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ByKate Shungu Published
Cube steak is economical, easy to find, and extremely versatile. We’ve rounded up 22 cube steak recipes that will elevate this humble cut of meat to a delicious dinner.
I can hear it now—the sound of cube steak frying in my mom’s 1980s electric skillet. She coated the steaks in flour and sautéed them in butter, though there are myriad more ways to cook them.
I went off in search of some seriously flavorful cube steak recipes, and my fellow food bloggers delivered!
Here you’ll find crockpot recipes, skillet recipes, instant pot recipes, air fryer recipes, cube steaks covered in gravy, fried cube steaks, onion smothered cube steaks, and even cube steaks stuffed into sandwiches.
Scroll down below for a look at these delightful dinner recipes!
Table of Contents
What is cube steak, anyway?
Cube steak is a cut of beef made with top round, bottom round, or top sirloin. Since those cuts can be tougher, the butcher passes it through a mechanical tenderizer to create indentations on the meat, which makes it tender.
Since it’s a lean cut of meat, this also makes the beef less chewy.
Cube steak can also be labeled as cubed steak, minute steak, or swiss steak.
What’s the best way to cook cube steak?
Since cube steaks are a lean cut of beef, they benefit from either cooking JUST until cooked through (sautéing or frying) OR braising low and slow (such as in a crockpot) with liquid.
Each of the recipes below uses either one of these techniques to create tender cube steaks.
Crockpot Recipes
Crockpot Cube Steak
(5 Ingredients)
You just need 5 ingredients to create cube steaks in a rich and creamy gravy. Just dump everything into the slow cooker and let it cook!
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Crockpot Cube Steak with Mushroom Gravy
Also known as “Working Woman’s Cube Steak”, this slow cooker recipe uses cream of mushroom soup, milk, onion soup mix, and mushrooms to create a creamy gravy.
Chicken fried steak recipes
Old Fashioned Chicken Fried Steak
This hearty recipe involves dipping the cube steaks twice into buttermilk/eggs and then a seasoned flour before frying to perfection. The creamy white gravy on top is made with the drippings, so it’s packed with flavor!
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Dinner for Two: Chicken Fried Steak
This recipe is perfectly portioned for two people—perfect for date night or Saturday evening at home!
Chicken Fried Steak with Onions
This classic chicken fried steak recipe is smothered in onions in a rich and creamy white gravy.
Grandma’s Country Fried Steak with Pepper Gravy
These tender fried cube steaks are topped with a creamy pepper gravy for some good old fashioned comfort food.
Country Fried Steak with Brown Gravy
This simple recipe for country fried steak is breaded with seasoned flour, then topped with a flavorful brown gravy (no milk required for this one!).
Stovetop recipes
Cube Steak with Onion Gravy
This classic recipe for seared cube steak is topped with sautéed onions and an easy brown gravy. It’s quick and easy comfort food!
Cube Steak (Keto, Gluten Free, Whole30, Paleo)
This healthier take on cube steak is sautéed to perfection in olive oil, then covered in a rich brown gravy made with onions, mushrooms, and garlic.
Cube Steak with Onion Soup Mix
A packet of onion soup mix is the secret behind the amazing flavor of this simple cube steak recipe.
Country Style Steak with Mushroom Gravy
Love mushrooms? Don’t miss this flavorful cube steak recipe, made with a simple beef broth gravy that’s thickened with cornstarch. Serve rice on the side to soak up all that delicious gravy!
20 Minute Cube Steak Recipe
Get dinner on the table in just 20 minutes with this simple recipe that features cube steak and onions in a hearty brown gravy.
Air fryer recipes
Air Fryer Teriyaki Cube Steak
This super easy recipe consists of cube steak marinated in teriyaki sauce, then air fried to perfection. Just add rice and serve!
Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak
Put away the skillet—you can make a perfectly crispy chicken fried steak in the air fryer!
Instant pot recipes
Instant Pot Cube Steak
This recipe boasts the addition of potatoes, mushrooms, and onions to the cube steak to make it a one-dish meal. It’s all wrapped up in a flavorful brown gravy.
Instant Pot Swiss Steak
Tomatoes are the star of this classic dinner recipe, made in the instant pot to make it extra easy!
Even more cube steak recipes
Cast Iron Cube Steak
Learn how to sear the perfect cube steak in a cast iron pan—no extra ingredients required!
Tripletas (Steak, Pernil, and Ham Sandwiches)
Don’t miss this extra hearty Puerto Rican sandwich! It’s stuffed with marinated cube steak, pernil (slow cooked pork roast), and deli ham, plus a variety of toppings, like shoestring potato chips.
Idaho Finger Steaks
Fried steak, bite sized for snacking! This genius recipe consists of strips of cube steak, soaked in buttermilk, battered, and fried to perfection. Just add ketchup for a delightful appetizer or main course.
Bistec Encebollao (Cube Steak Smothered in Onions)
This Puerto Rican smothered steak recipe features tender cube steak in a vinegary sauce, with plenty of sautéed onions. Serve with rice and dinner is done!
Chili Lime Cube Steaks
These flavorful sautéed steaks are coated in a chili lime sauce, with a touch of honey for sweetness. This would be excellent with a side of roasted sweet potatoes!
FAQs about cube steak
How do I know when cube steak is done? Can it be slightly pink in the center?
Cube steak is done when it’s either completely cooked through (no pink), OR slightly pink in the center.
Why is my cube steak tough?
Cube steak can get tough and chewy when overcooked. Reduce the cooking time next time, and use a method that employs braising (cooking in a liquid) so it stays tender.
Is cube steak healthy?
Cube steak is a lean cut of beef, typically cut from the sirloin or round. As a result, it’s lower in fat and calories than more marbled cuts of beef.
How long does cube steak last?
Leftover cube steak will last in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
What to serve with cube steak
Here are a few side dish ideas that pair nicely with cube steak:
- Mashed potatoes
- White or brown rice
- Egg noodles
- Roasted potatoes
- Roasted broccoli
- Grilled or roasted asparagus
- Leafy green salad
- Slices of baguette or your favorite crusty bread (for soaking up sauce/gravy)
More side dish ideas
- Extra Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
- Bisquick Cheddar Biscuits
- Roasted Garlic Broccoli
- Pull-Apart Garlic Bread
