Cube Steak Recipe
Craving comfort food that reminds you of cozy Sunday dinners, but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen? This Cube Steak Recipe is just what you need! Tenderized steak is seared and then simmered in a savory onion and garlic gravy, yielding fork-tender bites and rich flavor in under an hour. The magic of this dish is how such simple ingredients come together for hearty, soul-satisfying results that taste like home. Whether you’re new to cooking cube steak or it’s been a family staple for generations, this meal will win your heart (and your taste buds) in one bite.

Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps it delightfully simple, relying on honest pantry staples that each play an important role. Fresh spices add depth, onions infuse sweetness, and beef broth brings the whole savory situation together for a satisfying dinner worth repeating.
- Cube Steaks: Use about 5–6 ounces per piece for best tenderness and heartiness—they’re already tenderized, so they soak up loads of flavor!
- All-Purpose Flour: Coats the steaks and helps the gravy thicken beautifully while giving a lovely crust.
- Garlic Powder: Adds gentle, savory warmth and helps boost the meaty flavors.
- Onion Powder: Delivers concentrated onion flavor to both the steak and gravy.
- Paprika: Introduces subtle smokiness and beautiful color to every bite.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning every layer of the dish and enhancing all the flavors.
- Black Pepper: Offers a mild bite that pairs perfectly with beefy flavors.
- Vegetable Oil: For searing steaks and building a flavorful base in your skillet.
- Onion (sliced): Provides sweet, caramelized flavor and plenty of body to the gravy.
- Garlic (minced): Sautéed with onions for fragrant depth—use fresh if possible!
- Beef Broth: Forms the backbone of the gravy; use low-sodium to better control the saltiness.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Offers a pop of umami and rounds out the sauce beautifully.
- Cornstarch & Water (optional): For those who like a thicker gravy, this quick slurry does the trick.
- Chopped Parsley (for garnish): A bright, fresh finishing touch that brings a pop of color.
How to Make Cube Steak Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Seasoned Flour
In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. This quick blend does triple duty: seasoning the steaks, building a crust, and kickstarting the flavorful gravy that makes this Cube Steak Recipe irresistible.
Step 2: Dredge the Cube Steaks
Take each steak and firmly coat both sides in the seasoned flour. Gently shake off the excess, but make sure you get every nook and cranny covered—this will ensure every bite delivers a crispy golden crust and maximum flavor.
Step 3: Sear the Steaks
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When shimmering, add the floured steaks. Sear for 3–4 minutes per side until well browned—you want that deep, rich crust! Once seared, transfer the steaks to a plate and set aside (don’t worry, they’ll finish cooking in the gravy).
Step 4: Cook the Onions and Garlic
In the same skillet, add the sliced onion and minced garlic. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring often, until the onions soften and everything smells deeply savory. This step adds a sweet and aromatic base to the entire Cube Steak Recipe.
Step 5: Make the Gravy
Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, then use a wooden spoon to gently scrape up all those tasty browned bits stuck on the pan. This is pure flavor gold! Bring to a low simmer and let things meld for just a minute.
Step 6: Simmer the Steaks
Return the browned cube steaks (plus any juices from the plate) to the skillet. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let them gently simmer for 25–30 minutes. This transforms the steaks to fork-tender perfection and allows them to soak up all the beefy, oniony goodness.
Step 7: Thicken the Gravy (Optional)
If you love a thicker, stick-to-your-ribs gravy, whisk the cornstarch and water together to make a slurry and stir it into the simmering skillet. Cook for another 2–3 minutes uncovered—watch it magically turn silky and rich!
Step 8: Garnish and Serve
Once everything is melt-in-your-mouth tender, sprinkle over a handful of fresh chopped parsley. Spoon over mashed potatoes or your carb of choice, and get ready to swoon. This is comfort food at its best.
