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–+ servings

Best Braised Steaks with Garlicky Smashed Potatoes

This one-pot recipe brings together tender braised beef blade steaks and creamy, garlicky smashed potatoes, all cooked conveniently in a slow cooker.
The secret to its success lies in steaming the potatoes above the braising meat, ensuring even cooking and rich flavor without extra effort.
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Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Equipment

  • 5- to 7-quart oval slow cooker
  • Collapsible steamer basket
  • Fat separator

Ingredients
  

For the Braised Steaks:

  • 2 onions chopped fine
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 3 garlic cloves peeled
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme or ¼ teaspoon dried
  • 4 6- to 8-ounce beef blade steaks, ¾ to 1 inch thick, trimmed
  • ½ teaspoon table salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper

For the Garlicky Smashed Potatoes:

  • 1½ pounds small red potatoes unpeeled
  • ¾ cup warm half-and-half plus extra as needed
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the Base: Microwave the onions, tomato paste, garlic, oil, and thyme in a bowl, stirring occasionally, until the onions soften (about 5 minutes). Transfer to the slow cooker.
  • Cook the Meat and Potatoes: Sprinkle steaks with salt and pepper and nestle them into the slow cooker. Place a steamer basket on top of the steaks and arrange the potatoes inside. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or high for 5 to 7 hours, until the beef is tender.
  • Separate and Strain: Transfer the potatoes to a large bowl. Move the steaks to a serving dish and tent with aluminum foil. Strain the braising liquid into a fat separator, let sit for 5 minutes, then pour off the fat and discard solids.
  • Mash the Potatoes: Using a fork, smash the cooked garlic into a paste. Break potatoes into large chunks, leaving some texture. Fold in the garlic paste, half-and-half, and melted butter until well incorporated. Adjust the consistency with extra warm half-and-half as needed and season with salt and pepper.
  • Serve and Enjoy: Pour the defatted sauce over the steaks and serve with the garlicky smashed potatoes.

Notes

Cook Time: 8 to 10 hours on low or 5 to 7 hours on high
Keyword braised beef with potatoes, crockpot steak and potatoes, Easy one-pot meals, garlic mashed potatoes, simple slow cooker dinners, slow cooker beef recipe
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