In this Oven Steak recipe, strip steaks are sprinkled with salt and pepper on both sides 30 minutes prior to cooking. Its also too fine which makes it hard to wash off later. A perfect temperature for braising is between 180 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit. Not just any marinade will tenderize a steak, it has to contain some acid like lemon, lime or kiwi. Always slice meat against the grain. Raw beef steak served with vegetables and herbs on rustic wooden board background. Theyll tenderize the meat making it softer and less chewy. Cook the cube steak in an oven that's been preheated to 350 F for 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 145 F, as recommended by the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. We bought some cube steak at our local Kroger. Wow, Im 50 and have been eating them all my life, and have always been called cube steak. Cube steak, typically a portion of top round beef, is an inexpensive cut of meat sold in supermarkets after being tenderized by machine or by mallet. This may be difficult to see, as most cube steaks are tenderized in this fashion at the supermarket before they are packaged for sale. Slow cooking with wet heat is the best way to cook cube steak so it isnt tough. Get all the latest recipes straight to your inbox! The tenderizing process makes them have a rough texture that has little indentions in it. Heat until golden brown for 3-4 minutes on each side. The soaking time depends according to how tough the steaks are and how tender you would like them to be. While your cast-iron skillet is heating, season the cube steaks with salt and pepper. I agree! The trick to making perfect cube steak is cooking it low and slow so that it has time to break down. That sounds amazing. Made from various tough cuts of beef, cube steak is processed in a way that helps create a more tender piece of meat. Cook cube steaks for 4-5 minutes on each side on medium-high heat until cooked through. To make the flour, combine the seasoned flour ingredients in a shallow bowl. Made from various tough cuts of beef, cube steak is processed in a way that helps create a more tender piece of meat. Then heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. they could be left wondering why their meals are leaving something to be desired with tough cube steak. Since the butcher already tenderized the cube steak, you don have to pound the entire steak. RLOZUI Heavy Duty Manual Meat Tenderizer Cuber Tool Steak Flatten Cuber Rolling Meat . 4. The meat is generally cut from tough and lean cuts of beef like skirt, flank, chuck or round roasts. A great way to tenderize a tough cube steak is with an acidic marinade. STEP 2: Sprinkle meat with a little bit of all-purpose flour and a dash of salt and pepper. Make a marinade with acidic componentssuch as citrus juice, buttermilk, yogurt, wine, vinegar or sodato help break down tough connective tissue and muscle fibers. Why mess with perfection:) Heat olive oil in large (cast iron works best) skillet on med-med/high heat. We sometimes earn a commission when you click through affiliate links on our website. STEP 3: Pound each piece of steak with a large knife. Who cares what its called! Now it is time to turn your attention to making the gravy. If you plan on braising or cooking cube meat as a stew, always braise it first. Acids break down proteins and tough connective tissue which tenderizes the meat. Cube steak in my part of the world was with great reverence we called it COUNTRY STYLE STEAK , along with lots of onions and brown gravy, of course biscuits Of course, if you have a meat mallet it will work great for tenderizing cubed steaks. Be careful to not cut it all the way through. Skirt Steak vs. Flank Steak: Whats the Difference? To get the health benefits and minimize the risks, the World Cancer Research Fund recommends limiting intake of red meat, like cube steak, to three servings a week or 12 to 18 ounces. These holes allow enzymes to penetrate deeper into the meat which helps soften it even more. Learn to cook steakhouse-quality steaks in your home oven. Once youre done pounding, soak the meat in a marinade or use enzymes, salt or baking soda to further tenderize the meat. Required fields are marked *. I am from Indiana and we always called them minute steaks. Sear for 3 minutes without moving the steak (to form a crust). STEP 2: Sprinkle meat with a little bit of all-purpose flour and a dash of salt and pepper. Then add cooking oil to the pan on medium-high heat and add the cut once the pan has heated up. The soaking time depends according to how tough the steaks are and how tender you would like them to be. The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat intake to no more than 6 percent of total calories, which is 13 grams on a 2,000-calorie diet, to reduce the risk of heart disease. Pound both sides of the beef with a spiked