melt-in-your-mouth slow cooker salisbury steak

It's true.  These are the most tender salisbury steaks EVER.  They're so easy to make and taste great with creamy homemade mashed potatoes (made with light cream cheese instead of butter).  Not gourmet (this is comfort food) but good enough and easy enough to make again!

melt-in-your-mouth slow cooker salisbury steak (adapted from Tasty Kitchen)
2 pounds cubed steak
flour for breading
3 tablespoons oil
1 cup sliced mushrooms, optional
1 white onion, sliced, optional
1 green bell pepper, sliced, optional
garlic powder for sprinkling
black pepper for sprinkling
3 cups water, divided
3 packets different kinds of gravy (mix and match any of the following: beef, beef mushroom, herbed beef, etc.)

Roll cubed steak in flour.
Place in hot oil for frying.  As one side is browning, sprinkle garlic powder and black pepper on the other side.  Flip over and brown the other side.
Place in crock pot along with mushrooms, onions and peppers.  Cover with 2 cups water.
Cook on low for 8 hours.
Half an hour before serving mix the gravy packets with the remaining cup of water.
Pour the gravy mixture over the cubed steak.  Let cook for 30 minutes more or until the gravy has thickened.  Serve over homemade mashed potatoes and gravy.