How to Serve Cube Steak Recipe

Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley brightens everything up both visually and flavor-wise. If you’re feeling playful, a scattering of sliced green onions or a dash of extra black pepper can also add a tasty twist to your Cube Steak Recipe. Don’t forget to ladle on plenty of that luscious gravy!
Side Dishes
Classic partners for this meal include fluffy mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or a mound of white rice. These sides soak up the savory gravy like a dream, turning every bite into pure comfort. For a lighter touch, try it with roasted green beans, steamed broccoli, or a crisp tossed salad to balance out the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For something a little extra, serve your steaks on individual plates with the gravy poured table-side for diner-style drama. Or, let the dish shine in a big family-style skillet in the center of the table for a homey, shareable vibe. Leftovers are fantastic tucked into toasted buns, over creamy polenta, or chopped into a hearty beefy stew the next day!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers (lucky you!), let everything cool slightly, then transfer the steaks and remaining gravy to an airtight container. Pop it in the refrigerator, where it will stay delicious for up to three days. The flavors get even cozier as they mingle overnight!
Freezing
Cube Steak Recipe leftovers freeze like a charm: simply cool completely, then store in a freezer-safe container or sturdy zip-top bag (push out extra air to avoid freezer burn). Label and date your container, and freeze for up to three months. When the comfort food craving hits, you’ll be so glad you did!
Reheating
For best results, reheat gently in a covered skillet over low heat, adding a splash of beef broth or water to loosen the gravy if needed. The microwave works too—just use medium power and cover loosely so the meat stays tender. Stir occasionally until hot all the way through, and enjoy!
FAQs
What exactly is cube steak?
Cube steak is a cut of beef (usually top round or top sirloin) that’s been tenderized using a mechanical “cubing” process. This not only makes it faster-cooking than other cuts, but also allows the flavors from seasonings and gravy to soak right in—the key to a great Cube Steak Recipe.
Can I make this Cube Steak Recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! Just swap the regular flour for a gluten-free all-purpose blend. All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so it’s an easy substitution.
Can I use a different cut of meat?
Cube steak is ideal because it cooks up tender quickly, but you can try similar cuts such as minute steaks or even thinly pounded round steak. Just keep in mind that thicker cuts will need a longer simmer to get buttery-soft.
How do I know when the steaks are done?
The steaks are ready when they’re fork-tender and have soaked up the rich, savory gravy. About 25–30 minutes of gentle simmering does the trick, but if you’re sensitive to tougher cuts, let them go a few minutes longer.
Can I make this dish in advance?
You sure can! In fact, the flavors in this Cube Steak Recipe develop even more after a night in the fridge. Reheat gently for a meal that tastes just as fresh (if not better) than day one.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a tried-and-true comfort dish that’s both simple and deeply satisfying, this Cube Steak Recipe is calling your name. There’s no need for fancy ingredients or gadgets here—just straightforward, old-fashioned deliciousness you’ll crave again and again. Grab your skillet and let’s make dinner extra cozy tonight!
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Cube Steak Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Cube Steak Recipe is a classic comfort dish that features tender cube steaks smothered in a savory gravy. Perfect for a hearty family dinner!
Ingredients
Cube Steaks:
- 4 cube steaks (about 5–6 oz each)
Coating:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Other:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 onion (sliced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (optional, for thickening)
- Chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Steaks: In a shallow dish, mix the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Dredge each cube steak in the flour mixture, coating both sides.
- Cook the Steaks: In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add the steaks and cook for 3–4 minutes per side until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Make the Gravy: In the same skillet, add sliced onion and garlic, cooking for 2–3 minutes until softened. Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, scraping the bottom of the pan to release browned bits. Return the cube steaks to the skillet, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25–30 minutes until tender.
- Thicken the Gravy: For a thicker gravy, stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook uncovered for 2–3 more minutes.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley and serve.
Notes
- Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles for a comforting meal.
- For added flavor, use low-sodium beef broth and adjust seasoning to taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cube steak with gravy
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 95mg