Tender and Tasty: Mastering the Art of Beef Cube Steak Recipes
Beef cube steak, often overlooked, is a budget-friendly and incredibly versatile cut of meat that can be transformed into a culinary masterpiece with the right preparation and recipes. This article will delve into the world of beef cube steak, providing you with detailed instructions and delicious recipes to elevate your meals. We’ll cover everything from understanding the cut to mastering classic and innovative cooking methods, ensuring consistently tender and flavorful results.
## What is Beef Cube Steak?
Beef cube steak, also known as cubed steak, is typically a top round or top sirloin that has been tenderized by pounding with a meat mallet or by running it through a mechanical tenderizer. This process breaks down the muscle fibers, resulting in a thinner, more tender cut of meat. The “cubes” refer to the indentations left on the steak’s surface by the tenderizing process.
**Why Choose Cube Steak?**
* **Affordability:** Cube steak is generally less expensive than other steak cuts, making it a great option for budget-conscious cooks.
* **Quick Cooking:** Due to its thinness, cube steak cooks relatively quickly, perfect for weeknight meals.
* **Versatility:** It can be prepared in various ways, from pan-frying and braising to baking and grilling.
* **Tender Texture:** The tenderizing process ensures a more tender and palatable final product.
## Essential Tips for Cooking Beef Cube Steak
Before diving into specific recipes, let’s cover some essential tips that will guarantee tender and flavorful cube steak every time:
1. **Don’t Overcook:** This is the most crucial tip! Overcooked cube steak becomes tough and dry. Aim for a medium-rare to medium doneness.
2. **Proper Seasoning:** Generous seasoning is key to enhancing the flavor of cube steak. Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika are all excellent choices.
3. **Pounding (Even More):** If you want it even more tender, consider pounding the steak yourself, even if it’s already been cubed. Place the steak between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound it with a meat mallet to further break down the fibers.
4. **Consider a Marinade:** Marinating cube steak for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight) can add flavor and help to tenderize it further. Acidic marinades with ingredients like vinegar, lemon juice, or Worcestershire sauce are particularly effective.
5. **Sear for Flavor:** Whether you’re pan-frying or braising, searing the cube steak before cooking it through will develop a delicious crust and enhance the overall flavor.
6. **Rest After Cooking:** Allowing the cooked cube steak to rest for a few minutes before serving helps the juices redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful bite.
## Classic Beef Cube Steak Recipes
Here are a few classic and beloved recipes featuring beef cube steak:
### 1. Chicken Fried Steak with Cream Gravy
This is perhaps the most iconic cube steak recipe, and for good reason. It’s crispy, comforting, and utterly delicious.
**Ingredients:**
* 4 beef cube steaks
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 2 teaspoons salt
* 1 teaspoon black pepper
* 1 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1 teaspoon paprika
* 2 large eggs, beaten
* 1/2 cup milk
* Vegetable oil, for frying
**For the Cream Gravy:**
* 3 tablespoons reserved cooking oil
* 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 3 cups milk
* Salt and pepper to taste
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Steak:** In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. In another shallow dish, whisk together the eggs and milk.
2. **Dredge the Steak:** Dredge each cube steak in the flour mixture, then dip it into the egg mixture, and finally dredge it again in the flour mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated.
3. **Fry the Steak:** Heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the dredged steaks in the skillet, being careful not to overcrowd it. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the steaks from the skillet and place them on a wire rack to drain excess oil.
4. **Make the Cream Gravy:** In the same skillet, pour out all but 3 tablespoons of the cooking oil. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the roux is lightly golden brown.
5. **Add the Milk:** Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Bring the gravy to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until it has thickened to your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. **Serve:** Serve the chicken fried steak immediately, topped with the creamy gravy. Mashed potatoes and green beans are classic accompaniments.
### 2. Swiss Steak
Swiss steak is a braised cube steak dish that’s incredibly tender and flavorful. The long, slow cooking process breaks down the meat fibers, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
**Ingredients:**
* 4 beef cube steaks
* 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1 large onion, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
* 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
* 1 cup beef broth
* 1 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
* 1 bay leaf
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Steak:** In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, and pepper. Dredge each cube steak in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
2. **Sear the Steak:** Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the dredged steaks and sear for 2-3 minutes per side, or until browned. Remove the steaks from the skillet and set aside.
3. **Sauté the Vegetables:** Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
4. **Add the Remaining Ingredients:** Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
5. **Braise the Steak:** Return the steaks to the skillet, nestling them in the tomato sauce mixture. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the steaks are very tender.
6. **Remove Bay Leaf and Serve:** Remove the bay leaf before serving. Serve the Swiss steak with mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.
### 3. Cube Steak and Gravy
This is a simpler version of chicken fried steak, focusing on the savory gravy. It’s a quick and easy weeknight meal.
