Slow Cooker Hearty Steak Salad is a simple, fresh meal that makes it easy to eat healthy even on busy summer nights!
Just because the weather warms up doesn’t mean your slow cooker should be put away. In fact, warm evenings are a perfect time to keep the slow cooker on the counter and enjoy effortless, fresh meals. This Slow Cooker Hearty Steak Salad (a.k.a. Cowboy Salad) is a great example: it pairs tender slow-cooked flank steak with seasonal vegetables for a satisfying, healthy dinner that requires very little hands-on time.
At first glance, steak and slow cooker may not seem like a natural fit for a salad, but flank steak becomes incredibly tender when cooked low and slow, and it makes an excellent salad topping. This recipe keeps things balanced: hearty baby potatoes and sweet corn cook alongside the steak in the same slow cooker, while fresh greens, tomatoes and crumbled blue cheese add bright, crisp contrast. Best of all, you skip standing over a grill — just spend about 10 minutes prepping and let the slow cooker do the rest.
Flank steak is an ideal cut for this method: it becomes tender and flavorful without fuss. The potatoes and corn cook right alongside the meat, absorbing savory notes while keeping the meal balanced and filling. Any large slow cooker will work for this dish.
Skip store-bought dressing — a quick homemade buttermilk dressing is all you need. Basic ingredients include:
- buttermilk
- sour cream
- white wine vinegar
- fresh herbs
Making dressing at home is fast and worth it. A spoonful of dried ranch seasoning or a homemade ranch blend adds extra flavor if you like.
Slow Cooker Hearty Steak Salad
Jennifer Draper
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Ingredients
For Salad:
- 1 1/2 pound flank steak
- 1 pound baby potatoes
- 3 ears fresh corn on the cob
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 2 teaspoons steak seasoning
- 10 oz mixed greens
- 1 cup grape tomatoes
- 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
- fresh chives for garnish, optional
For Buttermilk Dressing:
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon dried ranch seasoning or homemade blend
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (dill, parsley)
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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Place the flank steak in the bottom of the slow cooker.
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Scrub the baby potatoes, cut them in half and add to the slow cooker.
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Drizzle the steak and potatoes with some canola oil and sprinkle with steak seasoning.
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Shuck and clean the corn, place the ears on a large piece of foil and drizzle with the remaining oil.
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Sprinkle the corn with sea salt if desired, wrap tightly in the foil, and place on top of the meat and potatoes in the slow cooker.
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Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
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Remove the steak and let it rest for 10 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain.
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Remove the corn from the cobs using a sharp knife.
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Whisk together the buttermilk dressing ingredients until smooth; season to taste.
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Serve washed salad greens topped with steak, potatoes, corn, tomatoes, blue cheese and fresh herbs. Toss with dressing as desired.
Nutrition
Important nutritional disclaimer
Enjoy fresh slow-cooker recipe ideas throughout the season — this steak salad is just one easy way to enjoy healthy dinners with minimal prep and maximum flavor.
If you like making your own seasoning blends, a simple homemade ranch seasoning is perfect to keep on hand for summer meals.
Want another fresh slow-cooker idea? Try Jalapeño Peach Chicken Bowls for a flavorful chicken option.
