Are you craving a savory, juicy steak for dinner tonight? You have so many delicious options that you’re probably overwhelmed. But what’s the difference between cube steak and hamburger steak?
Cube steak and hamburger steak may seem similar, yet they feature significantly different flavors. While cube steaks are typically seasoned with just salt and pepper, hamburger steaks predominantly contain seasonings such as onions to enhance their flavor – making them more desired by many consumers. While both options are relatively affordable, cube steak is the pricier.
In this post, we’ll compare these two versatile cuts of beef and decide the ultimate winner in terms of flavor, convenience, cost-effectiveness, and more!
So read on to find out which will be your go-to dish next time hunger strikes.
| Cube Steak | Hamburger Steak | |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Whole beef steak that a mechanical tenderizer has tenderized | Ground beef shaped into a patty and cooked |
| Texture | Tender and soft | It depends on how it is cooked |
| Common dishes | Chicken-fried steak | Gravy-topped steak, hamburgers |
| Popularity | Widely available, especially in the US | Popular in the southern US |
Cube steak is like the fancy version of beef. It’s all dressed up and ready for a fancy dinner party. It’s been tenderized by some fancy machine and has a soft texture.
You can use it in dishes like chicken-fried steak, and it’s usually pan-fried or breaded and fried. Yum!
On the other hand, hamburger steak is like the laid-back cousin of the beef family. It’s just ground beef shaped into a patty and cooked.
And it’s often served with gravy or sauce on top. It’s a popular dish in the southern US, so this is the way to go if you’re feeling down home and casual.
What is Cube Steak?
What kind of meat is cube steak?
The bottom round of beef is pounded flat with a meat tenderizer before being cooked, hence the name top round steak or cubed steak.
A cubed steak is a cut of beef subjected to an industrial tenderizing machine, such as the meat cuber or Swiss machine.
What part of the cow is cube steak?
Cube steak is a type of inexpensive steak. Cube steak comes from round or chuck beef steaks. Both cuts are pretty tough. However, any tough cuts of beef can be used to prepare cube steak.
Is cube steak lean?
Yes, cube steak is a lean cut of beef. Because it is a lean cut, cube steak doesn’t include much fat or marbling.
Is cube steak tender?
The pounding process breaks down the beef fibers, making them more tender.
What is Hamburger Steak?
What kind of meat is hamburger steak?
It was made famous worldwide by migrating Germans and became a popular dish around the beginning of the 19th century. It’s comparable to Salisbury steak.
The hamburger steak comes from Hamburg, Germany. The people of Hamburg developed a dish of minced meat that was molded into the shape of a steak and then grilled and served with gravy, which became known as Hamburg steak.
Is hamburger steak lean?
Yes. However, there will be some fat in the finished product, like all ground beef.
Is hamburger steak tender?
No, hamburger steak is not as tender as cube steak. That’s because it isn’t pounded flat.
Cube Steak vs. Hamburger Steak: What’s the Difference?
| Differences | Cube Steak | Hamburger Steak |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Tender and soft | It depends on how it is cooked (it can be tender or tough) |
| Taste | Mild beef flavor | Mild beef flavor |
| Cost | Generally more expensive than ground beef | It can vary, depending on the cut of beef used |
| Uses | Commonly used in dishes like chicken-fried steak, stir-fries, and sandwiches. | It can be used in various dishes, such as hamburgers, meatloaf, and casseroles. |
Can you substitute cube steak for hamburger steak?
Yes, you can substitute cube steak for hamburger steak in most recipes.
How to Cook Cube Steak
Cube steak can be cooked in various ways, including pan-frying, grilling, and broiling.
If you’re going to pan-fry your steak, use high-temperature cooking oil with a high smoke point, such as canola or vegetable oil. You’ll also want to ensure the steak isn’t too thick or takes too long to cook.
Thicker steaks are better for grilling or broiling.
Whichever method you choose, cook your steak until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Easy Beef Cube Steak with Worcestershire Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 20 oz cube steak (4 steaks about 5 oz each)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a cast-iron skillet over high heat.
- Season the steaks on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Place the steaks in a pan. Sear for 3-4 minutes on each side or until browned, then turn and sear the other side for another 3-4 minutes.
- If you’re searing the steaks in batches, combine them in the pan with the Worcestershire sauce. Reduce for a minute, turning the steaks to coat them evenly in the sauce.
- Remove from the pan and serve immediately.
How to Cook Hamburger Steak
Hamburg steak is prepared from finely ground beef. Before forming patties, seasonings, eggs, breadcrumbs, onion, and milk may be added to the meat.
- It can be grilled, pan-fried, or broiled.
- If you grill your hamburger steak, ensure the patties are about ¾ inch thick, so they don’t fall apart.
- If you’re pan-frying your hamburger steak, use cooking oil with a high smoke point, such as canola or vegetable oil.
Whichever method you choose, cook the steak until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Hamburger Steak with Onion Gravy Recipe
Ingredients
Hamburger Steaks
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ lb. ground beef, 85% lean
- 4 Tablespoons frozen butter
- ½ cup yellow onion, very finely minced
- Two teaspoons of yellow mustard
- Three teaspoons Worcestershire
- Three cloves garlic, minced
- Salt/Pepper
Gravy
- Two yellow onions, sliced into ¾-inch strings
- 3 Tablespoons cold unsalted butter, separated
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup beef broth
- One teaspoon of onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup cold water + 3 tablespoons corn starch
Instructions
Prepare the Steaks
- Remove the frozen butter from the freezer, chop it into small pieces, and shred it.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the minced onions, butter, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and ground beef. Overworking the meat will result in tough steaks.
- Shape into uniformly shaped oval steaks. Refrigerate for 15 minutes before grilling. Remove the beef patties from the refrigerator and season both sides with salt and pepper before cooking.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. (Cast iron is the best way to sear meat.)
- Add the hamburger steaks. Sear them on both sides for 2-3 minutes, then set them aside.
Make the Gravy
- Reduce the heat to medium-low. Melt two tablespoons of butter in a pan and add the onions. Cook for 15-20 minutes, until the onions, become tender and begin to caramelize.
- Add the chicken and beef broths, onion powder, garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Run a silicone spatula along the bottom to remove any remaining meat from the pan to lift any residue.
- Add in the cornstarch and cold water slowly until they are well combined.
- Bring the gravy to a boil and whisk in the cornstarch mixture.
- Continue to whisk and decrease to medium heat.
Assemble
- Return steaks to the pan and let them sit for 10 minutes or until cooked. The internal temperature should be 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In the end, add 1 Tbs cold butter and swirl it in—this chef’shef’s trick for giving the gravy a smooth finish.
- Spoon the gravy on top. Sprinkle with parsley.
- Serve with mashed potatoes and roasted carrots!
See also:
- Cube Steak vs. Minute Steak
- Cube Steak vs. Ground Steak
- Cube Steak vs. Round Steak
- Cube Steak: A Delicious, Nutritious Meal on a Budget
- How to Cook Cube Steak Without Flour in Air Fryer
FAQs
Can you use cube steak for burgers?
Yes, you can use cube steak for burgers.
How do you cook cube steak, so it’s not tough?
Cube steak can be cooked in various ways, including pan-frying, grilling, and broiling. If you pan-fry your steak, use high-temperature cooking oil with a high smoke point, such as canola or vegetable oil.
