Cube steak is a budget-friendly, versatile cut of beef that’s perfect for quick and delicious weeknight dinners. Whether you’re craving crispy, golden-battered comfort food or a slow-cooked, melt-in-your-mouth dish, cube steak can do it all.
In this guide, we’ll cover the best ways to cook cube steak, share essential cooking tips, and provide 5 delicious cube steak recipes that are easy to make and packed with flavor.
What is Cube Steak?
Cube steak is typically cut from the top round or top sirloin and tenderized using a mechanical process, creating the signature “cubed” texture. This extra processing makes it one of the most affordable and easiest cuts of beef to cook.
Why You’ll Love Cooking with Cube Steak
✔ Budget-Friendly: Cube steak is one of the most affordable cuts of beef available.
✔ Quick to Cook: Its tenderized texture allows it to cook in just minutes.
✔ Versatile: From crispy, breaded dishes to hearty slow-cooked meals, cube steak works in countless recipes.
✔ Great for Meal Prep: It can be made ahead of time and reheated easily.
5 Quick & Easy Cube Steak Recipes
These cube steak recipes will satisfy every craving, from classic Southern-style chicken-fried steak to savory slow-cooked comfort food.
1. Classic Chicken-Fried Steak with Creamy Gravy
A Southern favorite, this crispy fried steak is coated in seasoned flour and smothered in creamy country gravy.
Ingredients:
- 4 cube steaks
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup oil
- 2 tbsp butter
Instructions:
- Prepare the coating: In one bowl, mix flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. In another bowl, whisk eggs and milk.
- Coat the steak: Dip each cube steak into the flour mixture, then the egg mixture, then back into the flour for an extra crispy crust.
- Fry: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry steaks for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- Make the gravy: Melt butter in the pan, whisk in 2 tbsp flour, and cook for 1 minute. Slowly add 1 cup milk, whisking constantly, until thickened.
- Serve: Pour the gravy over the crispy chicken-fried steaks and enjoy!
2. Slow Cooker Cube Steak with Onion Gravy
This tender, slow-cooked dish is packed with rich flavors and requires minimal prep work.
Ingredients:
- 4 cube steaks
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 packet onion soup mix
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
Instructions:
- Layer ingredients: Place sliced onions in the bottom of a slow cooker. Lay cube steaks on top.
- Add liquids: Pour beef broth and Worcestershire sauce over the steaks. Sprinkle onion soup mix on top.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours until tender.
- Thicken the sauce (optional): Mix cornstarch with 2 tbsp water and stir it into the sauce during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Serve: Enjoy with mashed potatoes or rice.
3. Garlic Butter Cube Steak Skillet
A quick, one-pan meal with rich garlic butter sauce and tender beef.
Ingredients:
- 4 cube steaks
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions:
- Season the steaks with salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Sear: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the steaks for 2-3 minutes per side, then remove.
- Make the garlic butter sauce: Reduce heat to medium, add butter and garlic, and cook for 1 minute.
- Finish the dish: Return steaks to the pan, spoon garlic butter over them, and cook for 1 more minute.
- Serve: Garnish with parsley and serve with roasted vegetables or rice.
4. Cube Steak Stroganoff
A creamy, comforting dish that pairs perfectly with egg noodles.
Ingredients:
- 4 cube steaks, sliced into strips
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Brown the beef: Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add steak strips and cook until browned.
- Sauté the veggies: Add onions, garlic, and mushrooms. Cook until soft.
- Make the sauce: Sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir for 1 minute. Slowly add beef broth, then stir in Worcestershire sauce.
- Simmer: Reduce heat and let simmer for 10 minutes until thickened.
- Finish with sour cream: Stir in sour cream just before serving.
- Serve: Over egg noodles or rice.
5. Cube Steak Tacos
Turn cube steak into a delicious taco filling with bold flavors.
Ingredients:
- 4 cube steaks, sliced into strips
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 8 small tortillas
- Toppings: salsa, guacamole, shredded cheese, chopped cilantro
Instructions:
- Season the steak: Toss sliced cube steak with chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and salt.
- Cook the steak: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté steak strips for 3-4 minutes.
- Assemble the tacos: Fill tortillas with steak and add toppings.
- Serve: With a side of rice or beans.
Cube steak is an affordable and versatile cut that can be used in a variety of quick and easy meals. Whether you’re making crispy chicken-fried steak, savory slow-cooked dishes, or flavorful tacos, cube steak is a delicious option for any occasion.
Try one of these recipes tonight and discover why cube steak deserves a spot in your kitchen!