If you’re a meat lover, you know how important it is to get that perfect, tender cut of meat. Cube steak is one of the leaner cuts of beef, but it can be tough if not prepared properly. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to make your cube steak as tender as possible. In this article, we’ll outline some tips to make sure your cube steak is juicy, flavorful, and easy to cut.

First things first, buying the right piece of meat is crucial for getting tender cube steak. Look for cuts with a good amount of marbling or fat, as this will add flavor and help to tenderize the meat. Additionally, pounding your cube steak can help to break down the muscle fibers and make it more tender. With a few simple techniques and a little patience, you’ll be enjoying a melt-in-your-mouth cube steak in no time.

Section 1: Understanding Cube Steak

Cube steak is a cut of beef that has been tenderized by using a meat mallet to score the surface of the meat. The process helps break down the connective tissue in the meat, making it easier to chew. However, it can still be tough and chewy if not cooked properly. In this section, we will discuss the importance of selecting and preparing the right cut of cube steak.

1. Select The Right Cut Of Cube Steak

Not all cube steaks are created equal. The key is to look for a cube steak that is cut from a tender part of the cow, such as the sirloin or the round. You can identify a good cut by looking for marbling in the meat. Marbling is the fat that runs through the meat and helps keep it moist and tender.

2. Tenderize The Meat

While cube steak is already tenderized, it’s still a good idea to give it a few extra whacks with a meat mallet to help break down any remaining connective tissues. You can also use a fork to poke holes into the meat, which can help it absorb marinade or seasonings.

3. Seasoning The Meat

Seasoning your cube steak is essential in making it tender. Try using a blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. You can also use a store-bought seasoning blend or your favorite steak rub. Make sure to season both sides of the steak evenly.

4. Marinade The Steak

Marinading the meat overnight can also help tenderize the steak. Use a combination of acidic ingredients, such as vinegar, lemon juice or wine, mixed with oil and your favorite seasoning blend. Place the steak in a resealable bag or a dish covered with plastic wrap, pour the marinade over the steak and refrigerate overnight.

5. Bring The Steak To Room Temperature

Allow the steak to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This helps the meat cook more evenly and results in juicier and more tender steak.

6. Cook Low And Slow

Cooking cube steak on high heat will make it tough and rubbery. Instead, use low heat and a slow cooking method, such as braising or simmering. This will allow the meat to slowly tenderize and absorb the flavors of the broth or sauce.

7. Use Meat Thermometer

The key to cooking a perfect steak is to ensure that it is cooked to the right temperature. Invest in a meat thermometer, and cook the steak to an internal temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit for medium-rare, 155 degrees Fahrenheit for medium, and 165 degrees Fahrenheit for well-done.

8. Rest The Meat

Resting the steak after cooking is also crucial. Allow the meat to rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute back into the meat, making it juicier and more tender.

9. Slice The Meat Against The Grain

It’s important to slice the meat against the grain to make it more tender. Cutting against the grain breaks up the muscle fibers and results in more tender and juicy meat.

10. Serve and Enjoy

Once you have followed all these tips and tricks, it’s time to serve and enjoy your perfectly tender cube steak. Serve it with your favorite side dishes and enjoy the juicy, flavorful and tender meat.

Section 2: Cooking Techniques to Make Cube Steak Tender

If you’re tired of tough and chewy cube steaks, here are some cooking techniques to make it tender and juicy every time.

1. Tenderize before Cooking

Tenderizing the meat before cooking is essential to break down its tough fibers and make it more tender. You can either use a meat mallet or a needle tenderizer to do this. Cover the steak with plastic wrap before pounding it out with a meat mallet. For the needle tenderizer, roll it over the surface of the meat.

2. Marinate the Steak

Marinating the steak can help to tenderize it as the acid in the marinade breaks down the tough fibers of the meat. You can use a mixture of lemon or lime juice, vinegar, wine, or even buttermilk as the marinade. Let the steak soak in the marinade for at least 30 minutes before cooking.

3. Brine the Steak

Brining the steak can also help to tenderize it and keep it moist during cooking. You can use a simple brine solution of salt and water or add in some herbs and spices for more flavor. Soak the steak in the brine solution overnight before cooking.

4. Cook Low and Slow

Cooking the steak low and slow can help to break down the tough fibers and make it tender. You can either braise the steak in a slow cooker or in a Dutch oven on the stovetop. Keep the temperature low and cook it for several hours until it’s fork-tender.

5. Sous Vide Cooking

Sous vide cooking is a perfect way to cook cube steaks. It’s a cooking technique that involves vacuum-sealing the steak and cooking it in a water bath at a precise temperature for several hours. This method ensures that the steak is cooked to the desired doneness and comes out incredibly tender.

6. Grilling

Grilling is another cooking technique that can make cube steak tender and juicy. Preheat the grill to high heat and cook the steak for a few minutes on each side. This method works best if the steak is first tenderized or marinated.

