Eye of round steak is a type of beef cut from the rear of the cattle. It is a very lean cut that lacks fat marbling but is low in calories. Due to its leanness, eye of round steak can easily become tough and dry if overcooked.
However, when cooked properly using the right cooking method, eye of round steak can be tender and delicious. Here are two methods for cooking eye of round steak – on the stove and in an Instant Pot with gravy.
1. How To Cook Eye of Round Steak on Stove
Ingredients
- 2 pounds eye of round steak, about 1 inch thick
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Optional: additional seasonings such as garlic powder, onion powder, or dried herbs
Instructions
Begin by seasoning both sides of the eye of round steak with salt, black pepper, and any additional seasonings of your choice. Allow the steak to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to come to an even temperature.
Heat a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the butter to the skillet and let it melt, swirling it around to coat the bottom of the pan.
Once the butter is melted and sizzling, carefully place the seasoned eye of round steak into the hot skillet. It should sizzle upon contact. Cook the steak for about 4-5 minutes on the first side without moving it, allowing a nice sear to develop.
Flip the steak using tongs or a spatula and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes on the second side. Adjust the cooking time based on your desired level of doneness. For medium-rare, cook to an internal temperature of 130-135°F (54-57°C). Use a meat thermometer to ensure accuracy.
As the steak cooks, tilt the skillet slightly and use a spoon to baste the steak with the melted butter. This helps infuse the meat with additional flavor and keeps it moist.
Once the steak reaches your desired level of doneness, remove it from the skillet and transfer it to a cutting board. Allow it to rest for about 5 minutes. This resting period helps the juices redistribute and ensures a tender steak.
After resting, slice the eye of round steak against the grain into thin slices. This step is essential to enhance tenderness.
Serve the pan-seared eye of round steak hot, alongside your favorite side dishes such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad.
2. How To Cook Eye of Round Steak in Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 2 pounds eye of round steak, cut into 1-inch thick slices
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Set your Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode and add the olive oil. Allow it to heat up for a minute.
Season the eye of round steak slices with salt, black pepper, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and paprika.
Place the seasoned steak slices in the Instant Pot and sear them for about 2-3 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pot.
Once the steak slices are seared, remove them from the Instant Pot and set them aside on a plate.
Add the sliced onion and minced garlic to the Instant Pot and sauté for 2-3 minutes until they become soft and fragrant.
Pour the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce into the Instant Pot, and use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. This will add extra flavor to the dish.
Return the seared eye of round steak slices to the Instant Pot, placing them on top of the onion and garlic mixture.
Close the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to the “Sealing” position. Select the “Meat/Stew” or “Pressure Cook” function, and set the cooking time to 25 minutes at high pressure.
Once the cooking time is complete, allow for a natural release of pressure for 10 minutes, and then carefully perform a quick release to release any remaining pressure.
Open the Instant Pot lid, and you’ll be greeted with tender and flavorful eye of round steak. Remove the steak slices from the pot and transfer them to a serving platter.
If desired, you can thicken the cooking liquid into a gravy. Set the Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode and let the liquid simmer for a few minutes until it thickens slightly.
Serve the Instant Pot eye of round steak hot, drizzled with the flavorful gravy and accompanied by your favorite side dishes such as rice, steamed vegetables, or a fresh salad.
By following these step-by-step instructions, you can create tender and flavorful steak dishes that will leave your taste buds satisfied. For a comforting weeknight meal or easy company special, eye of round steak is a great choice.