Breaded Cube Steak

Discover a culinary delight that combines the humble cube steak with a crispy, golden-brown breadcrumb coating. Breaded cube steak is a tasty dish that transforms a tougher cut of meat into a juicy masterpiece. With its tenderized texture and flavorful breading, this meal is the essence of comfort food. 

What exactly is breaded cube steak?

Breaded cube steak is a classic comfort food that takes the toughness of cube steak and transforms it into a tender, flavorful delight. Cube steak is taken from various cuts of beef like round or sirloin that undergoes mechanical tenderization to break down the tough muscle fibers. This process gives the meat a textured surface that allows the breadcrumb coating to stick well and create a crispy exterior when cooked.

How do you make the best breaded cube steak?

To achieve 5-star quality when making your breaded cube steak, here are some expert tips you can try:

1. Buy quality cube steak from a reputable butcher or online store to ensure tenderness and flavor.
2. Although seasoning the meat with only salt and pepper is the classic choice, adding hints of garlic and onion powder and other spices can help enhance the taste from the inside out.
3. Remember to always rest the seasoned meat for 5-10 minutes before breading. This promotes better adhesion of the breading and allows the seasoning to stick to infuse the meat instead of being absorbed by the breading.
4. Consistency is key when frying breaded cube steak. Maintain a steady frying temperature to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust while ensuring the meat inside is cooked to perfection, and use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.

What’s the best cooking method to use?

The ideal and probably most popular cooking method for achieving breaded cube steak perfection is pan frying. 

Pan frying with controlled heat ensures an even cook throughout, preserving the steak’s juiciness and tenderness within its crispy exterior that you can feel with every bite. To perfect this method, you need to master the art of timing, flipping, and achieving that distinct golden-brown color. Once you master this technique, you can guarantee beautiful steaks that taste amazing every single time. 

Some home cooks deep fry for more even browning. Health-conscious diners can also use an air fryer for cooking. This will give you more or less the same results, with very minimal oil.

Classic Breaded Cube Steak Recipe

Ingredients

For the Steak

• Cube steak pieces
• Salt and pepper
• Optional: garlic powder, onion powder

For the Breading

• Breadcrumbs (regular or panko)
• Flour
• Eggs
• Milk
• Salt and pepper
• Optional: paprika, dried herbs

Instructions

For the Steak

1. Season the cube steak pieces liberally with salt, pepper, and your chosen optional seasonings, such as garlic powder and onion powder.
2. Allow the seasoned steak to rest at room temperature for approximately 15-20 minutes. This time allows the flavors to enter the meat, enhancing the taste.

For the Breading

Create a breading station by arranging three shallow dishes:

Dish 1: Combine flour, a pinch of salt, and a dash of pepper.

Dish 2: Whisk together eggs and milk until well blended.

Dish 3: Mix breadcrumbs with a touch of salt, pepper, and any optional seasonings, like paprika and dried herbs. Make sure you mix well and that there are no clumps.

1. Individually coat each seasoned steak through the breading station assembly line. Dredge the steak in flour, then dip it into the egg mixture, and finally, coat it generously with the seasoned breadcrumbs. Press the breadcrumbs onto the steak to make sure they stay there during frying.

To Cook:

1. In a skillet, heat cooking oil over medium heat until it shimmers.
2. Carefully lay the breaded cube steak pieces into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding the pan will create steam which could lead to soggy breading. Cook in batches if you have to.
3. Allow each piece to fry for a few minutes on each side, or until the breading turns a golden brown. Check the internal temperature of the steak until it reaches a safe level, ensuring it’s cooked to your desired doneness.
4. Remove from the heat source and rest then serve with your favorite side dishes.

Notes

• When placing the breaded steak into the hot oil, make sure it faces away from you to avoid oil splatters.
• For food safety, use a cooking thermometer to verify that the internal temperature of the steak is at least 145°F (63°C).

Conclusion

Breaded cube steak is one of the most satisfying dishes you can ever make in the comfort of your own kitchen. By following these comprehensive steps and expert tips we provided above, you’ll master the art of creating a mouthwatering breaded cube steak that’s suitable for any occasion. We encourage you to make this dish a family favorite, and a staple at special events, and we guarantee you that you won’t regret it.

Classic Breaded Cube Steak

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Course Main Course

Ingredients

  

For the Steak:

• cube steak pieces
• salt and pepper
• optional: garlic powder, onion powder

For the Breading:

• breadcrumbs (regular or panko)
• flour
• eggs
• milk
• salt and pepper
• optional: paprika, dried herbs

Instructions

 

For the Steak:

• Season the cube steak pieces liberally with salt, pepper, and your chosen optional seasonings, such as garlic powder and onion powder.
• Allow the seasoned steak to rest at room temperature for approximately 15-20 minutes. This time allows the flavors to enter the meat, enhancing the taste.

For the Breading:

• Create a breading station by arranging three shallow dishes:

Dish 1

• Combine flour, a pinch of salt, and a dash of pepper.

Dish 2

• Whisk together eggs and milk until well blended.

Dish 3

• Mix breadcrumbs with a touch of salt, pepper, and any optional seasonings, like paprika and dried herbs. Make sure you mix well and that there are no clumps.

With the 3 Dishes:

• Individually coat each seasoned steak through the breading station assembly line. Dredge the steak in flour, then dip it into the egg mixture, and finally, coat it generously with the seasoned breadcrumbs. Press the breadcrumbs onto the steak to make sure they stay there during frying.

To Cook:

• In a skillet, heat cooking oil over medium heat until it shimmers.
• Carefully lay the breaded cube steak pieces into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding the pan will create steam which could lead to soggy breading. Cook in batches if you have to.
• Allow each piece to fry for a few minutes on each side, or until the breading turns a golden brown. Check the internal temperature of the steak until it reaches a safe level, ensuring it's cooked to your desired doneness.
• Remove from the heat source and rest then serve with your favorite side dishes.

Notes

• When placing the breaded steak into the hot oil, make sure it faces away from you to avoid oil splatters.
• For food safety, use a cooking thermometer to verify that the internal temperature of the steak is at least 145°F (63°C).

*Photo by FFP licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0