7. Pan-Frying

Pan-frying involves cooking the steak in a hot skillet with oil. This method can make the steak crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Heat up the oil in the skillet and cook the steak for a few minutes on each side until it’s browned and cooked to your liking.

8. Oven-roasting

Oven-roasting is a great way to cook a large cube steak. Preheat the oven to 375°F, season the steak with herbs and spices, and roast it for 15 to 20 minutes until it’s cooked to your liking.

9. Rest the Steak Before Slicing

Resting the steak for a few minutes after cooking allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it tender and juicy. Cover the steak with foil and let it rest for about 5 minutes before slicing.

10. Slice Against the Grain

Finally, when slicing the steak, always cut against the grain to break down the tough fibers and make it tender. Look for the lines in the meat and slice perpendicular to them. This will ensure that each bite is tender and delicious.

Techniques for Tenderizing Cube Steak

When it comes to tenderizing cube steak, there are several techniques that can be employed to achieve the desired result. Here are five effective methods that you might want to try:

Technique Description
Marinating Cubed steak can be marinated in a tenderizing solution for several hours or overnight. This allows the acid in the marinade to break down the muscle fibers and connective tissues, making the meat more tender.
Pounding Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, pound the steak to break down the tough muscle fibers and connective tissues. This technique can also thin out the steak, making it cook faster and more evenly.
Braising Braising involves cooking the steak in liquid, typically a mixture of broth and tomato sauce, for several hours on low heat. The slow cooking process again breaks down the tough muscle fibers and connective tissues, resulting in a tender and flavorful meal.
Velveting Velveting is a Chinese cooking technique that involves coating the steak in a mixture of egg white, cornstarch, and rice wine. This creates a protective layer around the steak, preventing it from drying out during cooking and resulting in a tender and juicy dish.
Sous Vide Cooking Sous Vide cooking is a method of cooking steak in a sealed plastic bag, submerged in a water bath at a precisely controlled temperature. This results in a steak that is evenly cooked throughout and incredibly tender.

Marinating Cube Steak

Marinating is a great technique to tenderize cube steak. The acids present in the marinade tenderize the meat by breaking down the muscle fibers and connective tissues. A good marinade usually contains a mixture of acid, such as vinegar or citrus juice, and spices or herbs that impart flavor to the meat.

To marinate a cube steak, simply mix the marinade ingredients in a bowl and coat the meat. Seal the meat and marinade in an airtight container or plastic bag and refrigerate for several hours, or preferably overnight.

When it’s time to cook the steak, take it out of the marinade and discard the remaining liquid. Pat the steak dry with a paper towel before cooking. This prevents the meat from steaming and results in a crisper and better seared exterior.

Pounding Cube Steak

Pounding is an easy and quick technique that can be used to tenderize cube steak. It’s essential to use a meat mallet or rolling pin. Simply place the steak between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound the steak until it’s evenly thin.

When pounding the meat, use a sense of touch to determine when it’s ready. If the meat feels softer and tender, it’s been properly pounded. This technique not only tenderizes the steak but flattens it evenly, which ensures that it cooks more evenly.

Braising Cube Steak

Braising involves cooking the steak slowly in liquid for several hours on low heat. It’s an excellent technique that breaks down the tough muscle fibers and connective tissues, resulting in a tender and flavorful dish.

To braise cube steak, you’ll need to brown the meat in a large pot. Add in broth or any liquid of your choice, cover the pot and let the steak cook over low heat for about 2-3 hours. The long cooking time gives the flavors time to meld together and the meat more tender.

Velveting Cube Steak

Velveting is a Chinese cooking technique used to prepare meat. For cube steak, you need to coat the meat in a mixture of egg white, cornstarch, and rice wine.

The egg white acts as a protective barrier against the high heat of the cooking process. The cornstarch and rice wine make the steak tender by breaking down the proteins and fibers. Coat the meat in the mixture and allow it to sit for about 15-20 minutes.

To cook the steak, stir-fry it over high heat with vegetables, such as broccoli and bell peppers, and enjoy the tender and juicy meat.

Sous Vide Cooking Cube Steak

Sous-vide is a French cooking method where the meat is cooked in a sealed plastic bag immersed in water that is heated to a very precise temperature.

To cook cube steak with this method, season the steak well with salt, pepper, and any other herb of your choice, and then vacuum-seal it in a plastic bag. Place the bag in a water bath preheated to 132 ̊F (55 ̊C) and let it cook for at least 2 hours.

When the steak is done, quickly sear it in a hot pan or on a grill to create a nice crust. The result is a perfectly cooked steak that’s fall-apart tender and juicy.

Thanks for stopping by!

I hope this article has been helpful in teaching you how to make cube steak tender. Remember to use the right tools and follow the tips closely. If you have any questions or additional tips, feel free to share them in the comments below. Don’t forget to come back for more cooking tips and recipes! Until next time, happy cooking!