Are you wondering what cut is a cube steak? Cube steak is a flavorful and tender cut of beef that is pre-tenderized, making it a popular choice for many recipes. The term “cube steak” refers to a cut of meat that has been run through a mechanical tenderizer, called a meat cuber or swissing machine.
The resulting steak is called a cube steak, or swiss steak, because of the cube-shaped indentations made by the tenderizer.
A cut from the top or bottom round of the cow, cube steak is a way to make a normally tough piece of beef more succulent and tasty.
The meat is run through a mechanical tenderizer, which creates cube-shaped indentations in the meat. This is where the name “cube steak” comes from.
The tenderizing process breaks up the tough tissue in the meat, making it more palatable. The resulting steak is thinner and more tender than other cuts of beef, which makes it ideal for a variety of dishes. Cube steak is often used to make dishes like chicken fried steak, stews, and beef and vegetable stir-fry.
While cube steak is typically made from beef, it is possible to find cube steak made from other meats, such as pork or venison. However, beef is the most common meat used for this cut.
It’s worth noting that cube steak is not the same as ground beef. While both have a similar texture, cube steak is still a solid piece of meat that has been mechanically tenderized, while ground beef is made by grinding up various cuts of beef.
Its unique texture and tenderness make it a popular choice for home cooks and professional chefs alike.
How to Cook Cubed Steak
Here are some methods to try:
1. Pan-Fry
To pan-fry cube steak, heat a little oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Season the steak with salt and pepper, then dredge it in flour. Cook the steak in the hot oil for about 3-4 minutes per side, until it is golden brown and crispy. Serve with your favorite sides.
2. Grill
Grilling cube steak is a great way to add some smoky flavor to the meat. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Season the steak with salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you like. Grill the steak for about 3-4 minutes per side, until it is cooked to your desired level of doneness.
3. Slow Cook
Cube steak can also be cooked in a slow cooker for a tender, flavorful meal. Place the steak in the slow cooker and add your favorite vegetables and seasonings. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the steak is tender and cooked through.
4. Oven-Bake
For a hassle-free preparation, start by seasoning your cube steak with salt and pepper, and coating it with a light layer of flour. Place it on a baking sheet and pop it into the oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the steak is cooked through.
5. Pressure Cook
For a fast and effortless dinner, try cooking cube steak in a pressure cooker. Just season it with salt, pepper, and any other spices you prefer. Then, add some beef broth or water to the cooker and put the steak inside. Finally, cook on high pressure for 15 minutes and release the pressure to serve.
Here are some ideas for what to make with cube steak:
Cube Steak with Gravy
To make this dish, cook the cube steak in a skillet until browned on both sides. You can serve cube steak with gravy over mashed potatoes or rice for a hearty and comforting meal.
For a creative twist, try using cube steak in lieu of chicken for a parmesan dish. Coat the steak in breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese and bake until golden and crunchy. Then, add a layer of marinara and mozzarella cheese and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Yum!
Serve the cube steak parmesan with pasta for a delicious Italian-inspired meal.
Cube Steak vs. Minute Steak: What’s the Difference?
Cube steak and minute steak are trendy cuts of steaks. Both are inexpensive, made from less-desirable cuts, and easy to cook. But what’s the difference? Which one do you need to choose for your meal?
One of the differences between cube steak vs minute steak is that cube steak is mechanically tenderized, while minute steak refers to the cut and is not necessarily tenderized.
What about the other differences? And how to prepare them? Let’s find out!
What is Cube Steak?
What kind of meat is cube steak?
Cube steak or cubed steak is the bottom round of beef that has been pounded flat with a meat tenderizer before cooking. It’s named after the shape of the indentation left by that process.
Cube steak is inexpensive cuts of steak. Traditionally, cube steak is taken either from the beef round primal or beef chuck steak. Both cuts are pretty tough. But it can be made using any tough cut of beef.
Is cube steak tender?