**Ingredients:**
* 4 beef cube steaks
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
* 2 cups beef broth
* 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
* 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
* 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
**Instructions:**
1. **Season the Steak:** Season the cube steaks with salt and pepper.
2. **Sear the Steak:** Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the steaks and sear for 2-3 minutes per side, or until browned. Remove the steaks from the skillet and set aside.
3. **Make the Gravy:** Sprinkle the flour into the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until lightly browned. Gradually whisk in the beef broth, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Bring the gravy to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until it has thickened to your desired consistency.
4. **Add Flavor:** Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, and garlic powder. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
5. **Return Steak to Gravy:** Return the steaks to the skillet and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until they are heated through and tender.
6. **Serve:** Serve the cube steak and gravy over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles.
## Innovative Beef Cube Steak Recipes
Beyond the classics, here are some creative ways to use beef cube steak:
### 4. Cube Steak Fajitas
Transform cube steak into delicious fajitas by marinating it in a flavorful blend of spices and grilling or pan-frying it. This is a quicker alternative to using traditional skirt steak.
**Ingredients:**
* 4 beef cube steaks
* **For the Marinade:**
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 2 tablespoons lime juice
* 1 tablespoon soy sauce
* 1 teaspoon chili powder
* 1 teaspoon cumin
* 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
* 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 onion, sliced
* 1 bell pepper (any color), sliced
* Flour tortillas, for serving
* Toppings: salsa, guacamole, sour cream, shredded cheese
**Instructions:**
1. **Marinate the Steak:** In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, soy sauce, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), and garlic. Add the cube steaks to the marinade, turning to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
2. **Cook the Vegetables:** Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onion and bell pepper and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until softened and slightly charred. Remove the vegetables from the skillet and set aside.
3. **Cook the Steak:** Remove the cube steaks from the marinade, discarding the marinade. Add the steaks to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until cooked through and slightly browned.
4. **Slice and Serve:** Slice the cube steak into thin strips. Return the cooked vegetables to the skillet and toss with the sliced steak.
5. **Assemble the Fajitas:** Warm the flour tortillas according to package directions. Fill each tortilla with the steak and vegetable mixture, and your favorite toppings.
### 5. Cube Steak Stir-Fry
Cube steak cooks quickly in a stir-fry, making it a perfect option for a fast and healthy weeknight meal.
**Ingredients:**
* 4 beef cube steaks, thinly sliced
* 2 tablespoons soy sauce
* 1 tablespoon cornstarch
* 1 tablespoon sesame oil
* 1 red bell pepper, sliced
* 1 green bell pepper, sliced
* 1 onion, sliced
* 1 cup broccoli florets
* 1 cup sliced carrots
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 inch ginger, grated
* Stir-fry sauce (store-bought or homemade)
* Cooked rice, for serving
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Steak:** In a bowl, combine the sliced cube steak, soy sauce, and cornstarch. Toss to coat.
2. **Stir-Fry the Vegetables:** Heat the sesame oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat. Add the red bell pepper, green bell pepper, onion, broccoli florets, and sliced carrots. Stir-fry for 3-5 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
3. **Add Garlic and Ginger:** Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet and stir-fry for another minute, until fragrant.
4. **Cook the Steak:** Add the marinated cube steak to the skillet and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, or until the steak is cooked through.
5. **Add Sauce and Serve:** Pour the stir-fry sauce over the steak and vegetables. Stir to combine and cook for another minute, or until the sauce has thickened slightly. Serve immediately over cooked rice.
### 6. Beef Cube Steak Stroganoff
A unique twist on the classic beef stroganoff using cube steak for a quicker and more budget friendly version.
**Ingredients:**
* 4 beef cube steaks
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
* 1 medium onion, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 1 cup beef broth
* 1/2 cup sour cream
* 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
* 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
* Cooked egg noodles, for serving
* Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
**Instructions:**
1. **Season and Sear the Steak:** Season the cube steaks with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the steaks for 2-3 minutes per side until browned. Remove from skillet and set aside.
2. **Sauté Vegetables:** Add the sliced mushrooms and chopped onion to the skillet. Cook until the mushrooms are browned and the onions are softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. **Make the Sauce:** Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually pour in the beef broth, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
4. **Add Remaining Ingredients:** Reduce heat to low. Stir in the sour cream, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Do not boil after adding sour cream.
5. **Return Steak to Skillet:** Return the seared cube steaks to the skillet. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until the steaks are heated through and tender.
6. **Serve:** Serve the beef stroganoff over cooked egg noodles. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
## Conclusion
Beef cube steak is a surprisingly versatile and delicious cut of meat that deserves a place in your regular cooking rotation. By following the essential tips and exploring the diverse range of recipes provided in this article, you can consistently create tender, flavorful, and budget-friendly meals that your family will love. From classic comfort food to innovative international flavors, the possibilities with cube steak are endless. So, grab some cube steak and start experimenting in the kitchen today! Remember the key is not to overcook it. Enjoy!