Poor Man’s Steak Diane from The Magical Slow Cooker

I love my slow cooker all year round. It keeps things simple so I can really enjoy those last late-summer days and makes busy autumn evenings so much easier, with a delicious dinner ready whenever we are. Back in 2015, Sarah Olsen sent me a free copy of her first book The Magical Slow Cooker (affiliate link) for review and very kindly allowed me to share her Poor Man’s Steak Diane. I make the recipe regularly to this day – and I use a lot of other recipes from the book as well.

Of course, I have a lot of my own slow cooker recipes, including my Blanquette de Veau and my Asian Style Beef, but I also use a lot of Sarah’s other recipes as well.

Updated August 2025

If you enjoy Sarah’s Poor Man’s Steak Diane, you are sure to enjoy her other recipes as well. Unfortunately The Magical Slow Cooker is now out of print but you can order a Kindle copy here (affiliate link) or buy a printable copy from Sarah’s website.

Tips For Making Poor Man’s Steak Diane

I use Schwartz’s Roast Beef Gravy packages here in the UK. It’s very similar to the Brown Gravy called for in Sarah’s recipe. (Sarah is based in the US.)

I found that the recipe cooked in less time in my slow cooker. It only took about six to seven hours. Slow cookers do vary, so go carefully. However do be sure that the beef is cooked through.

The Magical Slow Cooker and An Interview with Sarah Olsen

The Magical Slow Cooker is a wonderful book, chock full of recipes, photographs and valuable hints to help you get the best out of your slow cooker. For example did you know that you really shouldn’t open your slow cooker while it is cooking? I was forever lifting the lid, peeking and stirring. Sarah explains that you really shouldn’t need to stir unless the recipe specifically tells you too – and encourages you to keep the slow cooker lid firmly shut!  The results with Poor Man’s Steak Diane, and so many of my other slow cooker recipes, speak for themselves.

From breakfast and brunch to appetizers, main dishes, sides and desserts, Sarah has all your recipe needs covered in this well written, beautifully photographed book. During the review process I tried a number of Sarah’s recipes including Poor Man’s Steak Diane and they all turned out well. Family favourites included the Chicken and Gravy on page 142, Marinara Primavera (page 181) and the recipe Sarah is very kindly allowing me to share with you today, Poor Man’s Steak Diane (page 134).

Before I share the recipe, I want to introduce you to author Sarah Olson, who started her blog, The Magical Slow Cooker, back in 2013. Back in 2015, I interviewed her for this article. 

April – With a busy life, a full time job and a five year old running around, how did you find time to write a book?

Sarah – I pretty much made a meal everyday, most of the meals cook for 8 hours, which is perfect for my work days. There was a lot of late night shopping and chopping.

April – You mention in the book that you don’t put uncooked pasta in the slow cooker because it turns to mush (I totally agree with this by the way!). Is there any other ingredient / recipe that you wouldn’t consider cooking in a slow cooker?

Sarah – I don’t make rice in the slow cooker either. It turns out gummy. But I have had luck with wild rice, which I add to soups.

April – There’s such a wonderful selection of recipes in the book, I’m finding it hard to choose a favourite! Which recipe from the book is your favourite?

Sarah – My favorite recipe would be the Pork Carnitas. This meal tastes like a restaurant meal, without the high cost.

As promised, here is my favourite recipe so far from Sarah’s book The Magical Slow Cooker, Poor Man’s Steak Diane.

Sarah Olsen’s Poor Man’s Steak Diane – Printable Recipe

Created by: April J Harris

Poor Man’s Steak Diane

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Poor Man's Steak Diane from The Magical Slow Cooker by Sarah Olson is an easy comfort food recipe the whole family will love.

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Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• 2 pounds beef stew meat, cubed
• 2 packages dry brown gravy mix roughly 1.25 oz each (circa 27 to 30 grams)
• 1¼ cups water
• 1½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• ¼ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
• ¼ teaspoon dried oregano leaves
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• ¼ cup minced shallot
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• ⅓ cup sour cream
• prepared mashed potatoes or steamed rice for serving

Instructions

• Place the stew meat into a 4-quart or larger slow cooker.
• Mix the rest of the ingredients, except the sour cream, in a medium bowl and pour over the stew meat.
• Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours without opening the lid during cooking time.
• Add sour cream and stir.
• Serve over mashed potatoes or steamed rice.

Notes

From The Magical Slow Cooker by Sarah Olson

Recipe reprinted with permission

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