Slow Cooker Ranch Steak Packets

Slow Cooker Ranch Steak Packets: This easy slow cooker dinner is what I make when the day has been really long, but I still want my husband to feel special at dinner time. It has the same tasty flavor as those steak bites you get at a church potluck, but here they’re wrapped in their own foil packets. This keeps all the yummy juices right around the meat instead of spreading everywhere. With just four simple ingredients and a slow, easy cook time, the ranch seasoning melts together with the butter and steak. This makes soft, juicy bites that taste like you spent hours cooking, even though the slow cooker really did all the work.

It makes me think of how my mom used to wrap meat and spices in foil to bake in the oven. Now, my slow cooker does the same job while I get to spend my day doing other things.

These buttery ranch steak packets are rich and full of flavor, so I like to serve them with something plain and simple. Mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles are great for catching all those tasty juices, and a side of green beans, corn, or peas rounds out the plate nicely. If you want something a little lighter, a crisp salad with ranch dressing goes really well too.

Warm dinner rolls or a piece of crusty bread are perfect for soaking up any extra juice left in the packet. A pickle from the jar or some fresh sliced tomatoes add a nice, cool bite next to the warm, savory steak.

These easy slow cooker ranch steak packets turn just four ingredients into soft, buttery, fall-apart steak bites. Ranch seasoning and melted butter blend together inside sealed foil packets, creating a rich sauce as the meat slowly cooks. It’s a simple, cozy dinner that feels fancy but takes almost no hands-on work at all.

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless steak (chuck, sirloin tip, or round all work well), cut into 4 even pieces
• 1 packet (1 ounce) dry ranch dressing mix
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 8 small pats
• Heavy-duty aluminum foil, enough to make 4 tightly wrapped packets

Slow Cooker Ranch Steak Packets: Directions

1. Set up your foil. Lay out 4 big sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil on your counter, with the shiny side facing up. Make sure each sheet is large enough to fully wrap around one piece of steak and seal tightly.
2. Prep the steak. Use paper towels to pat each piece of steak dry. This helps the seasoning stick better. Place one steak piece right in the middle of each foil sheet.
3. Add the ranch seasoning. Sprinkle the dry ranch mix evenly over the top and sides of all 4 steak pieces. Use your fingers to gently press the seasoning into the meat so it doesn’t fall off later.
4. Top with butter. Place 2 small pats of butter (about 2 tablespoons total) on top of each seasoned steak. As the packets cook, this butter will slowly melt and mix with the ranch seasoning and meat juices to make a rich, tasty sauce.
5. Wrap the packets. Bring the two long sides of the foil up and over the steak so they meet in the middle. Fold the edges over several times to seal them shut. Then twist and fold the short ends closed too, making a snug packet that won’t leak. Do this for all 4 steak pieces, making sure each one is sealed tightly so the juices stay locked inside.
6. Load the slow cooker. Place the foil packets in a single layer inside your slow cooker, with the seam facing up. It’s okay if they fit snugly next to each other, but try not to stack them so they all cook evenly.
7. Cook slowly. Cover with the lid and let it cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours, or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. The steak is done when it feels very soft and tender if you press it gently with tongs. Tougher or thicker cuts may need the longer cook time.
8. Check for doneness. When the time is up, carefully take one packet out using tongs. Open it slowly and point it away from your face, since hot steam will escape. Check if the steak feels tender enough. If not, seal it back up and cook it a little longer, checking every 30 minutes.
9. Let it rest. Once the steak is as tender as you like, turn off the slow cooker. Open each packet just enough to let the steam out, and let the meat rest for about 5 minutes. This helps the juices soak back into the steak instead of running out.
10. Serve and enjoy. Give everyone their own foil packet to eat right from, or move the steak and buttery ranch juices onto a plate. Spoon the extra juice over each piece of steak for the softest, most flavorful bite possible.

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