Beef Cube Steak Recipe
This cube steak recipe makes a flavor-packed meal with only two main ingredients! You can make this easy dinner in under 10 minutes on any busy weeknight. Plus, since this recipe is made without flour or breading, it is also gluten free and low carb.
Love this recipe, but want more of a kick? Use the same method and just change up the sauce to make Chili Lime Cube Steaks!
Delicious Details
- Cuisine Inspiration: American
- Primary Cooking Method: Stovetop
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free, Dairy-free
- Skill Level: Easy
When I need a main dish that I can make in minutes with my hands tied behind my back, these seared cube steaks are my go-to. The simple technique adds tons of flavor without many ingredients or steps. It literally comes together while any side dishes cook (even if you are just microwaving frozen veggies). And my family is always happy when they see them on their plates.
Why You’ll Love This Cube Steak Recipe
This will become one of your busy night dinners for so many reasons…
- Easy. Just add some seasonings to your meat and cook it in a skillet on the stovetop.
- Few ingredients! All you’ll need are the cube steak and Worcestershire sauce, plus salt, pepper, and some olive oil.
- Packed with flavor. Despite the simple preparation method, the finished steaks are tender, juicy, and super flavorful.
- Flexible. You can serve cube steak with all kinds of sides, from roasted veggies and mashed cauliflower, to corn pudding. I’ve shared lots of pairing ideas below.
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.
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. Cube steak can look similar to ground beef at the grocery store, but they are not the same thing.
Recipe Ingredients
Here is a quick rundown of the handful of ingredients you’ll need to make this cube steaks recipe. Scroll to the recipe card for the full amounts and step-by-step instructions.
- 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 is that not all Worcestershire sauce is gluten free. In the United States, Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce is gluten free. Always check the label.
How to Cook Cube Steak
These lean cuts of beef can end up chewy if not cooked properly. So most cubed steak recipes use certain 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 sautéing – 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.
Many recipes dredge the meat in flour, like my Cube Steaks with Gravy. That is not the case with my recipe. Instead, the meat is seasoned and seared. The steaks get a serious umami kick from Worcestershire sauce, which tenderizes the meat and adds extra flavor. The end result? A seriously satisfying gluten-free dinner idea!
🍴 In the Cupcakes & Kale Chips Kitchen…
- Cast iron skillet – This is truly considered an ingredient in this recipe. The sear you get from a hot cast iron skillet adds flavor from the nice browning you can achieve.
- Tongs – You’ll need these for flipping the cubed steak. Because you are using a very hot pan, you’ll want to make sure to use the ones that are metal-tipped, not the ones that are covered in silicone or plastic.
How to Cook Cube Steak in a Cast Iron Pan
My favorite way to cook cube steak is in a cast iron skillet. Here’s how to do it:
- 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 may 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.
And that’s it!
Tips For The Best Cube Steak
- Use Cast Iron: It’s the best material to withstand high temperatures and give the cubed steaks that nice crust from searing. I truly think it adds to the flavor, too!
- Get the Pan Very Hot: Before you add the oil, place your cast iron skillet over high heat on the stove and give it several minutes to heat up. The oil should shimmer, and the meat should start to sizzle as soon as you add it to the pan.
- Do Not Overcook the Meat: It really only needs minutes to cook. Otherwise, it will become tough and chewy.
How to Store & Reheat Leftovers
- Store in the fridge: Extras can be kept in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 or 4 days.
- To reheat: Warm your steaks for a minute or so in the microwave, or cut thin slices of the cold cube steak to put on salads.
Make It a Meal
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 are the most delicious you’ve ever made with a sneaky secret!
- 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.
More Beef Dinner Ideas
- Shepherd’s 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
Pan-Seared Cube Steak with Worcestershire Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
- 4 cube steaks (about 4-5 oz. each, 16-20 oz. total)
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Heat 1 Tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil in a cast iron skillet over high heat.
- While it is heating, season both sides of 4 cube steaks with kosher salt and black 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 1/4 cup 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.
Did you make this?
Leave a star rating to help others know that they should make this recipe.
Share a photo and tag @cupcakesandkalechips on Instagram!
Absolutely delicious! Thank you.
Cooked this recipe for a friend who has a list a mile long of ingredients she can’t have. Followed the recipe exactly the first time I made it for her. The cook time is waaaayyyy too long for such a thin piece of meat, the steak came out very tough. The second time, I marinated the cube steak in the Worcestershire (it is an excellent marinade since it contains vinegar) and cooked the steaks for just two minutes a side. It came out much more tender and flavorful. Next time, I will marinate it even longer. My friend really enjoyed it the second time around!
Thanks for your feedback! Great idea.
Flavorwise is very good but the steaks were still tough. I followed recipe to a tee
What can I use other than Worcestershire ?
You can try steak sauce or maybe a mix of honey and balsamic vinegar.
Oh, yum. As a beekeeper I am always looking for ways to use the honey. Had never thought of this before. Looking forward to trying it.
easy and tasty! i didnt realize until 15 minutes before all my sides were about to be done cooking that i had pulled out cube steaks when i meant to pull out round steaks. i had just made country fried steaks the night before and was almost debating just doing it again but didn’t want to go through all that extra work. these worked out well and my kids enjoyed them, too. so simple but honestly the worcestershire makes a world of difference in terms of flavor.
I’m so glad this worked out for you. I love it when I am in a similar situation that I have very little time to cook!
Just made this and WOW it tastes wonderful…Fast Making it….the clean up is kind of tuff, but worth it. Thanks for the Recipe!!!!!!
Trying to eat healthier and had cube steaks, so wanted a no gravy recipe. This was quick and easy, tasted great. I cooked them a little too long, my fault! These only take a few minutes on each side. Thanks for this healthier version!
Yes, they cook super fast! Glad you enjoyed it!
Very good. Fast and easy.
Worcestershire sauce is not gluten free
It actually depends. Outside of the U.S., it is harder to find. In the U.S., Lea & Perrins is gluten free.