How to Cook Bottom Round Steak in the Crock Pot or Oven
Bottom round steak is generally not a tender piece of meat because of its tough muscle and lack of fat. Because it's a lean cut, bottom round dries out and becomes tougher when cooked using a dry-heat method such as grilling. For a tender bottom round steak, cook it slowly in a Crock-Pot or a covered pan in the oven to infuse moisture. The moisture seals in flavor and tenderizes the meat, creating a juicy cut of meat with minimal effort.
Crock-Pot
Step 1
Mix one package of dry onion soup, one 10.75-ounce can of cream of mushroom soup and ¾ cup of water in the Crock-Pot. Add sliced vegetables, if desired.
Step 2
Place the bottom round steak in the Crock-Pot on top of the vegetables, if present.
Step 3
Place the lid on the Crock-Pot and cook on “low” for 7 to 10 hours, or until the steak reaches an internal temperature of at least 145 F. Test by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the steak.
Step 4
Remove from the Crock-Pot and let stand for 10 minutes before serving so the juices can settle.
Oven
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2
Brown the bottom round steak on all sides in a large, lightly oiled skillet.
Step 3
Season the steak as desired, and then place it in a large covered roaster or Dutch oven. Add ½ cup of liquid, such as water, beef broth or onion soup.
Step 4
Cover with a tight-fitting lid and place in the oven. Cook for 3 to 4 hours, or until the meat is tender. Check the temperature by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the steak. When fully cooked, the temperature should be at least 145 F.
Step 5
Remove the steak from the pan and let stand for 15 to 20 minutes before serving.
Things You'll Need
1 package dry onion soup
1 10.75-ounce can cream of mushroom soup
¾ cup water
Optional vegetables
Meat thermometer
Skillet
Vegetable oil
Optional seasonings
Covered roaster or Dutch oven
½ cup of water, broth or soup
Tip
Add vegetables such as potatoes, carrots and onions to the Crock-Pot to make an entire meal at once. Do not add vegetables until there are 3 hours cooking time left on low heat.
Warning
Overcooking meat in a Crock-Pot may make it stringy.
