As soon as the leaves start turning and there’s a crisp breeze in the air, I find myself reaching for my slow cooker more and more. There’s just something comforting about walking through the door to the smell of dinner already simmering, especially when your day has been packed with school drop-offs, after-school chaos, work deadlines, and that never-ending mountain of laundry.
If you’re looking for a hearty, low-effort meal that feels like a warm hug after a busy day, this Crockpot Chop Steak recipe is it. It’s one of our go-to dinners during fall and winter, not only because it’s incredibly simple, but also because it checks every box for a family-friendly, budget-conscious, flavorful meal.
Why Chop Steak?
For this recipe, we used venison chop steak because we had some stocked in our freezer. But the beauty of this dish is its flexibility. You can use any type of chop steak you have on hand, beef, deer, or another lean cut. It’s all about working with what’s already in your kitchen to stretch your grocery budget without sacrificing flavor.
If you’re new to cooking with venison, don’t worry. The slow cooker tenderizes the meat beautifully, and the combination of seasoning packets blends together to mellow out any strong gamey flavor. The result is savory, fork-tender meat with rich gravy, perfect over mashed potatoes or even cauliflower mash for a low-carb twist.
The Ultimate Cozy Crockpot Meal for Busy Weeknights
What I love most about this slow cooker chop steak recipe is how ridiculously easy it is to throw together. You can have everything prepped and in the Crockpot in under 10 minutes. Then just set it and forget it! Whether you’re working from home, running errands, or carpooling all over town, dinner is literally cooking itself in the background.
And let’s be real, anything that makes dinner less stressful is a parenting win in my book.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 1/2 lbs. chop steak (venison or beef both work!)
- 1 can beef-flavored broth
- 1 packet reduced sodium brown gravy mix
- 1 packet au jus gravy mix
- 1 packet onion soup mix
Optional: chopped mushrooms, sliced onions, or veggies of your choice
Optional but helpful: Nonstick spray for easier cleanup.
How to Make Crockpot Chop Steak
1. Lightly spray your Crockpot with nonstick spray.
2. Place a layer of chop steak in the bottom.
3. In a bowl, mix together all the dry seasoning packets.
4. Sprinkle a portion of the mixed seasonings over the first layer of meat.
5. Continue layering steak and seasoning mix until all the meat is used.
6. Pour the beef broth over the top.
7. Add mushrooms or any optional vegetables if using.
8. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours, until meat is tender.
That’s it! When you’re ready to serve, spoon that rich gravy over a pile of mashed potatoes and pair it with a side of green beans, carrots, or even some buttered noodles.
Kid-Approved & Budget-Friendly
This is one of those meals that looks like you spent hours on it but actually takes almost no effort. It’s rich, savory, and hearty, everything a cozy dinner should be, and yes, it’s absolutely kid approved. My picky eater even asked for seconds!
It’s also super budget friendly. Chop steak is often cheaper than premium cuts, and most of the ingredients, like the seasoning packets, are pantry staples. You can easily stretch this meal across two dinners by slicing leftovers for wraps, sliders, or a quick lunch the next day.
Healthier Swaps & Customizations
Want to make this even healthier or reduce sodium? Swap out store-bought seasoning packets for your own homemade blends. It’s a simple way to cut out preservatives and control what goes into your family’s meals.
Here are a few quick DIY seasoning tips:
- Onion soup mix: Mix dried onion flakes, beef bouillon, onion powder, and parsley.
- Brown gravy mix: Combine flour or cornstarch with beef bouillon, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Au jus mix: Use beef bouillon, onion powder, and a pinch of garlic and thyme.
Get the kids involved too, they’ll love measuring and mixing!
Make It a One-Pot Meal
Want even less cleanup? Toss some cubed potatoes, carrots, or bell peppers right into the slow cooker with the meat. It turns into a full one-pot meal that doesn’t even require a side dish. You can also serve it over:
- Quinoa
- Mashed cauliflower
- Buttered egg noodles
- Or even rice
Make-Ahead Tip: Freezer Meal Option
One of my favorite time-saving tricks? Turn this into a freezer meal! Just assemble everything (minus the broth) into a gallon freezer bag and lay it flat. On a hectic morning, thaw slightly and dump the contents into the Crockpot with the broth. Boom! Dinner is done.
Fall Favorite Dinner the Whole Family Will Love
Fall is such a busy season for families, between school routines, sports practices, and prepping for the holidays, dinner can feel like a chore. That’s why I love sharing easy weeknight Crockpot recipes like this one that help take the stress out of mealtime.
This Crockpot Chop Steak is hearty, easy, and comforting, everything you need on a cool autumn night. Whether you stick with the classic mashed potatoes or get creative with your sides, I know your family will love this cozy, slow-cooked meal as much as mine does.
Let’s Chat!
Have you tried this recipe? Do you use venison or beef chop steak, or something else entirely? I’d love to hear your tweaks or how you serve it up! Tag me on Instagram @diana_chastain_ or pin this to your Slow Cooker Dinner Ideas board on Pinterest.
For more easy weeknight dinner ideas for busy families, don’t forget to explore my other favorite slow cooker recipes for fall!
Written by Diana Chastain from Nanny to Mommy
This looks delicious! My family would love this meal!
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