Unlock the secret to incredibly tender slow cooker flank steak and gravy, enriched with earthy mushrooms! This ultimate high-protein dinner promises a melt-in-your-mouth experience that will quickly become a household favorite. If you’ve enjoyed our air fryer flank steak, prepare to be amazed by this deeply flavorful version, slow-cooked to perfection and generously smothered in a luscious, thick sauce.
This recipe isn’t just a meal; it’s a revelation. Embracing Crockpot recipes during warmer months or busy weeks is a game-changer. It allows you to create spectacular dinners without slaving over a hot stove, keeping your kitchen cool and your stress levels low. For those seeking effortless yet incredibly rewarding home-cooked meals, this slow cooker flank steak will undoubtedly earn a top spot in your recipe collection.
Cooking flank steak in the Crockpot is the absolute best method to transform this lean cut of beef into something truly extraordinary. It ensures every thick piece of protein becomes fork-tender and incredibly delicious with minimal, often hands-off, preparation. The magic lies in the extended, low-heat cooking, which breaks down the tougher fibers, resulting in a texture akin to the most incredible Crockpot pulled beef you’ve ever tasted. Forget slicing; this beef is so tender it practically falls apart! And for many families, including ours, smothering it in a thick, flavorful gravy isn’t just an option—it’s a cherished tradition, evoking nostalgic memories of grandmother’s cooking.
To elevate this dish further, incorporating simple additions like mushrooms and onions is a fantastic, budget-friendly way to introduce depth, umami, and delightful texture. You can literally toss all the ingredients into your slow cooker in the morning, and by the time everyone is home and hungry, a deeply satisfying, falling-apart tender meal awaits. This recipe proves that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or leisurely weekend feasts.
Key Ingredients for Succulent Slow Cooker Flank Steak
Let’s dive into the essential components that make this slow cooker flank steak truly shine:
- Flank Steak: We recommend a 1.5-2 lb flank steak, which typically serves 4-6 people, depending on appetite. For a family of five, this often provides enough for dinner with delicious leftovers for the following day – a wonderful bonus for meal prep!
- Hanger Steak as an Alternative: If flank steak isn’t available, hanger steak is an excellent substitute. This cut is often even more tender than flank steak and cooks very similarly, making it a perfect alternative for this recipe. Both cuts benefit immensely from low and slow cooking to achieve that desired fall-apart texture.
- Olive Oil: A touch of olive oil helps coat the steak, infusing flavor and promoting even seasoning. If you prefer an alternative, avocado oil is a great choice, offering both a mild flavor and additional health benefits.
- Minced Garlic: Freshly minced garlic delivers the richest, most robust flavor. For convenience, especially on busy days, jarred minced garlic works perfectly well without compromising the dish’s deliciousness. Consider using air fryer garlic for an extra boost of flavor.
- Liquid Base – Beef Broth: While water can be used, beef broth is highly recommended. It adds a significant layer of savory depth and natural saltiness that plain water simply cannot provide, enhancing the overall richness of the gravy.
- Mushrooms: A package of sliced mushrooms adds a wonderful earthy dimension, reminiscent of a healthier stroganoff. For firmer mushrooms, opt for baby bellas (portabellas). White button mushrooms also work well, though they will become softer during the long cooking process.
- Onions: Sliced white or yellow onions contribute essential aromatic flavor and texture. They sweeten slightly as they cook down, adding complexity to the gravy. Feel free to mix different onion varieties for a nuanced taste.
- Butter: High-quality salted butter, like Kerrigold, enriches the sauce. For dietary needs, a dairy-free or vegan butter alternative can be used without significantly altering the outcome.
- Cornstarch: This is crucial for achieving that wonderfully thick, luxurious gravy. It’s added at the end to transform the flavorful cooking liquid into a perfect sauce for serving.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, thyme, and a hint of cayenne pepper create a balanced flavor profile. Thyme complements beef beautifully, while cayenne offers a gentle, optional warmth.
The beauty of this slow cooker flank steak recipe lies in its simplicity: layer the meat and vegetables, pour in the liquid, and let your slow cooker do the rest. The result is a deeply savory dish, perfect for shredding or gently pulling apart and serving over creamy garlic mashed potatoes for the ultimate comfort food experience.
While homemade mushroom gravy is highly recommended for its superior flavor, if time is of the essence, a quality store-bought slow cooker sauce can be a convenient shortcut. However, for that authentic, rich taste that truly elevates this dish, making your own gravy using the ingredients outlined below is well worth the effort. Alternatively, a savory onion gravy can also be a fantastic pairing.
A thick, robust gravy is truly essential for this dish. It not only adds an incredible depth of flavor but also ensures the entire meal remains wonderfully moist and succulent. You can customize the gravy with a dash of cayenne for a subtle kick, or keep it classic and comforting. Whether you opt for homemade or a ready-made option, don’t skip this crucial step!
Does Flank Steak Get More Tender the Longer You Cook It?
Absolutely! This is one of the inherent advantages of slow cooking. Flank steak, a lean and flavorful cut, contains connective tissues that, with prolonged exposure to low heat, gradually break down into gelatin. This transformation is what creates that incredibly tender, fall-apart texture. So, if your dinner plans get delayed by an hour or two, don’t worry—your flank steak will likely only become even more tender and delicious. Just remember, due to its extreme tenderness, you won’t be able to achieve clean, aesthetic slices; it’s designed to be pulled or shredded.
