from the rear leg of the cow. Top round is generally a bit more tender than bottom round, but either one will work wonderfully in this slow cooker recipe, as the long, moist cooking process will tenderize the meat beautifully.

Q3. Can I add other vegetables to this recipe?

Yes, absolutely! Sliced carrots, celery, or small, quartered potatoes would be a fantastic addition. You can add them to the slow cooker at the very beginning along with the onions and mushrooms for a more complete, all-in-one meal.

Easy Slow Cooker Round Steak with Gravy (Tender Recipe!)

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

• Author: Evelyn Marcella Rivera
• Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

What You’ll Need: Ingredients. Simple, flavor-packed pantry staples transform round steak into melt-in-your-mouth comfort food with a creamy mushroom-onion gravy. Hands-off slow cooker method with a quick finish.

---

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

Beef & Aromatics

• 2 1/2 lb top or bottom round steak
• 8 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 1 sweet onion, sliced

Seasonings & Liquids

• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp homemade Italian dressing mix or Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup beef bone broth
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

To Thicken & Finish

• 3 Tbsp tapioca flour (or cornstarch)
• 3 Tbsp cold water (for slurry)
• 2 Tbsp heavy whipping cream

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Layer ingredients: Place round steak in the bottom of the slow cooker. Top with sliced mushrooms and sliced sweet onion. No searing needed.
2. Add seasonings & liquids: Whisk garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle over onions and mushrooms. Pour in beef bone broth and Worcestershire sauce.
3. Cook low & slow: Cover. Cook on LOW 6–8 hours for best tenderness (or HIGH 3–4 hours if short on time). Avoid lifting the lid to keep heat in.
4. Thicken the gravy: 15 minutes before serving, whisk tapioca flour with cold water to make a smooth slurry. Stir into the slow cooker, add heavy cream, cover, and cook on HIGH for 15 minutes until thickened.
5. Slice or shred & serve: Remove steak (very tender). Slice against the grain or shred with two forks. Serve with the creamy mushroom-onion gravy.

Notes

Pro tip: Each lid lift can add 15–20 minutes to cook time. For a richer gravy, substitute 1/2 cup broth with low-sodium beef stock concentrate; for dairy-free, omit cream or swap with unsweetened cashew cream.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Main Course
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Calories: 380
• Fat: 22
• Saturated Fat: 10
• Carbohydrates: 8
• Protein: 35