Cube steak is a traditional and low-cost cut of beef that should be part of the repertoire f a professional cook in every family. This meat can be prepared in many different ways, therefore providing different flavors and textures. Whether you are a fan of the high-speed pan-fry version, try the slow-cooking method using the chicken broth or bake in the oven, cube steak, in all cases, will easily turn out to be your favorite dish. In this guide, we’ll explore the ways to perfectly cook cube steak, mention different recipes, and share advice for making it soft all the time.
A simple method to prepare cube steak is to fry it in the skillet. This pan-frying way gives meat its brown crust that is typical while still very tender on the inside of the steak.
Ingredients:
- 4 cube steaks
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 cup beef broth
Instructions:
- Blend the flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a shallow dish. Dredge the steaks in the flour mixture, be careful to cover both sides evenly.
- Warm the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. As the oil gets hot, add the steaks to the pan.
- Cook on each side for 3-4 minutes until brown.
- Put the beef broth into the skillet, lower the heat to the minimum and allow the aroma to develop for 10 minutes to get a very delicious sauce.
- Along with mashed potatoes or rice, you can serve the steaks to mop up the sauce.
To enhance flavor, you could also try adding onions and mushrooms to the pan after you cook the steaks and before the addition of the beef broth.
2. Slow Cooker Cube Steak with Gravy
The slow cooker is a great way to cook the cube steaks the effect of tenderness plus the flavors they get are amazing. The crockpot method is a great way to prepare meat when you are involved with other tasks around the house, and you want a hands-off approach toward cooking.
Ingredients:
- 4 cube steaks
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Alternatively, use fresh thyme or rosemary to enhance the savor of the dish
Instructions:
- Put the steaks into the slow cooker’s bottom.
- Now, place the sliced onion and the minced garlic on top of the meat.
- Then, add the cream of mushroom soup and the beef broth dragging with the salt and pepper. In the case of fresh herbs, just top with them.
- Cover and cook for the specified time periods. The meat should be soft when done completely.
- Mix the rest of the brine to drip a homogeneous gravy before serving.
The dish compliments Cracker Barrel Cheesy Potatoes, which are the perfect and savory add on with the creamy gravy.
3. Oven-Baked Cube Steak
When you are baking the Cube steak, it is a fantastic way to cook it without having to be around to keep an eye on it. Breading it or incorporating it into a casserole are other great choices in cube steak recipes.
Ingredients:
- four cube steaks
- a cup of flour
- two large eggs beaten
- one cup bread crumbs
- one-fourth cup Parmesan cheese
- two cups marinara sauce
- one cup mozzarella cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Step light oil on a baking dish.
- First, dredge the steaks in flour, dip into beaten eggs, then coat the steaks with a mixture of breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.
- Set the breaded steaks on the baking dish and bake for 20 minutes.
- Take the steaks out of the oven, put marinara sauce on top of them, and add mozzarella on top of the cheese.
- Pop the casserole pan back in the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
For a complete meal, this Italian persuasion can be served with some pasta or a side salad.
How to Tenderize Cube Steak Even More
Cube steak is already tenderized, but these methods can help make it even softer:
- Marinating: Use marinades that contain acid like vinegar, lemon juice, or buttermilk. These products break down muscle fibers even more thanks to their effect.
- Mechanical Tenderizing: If you have a meat mallet, give the steak a few more hits with it before you start cooking the steak.
- Slow Cooking: As previously mentioned, the slow cooker can tenderize cube streak in a way that amazed me by cooking it at low temperatures over a long period of time.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cooking Cube Steak
- Overcooking: Cube steak is thin, so it doesn’t need much cooking time. Overcooking can make it tough and dry.
- Skipping the Seasoning: Cube steak needs good seasoning to bring out its flavors. Always salt and pepper the meat before cooking.
- High Heat Cooking: While pan-frying, keep the heat at medium to avoid burning the outside before the inside cooks through.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Cube Steak
Pack left over cube steak in an air-tight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat by simmering in a little beef broth to keep the meat moist. If you freeze the steak, wrap it in aluminum foil and place it in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Best Side Dishes to Serve with Cube Steak
- Mashed Potatoes are somewhat old school but they are still the most appropriate for sopping up tasty gravies.
- Steamed Vegetables: This is the healthy option alongside your steak, you can never go wrong with green beans, broccoli, or carrots.
- Yes, mashed potatoes are excellent choices for gravies and sauces.
In case you want an elevated and a homier meal, check out this Cracker Barrel Cheesy Potatoes.
Cube Steak Variations from Different Cuisines
- Southern Smothered Cube Steak: This oatmeal-like food is done by cooking the steak in a thick gravy along with onions and bell peppers. A favorite side dish would be grits or mashed potatoes.
- The task of marinating, however, you can skip it if you are impatient. Instead, you can cook the steak in a rich gravy with onions and bell peppers. As a side dish, you can serve it with grits or mashed potatoes.
- Asian-Style Cube Steak:In this variation, first you have to marinate the steak using soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and brown sugar. You can then sauté the pepper and onion slivers first before giving the cooked food over the freshly made rice.
- Turn the brown color of the cube steak aside by marinating it in soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a little brown sugar. The process of this is the stir-fry of bell peppers and onions over steamed rice.
- Italian-Inspired Cube Steak:Before baking, you should add some marinara sauce, olives, and Parmesan cheese on top of the baked stuffed steak. The proposed meal would be spaghetti or linguine.
- Simply top up the baked cube with some bruschetta, olives, and sprinkle of Parmesan before turning on the oven. Prepare pasta by making spaghetti or linguini as it goes well with it.
For more inspiration, visit How to Cook Perfect Beef Short Ribs
Do you need to learn how to prepare beef short ribs properly for the slow-cooking process? Lately, these are some questions that have been on the minds of many individuals who are looking for ways to slow-cook cube steak.
FAQs About Cube Steak
How Long Should You Cook Cube Steak?
Regardless of the method, it requires a different time for cooking. Pan-fry it for 3-4 minutes per side, or simmer in gravy for 10-15 minutes. Slow-cook for 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high.
Is Cube Steak the Same as Minute Steak?
No. It is the case even though the expression may be used for both types. Minute steak is a relatively thin slice of meat that was not mechanically softened, which is often the case with cube steak.
Can You Grill Cube Steak?
You can, but the best way is to marinate it first to keep it moist. Grill them over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes on each side, and try not to let them overcook.
How Do You Make Cube Steak Tender?
To make it tender, marinate the steak, use mechanical tenderizers, or slow-cook it. Overcooking it on high flame can make it hard.
What Is the Best Way to Reheat Cube Steak?
Heat it on the stove using a small amount of beef broth to simmer it. This way keeps the meat from drying out.
Health Benefits of Including Lean Beef in Your Diet
Cube steak is a lean cut that can be included in the list of balanced diets. It is the one that supplies muscles with essential materials and also comes with iron that helps prevent anemia. Also, vitamin B12 is the one that assists the nerves to work normally and the red blood cells in the body to develop. You can keep the dish light by serving it without too much fat and add to it wholesome sides like steamed vegetables or whole grains