If you’re unfamiliar with the term, cube steak is a particular cut of meat.
It’s made from top round or bottom round and gets its name because it’s been tenderized by being beaten with a mallet (or “cubed”).
![cube steak](https://ostrali.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/cube-steak.jpg)
Cube steak is popular for dishes like Philly cheesesteaks and Salisbury steaks. In this blog post, we’ll look at cube steak and how to cook it!
What Cut of Meat is Cube Steak?
What Is Cube Steak?
Cube steak is an inexpensive steak that has been tenderized by pounding with a meat mallet or running it through a mechanical tenderizer.
The name “cube steak” comes from the meat being cut into small cubes after tenderization.
It’s also known as minute steak in some parts of the world because it is a thinly sliced meat that takes little time to prepare.
What Cut of Beef is Used for Cubed Steak?
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The cube steak is made from top round, bottom round steak, or top sirloin.
You can also find cube steak made from chuck eye steak, a cut of beef taken from the chuck roast.
All the above cuts are pretty tough. It is well-known that tough cuts of beef can be used to prepare cube steak.
Where Does Cube Steak Come from?
![](https://ostrali.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/meat-tenderizer.jpg)
The chuck eye steak is located in the middle of the chuck roast, right beneath the rib eye.
To turn it into cube steak, butchers run it through a mechanical tenderizer or pound it with a mallet to break up the muscle fibers.
Why Is Cube Steak So Popular?
![](https://ostrali.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/chicken-fried-steak.jpg)
Because the meat has been tenderized, it doesn’t require a long cooking time to become a fork-tender. This makes cube steak an ideal choice for busy weeknight meals.
Plus, there are endless possibilities when it comes to recipes!
How to Cook
What Dishes Usually Use Cube Steak?
![](https://ostrali.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/philly-cheesesteak.jpg)
Some popular dishes that use cube steak include Philly cheesesteak, Swiss steak, Salisbury steak, and chicken-fried steak.
What Can I Use Instead of Cube Steak?
If you can’t find cube steak at the grocery store, a few options make good substitutes.
- Some butchers will sell cubed beef, which is just chuck roast that has been cut into small cubes.
- You can also ask the butcher to tenderize a tougher meat cut. London broil, flank steak, and skirt steak are all good choices.
Tips
Now that we know a little bit more about cube steak, let’s talk about how to cook it.
Here are a few tips to help you get the perfect results:
- Season the steak with salt and pepper before cooking.
- Cube steak can be cooked in various ways, including grilling, pan-frying, broiling, and baking.
- If pan-frying or grilling the steak, cook it for two to three minutes per side.
- If you’re baking the steak, cook it in a 350-degree Fahrenheit oven for about 20 minutes.
- Let the steak rest for a few minutes before cutting into it. This will help prevent all the juices from running out.
FAQs
What is cube steak called in the grocery store?
Cube steak is sometimes called cubed steak or swiss steak.
Are cube steak and round steak the same?
No, cube steak is a type of round steak that has been tenderized by pounding or running it through a meat grinder.
What is the best cut of meat for cube steak?
The best cut of meat for cube steak is the chuck-eye steak.
Why is my cube steak tough?
If your cube steak is tough, it’s probably because it wasn’t tenderized properly.
You can try pounding it with a meat mallet or running it through a mechanical tenderizer to break up the muscle fibers.
Can cube steak be ground into a hamburger?
Yes, cube steak can be ground into a hamburger. Make sure you grind it fresh because pre-ground beef can be tough.