Cube steak is a cut of beef that has been tenderized by machine pounding or by using a meat mallet. This breaks down the muscle fibers, resulting in a more tender piece of meat that cooks up quickly. In this article, I will instruct you how to cook cube steak in 4 different ways.
1. How To Cook Cube Steak on Stove
Ingredients
- 2 lbs cube steak, cut into 4-6 inch pieces
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup milk or heavy cream
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Season the cube steak pieces with salt and pepper on both sides. Dredge the steak in the flour, shaking off any excess.
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Working in batches if needed, brown the cube steak on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer the browned steak to a plate and set aside.
Reduce the heat to medium and add the sliced onions to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened and lightly caramelized.
Add the sliced mushrooms and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, until the mushrooms are tender and the garlic is fragrant.
Pour in the beef broth, milk or cream, Worcestershire sauce, and dried thyme. Bring the mixture to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Return the browned cube steak and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the steak is very tender.
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Serve the cube steak and gravy over mashed potatoes and steamed green beans. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
2. How To Cook Cube Steak in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 pound cube steak
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour for dredging
Instructions
Pat cubed steak dry and season all over with salt and pepper. Dredge lightly in flour, shaking off excess.
Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush lightly with oil. Arrange floured steaks in a single layer without overcrowding.
Air fry at 400°F for 6-8 minutes. Flip steaks and air fry 6-8 minutes more until desired doneness.
Let steaks rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy as is or with your favorite sauce.
3. How To Cook Cubed Steak in Oven
Ingredients
For the Steak
- 3 tablespoons cooking oil, divided
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced
- 1 ½ pounds cube steaks (4-6 steaks)
- Salt, to taste
For the Seasoned Flour
- ½ cup flour
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Gravy
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 sprig fresh thyme
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Prepare the Seasoned Flour
In a small bowl, mix together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. Set aside.
Prep the Steaks
Pat the cube steaks dry with a paper towel and season both sides with salt. Dredge each steak in the seasoned flour mixture, coating them fully on all sides.
Sauté the Onions
In a large skillet, drizzle 1 tablespoon of cooking oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and sauté until tender and beginning to brown, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Once the onions are done, remove them from the skillet and set them aside.
Sear the Steaks
Add the remaining cooking oil to the skillet and increase the heat to medium-high. Add the breaded cube steaks and sear them on both sides until nicely browned. Don’t worry about cooking them through just yet. Once browned, remove the steaks from the skillet and set them aside with the sautéed onions.
Make the Gravy
Let the pan cool slightly, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the butter to the skillet, letting it melt, then whisk in the flour to create a roux. Continue to cook the flour mixture for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
Add the Beef Broth
Gradually add the beef broth in small splashes, whisking after each addition until fully incorporated before adding more. Continue until all the broth is mixed in. The gravy will be thin at this point.
Combine and Roast
Add the fresh thyme sprig, sautéed onions, and seared cube steaks back into the skillet. Cover the skillet with a lid and transfer it to the preheated oven. Let the dish roast for 1 ½ hours.
Final Touches
After 1 ½ hours, the steaks should be tender, and the gravy will have thickened. Taste the gravy and adjust the seasoning with more salt if needed. Remove the thyme sprig and serve the dish hot.
4. How To Cook Cube Steak in Crock Pot
Ingredients
- 2 pounds cube steak
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
Season cubed steak all over with salt and pepper. Place in slow cooker and top with sliced onions.
Pour beef broth over top until steak is partially submerged. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours.
In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water. Stir mixture into crockpot.
Cook for 20-30 minutes more, until gravy is thickened. Taste and season further if desired.
Serve cubed steak and gravy over mashed potatoes and steamed green beans. Enjoy!
Cube steak is budget-friendly while still being satisfying when cooked properly. Try out these recipes for tender, juicy cube steak using four different cooking methods.
