How to Cook Cube Steak in a Cast Iron Skillet

Name: How to Cook Cube Steak in a Cast Iron Skillet with Worcestershire Sauce
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 10 min
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

8/19/19

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Worcestershire Sauce Cube Steaks are a flavor-packed dinner with only two main ingredients you can make in under 10 minutes any busy weeknight! When you see how to cook cubed steak in a cast-iron skillet, you’ll find out it is one of the best quick and easy dinner recipes. Plus since this recipe is made without flour or breading, it is also gluten free and low carb.

How to Cook Cube Steak in a Cast Iron Skillet

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 in cast iron skillet

How to cook cube steaks

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 them 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.

Cast Iron Cubed Steaks Recipe

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!

Side dishes

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.

Worcestershire Sauce Cast Iron Cubed Steaks served with sweet potatoes and broccoli

For even more easy gluten free recipes,
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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

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4.74 from 15 votes