How to Cook Cube Steak in a Cast Iron Skillet
This easy Worcestershire Sauce Cube Steak recipe makes a flavor-packed meal with only two main ingredients! You can make this easy dinner recipe in under 10 minutes any busy weeknight. Plus since this beef recipe is made without flour or breading, it is also gluten free and low carb.
An Easy Beef Cube Steak Recipe
Disclaimer: I was a paid social media ambassador for Certified Angus Beef® brand through Sunday Supper Movement, and this trip was sponsored by the brand. As always, all opinions are my own.
Originally published Jul 13, 2017
Visting a cattle ranch in Kansas was an amazing, eye-opening experience to better understand where our food comes from. It was also an opportunity to get to know the people who raise these animals and the huge sense of responsibility they feel for providing our nation’s food supply.
After such a busy weekend, it was time to break out one of my favorite quick and easy dinner recipes, these Worcestershire Sauce Cast Iron Cube Steaks.
What is Cube Steak?
Cube steak is also known as a cubed steak. It is usually a cut of top round or top sirloin. These are lean cuts, so they can be a bit tough, which is why cube steaks sometimes get a reputation for being lower-end or inferior cuts of beef.
But it gets its name because it has been tenderized by your butcher by pounding with a meat tenderizer or using an electric tenderizer. This process is called “cubing”. In some places, it is also called minute steak because it is a thin cut that cooks quickly.
Is it the Same as Ground Beef?
If you’ve ever accidentally picked up a package of cubed steak at the grocery store when you meant to get ground beef, you know that they are not the same. Though they come from the same cut of beef and look similar in the packaging, they are entirely different things.
The characteristic marks left on a cube steak from the tenderizing process do make it look similar to ground beef, which has been fully ground to break down while cooking or form into burgers, meatballs, meatloaf, and more.
How to Cook Cube Steak
These lean cuts of beef can end up chewy if not cooked properly. So there are a few techniques that help to lock in the moisture and keep cube steaks juicy and tender.
- Pan-frying – this is probably the most common cooking technique, such as when making chicken fried steak. Breading and frying help keep this lean cut moist and tender.
- Braising – it can also be tenderized by simmering low and slow for an extended period of time, like when you make Swiss Steak.
- Pan-searing or sauteeing – I opt for a quick sear in a super hot cast iron pan to keep it juicy. Keep reading for more on that technique. Some people also use this technique when they want to make a cube steak recipe with pan gravy, like this Pan Fried Cube Steak with Onion Mushroom Gravy.
Whether you are pan-frying cube steak to make chicken fried steak or making a gravy, oftentimes you dredge the meat in flour. Some of the other techniques and recipes call tossing it in a crockpot with a lot of heavy ingredients that might not be gluten free. That is not the case with this simple cube steak recipe.
In this case, the meat is simply seasoned and seared and given a nice bath in Worcestershire sauce. So that makes it an easy gluten free comfort food dish.
How to Cook Cube Steak in a Cast Iron Pan
Get your cast iron pan searing hot to make this quick and easy, 10-minute cube steak recipe. In fact, it’s so easy, it’s one of those recipes that’s not even really a recipe. It’s more of a little idea and a quick technique, but it’s something I’ve been making for years.
Just learn how to cook cubed steak in a cast iron pan with a serious umami flavor kick from Worcestershire sauce. The cuts in the meat from the tenderizing allow the flavor of the Worcestershire to really infuse the meat so that you end up with a juicy and delicious dinner every time.
Here is a brief overview so you can see just how easy it is to make. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for the full quantities and details.
But don’t skip my PRO TIPS below!
Ingredients
Gluten Free Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. This information is solely based on my research and personal experience, and I provide it as a courtesy to my readers. Please consult your doctor or medical professional for any questions as it relates to your needs, particularly if you have celiac disease or a severe gluten allergy or intolerance. Products, manufacturing facilities, and ingredients change frequently, so you should always contact the manufacturer for the latest information.
- Oil – I used to always use olive oil. However, I have started using avocado oil for high-temperature cooking like this as it has a higher smoke point than olive oil. Either will work.
- Cube steaks
- Salt and pepper
- Worcestershire sauce – one word of caution, though, is that not all Worcestershire Sauce is gluten free. In the United States, Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce is gluten free. But if you have concerns, you may want to make your own.
Equipment
- Cast iron skillet – I truly consider this an ingredient in this recipe. The sear you get from screaming hot adds flavor from the nice browning you will achieve.
