Cube steak is often overlooked when planning out a delicious steak dinner—we're here to change that. Dredged in a seasoned flour mix and smothered in an onion soup mix gravy, this recipe turns this cut into a flavor-packed steak that was was made to be served alongside creamy mashed potatoes and fresh veggies. With a prep and cook time of just under an hour, this budget-friendly dinner hits all the marks for a comforting weeknight meal or special Valentine's Day dinner. Read on for all of our top tips on making cube steak, in this recipe and beyond!
What is cube steak?
Cube steak is a pre-tenderized cut of meat, usually taken from a round or top sirloin. It's inexpensive and extremely versatile, but commonly simmered in stews or pan-fried and covered in gravy, like we did here. At your local grocery store, check out the meat counter for already prepared cube steak. This cut should stand out—the meat mallet makes tiny indentations in the steak as it thins and tenderizes it to a thickness of about a chicken cutlet. Alternatively, you can buy thin slices of these cuts and pound it with a meat mallet yourself, but it’s much easier to have the butcher do it for you!
How do you make cube steaks tender?
There are three keys to tender cube steaks in this recipe: First, tenderizing the meat with the meat mallet. Second, breading the steaks in flour before searing them. Third, simmering our steaks in the gravy. To keep them tender, either cube steaks should be cooked fast like we do here, or simmered for a while in the slow cooker.
Variations.
We love our souped up (literally) onion soup mix gravy, but any gravy that you enjoy works well here, such as a standard brown or a creamy Southern white. If you're not feeling the gravy, swap your cube steaks into these classic recipes: chicken fried steak, steak pizzaiola, steak milanesa, or our Crockpot cube steak. Have other ideas? Let us know in the comments below what you like using cube steak in!
What should I serve cube steaks with?
Gravy-smothered cube steaks are screaming for classic sides like mashed potatoes (to soak up all the delicious gravy), and a fresh counterpart (think crisp, green vegetables such as green beans or sugar snap peas). Need more ideas? Check out our favorite steak sides to complete your dinner!
Made it? Let us know how it went in the comment section below!
- Yields:
- 4 serving(s)
- Prep Time:
- 20 mins
- Total Time:
- 1 hr
- Cal/Serv:
- 541
Ingredients
- 2 lb.
cube steak (about 4 pieces)
- 2 tsp.
kosher salt
- 1 1/2 tsp.
freshly ground black pepper
- 1 c.
all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp.
garlic powder
- 1 tsp.
vegetable oil
- 1
large yellow onion, sliced into 1/2" rings
- 3 tbsp.
butter
- 1
(1-oz.) packet onion soup mix
- 1 1/2 c.
low-sodium beef broth
- Nutrition Information
- Per Serving (Serves 4)
- Calories541 Fat24 gSaturated fat11 gTrans fat0 gCholesterol140 mgSodium849 mgCarbohydrates32 gFiber2 gSugar3 gProtein44 gVitamin D0 mcgCalcium67 mgIron5 mgPotassium918 mg
- Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.Powered by
Directions
- Step 1Season steaks with salt and pepper. Mix flour and garlic powder in a large shallow plate and dredge steaks. Reserve remaining dredge mixture.
- Step 2In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Fry steaks in batches until deeply golden, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer steaks to a plate.Â
- Step 3Reduce heat to medium and add onion to pan. Cook, scraping down the bottom of pan, until onions are softened and turn golden, about 10 minutes.Â
- Step 4Melt butter into onions, then sprinkle in onion soup mix and 1 tablespoon of reserved dredge mixture. Cook, stirring constantly until bubbling and beginning to turn a golden color, another 10 minutes.
- Step 5Gradually add broth, a 1/4 cup at a time. Let simmer lightly until gravy is thickened. Transfer steaks to pan with gravy and turn to coat.
- Step 6Serve steaks smothered with gravy.
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