Delicious Cube Steak Recipes
Who knew cube steak could be the hero of your dinner table? When turning this humble cut into a mouthwatering masterpiece, the slow Cooker is like your trusty sidekick. Let’s dive into what makes cube steak recipes crockpot super and why the slow Cooker is its best buddy.
Exploring Cube Steak
Cube steak is a diamond in the rough. It’s usually made from the top sirloin or top round—those cuts that need a little TLC to shine. So, we give it a good pounding with a meat tenderizer, making it full of tiny dimples and grooves. This smashes those tough fibers into submission and turns it into a melt-in-your-mouth treat (Eating on a Dime).
The name “cube” comes from that crisscross pattern left by the tenderizer. It’s often cut from the cow’s shoulder, and since that shoulder gets quite the workout jogging around on the farm, it’s a tough old bird unless you put the tenderizer to good use (The Country Cook). Without much fat to flavor things up, it can get dry, chewy, and not very enjoyable unless cooked just right (Slow Cooker Gourmet).
Benefits of Slow Cooking
Slow-cooking cube steak is like magic in a pot. Here’s why it does wonders:
- Tenderizes the Meat: Cube steak can be as challenging as an old boot, but a slow cooker will tame it—long, slow cooking breaks down those tough guys, leaving you with tender, juicy bites.
- Flavor Soaking: Let’s face it, we all want our food to be bursting with flavor. Slow cooking ensures that each bite contains the spices, herbs, and flavors you toss in the pot. It’s like a flavor party, and Cube Steak is the guest of honor.
- Keeps It Juicy: Nobody likes a dry steak. Slow cookers trap moisture like a vault, so your meat stays hydrated nicely.
- Set It and Forget It: Busy folks, rejoice! Just throw everything in, let it cook away, and come home to a meal ready to devour.
For more tasty slow-cooker ideas, check out our takes on easy beef stroganoff cooker recipe rosemary and smoked queso recipe.
Let’s put it up against some other methods:
Cooking Method | Prep Time | Tenderness | Juiciness |
---|---|---|---|
Slow Cooking | Long | High | Awesome |
Pan-Broiling | Medium | Meh | Pretty Good |
Grilling | Quick | Tough | Dry as a bone |
Slow cooking wins for turning cube steak into the juicy wonder it can be. It’s reliable, no fuss, and almost guaranteed to bring comfort to your plate.
Now that you’ve got the scoop on cube steak let’s check out some easy crockpot cube steak recipes and tips for creating the best dishes ever.
Easy Crockpot Cube Steak Recipe
Required Ingredients
Alright, let’s get cookin’ with this no-fuss crockpot cube steak recipe. Gather these goodies from your kitchen:
- 4 cube steaks
- 1 big ol’ onion, sliced up
- 1 can (10.5 oz) of cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can (10.5 oz) of cream of chicken soup
- 1 packet (1 oz) of onion soup mix
- 1 cup beef broth
- A pinch of salt and pepper for seasoning
Cooking Instructions
- Prep and Prime: Get your crockpot ready for action by spraying it with non-stick cooking spray—it makes cleanup a cinch.
- Layer the Love: Lay your onion slices at the bottom of the crockpot. Plop those cube steaks right on top, giving them a cozy bed.
- Mingle the Mix: In a separate bowl, mix up the cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, onion soup mix, and beef broth. Stir it like you mean it until it’s a lovely soupy concoction. Then, dump it all over the steaks, covering them like a warm blanket.
- Simmer Down: Set that crockpot to low and let it do its thing for 6-8 hours. This slow ride makes the cube steaks so tender they’re almost melting. Trust me, using a digital crockpot helps dial that perfect cooking time.
- Season It Right: Give it a little taste once it’s cooked. A dash of salt and Pepper might be just what it needs to hit the spot.
Flavorful Gravy
As it comes together, the soups and beef broth combine to create a magical gravy that is downright irresistible. It’s the kind of stuff your mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or even fluffy white rice dreams of being drenched in. Toss in some veggies if you’re feeling fancy—they’ll blend right in with their mix of textures and flavors.
Ingredient | Quantity |
---|---|
Cube Steaks | 4 |
Onion (sliced) | 1 large |
Cream of Mushroom Soup | 1 can (10.5 oz) |
Cream of Chicken Soup | 1 can (10.5 oz) |
Onion Soup Mix | 1 packet (1 oz) |
Beef Broth | 1 cup |
Salt and Pepper | To taste |
Are you looking for more dishes to tickle your taste buds? Try our healthy breakfast curry recipe for a morning kick or our sourdough bagels recipe for a delightful bite. Happy crockpotting!
Cooking Tips for Tender Cube Steak
Slow-cooking cube steak is a surefire way to whip up a tasty, juicy dish that’s just plain irresistible—got your crockpot ready? Here’s the lowdown on making your cube steak shine.
Keeping It Juicy
No one likes dry meat. Here’s how to make sure your cube steak stays as juicy as possible:
- Be Generous with Liquid: Always splash in enough liquid—think broth, water, or gravy. This keeps your meat bathing in flavor and moisture.
- Pick the Right Cut: Cube steak often comes from tougher cuts like top rounds or sirloin. Please make sure it’s adequately tenderized before it hits the pot.
