Slow Cooker Braised Steak and Onions Recipe

With little effort, you can have this easy recipe for braised steak and onions ready for when you get home. With chunks of juicy rump steak slow cooked in a thick, luscious red pepper and sweet onion gravy, it's perfect with mash and veg on a cold winter's night!

Sometimes we all need a slow cooker braised recipe to survive the day. And this is one of mine: a tasty braised steak and onion recipe.

When I first shared showed how to cook steak in a slow cooker a few years ago, it was delicious, but the juices weren't thick.

But we've since been making it with a thick glossy gravy with a delicious sweet red pepper. Not carrots as you'll find all over the internet. And it's amazing as a Philly cheesesteak casserole. Hope you enjoy it too!

Jump to:

• ✔️ Why You'll Love this Recipe
• 🛒 Ingredient Notes
• 📋 Instructions
• 👩‍🍳 Substitutions
• ⚖️ Variations
• 🔪 Equipment
• ❄️ Storage
• 💡Pro Tips
• 🍽️ Serving Suggestions
• ❓ FAQ
• ➕ More Slow Cooker Recipes
• ➕More Beef Recipes
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

✔️ Why You'll Love this Recipe

• Minimal preparation
• Easy braised beef for first time cooks
• Warms you up from the inside out
• Low fat and healthy for a weight loss diet
• Can be adapted using different vegetables
• Slow cooking makes the meat incredibly tender and flavourful
• Hearty and filling, making it perfect for the whole family dinner

🛒 Ingredient Notes

Please see the printable recipe card with exact ingredient quantities and preparation instructions at the bottom of this post.

• Frylight - this is a low calorie cooking oil spray. However, if you're not following a Slimming club diet, then you can sear your beef in 1 tablespoon of butter, rapeseed, olive or coconut oil, etc.
  
• Rump steaks - very accessible meat and tough, so it makes it ideal for braising in a slow cooker. Or use brisket, chuck steak, or chuck roast for a pot roast beef
  
• Onions - onions make this dish with its caramelized taste while they wilt in the pot until softened for a sweet and savory flavour to the luscious onion gravy
  
• Red pepper - to bulk this dish with a sweet taste for a Mediterranean diet, or use carrots for a classic savoury mince
  
• Garlic cloves - adds extra depth to the pot, which you could add more or less if desired, or swap for garlic powder instead
  
• Beef stock - this can be beef broth or water and beef stock cubes or stock powder. You might also like to try a beef OXO cube, or a teaspoon of Bovril, Vegemite, or Marmite (yeast extract)
  
• Porridge oats - oats play a vital role as it slowly thickens the gravy and is higher in fibre - perfect for an unofficial Slimming World or Weight Watchers low-fat diet. If you don't have it, you can replace it with all-purpose flour and coat the steak before frying
  
• Tomato puree - (tomato paste) to add a smooth sweetness to the beef and onion stew
  
• Mustard sauce - This recipe uses French dijon mustard, but sometimes we will use a strong English mustard for some warmth. You could also use American mustard if also stirring in cheddar cheese to a Philly cheesesteak combo.
  
• Herbs and spices - fresh sprigs of thyme or a teaspoon of dried, bay leaves and salt and black pepper, or have a play with making your own bouquet garni for an extra herby taste
  
• Worcestershire sauce - adds some sweet acidity, or use balsamic vinegar for gluten free, or red wine vinegar

• Red wine stock pot - this is optional for a richer flavour, or reduce a glass of red wine by half, then make up the rest with stock

📋 Instructions

Here's how to make braised steak and onions in the slow cooker. (See FAQs for my braised steak pressure cooker and Instant Pot version):

Tip: to get the best flavour for your braised steak in a slow cooker, swirl the stock around the frying pan and scrape the bottom and sides before pouring it into your crock pot.

👩‍🍳 Substitutions

Depending on your dietary needs, here are a few simple swaps you can make:

Oil spray - you can omit completely and sear ther steak in its own juices, or add olive oil for a Mediterranean diet

Beef - swap for vegetarian soy mince and add more vegetables if preferred like potatoes, carrots and celery

Stock and Worcerstershire sauce - swap for gluten free and vegetarian

Onions - swap for shallots or focus on balsamic braised cipollini onions which are perfect for caramelizing

Oats - if not following a low fat or low carb diet, make a flour slurry with water or cornflour and stir in towards the end

⚖️ Variations

• Spicy - You can add some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for a sweet chilli taste and a drizzle of sesame seed oil
• Cheesy - stir in some grated mature cheddar or Philadelphia cream cheese for a Philly cheesesteak twist
• Deluxe - swap 1 cup water for a cup of beer for a beer-braised steak, or swap for some reduced red wine.
• Kid friendly - add more vegetables to ensure your little ones are getting their 5 a day, like mushrooms, carrots and potatoes

🔪 Equipment

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Measurements have been offered in cups and grams, so you'll only need some of the following things!

• Slow cooker
• Chopping board
• Chopping knife
• Salt and pepper grinder
• Measuring spoons
• Measuring cups
• Measuring jug
• Cheese grater
• Garlic press

❄️ Storage

Storing - we prefer eating this steak and onion recipe freshly cooked, but it can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Freezing - cool to room temperature and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

Reheating - If you want to eat the next day, defrost in the fridge if required and microwave until piping hot, or on the hob or in the oven.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Potatoes - a classic side to serve with is creamy mashed potatoes, or try baking it as a beef hotpot with sliced potatoes baked on top, or cottage pie.

Vegetables - steak and onions tastes great with fresh steamed vegetables like green beans, carrots, and garden peas

Bread - serve it with some warm crusty bread, perfect to soak up the delicious sauce

Yorkshire puddings - another perfect combo is to fill some giant Yorkshire puddings or serve with small ones for an easy mid-week dinner

Dumplings - if you want to add some comforting dumplings on top, then you can mix and add them and bake it in the oven for 30 minutes

Pasta - serve along with a tasty one pot cheesy pasta bake for the ultimate comfort food

❓ FAQ

➕ More Slow Cooker Recipes

Looking for more great recipes that are slow-cooked or air fryer friendly? Why not try one of these healthy dinner recipes:

➕More Beef Recipes

Whether you're looking for a stew, curry or classic bolognese, here are our readers' favourite recipes:

📖 Recipe

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