Slow-Cooker Flank Steak

We already know that slow-cooker recipes are lifesavers during busy weeks. And it’s even better when you can adapt one meal into other easy weeknight dinners. That’s what you get with slow-cooker flank steak. Flank steak, typically a tough cut of meat, becomes super tender and flavorful after a few hours in the slow cooker with broth, aromatics and spices.

When it’s ready, slice and serve the meat with buttered noodles or other hearty sides. Or, turn it into different meals, such as sandwiches, nachos, tacos and salads—so many options! Hot tip: Stock your freezer with flank steak when it goes on sale, and keep this recipe handy.

Slow-Cooker Flank Steak Ingredients

• Flank steak: This cut of steak is flavorful but also tough. Slow-cooking is a perfect way to transform flank steak into tender meat.
• Onion: To add flavor to the slow-cooked flank steak, use any type of onion you have on hand, such as yellow, Spanish or sweet Vidalia.
• Beef broth: In addition to adding more meaty flavor, the broth deglazes the skillet after the steak is seared so none of the flavorful browned bits are wasted.
• Green chiles: These mild diced chiles are sold in small cans at the grocery store near Mexican and Latin ingredients. They add flavor to this steak and are popular in southwestern recipes.
• Vinegar: A splash of vinegar adds a little tang to the flank steak sauce. The best vinegars for a savory dish like this are red wine, balsamic or apple cider.
• Oil: To sear the steak and onions before they are slow-cooked, you need only a tablespoon of canola or another vegetable oil.
• Spices: Chili powder (regular or spicy), garlic powder, black pepper and salt infuse the flank steak with deep flavor.
• Sugar: A little sugar helps thicken the sauce in the slow cooker and provides a touch of sweetness. Use white sugar or light brown sugar for notes of molasses.

Directions

Step 1: Brown the steak and onions

In a skillet, brown the steak in the oil and then transfer the steak to a 5-quart slow cooker.

In the same skillet, saute the onion for one minute. Gradually add the beef broth, stirring to loosen browned bits from the pan.

Add the chiles, vinegar, chili powder, garlic powder, sugar, salt and pepper, and bring to a boil.

Pour the onion mixture over the beef flank steak in the Crockpot.

Step 2: Cover and cook

Set the slow cooker to low, cover it and cook the flank steak for four to five hours or until the meat is tender. Slice the steak, and serve it topped with the sliced onions and pan juices.

Editor’s Tip: Move the steak to a cutting board to slice it evenly.

Slow-Cooker Flank Steak Variations

• Add more vegetables: Add garlic cloves, sliced bell peppers, broccoli, chopped leeks or sliced carrots. You can also add potatoes sliced into small cubes.
• Try other seasonings: Instead of the Southwest flavorings, make slow-cooked flank steak with Montreal steak seasoning (or one of these homemade steak seasonings). An Italian herb blend is good here too. Or, use a Middle Eastern blend of spices like cumin, cinnamon, turmeric and saffron.

How to Store Slow-Cooker Flank Steak

Allow the Crockpot beef flank steak and the sauce to cool to room temperature, then transfer them to an airtight food storage container. Store the beef and sauce in the refrigerator for up to four days.

How do you reheat flank steak?

Reheat the flank steak gently in the microwave. Loosely cover the dish and heat the steak in short 30- to 45-second bursts, stirring after each time until it’s warmed through. You can also pour the steak, onions and sauce into a skillet and reheat them gently over medium heat on the stove.

Slow-Cooker Flank Steak Tips

How else can you cook flank steak?

There are many more ways to prepare flank steak, including on the grill, in the oven or as a stir-fry. What’s important to remember is that flank steak has the best texture when it’s either cooked just to medium-rare or cooked low and slow for a long period to make it tender enough to slice or shred. Anywhere between these two extremes will leave the steak with a tough, chewy texture. Our guide to preparing flank steak has all the details for each cooking method.

What can you serve with slow-cooked flank steak?

Pair the slow-cooker flank steak with any of your favorite steak sides, like au gratin baked potatoes, sauteed mushrooms and warm spinach salad. Since the steak has Southwest flavors, try serving it with cilantro-lime rice or chili cornbread salad.

What can you do with leftover slow-cooked flank steak?

There are so many ways to use this slow-cooker flank steak. Don’t just hope for leftovers: Make extra of this recipe to try in other meals! Layer sliced flank steak onto a sliced baguette for French dip sandwiches, with the pan juices on the side for dipping. Or, chop the cooked steak and fold it into cheese quesadillas or burrito recipes. I like to add sliced flank steak instead of chicken to taco salad. It’s also good over a beans and rice salad. Steak and eggs, anyone? Pair flank steak with fried eggs and hash browns. Or, make a dinner-sized pan of baked nachos, just skip the ground beef and use chopped flank steak instead.