Easy Cube Steak and Gravy

Foodie friends, I am not going to lie. The first time someone asked me to make a “cube steak recipe” I assumed I was picking up the package of stew meat.

 

You know… the cubed beef. Because that makes total sense.

What is Cube Steak?

Nope, that isn’t what cube steak is at all. So why is it called cube steak? It comes from the shape of the indentation made after the meat has been tenderized.

Commonly done by the butcher at your grocery store in a tenderizing machine (opposed to a mallet and by hand) it almost resembles ground beef in the package. The more you know, right??

What Type of Beef is Cube Steak?

But cubed steak isn’t its own cut in itself, it is a style of preparation. They are most commonly the top round or top sirloin or round steak, both are known as a tough cut of meat, they require tender loving care.

These cuts of beef are commonly marinated to break down the fibers for tenderness. Or you can skip all of that and tenderize them, which essentially does the same thing but manually instead of chemically. Tender cube steak is the result of both tenderizing and cook method.

If you can’t find a package that specifically says “cube steak”, simply ask your butcher if they have any in the back. If not, pick up a package of top round or top sirloin and use a hand mallet (meat tenderizer) to tenderize it yourself.

Cube Steak Recipe Ingredients

With the exception of the actual beef and maybe the mushrooms, most folks have the other items already in the pantry (or fridge). This recipe makes the gravy recipe from scratch instead of using a can of cream of mushroom soup, so it requires a few more ingredients.

• Cube Steak – Cube steak is a type of beef steak that has been tenderized by pounding it with a meat mallet or running it through a mechanical tenderizer. This process creates small indentations or “cubes” on the surface of the meat, making it more tender and easier to cook quickly. Cube steak is often used for dishes like chicken fried steak and Swiss steak.
• Flour seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, black pepper– You can also use a seasoned salt or other flavors that your family enjoys.
• Oil for frying- A neutral oil with a high smoke point. I generally use vegetable oil, but canola oil or olive oil can also be used.
• Unsalted Butter– I use unsalted so I can have more control over the saltiness. You can always add more, but it is pretty hard to take it away!
• Onions & mushrooms– The base for this delicious brown gravy made from pan juices.
• Gravy mix (in a packet or make your own)- This is generally a blend of beef bouillon and some other flavors you likely already have in the pantry.
• Low-Sodium Beef Broth– Use a low-sodium broth so you can season it and not end up over-salted.

Are Salisbury Steak and Cube Steak The Same Thing?

So here I am on the quest to create a cube steak recipe and what do you know… it is very similar to making Salisbury Steak.

Basically a different cut of meat, but both prepared quickly in a skillet and then topped with a brown gravy.

Gravy Ingredients for this Cubed Steak Recipe

One could go super basic and just add beef broth to the browned bits and call it a day with plain gravy, or you can take it up a notch by adding mushrooms and onions.

Or one or the other, if you are partial.

I like to use my homemade gravy mix (which is usually items you can find in your pantry) but you can also use one of the handy dandy store bought gravy mix packets.

Even when you make yourself a fancy stovetop cube steak, it will still take less than 30 minutes from start to finish. To make it extra fancy, you can top it with a slice of provolone cheese or even crispy onion straws.

How to Make Stovetop Cube Steak

Making this delicious meal is super easy! Perfect for a busy weeknight, your whole family is sure to enjoy.

1. Make Flour Mixture. In a shallow dish or pie plate, combine the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, fine sea salt and black pepper.
2. Dredge. Dredge the cube steaks in the flour mixture, gently shaking off excess.
3. Heat Pan. In a large skillet, preferably cast iron, heat over medium-high heat. When hot, add the oil for 1 minute. Adding the oil after the pan is hot will reduce the chances that it burns.
4. Brown. Add the cube steaks to the skillet. If working with a smaller skillet, you might have to work in batches. Do not crowd the steak. If it crowds, it will steam instead of brown. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Remove to a plate and set aside.
5. Scrape Browned Bits. In the same skillet, add the butter, white onion and sliced mushrooms. Saute until starting to soften. Using a whisk, add the dry gravy mix, making somewhat of a paste (a roux) and scraping the dried bits off the bottom of the pan, which are basically little flavor bombs!
6. Make Gravy. Stir in the beef broth until smooth. Taste test and add additional salt or pepper, if needed. If you feel like the gravy needs to be a little more robust, add a few drops of worcestershire sauce.
7. Combine. Add the cube steaks back to the skillet, spooning sauce over the top. Cook for another 1-2 minutes so they can reheat and sauce can thicken.
8. Enjoy. Serve immediately over rice, buttered noodles, egg noodles or mashed potatoes or even cauliflower mashed potatoes.

How to Make Cube Steak and Gravy in the Crock Pot and Oven

The whole point of the crock pot is to make your life easier and quite frankly, it is actually easier to make on the stovetop than it is to make crock pot cube steak. And it takes less time.

Since the meat is tenderized already, you don’t need the long, slow cooking process of the slow cooker to make it tender. It should be fine with a quick pan fry.

You can also bake it, but then you’ll need to make the gravy separately and add over steaks. Bake at 350°F for about 30-35 minutes. Don’t be alarmed if you don’t have the same intense flavor or caramelized onions since you are missing the whole process of the Maillard reaction.

What is the best way to cook cube steak?

Cube steak is best cooked quickly over heat. It is a fairly tough piece of meat which is why it is manually tenderized. Cooking it on high heat seals in the juices and gives it more flavor.
You can also use a slow cooker, but if you want it to be breaded, the breading will fall off while slow cooking.

How to make Cube Steak tender

Cube steak has been heavily tenderized through a machine to make it tender, hence the nickname, cube steak. Marinating in some acidic, quick high heat or long, low and slow in liquid are best ways to keep this unique cut tender.

What to Make with Cube Steak and Gravy

I like some sort of starch to soak up the gravy and also a vegetable, preferably green. These are my favorites.

Make-Ahead, Storage & Freezing

Can You Make Cube Steak Ahead of Time?

This easy recipe is best served freshly made because of the cut of meat. Luckily it is called “minute steak” for a reason- it only takes a minute to cook. When overcooked, it has the tendency to be chewy and rubbery.

How to Store Cubed Steak and Gravy

Store leftover cube steak in an airtight container for 3-5 days. Reheat in the microwave or on stovetop until heated. Of course the leftovers are totally edible, they just aren’t as great.

Cube steak recipes can also be frozen in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Simply thaw and reheat in a skillet or saucepan.

More Easy Beef Recipes

If you know me, you know how much I love beef! Here are some of our favorite beef recipes that I know you’ll love too.

Cubed Steak FAQs