Instant Pot Cube Steak

An Instant Pot is a multi-cooker that’s well-known for its pressure cooking abilities. When it comes to cooking cube steak, the Instant Pot helps reduce cooking time while achieving incredibly satisfying results.

Still, switching from the ways you traditionally cook your cube steak over to the Instant Pot can take a little finessing, which is why we created this guide. We cover important tips you should know to cook Instant Pot cube steak and provide a beginner-friendly recipe to enjoy.

Why Cook Cube Steak in an Instant Pot?

It’s possible to cook cube steak in the oven, in a skillet, or in a slow cooker. Pan-frying cube steak is a good method when you’re in a pinch because it takes just about 10 minutes to cook. However, a slower cook is generally preferable with cube steak, as it allows the steak to cook slowly over low heat to keep it moist and tender.

An Instant Pot offers similar results as cooking cube steak in the oven or in a slow cooker but in a fraction of the time. The pressurization cooks cube steak with a buildup of steam, keeping it juicy inside the pressure cooker. Meanwhile, that same pressure can just about cut the cooking time in half.

Prepping the Instant Pot

Another great thing about using a pressure cooker like an Instant Pot is that this method doesn’t require a lot of prep work. You’ll need just a drizzle of oil in the bottom of the Instant Pot to first sear the cube steak using the sear setting. You can also saute mushrooms and onions at this time, if desired, to go with your cube steak. 

Then, you’ll add other ingredients for your cube steak meal to the pressure cooker. For instance, our recipe below includes making gravy for the cube steak, so those ingredients will go in the Instant Pot with the steak.

Finally, before cooking the steak, ensure that your pressure cooker’s valve is set to the sealing setting rather than the release setting. 

Prepping the Cube Steak

About 15 minutes before you’re ready to cook your cube steak, remove it from the refrigerator and place it on a plate or cutting board at room temperature. Salt and pepper the steaks on both sides, along with any other seasonings you want to use. If desired, tenderize the steaks again by using a meat tenderizer on both sides. 

Although this next step is optional, we suggest drizzling 1-2 tablespoons of oil in the Instant Pot and using the searing setting to sear the cube steaks on each side for 1-2 minutes. Then, you’re ready to finish cooking them in your Instant Pot. Follow along with our recipe below for detailed instructions.

Tips for Making Instant Pot Cube Steak

Consider the following tips as you make Instant Pot cube steak at home:

• Know your Instant Pot: This is easily the most important tip to remember. Become familiar with your Instant Pot before attempting to cook with it, as it’s not the same as operating an oven or slow cooker. Read the manual to understand how to use each setting, manually set a cook cycle, and vent, seal, and quick-release your pressure cooker.
• Tenderize before cooking: When you buy cube steak from the store, it’s already tenderized. After all, that’s what makes it cube steak! However, giving it another tenderizing run-through at home isn’t a bad idea, just to the tenderness you expect. 
• Think about the final dish: How will you serve your cube steak? On its own? Atop mashed potatoes or pasta? Instant Pot cube steak takes about 30 minutes to cook in total, so you’ll want to time your other dish components around that. If making mashed potatoes, for example, you should start peeling and boiling potatoes before starting the cube steak. 

Ingredients/Substitution Ideas

Not a fan of brown gravy? Although our Instant Pot cube steak recipe calls for it, it’s not a necessary component. You can either leave the gravy out altogether by adding a small amount of water to the Instant Pot with the cube steaks or use country gravy instead. Some people also substitute brown gravy for au jus or a can of onion soup. 

Instant Pot Cube Steak and Gravy Recipe

Below, we explain how to cook cube steak and gravy in the Instant Pot. If you’d prefer to make your cube steak without gravy, add 3-4 tablespoons of water in the Instant Pot before cooking. 

Ingredients

For the Cube Steak

• 2 lbs cube steak
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp oil

For the Gravy

• 2 tbsp butter
• 4 tbsp flour
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 tbsp minced onion
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

For the Cube Steak

1. Transfer cube steak to a clean plate or cutting board and leave at room temperature for 15 minutes. Season steaks on both sides with salt and pepper. Preheat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Sear the steaks on each side for 1-2 minutes until they turn golden brown. 
3. Transfer steaks from the skillet to the Instant Pot.

For the Gravy

1. In the same skillet you used for the cube steak, melt the butter. 
2. Once melted, whisk in the flour, stirring consistently until well blended. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 30 seconds.
3. Slowly pour in the beef broth, whisking until blended. Bring to a low boil for 2-3 minutes. Add in the minced onion, salt, and pepper. Stir, then lower the heat to simmer for another 5-10 minutes. 
4. Pour the gravy over the steaks in the Instant Pot. 

Finishing Up

1. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and ensure that the valve is set to the sealing position. Manually set the Instant Pot to 20 minutes on high.
2. After the cycle has been completed, follow your Instant Pot’s instructions for ‘Quick Release’ to vent the steam. 
3. Remove the lid, and allow the cube steaks and gravy to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. 

Conclusion: Instant Pot Cube Steak

Once you feel comfortable with your Instant Pot, cooking cube steak in it should be relatively easy. Our Instant Pot cube steak recipe is easy to follow along with, and you can substitute the gravy component for other ingredients, like au jus or country gravy, to make it fit your tastes.Want to learn more ways to cook cube steak? Read our guides on how to cook cube steak, cooking cube steak in a crock pot, making fried cube steak, and more.