How Do You Grill Cube Steaks?

Grilling cube steaks is a delicious and easy way to prepare flavorful meals that you, your family, and your friends will love. Grilled cube steaks, which are usually made from top sirloin or top round cuts of beef, are tenderized and flattened to make sure they cook evenly and quickly to keep the cubes tender. In this article, we’ll learn how to cook cube steak by way of grilling. Let’s get started.  

How To Season The Steak

Marinades and Rub Ideas

Proper seasoning is crucial to achieving a flavorful and juicy grilled steak. You have the option to keep it simple with just salt and pepper or you can be more bold and experimental with using marinades or rubs to infuse more flavors into the meat. Here are some rub and marinade ideas you can use.

Classic marinade: Combine olive oil, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, lemon juice, and freshly ground black pepper to create a classic mixture that will add a tangy, savory flavor to your cube steaks.

BBQ rub: Combine brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground cumin for a smoky, sweet, and spicy rub that will give your cube steaks a bold taste.

Herb-infused marinade: Blend together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, and oregano for a mild yet fragrant and zesty marinade that will highlight the natural intense flavors of the beef.

Spicy dry rub: Mix the smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, ground coriander, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt for a flavor that packs a punch of flavor.

Remember to let the steaks marinate or sit with the rub for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat. Once you’re more comfortable, you can start creating your own recipes and find the perfect seasoning that best suits your taste buds.

Preparing the Grill

The type of grill you use can affect the cooking process and the final taste of your cube steaks. Here’s how to prepare each type of grill for optimal results.

Gas Grill

• Clean the grates: Make sure to clean your grill grates with a grill brush to remove any food debris or buildup.
• Preheat the grill: Turn on all burners to medium-high heat (around 400°F) and close the lid. Allow the grill to preheat for about 10-15 minutes.
• Oil the grates: To prevent the steaks from sticking, lightly oil the grill grates using a pair of tongs and a paper towel soaked in vegetable oil.

Charcoal Grill

• Clean the grates: As with a gas grill, clean your grill grates with a grill brush to remove any food debris or buildup.
• Prepare the charcoal: Arrange charcoal briquettes in a pyramid shape and light them using a chimney starter or lighter fluid. Let the briquettes burn until they’re covered in white ash.
• Create heat zones: Spread the hot coals evenly across one side of the grill, leaving the other side empty. This will create two heat zones: direct heat for searing and indirect heat for finishing the cooking process.
• Oil the grates: Lightly oil the grill grates using a pair of tongs and a paper towel soaked in vegetable oil.

Pellet Grill

• Clean the grates: Just like with the other grills, clean your grill grates with a grill brush to remove any food debris or buildup.
• Fill the hopper: Fill the pellet hopper with your choice of wood pellets. For cube steaks, hickory or mesquite pellets can add a delicious smoky flavor.
• Preheat the grill: Turn on the grill and set the temperature to medium-high heat (around 400°F). Close the lid and allow the grill to preheat for about 10-15 minutes.
• Oil the grates: To prevent the steaks from sticking, lightly oil the grill grates using a pair of tongs and a paper towel soaked in vegetable oil.

Grilled Cube Steak Recipe

This simple yet flavorful grilled cube steak recipe is one that you can easily add to your staples. It’s perfect for those nights when you just don’t have the time nor the energy to prepare and cook. Here are the steps you can follow to achieve tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned steak cubes.

Ingredients

• 4 cube steaks (about 6 ounces each)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Your choice of marinade or dry rub (see the “Marinades and Rub Ideas” section above)
• Vegetable oil, for greasing the grill grates

Instructions

1. Before you even start grilling, make sure you have everything you need for cooking well within your reach. You wouldn’t want to leave your cube steaks unattended for even a minute just because you forgot something in the kitchen.
2. Remove your cube steaks from the marinade or rub once you’re ready to grill and make sure that they’re not cold or frozen if they came from the fridge.
3. Place the cube steaks on top of the preheated grills and cook no more than 5 minutes per side for a medium-rare result.
4. Transfer the grilled cube steaks to a plate and rest for about 5 minutes. During this time the juices should redistribute to the meat fibers, resulting in a more tender and flavorful steak.
5. Slice the cube steaks against the grain (if you have larger cubes) and serve them with your favorite side dishes, such as grilled vegetables, a fresh salad, or creamy mashed potatoes. If the cuts are already small, you can just plate them and serve directly.

Conclusion

Grilling cube steaks is very easy plus it’s a really versatile cooking method that results in juicy, tender, and flavorful steaks every time. As long as you follow the right preparation steps, choosing the perfect seasoning, and using proper grilling techniques, you will end up with a delicious meal that will impress everyone.

So don’t hesitate to experiment with different marinades, rubs, and side dishes until you discover your favorite combination and make this dish a regular part of your meal rotation. Enjoy grilling!