If you’re looking for a delicious and easy way to cook cube steak, using a crock-pot is the perfect method. Cube steak is a tenderized cut of beef that is both affordable and full of flavor. Slow cooking it in a crock-pot helps to lock in the moisture and create a tender and juicy piece of meat.
To begin, you will need the following ingredients:
- 4 cube steaks
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 cup of beef broth
- 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
To start, season the cube steaks with salt, pepper, and dried thyme. Then, heat a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the steaks on both sides until browned. Transfer the seared steaks to the crock-pot.
Tip: Searing the steaks before slow cooking them helps to enhance the flavor and create a nice crust.
In the same skillet, add the sliced onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant. Then, add the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Pour the mixture over the cube steaks in the crock-pot.
Cover the crock-pot and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 4-6 hours. The cube steaks should be fork-tender and easily come apart.
Preparing Cube Steak
Before cooking cube steak in the crock-pot, it is important to prepare it properly for the best results. Here are the steps to follow:
Gather the Ingredients:
- 1 pound of cube steak
- 1 cup of all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of paprika
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
Tenderize the Steak:
Using a meat tenderizer, pound the cube steak on both sides to break down the tough fibers and make it more tender.
Season the Steak:
In a small bowl, mix together the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Sprinkle this seasoning mixture evenly on both sides of the cube steak.
Dredge the Steak:
In a shallow dish, combine the flour with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Dredge each piece of cube steak in the flour mixture, pressing lightly to make sure it adheres to the meat.
Brown the Steak:
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the cube steak and brown it on both sides for about 2-3 minutes per side, until a golden crust forms. This will add flavor and enhance the texture of the meat.
Now your cube steak is ready to be cooked in the crock-pot according to your preferred recipe. Enjoy!
Choosing the right cut
When it comes to cooking cube steak in the crock-pot, it is important to choose the right cut of meat. Cube steak is typically made from the top round or top sirloin, which are tougher cuts of meat. These cuts have a lot of connective tissue, which needs to break down during the cooking process to achieve a tender result.
Look for cube steak that has a good amount of marbling, as this will help keep the meat moist and add flavor. You can also ask your butcher to tenderize the steak for you, either by running it through a tenderizing machine or by manually pounding it with a meat mallet. This will help break down the tough fibers and result in a more tender steak.
Additionally, consider the thickness of the cube steak. Thicker cuts may require a longer cooking time in the crock-pot to ensure they become tender. If you prefer a quicker cooking time, you can opt for thinner cuts of cube steak.
Ultimately, the choice of cut depends on your personal preference and cooking time constraints. Keep in mind that cube steak is a versatile ingredient that can be cooked in various ways, so don’t be afraid to experiment and find your favorite cut for crock-pot cooking.
Tenderizing the meat
Before cooking cube steak in the crock-pot, it’s a good idea to tenderize the meat to ensure it is as soft and tender as possible. Tenderizing the meat helps to break down the tough muscle fibers and make it more enjoyable to eat.
There are a few different methods you can use to tenderize cube steak:
- Using a meat tenderizer: You can use a meat tenderizer tool to manually tenderize the steak. Simply pound the meat with the tenderizer tool, focusing on areas that are especially tough. This will help to break down the muscle fibers and make the meat more tender.
- Marinating: Another way to tenderize cube steak is by marinating it in a mixture of acidic ingredients such as vinegar, lemon juice, or buttermilk. The acid helps to break down the muscle fibers, resulting in a more tender steak. Simply place the cube steak in a dish or plastic bag, pour the marinade over it, and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
- Using a meat mallet: If you don’t have a meat tenderizer tool, you can use a meat mallet or even a rolling pin to tenderize the steak. Place the steak on a cutting board or a sturdy surface, and gently pound it with the mallet or rolling pin until it is tenderized to your liking.
Regardless of the method you choose, tenderizing the cube steak before cooking it in the crock-pot will help to ensure that it is deliciously tender and flavorful.
Seasoning the Cube Steak
Before putting the cube steak in the crock-pot, it’s important to season it to enhance its flavor. Here’s how to season your cube steak:
Gather the Ingredients
First, gather the necessary ingredients for seasoning the cube steak. You will need:
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of paprika
Mix the Seasonings
Next, in a small bowl, mix together the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Ensure that all the seasonings are well combined.
Note: You can adjust the amount of seasonings based on your personal preference. Add more or less of each seasoning to suit your taste.
Season the Cube Steak
Take the cube steak and place it on a clean cutting board or plate. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of the cube steak, using your hands or a spoon to distribute it evenly.
Tip: Gently pat the seasoning mixture onto the steak to ensure it sticks well.