- Seal the Deal: Cover it well. Closing up the crockpot or using a hearty sauce locks those delicious juices inside.
Perfect Timing
When it comes to cube steak, timing is everything. Here’s how to get it just right:
How You Cook It | Heat Level | Cooking Time |
---|---|---|
Slow Cooker | Low | 6-8 hours |
Stove | Medium | 2-3 minutes per side |
- Low n’ Slow: Let your crockpot work its magic on low for 6-8 hours. This will allow the steak’s tricky bits to break into something out-of-this-world tender.
- Stovetop Magic: Want it quick? Sear your steak on the stove for 2-3 minutes per side—simple and satisfying.
Striking the right balance—keeping your steak moist and cooking it long enough—is your ticket to a flavorful and tender dish. Give these tips a whirl, and your cube steak will be the talk of the table.
Freezing and Thawing Cube Steak
Alright, folks, let’s discuss keeping our cube steak tasty and tender. I’ll share some must-know tips for storing and thawing that goodness properly.
Safe Storage Tips
So, if you’re diving into cube steak recipes in the crockpot, you have to be smart about storing those leftovers. Here’s how to make sure that cube steak stays fresh:
- Chill Out: First, let the meat cool down before you stash it away.
- Lock and Load: Pop the cube steak (and don’t forget the gravy) into airtight containers or freezer bags. Keeps it happy and tasty for up to 3 months, says Slow Cooker Gourmet.
- Tag and Track: Give your containers a date label because nobody wants mystery meat.
Storage Method | Duration |
---|---|
Refrigerator | Up to 3 days |
Freezer | Up to 3 months |
Have you got extras? Check our piece on recipes with bone broth to jazz up other meals using cube steak.
Thawing Guidelines
Getting that cube steak ready to cook is vital while keeping it safe and tender. Here’s how I do it:
- Fridge It: The refrigerator is your best buddy here. Transfer the frozen steak to the fridge and let it thaw overnight.
- Water Works: Seal that steak in its bag and let it chill in a bowl of cold water. Swap the water every half hour till it’s nice and thawed.
Thawing Method | Duration |
---|---|
Refrigerator | Overnight |
Cold Water Bath | Few hours |
Hungry for more cooking hacks? Peek at our chicken of the woods recipe and serve some mouthwatering dishes.
With these intelligent storage and thawing tricks, your cube steak will always be ready to rock another crockpot masterpiece. Don’t miss out on our cube steak recipes crockpot, and let your culinary adventures roll on!
Serving Suggestions for Cube Steak
I’ve realized that my trusty cube steak recipe crockpot shines with the right sidekicks on the plate. Let’s jump into tasty combos to make your cube steak meal irresistible.
Side Dish Pairings
With cube steak, the buddies on the side count just as much. Here’s a lineup of classic, mouthwatering companions:
Side Dish | Description |
---|---|
Mashed Potatoes | Creamy perfection that soaks up all that yummy gravy. |
Egg Noodles | Thick, comfy noodles that sit just right under tender steak. |
White Rice | Fluffy and light, the perfect match for rich flavors. |
Italian Green Beans | Green beans with a zesty kick to them. |
Bacon Garlic Green Beans | Green beans leveled up with garlic and crispy bacon. |
Maple Glazed Carrots | Sweet & soft carrots that play well with our savory star. |
Feeling adventurous? Try something new, like the white bean and basil recipe, and shake up your mealtime.
Enjoying the Meal
Serving cube steak is all about making it a lip-smacking event. Here’s my go-to plan for plating:
- Presentation: Place that juicy cube steak with gravy right in the middle.
- Balance: Scoop on a nice dollop of mashed potatoes, letting the gravy flow over both. Yum!
- Texture: Toss a handful of egg noodles on the side to keep things interesting.
- Flavor and Color: Add a vegetable like bacon, garlic, or green beans for that pop of color and taste.
And remember your favorite cool drink to wash it all down while tying the flavors together.
Pairing cube steak with these options makes it a soul-soothing feast. Whether traditional mashed potatoes call your name or you prefer maple-glazed carrots, the right-side dish is a game-changer.
Mix and match side dishes and have a blast. You’ll turn a humble cube steak into a winning dining moment. Happy cooking!
Crockpot Cube Steak Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cube steaks
- 1 big ol’ onion, sliced up
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup (10.5 oz)
- 1 can cream of chicken soup (10.5 oz)
- 1 onion soup mix (1 oz)
- 1 cup beef broth
- A pinch of salt and pepper for seasoning
Instructions
- Prep and Prime: Get your crockpot ready for action by spraying it with non-stick cooking spray—it makes cleanup a cinch.
- Layer the Love: Lay your onion slices at the bottom of the crockpot. Plop those cube steaks right on top, giving them a cozy bed.
- Mingle the Mix: In a separate bowl, mix up the cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, onion soup mix, and beef broth. Stir it like you mean it until it’s a lovely soupy concoction. Then, dump it all over the steaks, covering them like a warm blanket.
- Simmer Down: Set that crockpot to low and let it do its thing for 6-8 hours. This slow ride makes the cube steaks so tender they’re almost melting. Trust me, using a digital crockpot helps dial that perfect cooking time.
- Season It Right: Give it a little taste once it’s cooked. A dash of salt and Pepper might be just what it needs to hit the spot.