This easy pan-fried cube steak recipe with pan gravy is a quick weeknight meal, perfect for the whole family. Cube steak can be found at most grocery stores, it is a tenderized cut of beef (top or round sirloin) typically used to make chicken-fried steak. Cube steak if affordable and versatile, this cut of beef is best served with a sauce of gravy.
Serve your cube steak with a simple lettuce salad or mashed potatoes for a balanced meal. You might also like this Creamy Tuscan Chicken Thighs or my Sheet Pan Spicy Beef Bowls!
Find all of my easy weeknight dinner recipes here!
Why You’ll Like This
- Comfort Food: Cube steak with pan gravy is the ultimate comfort meal. It’s hearty, savory, and perfect for a cozy dinner. The addition of mushrooms in the pan sauce adds and extra meaty texture.
- Tender Steak: The cube steak becomes tender and juicy with the quick pan-frying method (which takes just minutes), while the pan gravy adds richness and flavor – perfect if you’re a big fan of sauces!
- Quick & Easy: It’s a simple recipe that doesn’t take much time or effort. You can have a filling, satisfying meal on the table in under 30 minutes, this beef recipes goes great with so many side dishes and can be left simple or elevated for any occasion.
- Customizable: You can adjust the seasonings and add extras (like shallots and herbs) to suit your taste. Plus, the gravy is perfect for soaking up with mashed potatoes or bread, yum!
- One-Pan Meal: Fewer dishes to clean up! Everything cooks in one skillet, making it easy and convenient. Serve this family style at the table with a big spoon to scoop up the pan sauce.
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Pan-Fried Cube Steak
Cube steak isn’t talked about much, although it is traditionally used in chicken-fried steak – which is a breaded and fried steak typically topped with gravy. Cube steaks can be quickly pan-fried or simmer low and slow in the crockpot, making them somewhat versatile.
If you prefer a more tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture simmer this steak in the pan gravy for 1-2 hours, adding more liquid as needed. These can also be treated like hamburger patties and served on buns with your favorite fixings. This recipe is similar to Salisbury steak or country-fried steak.
Grocery Store List & Substitutions
This recipe is made with many simple ingredients, some you probably already have on hand. If there is a substitution for an ingredient, you’ll find it below:
- Extra Virgin Olive oil: olive oil, avocado oil, butter, or vegetable oil can all be substitutes. Butter will also work if you prefer.
- Cube Steak: found in the refrigerated meat section of your local grocery store near other steaks and ground beef. Substitute minute steak.
- Mushrooms: fresh baby Bella or white button mushrooms add an extra hearty/meaty texture to the dish, you can omit the mushrooms if preferred.
- Butter: I prefer unsalted butter so I can adjust the saltiness better when I season. Ghee or clarified butter will also work, I would not recommend using margarine here.
- Broth: beef broth, chicken broth, or veggie broth all work to make the pan gravy.
- Seasoning: kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper add extra flavor to this dish. Other seasonings like onion powder, garlic powder, mined onion, paprika, or cayenne pepper also work.
- Milk: whole milk, half and half, or heavy cream are recommended here. Skim milk or 2% milk may work but can thin out the sauce, same with many non0dairy options.
- Onion: red onion, white onion, or sweet onion will work here. A finely diced shallot will also work, if you do not like onion, omit it.
How To Make The Easy Cube Steak Recipe
Let’s talk a little about how to make Easy Pan-Fried Cube Steak Recipe with Pan Gravy (The printable instructions are in the recipe card below.)
Quick overview:
- Season cube steaks with salt and pepper.
- Sear steaks in a large skillet with olive oil, remove from pan.
- Add in butter, sauté onion and mushrooms.
- Stir in the cream and broth, simmer until sauce has reduced.
- Adjust seasonings as needed. Add steaks back in, let simmer and enjoy.
- Liberally season both sides of the cube steaks with salt and black pepper (add any other seasonings at this point).
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add in the cube steaks and sear for 3-4 minutes per side. Once seared remove from the pan and set aside.
- Keeping heat at medium-high, add butter and diced onion into the skillet. Sauté for 1-2 minutes or until the onions begin to soften. Add in the mushrooms and cook for another 4-5 minutes.
4. Reduce heat to medium and stir in the broth and heavy cream, allow to simmer for a few minutes, stirring often. Adjust seasoning as needed. Add the cube steaks back in and simmer for 10-15 minutes until the sauce has thickened and the steaks are cooked through.
5. Serve immediately with extra pan sauce and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
More Delicious Beef Recipes
Beef is a versatile ingredient and can be used to make so many different family friendly dishes. Looking for recipe inspiration, try these ideas below:
Tools I Recommend For This Dish
- Wooden Spoons – perfect for sautéing and mixing, and great for not scratching your pans. Remember to deep clean your wooden utensils once a month!
- Enamel cast iron skillet: this Le Creuset cast iron skillet is my go to. With the enamel coating it is super easy to clean and you can cook both on the stove top and in the oven making it great for recipes like this. It’s the perfect size for family dinners.
Recipe Serving Suggestions
Serve these cube steaks on their own with extra pan gravy or pair with some easy side dishes for a more complete meal! Try serving your steaks with some of these sides:
- Kale Crunch Salad with Dressing – a perfect light and crunchy side dish.
- Scalloped Sweet Potatoes – an all time fan favorite, layered sweet potatoes in a creamy sauce.
- Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe – white cheddar mac topped with crushed crackers.
- Cheesy Creamed Corn Casserole – classic corn casserole with cheese and bacon.
- Easy Potato Au Gratin – sliced yellow potatoes in a cream sauce.
Recipe FAQs
What is cube steak?
Cube steak is a tenderized cut of beef, often top round or top sirloin, that has been tenderized to create small indentations. Known for its tenderness, making it great for quick cooking methods like pan frying – cube steak is traditionally used to make chicken-fried steak.
Do I need to tenderize cube steak?
No, cube steak is already tenderized with a commercial meat tenderizer.
How long should I cook cube steak?
Cook the steak for 3-4 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F for medium rare, or higher for more well-done steaks.
What sides go well with pan-fried cube steak?
This easy dinner recipe pairs well with mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables (like green beans or broccoli), rice, or a side salad. Classic comfort sides like macaroni and cheese or cornbread are also great options.
Easy Pan-Fried Cube Steak Recipe with Pan Gravy
Equipment
- Large skillet or Cast Iron Pan
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 – 2 lbs. Cube Steak, 4-5 steaks
- Kosher salt
- Fresh cracked black pepper
- 2 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp Unsalted butter , softened
- 1 small Red onion, finely diced
- 8 oz. White button mushrooms , quartered or sliced
- 3/4 cup Beef broth
- 1/2 cup Heavy cream
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Liberally season both sides of the cube steaks with salt and black pepper.1 1/2 – 2 lbs. Cube Steak, Kosher salt, Fresh cracked black pepper
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add in the cube steaks and sear for 3-4 minutes per side. Once seared remove from the pan and set aside.2 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- Keeping heat at medium-high, add butter and diced onion into the skillet. Sauté for 1-2 minutes or until the onions begin to soften. Add in the mushrooms and cook for another 4-5 minutes.3 tbsp Unsalted butter , 1 small Red onion, 8 oz. White button mushrooms
- Reduce heat to medium and stir in the broth and heavy cream, allow to simmer for a few minutes, stirring often. Adjust seasoning as needed. Add the cube steaks back in and simmer for 10-15 minutes until the sauce has thickened and the steaks are cooked through.3/4 cup Beef broth, 1/2 cup Heavy cream
- Serve immediately with extra pan sauce and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.Fresh parsley for garnish
Nutrition
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