8 Cube Steak Recipes: Best Beef Ideas in 2024

Cube steak, also known as minute steak, is a versatile cut of beef great for various easy recipes. These meat cuts are tenderized through a process that creates distinctive cube-shaped indentations, giving them their name. You can tenderize them yourself or, optionally, buy them tenderized.

Cube steaks are ideal for people who prefer mostly hands-free cooking once prep’s done. While some recipes take as little as half an hour, others take a few or several hours. But the process is generally simple and requires minimal involvement other than monitoring the cooking. And you can get well-balanced meals, like the ones approved by our expert in-house nutritionist below. 

Cube steak pairs well with various ingredients, including mushrooms, onions, noodles, rice, and potatoes. Whether you coat them in flour for a crispy texture or leave them as is, you can prepare them in many ways. You can use a skillet, Dutch oven, slow cooker, or other kitchen appliances to prepare them to your liking. For some time-efficient and tasty cube steak recipes, continue reading.

1. Seared Steaks & Buttery Mushroom Pan Sauce

Nutrition

Ingredients 

• 2 sirloin steaks of 8 ounces

• ¾ lb potatoes

• 4 oz mushrooms

• 1 shallot

• 2 oz green salad

• ½ oz salted butter

• 4 tablespoons of white balsamic vinegar 

• Spice blend (onion powder, garlic powder, dried parsley or oregano or basil, and smoked paprika)

• Salt and pepper

• 2 tbsp of olive oil

Kitchenware You Need

Prep & Cooking

1. Season steaks. Tenderize them if necessary and season them with salt and pepper. Do this right before you cook or at least an hour beforehand to let the flavors soak in.

2. Wash, dry, and prepare produce. Cut the potatoes into sticks and slice the shallot once peeled and halved. Wash the mushrooms and slice them into thin pieces. You can wash the green salad now or during the cooking process, whichever you prefer. 

3. Preheat the oven to 450°F. While the oven is heating, place a foil on a sheet pan and arrange the potatoes. Season them with salt, pepper, oil of your choice (optional), and spice blend. 

4. Roast potatoes in the oven. Once the preheating is done, place the sheet pan in the oven and roast potatoes until they become tender enough to pierce them with a fork.

5. Cook steaks in the grill pan. Fry the steaks, turning them around until they become brown. 

6. Cook the remaining produce in another pan. Drizzle the pan with the oil and add mushrooms and shallot. Add salt and pepper and cook for a few minutes before adding 2 tablespoons of vinegar or Worcestershire sauce and the same amount of water. Cook and stir until the liquid diminishes a little. Add the butter and cook and stir until it melts and everything combines well. 

7. Prepare the salad. Mix the remaining vinegar (or Worcestershire sauce) and olive (or some other) oil in a large bowl. Add a green salad to the mix just before serving, et voila, the meal is ready. 

Overview

This meal is ideal for couples or individuals who don't mind enjoying the same dish twice in a short time. It delivers all the macronutrients: carbs, protein, and fat. This makes it a great option for anyone, including athletes and people with an active lifestyle.

You may consider this recipe if you don't have much time to spend in the kitchen, but like cooking. The dish requires quite a bit of involvement, including prep and cleanup. So, you may want to consider other alternatives below for a less in-depth cooking experience on busy days.

2. Cattleman’s Steak & Buckaroo Butter

Nutrition

Ingredients 

• 12 ounces of potatoes

• 10 ounces of cubed beef meat (round, rump, sirloin...)

• 5 ounces of corn kernels

• 1 ounce of unsalted butter

• 2 green onions

• 1/4 ounce of stone-ground mustard (or Dijon mustard for a more spicy flavor)

• 6 chive sprigs

• 2 tablespoons of savory seasoning (like a mix of oregano, marjoram, paprika, ginger, etc.)

• 1/4 ounce of hot sauce

• 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika

• 2 tbsp of olive oil

• Salt and pepper

Kitchenware You Need

Prep & Cooking

1. Prepare produce. Peel the potatoes (unless you use baby potatoes), cut them into quarter-inch pieces, and mix them with a little salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Mince chives and slice green onions, placing green and white portions in separate utensils. 

2. Prepare steaks. Wash them, tenderize them, if necessary, and after drying them with a paper towel, season both sides with salt and pepper. The flavor will be more intense if you season the meat in advance. 

3. Microwave potatoes. Place a damp paper towel over the microwave-safe bowl. Microwave until the potatoes become fork-tender, which should take a few minutes. 

4. Cook the steaks. Turn the stove burner on medium heat. Pour 2 tablespoons of avocado oil (or some other oil (olive, sunflower...), depending on your preferences) into a medium-size pan and add steaks once it gets hot. Fry each side for up to 5 minutes or until the steaks are cooked to your liking. 

5. Fry produce. Replace the pan and add 2 tablespoons of oil. Once hot, add microwaved potatoes, corn, the white portion of green onion, seasoning, and salt to taste and mix everything. Remove the pan from the burner once the potatoes get crispy. 