- Tongs – for flipping the cubed steak
Directions overview – scroll to the recipe card for the full set of instructions
- Preheat your cast-iron skillet over high heat, then add oil.
- Season both sides of the meat with salt and pepper.
- Place the steak in the pan and cook for about three minutes per side. You make need to work in batches depending on the size of your skillet.
- Pour Worcestershire Sauce over the cube steaks and let it reduce just a minute or two more. BRIANNE’S PRO TIP: Do not overcook or the meat will become tough and chewy.
And that’s it!
What to Serve with Cube Steak
A simple baked potato or sweet potato and some steamed or roasted broccoli round out this healthy meal perfect for the busiest of days. But you can also try these side dishes:
- Foil Packet Potatoes you can toss on the grill or in the oven.
- Baked Potatoes made in the oven, microwave, air fryer, crockpot, or Instant Pot.
- Cheesy Mashed Potatoes go with everything, especially when you add bacon.
- Bacon Cheddar Mashed Cauliflower is a cheesy and delicious low carb side. Or kick it up with Horseradish Cheesy Cauliflower Gratin.
- Balsamic Roasted Vegetables have a deep flavor that complements the steak.
- Easy Baked Beans that are the easiest you’ve ever made.
- Corn Casserole that’s actually gluten free!
- Creamy Hominy Casserole from Barefeet in the Kitchen is inspired by Cowboy Kent Rollins and based on a recipe from his book A Taste of Cowboy: Ranch Recipes and Tails from the Trail.
- Barbecue Bean Bake from Grumpy’s Honey Bunch is a spectacular side dish also based on Kent’s recipe.
Loving this recipe?
Change up the sauce and make Chili Lime Cube Steaks!
More of my favorite easy beef recipes
- Shepards Pie
- Beefaroni
- Keto Egg Roll Bowl
- Easy Sloppy Joes
- Flat Iron Steak with Honey Balsamic Marinade
- Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet
- Steak Bites with Chili Lime Sauce
I hope you’ll leave a comment and give it a FIVE STAR rating or share a review on Pinterest or photo on Instagram!
Tag me @cupcakekalechip and use #cupcakesandkalechips!
How to Cook Cube Steak in a Cast Iron Skillet with Worcestershire Sauce
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 olive oil in a cast iron skillet over high heat.
- While it is heating, season both sides of the steaks with salt and pepper.
- Carefully place steaks in the pan. Depending on the size of your pan and steak, you may need to do this in two batches. Sear for about 3-4 minutes, or until browned, then flip over and sear the other side for another 3-4 minutes.
- If you seared the steaks in batches, return all steaks to the pan and pour the Worcestershire sauce over the steaks. Reduce for a minute or two, turning the steaks to coat them completely in the sauce.
- Remove from the pan and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Enjoy!
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Deb says
The flavor was amazing! The steaks were still a little tough but Ii’m pretty sure with a little more practice I’ll get that part. My cube steaks were not very uniform in cut. I love my cast iron pan and the flavor you get from them.
Cory says
Where did this recipe go?
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Cory, do you have an ad blocker on? This had been a sponsored post, and some ad blockers suppress the content when it has language about being sponsored. Try looking for a setting that says something like “hide placeholders of blocked elements” and Uncheck it.
Tanya Rey says
Never had it without gravy but let me tell you it is Delicious!! My daughter is on a keto diet and this is a Awsome meal for someone on a low carb diet. She asked for seconds. So tender!!
Bethany says
Can I make this without a cast iron skillet?
Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Absolutely, Bethany. I like to use a cast iron skillet because it holds high heat much better than a stainless steel pan, which creates a better sear. Just be sure to use stainless steel and not anything with a non-stick finish.
Chris says
Thanks for the great post. I literally went to the freezer and took out a steak for dinner.
Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
That’s awesome, Chris! I hope you enjoyed the cube steak dinner 🙂
Stuart @ Drillbikereviews says
Nice recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Jennifer Kiko says
Ok, you made me a little teary-eyed remembering all the fun of that trip. It was so much fun and I’m so glad you had a wonderful experience. Thanks for sharing the story of these hard-working and determined folks. Also? Thanks for giving me a dinner idea – seriously! This recipe looks delicious! 🙂
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
I have been tearing up every time I shared the stories of the people we met. This has been a go-to recipe for me for years when I need something super fast.
Certified Angus Beef brand Kitchen Team says
What a lovely recounting of a sensational weekend. We enjoyed it every bit as much as you, Brianne. So glad you could join us and share in the experience!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Thank you for everything!