This “low and slow” principle is fundamentally different from cooking cuts like T-bone, NY Strip, or Porterhouse steaks, which are typically cooked quickly to medium-rare for optimal tenderness and juiciness. For a recipe like Crockpot steak and potatoes using these cuts, you’d aim for a different, less fibrous texture. For flank steak in the slow cooker, longer cook times equal greater tenderness.
Should I Sear Flank Steak Before Putting It in the Crockpot?
Searing beef before slow cooking is a common technique used to develop a rich, caramelized crust, which contributes to a deeper flavor profile, often referred to as the Maillard reaction. This step can indeed “lock in” some juices and enhance the overall taste. However, for this slow cooker flank steak recipe, searing is completely optional. We’ve prepared it both ways, and while searing adds a layer of complexity, skipping it will not ruin your dish. You can confidently place the raw flank steak directly into the slow cooker with the onions and gravy mixture. The long cooking time ensures a perfectly tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture even without the initial sear. It’s all about convenience without sacrificing deliciousness.
Optimal Slow Cooker Time for Flank Steak
For a beautifully tender slow cooker flank steak, aim for approximately 8 hours on the low setting. The exact cooking time can vary slightly depending on the thickness of your flank steak. Many modern slow cookers have a convenient feature that automatically switches from “cook” to “keep warm” once the cooking cycle is complete. This ensures your flank steak stays warm without overcooking or drying out, making it perfectly ready for dinner time without you having to constantly monitor it.
Can You Cook Flank Steak in a Slow Cooker on High?
While technically possible, cooking flank steak on the high setting in a slow cooker is generally not recommended for this particular cut. The primary benefit of a slow cooker is its ability to cook “low and slow,” allowing ample time for the connective tissues in tougher cuts like flank steak to break down gradually. Cooking on high heat accelerates the process, but it can lead to a less tender, more rubbery texture, as the collagen doesn’t have enough time to convert into gelatin properly. For that truly tender, easily shredded result, sticking to the low heat setting for a longer duration is the key to success.
Slow Cooker Flank Steak Recipe
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Equipment
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1 slow cooker
Ingredients
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1.5-2 lb flank steak
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1 tbsp olive oil
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2 tbsp minced garlic
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1 cup beef broth
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8 oz mushrooms
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1 onion
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3/4 tsp salt
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3/4 tsp pepper
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2 tbsp butter
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1/2 tbsp thyme
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1 tsp cayenne
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2 tbsp cornstarch, to thicken gravy
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Instructions
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Thinly slice onions and set aside. Spread olive oil onto the flank steak, then sprinkle with minced garlic, salt, pepper, and thyme. Slice mushrooms and set aside.
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Place the seasoned flank steak into the slow cooker. Arrange the sliced mushrooms and onions around the edges of the steak. Distribute butter pieces evenly over the mushrooms. Pour beef broth over the steak and vegetables.
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Cook on the LOW setting for 8-10 hours, or until the steak is incredibly tender and easily pulls apart. Once cooked, carefully remove the steak, mushrooms, and onions to a serving dish and set aside. Scoop out 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid from the slow cooker and transfer it to a small bowl. Whisk in the cornstarch until smooth, adding a dash of cayenne pepper if you desire a bit of heat.
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Pour the cornstarch mixture back into the slow cooker with the remaining liquid and whisk thoroughly to create a thick gravy. If a thicker gravy is desired, repeat with an additional tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with a small amount of liquid. Return the steak, mushrooms, and onions to the slow cooker to coat in the gravy, or simply pour the gravy generously over the steak on your serving dish.
Nutrition
Calories: 173kcal,
Carbohydrates: 3g,
Protein: 20g,
Fat: 9g,
Saturated Fat: 4g,
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g,
Monounsaturated Fat: 4g,
Trans Fat: 1g,
Cholesterol: 59mg,
Sodium: 399mg,
Potassium: 428mg,
Fiber: 1g,
Sugar: 1g,
Vitamin A: 214IU,
Vitamin C: 3mg,
Calcium: 28mg,
Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Creative Ways to Serve Your Slow Cooker Flank Steak
This incredibly tender slow cooker flank steak is remarkably versatile and can be enjoyed in numerous ways. While some purists might prefer a squeeze of fresh lime juice and serving it in warm tortillas for a taco night, the classic pairing with its rich brown gravy over creamy mashed potatoes remains a top choice. The juicy, tender beef is destined to become one of your all-time favorite steak preparations.
Once you’ve experienced the melt-in-your-mouth goodness of this recipe, you might be wondering what to try next. We highly recommend our slow cooker carne asada recipe. It can utilize the same flank steak cut or even skirt steak. Both are typically more economical cuts of beef, offering great value and flavor. Skirt steak is generally tougher than flank steak and often requires a slightly shorter cooking time to reach peak tenderness. Experiment with both cuts to discover your personal preference!
Beyond flank steak, we’ve also cooked Crockpot chuck roast extensively. Chuck roast often excels in slow cooking because it features more marbling—those beneficial streaks of fat that render down to add incredible flavor and moisture to the overall dish. Flank steak, being quite lean, requires careful attention to ensure it stays moist throughout the long cooking process to prevent it from drying out. Using ample liquid and a flavorful gravy helps keep it perfectly succulent.