6. Make Buckaroo butter. Take a mixing bowl and add butter, stone-ground mustard, hot sauce, chives, paprika, and a little pepper.

7. Garnish the entree and the side dish. Top steaks with the butter and garnish potatoes with the green portion of green onion. 

Overview

What I like most about this dish is that it's quick to prepare and provides a variety of essential nutrients with just a few ingredients. It's suitable for everyone, including people who have a high level of physical activity, whether for work or leisure.

I don't mind using butter once in a while or for special occasions – it’s a great flavor boost. But avocado, olive, or canola oil might be better for people trying to make healthier choices.

4. Seared Cube Steak & Rajas Con Crema Bowl

Nutrition

Ingredients 

• 10 ounces of cubed steak

• 5 ounces of quinoa

• 1 tomato

• 1 lime

• 1 yellow onion

• 1/4 ounce of cilantro

• 4 poblano peppers

• 5 ounces of corn

• 1/4 ounce of Tex-Mex spice

• 1 ounce of Greek yogurt

• 2 ounces of Cheddar or Jack cheese, or combined

• 2 and a half tbsp of olive oil

• 1 tsp of sugar

• Salt and pepper

Kitchenware

Prep & Cooking

1. Prepare steaks. Tenderize them if necessary and season with salt and pepper on both sides. The earlier you season the meat, the better the taste after cooking. 

2. Prepare produce. Wash quinoa, tomatoes, cilantro, and peppers and dry them. Cut tomato into 1/2-inch slices, slice cilantro stems, and chop 2 tablespoons of onion. Put prepared tomato, cilantro stems, and onion in a small bowl and add a little sugar, salt, and pepper. Next, halve peppers and clear them from stems and seeds. 

3. Cook quinoa. Put quinoa in a small saucepan and add a cup and a quarter of water and half a teaspoon of salt. Once the water boils, lower the heat and let it simmer until the quinoa absorbs the liquid. 

4. Fry steaks. Add 1 tablespoon of oil into a skillet and heat on medium-high. Fry each side of the steaks until you reach the desired doneness.

5. Cook corn. Add corn to the same skillet and stir for a few minutes until it becomes charred. Season corn with salt and pepper in the process. 

6. Make rajas con crema. Add a tablespoon and a half of oil to the same skillet while keeping the medium-high temperature. Place prepared onion and peppers and add salt and pepper. When the ingredients soften, lower the temperature to low and add a quarter cup of water, Tex-Mex, and Greek yogurt. Stir until everything mixes well. 

7. Add the cheese to the sauce. When you remove the sauce from the heat, stir in the cheese and season to your liking. 

8. Final touches. Cut lime, slice steaks, and arrange as you wish.

Overview

You can use different types of cheese in this recipe depending on your preferences. This dish is quick to make and doesn't require an extensive cleanup. Still, it requires quite a bit of involvement, which isn't for people who like to multitask and do other things while cooking. 

If you're carb-loading for a demanding physical activity, like a marathon, consider replacing quinoa with jasmine rice. The replacement ratio should be 1:1, but the same amount of jasmine rice will pack the meal with more carbohydrates. This meal is gluten-free, making it suitable for those with sensitivities. 

5. Grilled Steak Fajitas

Nutrition

Ingredients 

• 1/2 pound of steaks

• 1 red onion

• 1 green bell pepper

• 6 tortillas of 6 inches

• 1/4 ounce chili lime spice

• 1/4 ounce Tex-Mex spice blend

• 1 tablespoon of butter

• Cold-pressed olive oil, 2 tbsp

• Salt and pepper

Kitchenware You Need

Prep & Cooking

1. Prepare steaks. Wash and dry the meat, and tenderize it, if necessary. Drizzle the steaks with olive oil and season with Tex-Mex blend, salt, and pepper on all sides. For a stronger flavor, do so in advance. 

2. Prepare vegetables. Wash and dry bell pepper and cut it crosswise into quarters, removing seeds and stem. Slice onion into rounds half-inch thick. 

3. Make the sauce. Mix half a tablespoon of chili lime spice and a tablespoon of butter in a bowl and stir until well combined. 

4. Warm tortillas. Brush the grill grates with olive oil and heat over medium heat. Toast the tortillas until they are soft and lightly browned. Wrap them in foil and, optionally, place them in a heated oven to keep warm. 

5. Grill veggies. Grill peppers and onion by flipping sides every few minutes until they get tender and somewhat charred. Once grilled, cool them and cut them into strips. 

6. Grill meat. The steaks are ready when they brown, but you may grill them longer to match your taste preference. Then, leave them for several minutes to rest.

7. Assemble the ingredients. Arrange steaks and produce on tortillas and top with sauce. 

Overview

Grilled steak fajitas are a great choice for busy evenings. It can satisfy 2-3 hungry mouths with ease. The meal is well-balanced, providing you with the right amounts of protein, carbohydrates, and fat. 

If you're pressed for time, you can skip the sauce, which should save a few minutes of prep time. Or, if you have time and want to add a side dish, grilled ears or kernels of corn would be a nice addition.

