Quick and Easy Beef Cube Steak Recipes: 15 Tasty Ways to Cook Cube Steak

What is Cube Steak?

Cube steak is a cut of beef taken from the sirloin or round that has been tenderized by pounding or needling to break down the tough muscle fibers. This makes the meat thinner and more tender. Cube steak cooks up quickly since it’s thinner and gets a meaty flavor from being taken from the heavily exercised leg areas of the cow.

Benefits of Cooking with Cube Steak

Inexpensive

Cube steak offers an affordable cut of beef that's budget friendly. It costs much less per pound than premium steaks.

Fast Cooking

Since cube steak is pounded thin, it cooks up quickly either fried, grilled, or baked, perfect for weeknight meals.

Tender and Flavorful

The tenderizing process makes cube steak more tender than other tougher cuts. It has a robust beefy flavor.

Versatile

Cube steak works well in many dishes from hearty main courses to quick sandwiches and more.

How to Cook Cube Steak Perfectly

Look for Uniform Sizes

Pick cube steaks of equal size and thickness for even cooking.

Pound Lightly

Use a meat mallet to gently pound the steaks to an even thickness.

Tenderize Further

Use a fork to pierce the steaks before marinating to help flavors absorb better.

Marinate for Flavor

Marinate 30 minutes up to overnight to make the meat more moist and flavorful.

Cook Over High Heat

Sear the steaks over high heat on the stovetop, grill, or broiler for the best caramelization.

Don’t Overcook

Cook cube steaks just until browned and they reach 145°F internal temperature to prevent drying out.

15 Quick and Easy Cube Steak Recipe Ideas

1. Cube Steak with Onion Gravy

Sear cube steaks then make a rich onion gravy to spoon over the top. Serve with mashed potatoes.

2. Cube Steaks with Mushroom Sauce

Pan sear cube steaks and remove. Cook mushrooms in the leftover pan drippings and reduce to a sauce.

3. Ranch Roasted Cube Steaks

Coat cube steaks with a ranch seasoning mix then roast in the oven until browned and tender.

4. Cube Steaks with Gravy

Pan fry breaded cube steaks then use the browned bits in the pan to make a hearty country-style gravy.

5. Italian Cube Steak Sandwiches

Top cubed steaks with roasted peppers, mozzarella, and marinara sauce. Serve on crusty Italian bread.

6. Cube Steak Fries

Dip cube steaks in beaten egg then seasoned flour before pan frying until golden and crispy.

7. Cube Steaks with Peppers and Onions

Pan sear cube steaks then sauté bell peppers and onions in the same pan until caramelized.

8. Bacon Wrapped Cube Steaks

Wrap each seasoned cube steak in a strip of bacon and broil until the bacon is crisp.

9. Sheet Pan Cube Steak and Potatoes

Roast cubed steaks and potatoes tossed in olive oil, garlic, and rosemary on a sheet pan for easy cleanup.

10. Cube Steaks with Green Beans

Sauté tender green beans with cubed steaks for an easy weeknight one pan meal.

11. Cube Steak Salad

Grill marinated cube steaks and slice over a fresh garden salad for a satisfying lighter meal.

12. Cube Steaks with Chimichurri

Bright cilantro chimichurri sauce paired with hearty pan seared cube steaks is a match made in heaven.

13. Cube Steak Sliders

Piled on mini buns with caramelized onions and garlic aioli, these flavorful cube steak sliders make great party food.

14. Country Fried Cube Steak

Buttermilk soaked, seasoned, and breaded cube steak fried up until crispy and golden for a real country treat.

15. Parmesan Crusted Cube Steaks

Breaded cube steaks are baked with an added layer of garlicky parmesan breadcrumbs for next-level flavor.

Tips for Preparing Cube Steaks

When prepping and cooking cube steaks, keep these tips in mind:

- Look for steaks with good marbling for extra juiciness

- Tenderize with a mallet or fork before cooking

- Marinate for at least 30 minutes, up to overnight

- Pat steaks very dry before breading or seasoning

- Use a hot pan, grill, or broiler to sear the steaks

- Don’t overcook – cube steaks get tough if cooked too long

Conclusion

Cube steak is an affordable and versatile cut of beef that's perfect for easy weeknight meals. Tenderized through pounding, it cooks up quickly either pan fried, roasted, or grilled. Cube steak can be dressed up with delicious sauces and toppings or kept simple with just salt and pepper. Follow these quick and easy cube steak recipes for 30-minute meals packed with big, beefy flavor that won't break the bank.

FAQ

1. What is the best way to cook cube steak?

The best way to cook cube steak is to sear it in a very hot pan or grill it over high heat for 2-3 minutes per side to get a nice browned crust while keeping the inside juicy.

2. Are cube steaks already tenderized?

Yes, cube steaks are pre-tenderized. The steaks are run through a mechanical tenderizer that punctures the meat, breaking down tough fibers before you buy it in the store.

3. How long does it take to cook cube steaks?

Cube steaks cook very quickly, usually in about 4-6 minutes total depending on thickness. Cook for 2-3 minutes on the initial side until browned, flip, then cook 1-2 minutes more until 145°F internally.

4. Can you marinate cube steak?

Definitely! Marinating is a great way to add lots of flavor to cube steaks. The thin cuts allow the marinade to penetrate quickly in just 30 minutes to an hour.

5. What are some fast cube steak marinade ideas?

Great quick marinades for cube steak include Italian dressing, teriyaki or soy sauce, lime juice and garlic, Worcestershire sauce, or just olive oil and McCormick grill seasonings.