Cubed steak, also known as minute steak, is a versatile and budget-friendly cut of beef that deserves a place in your kitchen repertoire. It’s essentially a tenderised piece of round or sirloin steak that has been pounded flat and cut into small, cube-shaped portions.
While cubed steak is often associated with country-fried steak and smothered dishes, it can be used in a variety of delicious recipes that go beyond the typical Southern fare. In this article, we’ll explore the world of cubed steak and share some mouthwatering recipes that will have your taste buds dancing.
Cube steak is a great cut of beef that can be used in different plates. It is relatively inexpensive but easy to cook, making it a good option for weeknight meals. It can be pan-fried, grilled, or braised. It is also a good ingredient for stews and soups.
1. Classic Country-Fried Cubed Steak
Let’s start with the quintessential cubed steak dish, country-fried steak. It’s comfort food at its finest and is sure to satisfy your cravings for a hearty meal. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients
- 4 steaks
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Gravy (optional)
Instructions
- In a dish, add the paprika, flour, salt, and pepper.
- In another dish, mix the eggs and buttermilk.
- Heat the oil in a pan.
- Dip each cubed steak in the flour mixture, then dip it into the egg mixture and coat it with flour again.
- Place the coated steaks into the hot oil and cook for 7 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove the steaks and let them aside to cool a bit.
- If desired, prepare gravy by using the pan drippings and serving it over the steaks.
2. Cubed Steak with Mushroom Gravy
For a more sophisticated take on cubed steak, try this recipe featuring a rich and savoury mushroom gravy. It’s perfect for a family gathering or dinner for its delicious and rich taste.
Ingredients
- 4 cubed steaks
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Season the steaks with your favourite spices.
- Heat the olive oil over low heat.
- Add the steaks and cook for about 5 minutes or as you like them done.
- In the same pan, add the butter and sauté the chopped onion and mushrooms until they are soft and golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic and leave it on heat for some extra minutes.
- Add the flour to the mushroom sauce and stir.
- Cook for a few minutes till partially done.
- Gradually pour in the beef broth and heavy cream, stirring constantly.
- Keep cooking, stirring, until it thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Return the cubed steaks to the skillet and simmer for a few minutes until they are heated through.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
3. Tex-Mex Cubed Steak Fajitas
Take your taste buds on a journey to the Southwest with these flavorful Tex-Mex cubed steak fajitas. They’re quick, easy, and packed with bold, spicy flavours.
Ingredients
- 4 cubed steaks
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons chilli powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Flour tortillas
- Salsa, sour cream, and guacamole for serving
Instructions
- In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the steaks and cook for about 5 minutes or as you like them done.
- Remove them from the skillet and set them aside.
- Add the bell peppers and onion.
- Cook until they get tender for about 8 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic, chilli powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the spices are fragrant.
- Slice the cooked cubed steaks into thin strips and return them to the skillet with the vegetables.
- Toss everything together to combine and heat through.
- Serve the Tex-Mex cubed steak fajita mixture in warm flour tortillas with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole on the side.
4. Cubed Steak Stroganoff
If you’re a fan of creamy and comforting dishes, you’ll love this Cubed Steak Stroganoff recipe. It’s a twist on the classic beef stroganoff, using cubed steak for a quicker preparation.
Ingredients
- 4 cubed steaks
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Cooked egg noodles or rice for serving
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Season the cubed steaks with salt and pepper on both sides.
- In a pan, heat the olive oil on average heat.
- Add the cubed steaks and cook for 5 minutes or as you like them done.
- Remove them from the pan and set them aside.
- Add the butter and sauté the chopped onion and mushrooms until they are soft and golden brown.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for extra 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle the flour over the mushroom mixture and stir well.
- Cook for 3 minutes to get softened.
- Gradually add the beef broth and sour cream and keep stirring.
- Continue to cook, stirring, until it thickens, for almost 4 minutes or so.
- Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and return the steaks to the skillet.
- Serve the Cubed Steak Stroganoff over cooked egg noodles or rice garnished with chopped fresh parsley.
5. Cube Steak Parmesan
This recipe is a delicious and easy way to prepare. The Parmesan cheese crust adds flavour and richness.
Ingredients
- 4 cube steaks
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup Italian bread crumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup marinara sauce
Instructions
- Pound the cube steaks to an even thickness of about 1/4 inch.
- Season the cube steaks with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a bowl, add the Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs.
- In another shallow bowl, whisk together the egg and milk.
- Dip each cube of steak in the egg mixture, then dredge in the Parmesan cheese and breadcrumb mixture.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Fry the cube steaks for 2-3 minutes per side or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove the cube steaks from the skillet and drain on paper towels.
- Serve the cube steaks immediately with marinara sauce.
6. Classic Fried Steak
Here is how to prepare this classic fried cubed steak:
Ingredients
- 4 cubed steaks
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
Instructions
- Pound the cubed steaks to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, and pepper.
- In another dish, mix the milk and egg together.
- Dredge the cubed steaks in the flour mixture, then dip in the milk and egg mixture.
- Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Fry the cubed steaks in the hot oil for 2-3 minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve immediately.
7. Smothered Cubed Steak
Now, you can prepare this smothered cubed steak with no fear! Here is how:
Ingredients
- 4 cubed steaks
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 (10 ounces) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Pound the cubed steaks to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Brown the cubed steaks in the hot oil for 1-2 minutes per side.
- Remove the cubed steaks from the skillet and set aside.
- Add the onion and green bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the cream of mushroom soup and beef broth.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Return the cubed steaks to the skillet and cook until heated through.
- Sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately.
8. Cubed Steak Stir-Fry
Here is another unique way to prepare the Stir-fry steak at home:
Ingredients
- 4 cubed steaks
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (10 ounces) package of frozen vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, and snow peas
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Pound the cubed steaks to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Stir-fry the cubed steaks in the hot oil until browned on all sides.
- Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 2 minutes.
- Add the frozen vegetables to the skillet and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, water, cornstarch, and pepper.
- Add the soy sauce mixture to the skillet and stir until the sauce thickens.
- Serve immediately.
9. Cubed Steak and Gravy over Biscuits
This steak and gravy over biscuits recipe is a quick and easy meal that is perfect for busy weeknights. The gravy is made with a simple roux and is flavoured with beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and onion powder. The steak is tender and flavorful, and the biscuits are fluffy and delicious.
Ingredients
- 4 cubed steaks
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 package (10 biscuits)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
- Pound the cubed steaks to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Brown the cubed steaks in the hot oil for 1-2 minutes per side.
- Remove the cubed steaks from the skillet and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and onion powder.
- Pour the flour mixture into the skillet and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes or until the gravy has thickened.
- Return the cubed steaks to the skillet and cook until heated through.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately over biscuits.
Tips for Cooking Cube Steak
Here are some additional tips for cooking steak:
- Pounding the cube steak helps to tenderise it and makes it more even in thickness. This will help it to cook evenly.
- Season the cube steak with salt and pepper to taste before cooking.
- Dredging the cube steak in flour helps to create a crust on the outside of the steak and prevents it from sticking to the pan.
- Cook the cube steak over medium-high heat until it is browned on both sides and cooked through. This should take about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Let the cube steak rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Cubed steak may be an underrated cut of beef that can be used in a variety of different dishes. Get creative and experiment with different flavours and ingredients to find your favourite cubed steak recipes.