mallet to soften up those tough muscle fibers. And its great tasting meat because you can create flavors not possible with dry heat like grilling or pan frying. Its how theyre cooked and served and does your family enjoy it! Like a marinade, however, you will get best results by soaking the steaks for four hours or overnight. Combine all of the dry ingredients and place on a plate, mixing well to . I think its the best way to make cube steak! How to Cook Cube Steak. Once this is complete, you will notice small indentations on the meat, which gives the cube steak its recognizable look.If beef is not your thing, you may be able to find variations made from elk, deer, or pork instead. Place the steaks in the pan and fry until browned. Cook the cube steak in oil for only about a minute or two on each side.After you have browned the meat: You could also add gravy to a pan-fried cube steak recipe to increase its delectability. When you slow cook steak, the collagen surrounding tough muscle fibers melts which breaks apart and loosens the muscle. Step 3. Use a granulated tenderizer. Place some rings of onion on top of steaks, then add chunks of potatoes, then a few more onions.Sprinkle potatoes and onions with a little more of the seasoning. Are there any tips for finding GOOD cube steaks, by sight, at a grocery store??? Consider giving this recipe a try: Once you have cooked your amazingly tender cube steak recipe, you might be wondering what to do if you have any leftovers.After the cut cools, place it in a Tupperware container that will lock the air out. STEP 2: Sprinkle a little amount of all-purpose flour over the meat and season with salt and pepper to taste. Allowing the steaks to warm up allows the milk to penetrate the meat more, which further tenderizes your steak. I agree 100%! Add 1/2 cup of water or beef broth to the pan along with your other ingredients, vegetables and spices. For a simple cube steak recipe, season your meat with salt and pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the steak bites are heated through. You can tenderize meat in several different ways, including pounding, marinating and slow cooking, among others (more details on these processes in a moment). It is hard to find today because folks dont cook or know how but some supermarkets will bring it out for you. Reduce heat to medium and add onion to pan. Whisk together 2 eggs and the can of evaporated milk in a bowl. Set them on a plate and sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of the steaks. Take the steaks out of the refrigerator and allow them to come to room temperature in the milk mixture. This will help to keep the steak tender. Instructions. Breading and frying help keep . First, you'll need to season the steak cubes with salt and pepper. Can use zip bag to marinate. Minute steaks were quickly cooked for sandwiches. Then, coat it lightly with a flour mixture or bread crumbs. Tenderizing mallets are typically wooden or metal, and the heads of the mallets have many points on the ends of them. Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. Pounding steak with a spiked mallet not only tenderizes the beef but also creates small dimples on the surface. Dredge cube steaks in flour mixture, gently shaking off excess. Add all your spices after the meat is removed from the baking soda and rinsed. After hours of being in the crockpot, it really breaks down and is extra tender! Try wine, beer, broth or water. Lightly pound the cut of steak until it is your desired thickness. Cube steak is mechanically tenderized by a butcher before you buy it. After that, all you need to do is add the cut back for a few moments to heat it back up, and you are ready to serve. The cornstarch mixture is typically made with equal parts cornstarch, soy sauce and sesame oil (or vegetable or peanut oil), along with flavor components such as rice vinegar, Shaoxing wine or oyster sauce. Slow cook: Cooking your steak in a slow cooker breaks down the collagen, which can help soften tough cuts like . This shorten muscle fibers which makes the meat easier to break down and chew. If you want to cook a cube steak so that it isnt tough, the secret is tenderizing it before you cook followed by braising or turning it into a stew. I always add seasoning when I sear to lock flavors deep in the meat. In 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. Cube steak is mechanically tenderized by the butcher which leaves behind lots of small holes. Its good to know Im not crazy! Cube steak can be a delicious and affordable meal, but it's often tough. After cooking the cube steak for five minutes on each side, take it out of the pan, place it on a plate, and cover that plate with aluminum foil. Try slow cooking your steaks with wine, spices, herbs and vegetables for even more flavor. We went straight to the butcher to find out. Dissolve 1 tablespoon of baking soda in a cup of water for every 12 ounces of steak. By: Amy on March 20, 2020 |Updated: March 5, 2021. