13 Easy Cube Steak Recipes That Are Deliciously Tender

Don’t be confused by this cut’s humble name. Cube steak is ultra-tenderized top or bottom round steak that can be cooked in so many ways, from stovetop to sizzling in a cast-iron skillet or slow-simmered in rich gravy. Its signature indentations help it soak up marinades, seasonings and sauces. Whether you crisp it up, smother it or keep it simple, cube steak proves that a budget-friendly cut can still pack big, bold flavor.

This easy recipe proves that you don’t have to shell out big bucks to make a delicious meal. Onions, flour, butter and some freshly ground pepper are all you need to create an affordable dinner out of humble cube steaks. The little crevices in the seared steak are perfect for holding onto tasty and rich onion gravy.

Cube steaks are the go-to choice for crafting the perfect chicken fried steak that stays tender after frying. The trick to flavorful breading is seasoning the flour with plenty of black pepper, paprika and a hint of fiery cayenne pepper. Top it with creamy gravy and serve with fluffy mashed potatoes to bring this country favorite home.

Though it’s easy to overlook cube steak at the meat counter or butcher, we snatch it up when we see it because so versatile and budget friendly. We especially love it in a stir-fry because it absorbs all the flavors of the sauce so well and cooks up super quickly.

Easy weeknight tacos are a perfect way to showcase this flavorful cut, and the quick pickled red onions and chipotle lime sour cream make it feel like a special-occasion meal.

Cube steak can be used for so much more than chicken fried steak. It makes for a tender and delicious protein when grilled over high heat. After a quick turn over the fire, dish it up with sweet grilled corn salad tossed with fresh cherry tomatoes and tangy feta cheese.

Small portions of buttermilk chicken fried cube steaks can make a Southern take on sliders. Each golden fried morsel is sandwiched between buttery homemade biscuits and topped with gravy. A few slices of ripe red tomatoes cut through the richness with a welcome bite of acidity.

Inspired by Japanese katsu curry, here we serve crispy panko-coated cube steak over a flavorful vegetable curry made with Japanese curry block. Japanese curry block is a mix of spices and seasonings that contains a roux for thickening and helps to make a fragrant and tasty sauce.

This hearty cube steak recipe is elevated by beer-braised onions that bring deep, caramelized sweetness with a touch of bitterness from brown ale. The onions have bites of crunchy sautéed bacon folded in to give them another layer of richness. Served alongside buttery egg noodles, it’s a comforting meal with a satisfying balance of savory and malty notes.

A few simple tricks can take chicken fried cube steak to another level. Start by adding spices to the dredge, like garlic powder, onion powder and paprika. Throw a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce into the gravy and top it all with a pickled tomato salad and you have a meal you won’t soon forget.

The tenderness of cube steak makes this protein an awesome choice for a hearty sandwich. When marinated with garlic and seared in a pan, the juicy steak is just begging to be put on a hero roll and slathered with spicy mayo, pickled onions and crispy potato sticks. Give the rolls an ultra-crispy texture when browning in a pan by pressing something heavy on top, like a cast iron skillet.

A hit of spicy chili powder gives a Tex-Mex makeover to classic chicken fried steak in this weeknight-friendly meal. Pair it with creamy simmered potatoes and a simple side of peas and carrots or get creative with your choice of sides. This recipe works with anything from a citrusy avocado salad to grilled street corn with all the fixings.

Give chicken fried steak a fun twist by swapping in ground pretzels to bread the meat. Pretzels lend a toasty, malty richness that plain all-purpose flour can’t compete with. An array of spices, like paprika, coriander and cumin, give the coating an extra kick to pair with a sweet mango-onion gravy.