Once the cube steak is properly seasoned, it’s ready to be cooked in the crock-pot.
Selecting the right spices
When cooking cube steak in the crock-pot, selecting the right spices is essential to enhance the flavor of the meat. Here are some spices that work well with cube steak:
- Salt and pepper: These basic spices help to season the meat and enhance its natural flavors.
- Garlic powder: Adding garlic powder to the cube steak can add a delicious savory taste.
- Onion powder: Onion powder pairs well with cube steak and adds a flavorful kick.
- Paprika: Paprika adds a subtle smoky flavor and a touch of color to the dish.
- Italian seasoning: The blend of herbs in Italian seasoning can give the cube steak a delicious and aromatic taste.
It’s important to note that these spices can be adjusted according to personal preference. Feel free to experiment and try different combinations to find your perfect seasoning for cube steak cooked in the crock-pot.
Marinating the steak
To add extra flavor and tenderness to your cube steak, marinating it is a great option. Marinating involves soaking the steak in a mixture of spices, herbs, and a liquid of your choice. This helps to infuse the flavors into the meat and break down its proteins, resulting in a more tender and flavorful dish.
There are various marinades you can use for cube steak, depending on your personal preferences. You can use a simple combination of oil, vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper, or get creative with ingredients like soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and herbs like rosemary or thyme.
To marinate the steak, place it in a resealable plastic bag and pour the marinade over it. Close the bag tightly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, but preferably overnight. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat and enhance its taste.
Remember to turn the bag occasionally to ensure that all sides of the steak are evenly coated. If you’re short on time, you can also marinate the steak at room temperature for a shorter period, but refrigerating it overnight is recommended for the best results.
Once the steak has marinated, you can proceed with cooking it in the crock-pot according to your preferred recipe. The marinating process will contribute to a delicious and tender cube steak that is sure to impress your family and friends!
Cooking Cube Steak in the Crock-Pot
Cube steak is a type of beef that has been tenderized by piercing it with a meat tenderizer. It is known for its cube-shaped indentations and is typically thinner than other cuts of steak. One popular way to cook cube steak is in a crock-pot, which allows the meat to cook slowly and tenderize even further. Here’s how you can make delicious cube steak in the crock-pot:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound cube steak
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Season the cube steak with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a little oil.
- Sear the cube steak for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until browned. This will help seal in the juices and add flavor.
- Transfer the seared cube steak to the crock-pot.
- In the same skillet, add the sliced onion and minced garlic. Cook until softened and fragrant.
- Add the cooked onions and garlic to the crock-pot.
- In a bowl, whisk together the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Pour this mixture over the cube steak in the crock-pot.
- Cover the crock-pot and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours, or until the meat is tender and cooked through.
- Once cooked, remove the cube steak from the crock-pot and transfer it to a serving dish.
- Optional: If you want a thicker gravy, you can take the liquid from the crock-pot and cook it on the stove over medium heat until it reduces and thickens.
- Serve the cube steak with the gravy and enjoy!
With this simple recipe, you can easily make tasty and tender cube steak in your crock-pot. The slow cooking process allows the meat to become tender and flavorful, making it a perfect dish for a hearty dinner. Give it a try and enjoy the delicious results!
FAQ
What is cube steak?
Cube steak is a cut of beef that has been tenderized by pounding with a meat mallet. It typically comes from the top or bottom round of the cow.
Can I cook cube steak in the crock-pot?
Yes, you can cook cube steak in the crock-pot. It’s a great way to make the meat tender and juicy.
What ingredients do I need to cook cube steak in the crock-pot?
To cook cube steak in the crock-pot, you will need cube steak, flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, beef broth, and your choice of vegetables.
What is the cooking time for cube steak in the crock-pot?
The cooking time for cube steak in the crock-pot depends on the size of the meat and the temperature setting of your crock-pot. Generally, it takes about 4-6 hours on low heat or 2-3 hours on high heat.
Can I add other seasonings or sauces to the crock-pot when cooking cube steak?
Yes, you can add other seasonings or sauces to the crock-pot when cooking cube steak to enhance the flavor. Some popular options include Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and herbs like thyme or rosemary.
What is cube steak?
Cube steak is a cut of beef that has been tenderized and pounded with a meat mallet, resulting in a cube-shaped pattern on the surface of the meat. It is typically a tougher cut of meat that benefits from slow cooking methods to make it tender.
Can I cook cube steak in a crock-pot?
Yes, you can definitely cook cube steak in a crock-pot. Slow cooking cube steak in a crock-pot helps tenderize the meat and infuse it with delicious flavors. It is a great option for an easy and comforting meal.