6. Berdean’s Cube Steak with French Fries

Nutrition

Ingredients 

• 4 cube steaks (4 ounces each)

• 20 ounces of raw potatoes

• 1/4 cup of flour

• Vegetable oil as needed

• 1 tbsp of olive oil

• Water as needed

• 1 teaspoon of beef bouillon

• Salt and pepper

Kitchenware You Need

Prep & Cooking

1. Prepare the steaks. Season the meat on both sides with salt and pepper to taste. Coat the steaks in the flour in a small bowl.

2. Prepare the potatoes. Unless you buy prepared French fries, peel and slice the potatoes. Place them in a large bowl.

3. Cook the meat. Pour olive oil into the large skillet and heat on medium-high. Cook cube steaks until brown on either side. Add water to soak the meat without drowning it. Add beef bouillon, bring to a boil, and lower the heat to medium-low. Lastly, cover the skillet and let the meat simmer for about 2 hours, checking the progress occasionally. 

4. Fry the potatoes. Put enough oil into the fryer and warm it up, add French fries, fry until they turn golden, and move the fries to the medium bowl. Sprinkle salt to your liking.

Overview

Berdean's cube steak is an easy meal to make, although it takes a few hours to cook. This makes it a great option for people who don't mind the longer cooking time as they can do other things while the meat cooks. Once you have prepared the ingredients, most of the work is in monitoring the progress.

Cleanup should be easy since you don't need many utensils for this dish. Only cleaning the fryer may require a little effort. To make the meal even more nutritious, make a salad of your choice and/or add some leftover veggies from another day. For easy salad ideas, check out our in-depth guide. 

7. 25-Minute Cube Steak Recipe

Nutrition

Ingredients 

• 2 cubed steaks (6 oz each)

• 1/3 cup of flour

• 2 tablespoons of olive oil

• 2 tablespoons of minced dried onion

• 2 teaspoons of paprika

• 1 tablespoon of steak grill seasoning

• Salt and pepper

Kitchenware You Need

Prep & Cooking

1. Season steaks. Season meat with salt and pepper, in advance if possible.

2. Mix spices. Combine paprika, grill seasoning, and flour in the tiny bowl and place on the plate. Dredge the steaks through the mixture, but not too heavily.

3. Cook onion. Pour olive oil into the skillet and once it heats, add minced dried onion. Cook and stir for a few minutes.

4. Cook the meat. Place cubed steaks into the skillet and cook for 3 to 5 minutes on each side. 

Overview

This recipe is ideal if you need a quick main dish. If you're a busy parent or a big fan of steaks, it's a great option to add to basic side dishes.

Another plus is that it doesn't require much planning. You can make it with ingredients that are usually on hand in most pantries. Just remember to pick up some cubed steaks on your way home from work.

8. Swiss Steak

Nutrition

Ingredients 

• 2 lbs of cubed steaks with no visible fat

• 12 ounces of couscous

• 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil

• Tablespoon and a half of all-purpose flour

• 2 cans of stewed tomatoes (about 800 g)

• 1 lb of mushrooms

• 1 onion

• 1.2 ounces of brown gravy mix

• Salt and pepper

Kitchenware You Need

Prep & Cooking

1. Prepare steaks. Tenderize the meat and season it with salt and pepper. Cut it into thin, bite-size cuts. Then, coat the meat pieces in flour, shaking off the excess. 

2. Prepare mushrooms and onion. Wash and dry mushrooms and cut them into thin pieces. Chop the onion. 

3. Fry the meat cuts. Heat the oil in the Dutch oven on medium. Add the meat and fry the pieces until brown. 

4. Add the produce and spices. Pour the stewed tomatoes, mushrooms, onion, gravy mix, and salt and pepper to taste. Once the contents come to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for the next half hour to 45 minutes.  

5. Cook the couscous. Pour a cup of water or broth into the saucepan. Add a little vegetable or other oil and add a little salt. Once the liquid boils, add couscous, turn off the heat, and cover the saucepan with a lid. After 10 minutes or so, the side is ready. 

Overview

Swiss steak is simple to prepare, even for beginners. It needs minimal attention while cooking, allowing you to do other chores. Plus, it can provide several meals for smaller households and easily feed larger ones.

To make Swiss steak more tender, you can prepare the meal in a slow cooker. The process is the same, just replace the Dutch oven with the slow cooker. But note that it will take 6 or more hours to cook. 

FAQ

How do you cook cube steak so it’s not tough?

You can fry cube steaks in oil for a couple of minutes until they brown. After that, move them to a slow cooker and cook for several hours, like with Swiss steak.

Does cube steak get tender the longer it cooks?

Yes, cube steaks become more tender the longer they cook at low temperatures. If you have a few hours to prepare and cook a meal, Berdean’s Cube Steak may be a good alternative. 

What is cube steak good for?

Many cube steak recipes make great midweek dinners since you can prepare and cook them in less than an hour, some in fewer than 30 minutes. They work as a complete meal or as a way to bulk up leftovers.