Cooking Cube Steak in the Oven

When you think of a hearty steak for dinner, we bet that cube steak doesn’t first cross your mind. Still, it’s certainly one not to skip when you want an affordable steak cut that can be just as flavorful as your traditional sirloin or T-bone. 

Cube steak is an inexpensive cut of steak that’s traditionally taken from the top or bottom round cut and tenderized using a meat tenderizer. As a result, the steak is usually thinner than other cuts and has a tell-tale pattern of “cube” shapes on its surface from the tenderizing process. 

There are three primary ways to cook cube steak: in the oven, in a skillet, or in a slow cooker. In this guide, we’re showcasing the process of cooking cube steak in the oven.

Preparing Cube Steak for the Oven

Preparing cube steak for the oven takes just a few minutes. First, if you’d like your cube steaks a bit thinner or tenderized more than when you purchased them, you can achieve this by using a meat tenderizer on both sides. 

Then, season your cube steaks with salt, pepper, minced onion, or your other choice of seasonings. Leave the steaks on a plate or cutting board for 15 minutes before cooking while the oven preheats. Doing so gives them time to come to room temperature to help them cook evenly in the oven. 

After the resting period, you can sear the cube steaks in a skillet with a drizzle of olive oil, flipping just once to brown both sides. 

Tips and Tricks to Perfect Cube Steak in the Oven

Making cube steak in the oven is relatively straightforward, but following these tips can help you achieve the results you expect:

• Be mindful of overcooking: While you might prefer other steak cuts cooked to medium or higher, cube steak works best with a medium-rare cook. Cooking longer than medium rare can make cube steak pretty chewy despite it being tenderized.
• Consider tenderizing twice: Cube steak comes tenderized already when you buy it, but there’s no harm in tenderizing them again once you get them home. In fact, a second tenderizing process could yield even better results in the texture department.
• Don’t skip the sear: Cube steaks don’t need to be seared before cooking them in the oven, but it’s certainly a step you should think about adding for extra flavor. Searing also locks in juices, helping cube steak remain tender and avoid over-drying in the oven.

Cube Steak Temperature Chart

We recommend cooking cube steak to medium-rare for the best results. However, we’re aware that everyone has their own preferences for steak. Reference the cube steak temperature chart below to determine when to remove your steak from the oven and its final temperature after resting based on your doneness preferences.

Oven Cooked Cube Steak Recipe

We’ve outlined the steps you need to know to prepare cube steak for the oven and tips to help you achieve the best results. Now, follow along with this basic recipe for oven-cooked cube steak that can be on the dinner table in less than one hour.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1-2 lbs cube steak
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• 2 tsp minced onion
• Optional: beef or mushroom gravy
• Optional: rice or mashed potatoes 

Instructions

1. Season the cube steaks on both sides with salt, pepper, and minced onion. Let steaks sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes prior to cooking. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 325 degrees and a skillet with oil over medium-high heat. 
2. Sear the cube steaks on each side for 1-2 minutes until browned. You may need to work in batches if cooking several at a time, making sure steaks don’t touch. 
3. Place steaks in a baking dish and cover with aluminum foil. Transfer the dish to the middle oven rack and cook for 30-45 minutes until a meat thermometer reads 120 degrees for medium rare. 
4. Let rest at room temperature for 5-10 minutes. If desired, place cube steaks atop rice or mashed potatoes, and drizzle beef or mushroom gravy over the top just before serving.

Conclusion: Cooking Cube Steak in the Oven

Cube steak is an easy main dish to make for yourself or the family. Follow the tips and recipe in this guide to ensure that you end up with a flavorful and tender cut of steak when cooking in the oven.

Can’t find cube steak in the store? Shop Chicago Steak Company online to find other steaks to use for your next steak meal. We offer everything from ribeye and porterhouse to filet mignon and steak burgers, catering to steak enthusiasts of all types. 

Oven Cooked Cube Steak

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Course Main Course

Ingredients

  

• 1-2 lbs cube steak
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• 2 tsp minced onion
• optional: beef or mushroom gravy
• optional: rice or mashed potatoes

Instructions

 

• Season the cube steaks on both sides with salt, pepper, and minced onion. Let steaks sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes prior to cooking. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 325 degrees and a skillet with oil over medium-high heat.
• Sear the cube steaks on each side for 1-2 minutes until browned. You may need to work in batches if cooking several at a time, making sure steaks don’t touch.
• Place steaks in a baking dish and cover with aluminum foil. Transfer the dish to the middle oven rack and cook for 30-45 minutes until a meat thermometer reads 120 degrees for medium rare.
• Let rest at room temperature for 5-10 minutes. If desired, place cube steaks atop rice or mashed potatoes, and drizzle beef or mushroom gravy over the top just before serving.