I have some cheap steak I want to use up. Is there any issue with browning the steak tonight, refrigerating it, then putting in the slow cooker tomorrow for the day?
I’m thinking there shouldn’t be a problem with that, correct, as far as food safety is concerned?
Next question, the recipe: I was going to put the steak in with diced tomato and an onion. I’m wondering if adding carrots would be good or gross? Any idea?
Shouldn’t be any problem. How are you serving the steak? Whole or cut up? Carrots work, as do potatoes and (added late) mushrooms.
It’ll just be me, so I’ll just scoop it out and dump onto some mashed potatoes. I’m hoping the steak will be tender enough not to have to cut it.
And to clarify, the tomato chunks are canned.
How cheap is the steak? It depends…
If it’s just a cheap sirloin it will be unedible. Less expensive cuts of meat like stew beef are crock pot worthy but they should be meant for a long braise. They will come out tender and falling off the bone. Carrots are fine and add a sweetness…
But you can’t expect to put a tenderloin in the pot for 8 hours and have anything resembling edible afterwards.
That being said, I cannot stand crock pot food, any of it…
It really depends on the cut. Don’t boil and mash the potatoes by themselves, put them in the crock pot. That’s what a slow cooker is for!
It’s one of the cheaper cuts. I think top round?
And potatoes are already done (I bought premade- they are yummy).
Depending on the cut, it may turn out to be a bit stringy but certainly not tough or inedible. Consider adding more flavours: garlic, dry herbs, steak seasoning, dash of steak sauce or Worcestershire or balsamic vinegar. After 6-8 hours on low, the flavours will all meld and you’ll have a pretty satisfying rich sauce that you can blend (add a table spoon of butter for richness and adjust salt/pepper to taste) and pour over the steak and potatoes.
Enjoy.
I added some whole peppercorns, one dash of italian seasoning and a bay leaf. I also added hot water to the meat juice that congealed in the container and added that too.
I’ll have to report back with pics when I get home tonight.