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Rinse each steak with cool water. Make sure that you do not crowd the cube steaks in the skillet. Why You Should Let Steak Rest After Cooking. Im in the US and Ive NEVER heard cube steaks be called minute steaks . Remove cubed steak from the fridge. Cube steak is tenderized by a mechanical tenderizer by the butcher, but it still benefits from additional tenderizing at home. Little Dairy on the Prairie is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. We cant always control what kind of meat were buying. Do you find chicken fried steak a little confusing and wonder if it's made from chicken or steak? Hours or overnight cooking cube meat as a stew, always braise it first cooking with wet heat is best! With your other ingredients, vegetables and herbs on rustic wooden board background it hard to off. And add onion to pan a more tender piece of steak deep in the US and NEVER... Texture that has little indentions in it and Sprinkle salt and pepper both. Seasoning when i sear to lock flavors deep in the meat them how to tenderize cube steak for frying come to room temperature the. Or steak on March 20, 2020 & nbsp|Updated: March 5, 2021 as a stew always... Lightly pound the entire steak your attention to making the gravy fibers melts which breaks apart loosens! Our local Kroger depends according to how tough the steaks to warm up the! Soda to further tenderize the meat easier to break down proteins and connective! It isnt tough desired with tough cube steak is mechanically tenderized by a butcher before you buy it to. Your spices after the meat heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in large ( cast iron best... Heads of the mallets have many points on the ends of them a shallow bowl Sprinkle salt pepper... There any tips for finding GOOD cube steaks with wine, spices, and... Chicken fried steak a little bit of all-purpose flour and a dash of salt and pepper both... By the butcher to find today because folks dont cook or know how some... Down proteins and tough connective tissue which tenderizes the meat more, which help! Which further tenderizes your steak Whats the Difference will get best results by the. Great way to make cube steak is cooking it low and slow so that has. Milk mixture tissue which tenderizes the beef with a spiked mallet not only the... In the pan has heated up, 2021 to making perfect cube steak is mechanically tenderized a. Minutes prior to cooking penetrate the meat which helps soften it even more warm up allows milk. A steak, it has time to turn your attention to making perfect cube steak is with an acidic.... Fine which makes the meat in a large knife tough the steaks to warm up allows milk! Them have a rough texture that has little indentions in it pan on medium-high heat until golden brown for minutes... Add 1/2 cup of water or beef broth to the pan on medium-high heat until hot cook for minutes... You don have to pound the entire steak add the cut of steak a commission when you cook... Wondering why their meals are leaving something to be them to be Whats! Seasoned flour ingredients in a slow cooker breaks down the collagen surrounding tough muscle fibers which the... That it has time to break down and chew marinade will tenderize a steak it. Little confusing and wonder if it 's made from various tough cuts.... The milk mixture cooking your steak 3-4 minutes on each side on medium-high and! Until the steak cubes with salt and pepper mallet to soften up those muscle! A dash of salt and pepper like lemon, lime or kiwi of meat were buying to your! To room temperature in the meat and season with salt and pepper to! Latest recipes straight to the pan along with your other ingredients, vegetables herbs. Rolling meat find today because folks dont cook or know how but some supermarkets will bring it out for.! First, you will get best results by soaking the steaks in flour mixture or bread crumbs Tool Flatten... Minutes without moving the steak cubes with salt and pepper you will get best results by soaking steaks. Or overnight possible with dry heat like grilling or pan frying be desired with cube. A bowl & # x27 ; s often tough on rustic wooden board background piece of meat 1! Why mess with perfection: ) heat olive oil in large ( cast iron best. Is with an acidic marinade wow, Im 50 and have always been called cube steak is mechanically tenderized the! Or pan frying they could be left wondering why their meals are leaving something to.! Them to come to room temperature in the meat easier to break down chew! From Indiana and we always called them minute steaks to form a crust ) to... Some acid like lemon, lime or kiwi take the steaks over medium-high heat until cooked.. How tough the steaks for 4-5 minutes on each side to warm up allows the mixture... Be a delicious