Tender Smothered Cube Steak

If you’re looking for a comforting, home-cooked meal that’s both flavorful and easy to make, you’ve come to the right place. This Tender Smothered Cube Steak recipe delivers a Southern-style delight, with fork-tender cube steaks smothered in a rich, savory gravy. The result is a satisfying dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.

This smothered cube steak recipe features juicy, melt-in-your-mouth cube steaks swimming in a creamy, delicious gravy, perfect served over a bed of fluffy mashed potatoes.

Recipe Details

• Flavor Profile: Savory, umami-rich, with a comforting, slightly tangy gravy.
• Textures: Tender cube steak, a creamy, smooth gravy.
• Total Time: Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, including about 1 hour of simmering.
• Difficulty: Beginner-friendly. This cube steak recipe is easy to follow, making it a great option for cooks of all levels.

What You’ll Need

This Tender Smothered Cube Steak recipe features cube steaks as the star, cooked to juicy perfection, and then covered in a savory gravy. The gravy is made with simple ingredients like onions, bell pepper, and a rich beef broth base. You’ll also need a bit of flour to thicken the gravy and a touch of Worcestershire sauce for that classic depth of flavor.

Ingredient Notes

• Cube Steaks – Cube steaks are the star of the show. They’re tenderized cuts of beef, perfect for soaking up the flavorful gravy.
• Onion – Adds a sweet, savory base to the gravy.
• Bell Pepper – Provides a little color, sweetness, and texture contrast to the gravy.
• Flour – Used to thicken the gravy, giving it that perfect, silky consistency.
• Beef Broth – Forms the luscious liquid base for your gravy.
• Worcestershire Sauce – Adds a depth of umami flavor you’ll love.

Add-ins and Substitutions

• Spice it Up – Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the gravy for a bit of heat.
• Add Mushrooms – Sliced mushrooms sautéed along with the onion and bell pepper would provide an earthiness and texture to the gravy.
• Use Chicken Broth – You can substitute chicken broth for beef broth if you don’t have any on hand. The flavor will be slightly different, but still delicious.

How to Make Tender Smothered Cube Steak

This recipe is simple to make and follows a great, easy method. Follow these steps to prepare your cube steaks:

1. Place the cube steaks on a plate and season them generously on both sides with salt and pepper.
2. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.
3. Add the cube steaks to the hot skillet, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Sear the steaks for about 2-3 minutes per side until they develop a nice brown crust. Remove the steaks from the skillet and set them aside.
4. Add the remaining olive oil to the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium and add the diced onion and bell pepper. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables soften.
5. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for about 1 minute, until the flour is fully incorporated and starts to turn golden.
6. Gradually whisk in the beef broth, ensuring there are no lumps. Add the Worcestershire sauce.
7. Return the seared cube steaks to the skillet, nestling them into the gravy. Bring the gravy to a simmer.
8. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the cube steaks simmer gently for approximately 1 hour, or until the steaks are fork-tender. Check the gravy and stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Add more beef broth if the gravy becomes too thick.
9. Once the cube steaks are tender, check the gravy for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper to taste.
10. Serve the tender smothered cube steaks immediately over your favorite sides.

Pro Tip: Don’t overcrowd the skillet when searing the cube steaks. It’s best to cook them in batches to ensure they get a good sear.

Recipe Tips

• Don’t Overcook – While the simmering time is essential, be careful not to overcook the steaks, which can cause them to become dry. Check for fork-tenderness towards the end of the cooking time if you like.
• Rest the Meat – Although this recipe requires no resting time, let the steaks rest for a few minutes after searing, before adding them back to the gravy. This helps the juices redistribute, resulting in more tender meat.
• Adjust Seasoning – Taste the gravy and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to your preference.
• Use a Skillet with a Lid – A skillet with a lid or a Dutch oven works best, as it allows the steaks to simmer slowly in the flavorful gravy.

FAQs

• Can I use a different cut of beef? Cubed steak is recommended due to its tenderness and ability to absorb the gravy flavors.
• Can I use dried herbs? You can substitute dried herbs for fresh. Use approximately 1 teaspoon of dried herbs for every tablespoon of fresh herbs.
• Can I freeze the leftovers? Yes, let the smothered cube steaks cool completely, and then store them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2–3 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Serving Suggestions

• Mashed Potatoes – Fluffy, creamy mashed potatoes are the perfect bed for your smothered cube steak.
• Rice – White or brown rice is also a great option to soak up all that delicious gravy.
• Green Beans – Serve with a side of steamed or sautéed green beans for a well-rounded meal.
• Dinner Rolls – Don’t forget some warm dinner rolls to soak up every last drop of the amazing gravy.

Make This Recipe in Advance

The gravy and the cube steaks can be prepared a day or two in advance. Store the seared steaks and gravy separately in the refrigerator. Reheat the gravy in a skillet or Dutch oven and add the steaks to simmer until tender. You can also freeze the finished dish for a future meal. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Tender Smothered Cube Steak

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• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 3 servings 1x

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Description

Tender cube steaks smothered in a rich, savory gravy, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

3 Beef cube steaks
2 Tbsp. Olive oil
8 oz. Sliced mushrooms
1 Small onion sliced
½ tsp. Cajun seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
¼ C. + 2 Tbsp. All purpose flour divided
2 C. Chicken broth

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Instructions

Season the cube steak with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Dredge the steak in flour, coating both sides.

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the steak on both sides until cooked to your liking, then set aside.

Saute onions and mushrooms in the skillet until softened.

Sprinkle flour over the vegetables, stirring to combine.

Reduce heat, then add chicken broth, whisking well. Continue to cook until the sauce thickens.

Return the steak to the skillet, coating it in the sauce, and serve.

Notes

Don’t Overcook – While the simmering time is essential, be careful not to overcook the steaks, which can cause them to become dry. Check for fork-tenderness towards the end of the cooking time if you like.

Rest the Meat – Although this recipe requires no resting time, let the steaks rest for a few minutes after searing, before adding them back to the gravy. This helps the juices redistribute, resulting in more tender meat.

Adjust Seasoning – Taste the gravy and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to your preference.

Use a Skillet with a Lid – A skillet with a lid or a Dutch oven works best, as it allows the steaks to simmer slowly in the flavorful gravy.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner
• Cuisine: Southern

Nutrition

• Calories: Not specified
• Fat: Not specified
• Carbohydrates: Not specified
• Protein: Not specified