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14 Round Steak Recipes That Prove Just How Underrated This Cut Is

May 02, 2025
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These are our favorite ways to use the versatile, affordable cut of meat.

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Our Best Ideas for Round Steak

Forget New York Strip or Filet Mignon, the next time you’re searching for a cut of steak, try the more affordable round steak. While not as fancy as some other cuts, this all-purpose piece of meat can be served in so many different ways, often with minimal prep and minimal cook time required. Round steak is a cut of beef that comes from the hind leg of a cow, and it’s typically a leaner cut of meat with less fat running throughout. As a result, round steaks are typically less expensive than some other, fattier cuts of meat that have generous marbling. Great for grilling, roasting or even braising, this versatile cut of meat can be used in a ton of different easy steak recipes. We love that it’s easy to prep and can be pounded thinly and served fried or rolled and stuffed. Round steak often applies itself nicely to the London broil style of cooking. London broil is often confused with a cut of meat rather than a technique, but it’s actually a style of cooking steak that involves marinating and broiling lean cuts of meat.

Inspired loosely by the flavors of Vietnamese stir-fry, this London broil gets a ton of flavor from a mixture of soy, sesame, ginger and garlic that’s rubbed into little slits cut into the meat before cooking. Slicing the meat into thin cuts helps tougher bits become more tender, making this a fantastic way to serve round steak. Serve with the onion and cucumber salad for extra flavor and crunch.

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Teriyaki Beef Stir-Fry

Ready in just 25 minutes, this recipe puts quick-cooking round steak to good use. Dark brown sugar mixed with lime, soy sauce, sesame oil and teriyaki sauce creates a sweet and tangy sauce that coats every piece of meat. White rice makes the perfect base for soaking up any extra sauce.

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Steak with Avocado Sauce and Tomato Salad

This simple recipe is a fantastic way to serve round steak. The steak cooks quickly in a cast-iron skillet to develop a crunchy exterior and tender interior, so it’s crispy without being chewy. A homemade avocado sauce makes for a creamy, tangy topping, so it’s a vibrantly-flavored steak dish that’s hearty and comforting, too. Serve with warm tortillas.

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Philly Cheesesteaks with Melted Fontina and Sauteed Red Onions

Since round steak can be a tougher cut of meat, it’s particularly tasty when sliced into thin strips. We love this recipe for Philly cheesesteaks that are ready in just 30 minutes. It’s an easy quick dinner or a fun game day lunch if you’re hosting friends for a tailgate party.

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Photo: Antonis Achilleos
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Balsamic Steak With Radicchio

This quick-cooking steak recipe is a fantastic meal to whip up on a busy weeknight. It’s hearty, healthy and packed with tons of flavor from garlic and balsamic. The best part? The whole dish can be made in one pan in under a half hour.

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Steak Milanesa Torta

This crispy, crunchy sandwich is a great way to make use of round steak. We start by pounding the steak into thinner pieces, then coating it in panko and frying until golden brown. The result is a piece of steak that’s crispy on the outside and perfectly tender on the inside. Sandwiched between two pieces of bread and lathered with a homemade salsa, this unique sandwich is sure to impress your guests.

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Steak Fingers and Gravy

We’ve all heard of chicken fingers, so why not apply the same beloved battering and frying to beef that you would to chicken? In this recipe, the round steak cooks quickly once dropped in hot oil, leaving you with golden brown fingers that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Serve with homemade gravy.

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Photo: Christopher Testani
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London Broil With Cheesy Yorkshire Pudding

In this London broil recipe the steak gets seasoned with Worcestershire sauce and salt and pepper before being roasted in the oven. We’ve put a fun spin on the traditional Yorkshire pudding by adding cheese, so it’s a little more tangy and creamy than the original. Serve with roasted tomatoes.

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Photo: Yunhee Kim ©
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Baltimore Beef Bad Boy

In this recipe, round steak gets piled high between two slices of bread. The beef gets marinated for at least 24 hours before being grilled to crispy perfection. A sour cream-horseradish sauce adds tangy bite to the rich and flavor sandwich.

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Photo: Christopher Testani
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Steak-Peppercorn Salad

Steak salads are one of those dishes that are simultaneously light and fresh while being hearty and filling. We love this recipe because it can be made in just 35 minutes while featuring bold flavors like dijon mustard and parmesan cheese. Romaine lettuce and celery make the perfect crispy, refreshing bed for the tender steak.

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Photo: VideoFocus
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Grilled Beef Braciole with Grilled Tomato-Basil Relish

This classic Italian-American dish sees thin cuts of meat get stuffed with flavorful additions like tomato and basil. Since round steak is thin, versatile and easy to work with, it makes for the perfect option when whipping up Braciole. Be sure to pound it extra thin to ensure even, consistent rolling.

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Traditional Beef Rouladen

This recipe takes inspiration from the traditional German dinner. Thin cuts of steak are rolled and stuffed with a mixture of bacon, mustard, onions and pickles, then browned and braised in beef stock. This is a truly hearty and comforting dish, so be sure to serve it with potatoes or bread to soak up any extra gravy.

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Oven Beef Jerky

If you love beef jerky and want to make your own, try using round steak. It’s affordable and easy to work with, and the leaner cut means it won’t be as fatty as some other pieces of meat. We start by marinating the beef in a homemade barbecue sauce, then baking it low and slow until the meat is completely dehydrated.

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Photo: Virginia Willis ©
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Country Fried Steak with Gravy

When it comes to picking a cut of meat for country-fried steak, round steak makes a great choice. It cooks quickly, doesn’t require a ton of prep, and is affordable to buy in bigger quantities. Ready in just 35 minutes, this crispy, crunchy recipe makes for a perfect weeknight dinner that doesn’t sacrifice on flavor or comfort.

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