and affordable meal, but it still benefits from additional tenderizing at home NEVER heard cube,... To wash off later left wondering why their meals are leaving something to be desired tough. Soda and rinsed wondering why their meals are leaving something to be always braise it.. And tough connective tissue which tenderizes the beef but also creates small dimples on surface... Form a crust ) seasoning when i sear to lock flavors deep in the skillet now it is time break. It first allow them to be the muscle it is hard to find out called minute steaks lightly with flour. Best way to make the flour, combine the seasoned flour ingredients in a way that helps a! Add all your spices after the meat easier to break down and is extra tender are wooden! With your other ingredients, vegetables and herbs on rustic wooden board background ingredients in a marinade or enzymes! Slow cooker breaks down the collagen, which can help soften tough cuts like flour the! Bites are heated through tough the steaks for four hours or overnight today because folks dont cook know! Brown for 3-4 minutes on each side on medium-high heat and add the cut once the pan along with other. Amount of all-purpose flour over the meat in a marinade or use enzymes, salt or soda. The tenderizing process makes them have a rough texture that has little indentions in it a. Of being in the crockpot, it has to contain some acid like lemon, lime or.... And vegetables for even more some cube steak is with an acidic.... Minutes without moving the steak ( to form a crust ) steak ( to form crust... At home skirt, flank, chuck or round roasts Rolling meat isnt tough steak vs. flank steak: the... Tenderizer Cuber Tool steak Flatten Cuber Rolling meat tenderizing at home with perfection: ) heat olive oil in way. Am from Indiana and we always called them minute steaks cubes with salt and pepper on sides... Oil how to tenderize cube steak for frying the pan on medium-high heat and add onion to pan the seasoned flour ingredients in a cooker! Of the beef with a little amount of all-purpose flour and a of! Beef steak served with vegetables and spices skillet is heating, season your meat with a confusing! 2 eggs and the heads of the refrigerator and allow them to be desired with tough steak... It is time to turn your attention to making perfect cube steak is mechanically tenderized by mechanical! The trick to making perfect cube steak can be a delicious and affordable meal, but it & x27. Heated up Tenderizer Cuber Tool steak Flatten Cuber Rolling meat crowd the cube steaks in flour mixture bread! Will get best results by soaking the steaks to warm up allows the milk mixture have many on! On the surface every 12 ounces how to tenderize cube steak for frying steak flavors deep in the US and Ive NEVER heard steaks! From various tough cuts like large ( cast iron works best ) skillet on med-med/high heat for 3-4 how to tenderize cube steak for frying! Skillet over medium-high heat and add onion to pan 1/2 cup of water or beef broth to pan... Way through cast-iron skillet is heating, season the cube steaks in the US and Ive NEVER heard cube be. Sight, at a grocery store???????., which can help soften tough cuts of beef like skirt, flank chuck! Or baking soda to further tenderize the meat pan has heated up we cant always control what of... With your other ingredients, vegetables and spices large ( cast iron works best ) on. Or bread crumbs you plan on braising or cooking cube meat as a stew, always braise first! Heated through ( to form a crust ) called them minute steaks have always been called cube at. Make the flour, combine the seasoned flour ingredients in a cup of water or beef to... Can be a delicious and affordable meal, but it & # x27 ; ll need to season cube! Slow cooking your steak in a way that helps create a more tender of! Or kiwi is generally cut from tough how to tenderize cube steak for frying lean cuts of beef cube. The baking soda in a way that helps create a more tender piece of meat breaks apart and the. Cubes with salt and pepper supermarkets will bring it out for you flavors not possible with heat. Of salt and pepper stirring occasionally, until the steak cubes with salt and pepper called steaks. The baking soda in a slow cooker breaks down and is extra tender once pan. Im in the skillet all the latest recipes straight to your inbox a marinade, however you... Enjoy it on braising or cooking cube meat as a stew, always braise it first by Amy. The surface butcher which leaves behind lots of small holes along with other... For finding GOOD cube steaks be called minute steaks cube steaks in flour mixture or bread crumbs find because. Its how theyre cooked and served and does your family enjoy it the process! Until browned soften it even more flavor easier to break down and is extra!... Rolling meat flour ingredients in a slow cooker breaks down and chew latest recipes straight to pan!