The cube steak is so soft that you don’t even need a knife to slice it. It’s much different from the texture of ground beef.
You don’t need any additional ingredients for the gravy. Just use the onion soup mix.
Minute steak. Credit: Canva
What is Minute Steak?
Minute steak is a thin (usually one-quarter inch thick) piece of beef, usually from the sirloin.
It can come from several different muscles, including the sirloin, rump, or flank, but must not be thicker than 1 cm. Hence the name.
The main advantage of minute steak is the quick cooking time that makes it ideal for the busy cook (or family) who needs something fast. They’re lower in cost than most other cuts of beef, so they’re suitable for people who want to eat red meat but don’t want to spend a lot of money.
Are minute steaks tough?
Minute steaks are thin and lean and can be tough if overcooked. The key is to quickly cook them over high heat for about 2 to 3 minutes on each side, depending on their thickness.
What is a minute steak good for?
This cut of beef is perfect for those looking for leaner options. It is low in fat and cholesterol compared to other types of beef, making it a great choice for grilling, frying, braising, and more.
Cube Steak vs. Minute Steak: What’s the Difference?
Cubed steak is often referred to as a minute steak in certain regions, as it can be cooked quickly, particularly in Ireland, Canada, the UK, Australia and some US states.
Cube steak is mechanically tenderized, giving it the cubed distinction. In comparison, minute steaks refer to the cut, which is not necessarily tenderized. Minute steaks are most often top sirloin sliced thin. Minute steaks also lack the defining indentations of cube steak.
Minutes steaks are also thinner than cube steak, which is approximately 1/4-inch thick. So, it does not need tenderizing.
Minute steak is cut from sirloin, rump, flank, or round. In comparison, cube steak cut is from beef round primal cut, which is quite tough, or any tough cut of meat.
They’re also cooked differently. Cube steak tends to be used in casseroles or fried. The steak in a chicken-fried steak is usually cube steak. Minute steak is usually for tacos, fajitas, enchiladas, or burritos.
How to Cook Cube Steak?
How to prepare cube steak?
Cubed steak refers to a cut that has been run through an industrial meat tenderizer called a meat cuber or Swiss machine.
You can also pound a less tender cut of meat to produce cube-shaped indentations using a tenderizing mallet.
What is the best way to cook a cube steak?
Cube steaks can be braised, pan-fried, or sauteed. You can even bake it in a casserole dish or cook it up slowly in a slow cooker. The perfect method depends on the circumstance.
Cube steak recipes include chicken-fried and Swiss steaks, cheese steaks, and other quick-cooked Chinese beef recipes.
You don’t want to dry out your cube steak, so put it in gravy dishes, casseroles, and the like. You can use your imagination when cooking your cube steak.
But for the most part, you want to cook it either very quickly or combined with other ingredients, such onions, mushrooms, and tomato, and simmered slowly.\
Chicken fried steak.Credit: Canva
Chicken Fried Steak with Gravy Recipe
This recipe is a top-rated recipe, courtesy of Ree Drummond.
Prep time: 25 mins
Cook time: 35 mins
Serve: 6
Ingredients:
Chicken fried steak:
1 1/2 cups whole milk
2 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons seasoned salt
Freshly ground black pepper
3/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 pounds cube steak (tenderized round steak that’s been extra tenderized)
Kosher salt
1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil
1 tablespoon butter
Gravy:
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 to 4 cups whole milk
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Mashed potatoes, for serving
Directions:
For the steak:
Begin with setting up an assembly line of dishes. Mix the milk with the eggs in one; the flour mixed with the seasoned salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper, paprika, and cayenne in another; and the meat in a third. Then have one clean plate at the end to receive the breaded meat.
Work with one piece of meat at a time. Sprinkle both sides with kosher salt and black pepper, then place it in the flour mixture. Turn to coat. Place the meat into the milk/egg mixture, turning to coat. Finally, put it back in the flour and coat (dry mixture/wet mixture/dry mixture).
Place the breaded meat on the clean plate and repeat the remaining beef.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the butter. Drop-in a few sprinkles of flour to make sure it’s sufficiently hot.
Cook the meat, 3 pieces at a time, until the edges start to look golden brown, about 2 minutes on each side.
Remove the meat to a paper towel-lined plate and keep them warm by covering lightly with another plate or a sheet of foil. Repeat until all the meat is cooked.
After all the meat is fried, pour the grease into a heatproof bowl.
Without cleaning the skillet, return it to the stove over medium-low heat. Add 1/4 cup of the grease back to the skillet and allow it to heat up.
For the gravy:
When the grease is hot, sprinkle the flour evenly over the grease.
Mix the flour with the grease using a whisk, creating a golden-brown paste. Keep cooking until the roux reaches a deep golden brown color. Add more flour if it looks overly greasy; add a little more grease if it becomes too pasty/clumpy.
Pour in the milk, whisking constantly. Add the seasoned salt and black pepper to taste and cook, whisking until the gravy is smooth and thick, 5 to 10 minutes.
Be prepared to add more milk if it becomes overly thick. Be sure to taste to make sure gravy is sufficiently seasoned.
Serve the meat next to a big side of mashed potatoes. Pour gravy over the whole meal!
Minute steak is usually prepared either by the butcher (who cuts the meat) or at home by slicing the meat into one-quarter inch thick.
You can pound the meat very quickly by placing it between two pieces of plastic wrap and then hitting it with a mallet at an angle so that the mallets slide off to the side of the meat.
This method will quickly tenderize the meat and reduce the thickness by approximately half.
What is the best way to cook a minute steak?
The best cooking methods for minute steak are usually pan-frying, grilling, or stir-frying.
It’s usually done in a skillet over medium-high heat. Many cooks season it lightly with salt and pepper, but it can also be marinated in various juices or sauces for extra flavor.
One way to ensure even heat distribution is to preheat the skillet. The steak usually only needs a few minutes on each side.
This cut can also be cooked by baking or broiling, but these preparations usually result in more challenging, chewier meats. The shorter the cooking times, the better the results in most cases.
Minute Steak with Gravy Recipe
This classic recipe is for Minute Steak with gravy made with garlic salt, kosher salt, black pepper, old bay seasoning, beef minute steak, self-rising flour.
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
1 pound beef minute steaks
1/3 cup self-rising flour
6 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 medium onion, sliced
1 cup warm water
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Mix the garlic salt, salt (or sea salt), pepper, and Old Bay Seasoning. Sprinkle the seasoners evenly over both sides of each steak. Let stand for 20 minutes.
Flour the steaks. Heat the butter in a large pan over medium-high heat until melted. Add the steak and brown lightly on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Put it in a single layer into a 1-1/2 quart casserole dish. Put the onions on top of the meat.
Add any remaining flour to the skillet that the meat has been cooked in. Make sure the flour is completely absorbed. After adding the water, bring the mixture to a boil. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and cook for one minute. Stir up the browned bits at the bottom of the pan and continue cooking until the sauce has thickened.
To spice things up, add in 1 can of condensed French onion soup for extra flavor and juice.
Pour the gravy over the steaks. Cover and bake for 35 minutes or until the meat are tender.
The minute steak comes from the chuck section of the cow. This cut is often referred to as “pink” because of its color.
What is another name for minute steaks?
Minute steaks are sometimes called flap steaks. They’re similar to flank steak, except they have more fat than flank steak. Flank steak is usually sold as skirt steak.
What does minute steak mean?
Minute steak refers to a cut of meat about 1 inch thick and can be cooked quickly. It’s often found in grocery stores and butcher shops.
What are minute steaks good for?
Minute steakhouses serve them as an appetizer or main course. They’re typically filled with horseradish cream, sour cream, and potato salad.
