Homemade Cube Steaks with Gravy

Cube steaks with gravy is an all-American dinner that’s the perfect intersection of simple, delicious, and frugal. A true homestyle meal with off-the-charts flavor. Just 6 ingredients, plus seasonings. It has that comfort-food feel and is guaranteed to tackle any appetite.

When you hear the word steak, you probably picture a thick cut of meat with a hefty price tag -served in a fancy steak house. But there’s an entire category of steak that has nothing to do with t-bones or filets…

Some of the tastiest steak dinners include Chicken Fried Steak, Salisbury Steak, and Swiss Steak. All of these begin with budget-friendly meat like Cube Steak. Made from tenderized cuts of top round or sirloin, this cube steak is the foundation for this amazing recipe: Cube Steaks with Gravy. 

The tenderness of hamburger and the flavors of meatloaf come together in a meal so incredible you might even call it comfort food. Rich brown gravy gives it that old-school Salisbury Steak vibe. This meal is practically screaming for a side of buttery mashed potatoes and some glazed carrots.

Cube steaks get their name from the pattern of little squares on the meat. This pattern comes from a food tenderizer, which looks like a miniature version of Thor’s hammer. One side is smooth, the other side has cube-shaped knobs that leave a distinctive pattern on the meat. The nice thing about preparing cube steaks is that they are already tenderized and portioned. Super-easy!

The price of cube steaks also makes this an ideal choice for feeding your small army without busting your budget. With one pack of cube steaks and a bag of potatoes, you’re on track for a frugal yet fabulous meal.

INGREDIENTS – WHAT YOU NEED

This recipe is made with cube steaks, water, onion, soy or tamari sauce, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, beef bouillon, salt, and ground pepper.

HOW TO MAKE CUBE STEAKS WITH GRAVY

MAKE IT NOW: Add to either the instant pot or crockpot and cook as directed below.

MAKE IT A FREEZER MEAL: Seal bag or container, remove as much air as possible, and freeze.

COOK IN CROCK POT

Add all ingredients to your crockpot. Cook on low for 6 hours.

Remove steaks. Transfer remaining liquid to a medium saucepan. 

Whisk in a small bowl 1/4 cup cornstarch with 1/2 cup water until smooth. 

Bring saucepan liquids to simmer over medium-high heat. Slowly add while whisking the cornstarch mixture into the sauce. Whisk continually until gravy starts to thicken. 

Add cubed steaks into the pot, and heat until warmed through, then serve.

COOK IN INSTANT POT

From Frozen

1. From frozen, add all ingredients to your instant pot. Add 1/4 cup water. Cook for 23 minutes at high pressure, then do a quick release. Place on sauté.
2. Place on sauté. Remove steaks, leaving liquids in the pot.
3. Whisk in a small bowl 1/4 cup cornstarch with 1/2 cup water until smooth. 
4. Pour mixture into the liquids left in the Instant Pot. Whisk continually until gravy starts to thicken.
5. Add cubed steaks back into the pot, heat until warmed through, then serve.

From Thawed or Freshly Made

1. From thawed or freshly made, transfer into an instant pot.
2. Cook for 20 minutes at high pressure, then do quick release. 
3. Place on sauté. Remove steaks. 
4. Whisk in a small bowl 1/4 cup cornstarch with 1/2 cup water until smooth. 
5. Pour mixture into the liquids left in the Instant Pot. Whisk continually until gravy starts to thicken. 
6. Add cubed steaks back into the pot, heat until warmed through then serve.

WHAT IS CUBE STEAK?

Cube steak is a beef steak that comes from top round or sirloin. The meat is flattened and tenderized, and its appearance resembles ground beef. It is sometimes referred to as minute steak (but don’t confuse it with the meat you’ll find in a Philly Cheesesteak. That’s a whole different deal). This meat usually comes pre-portioned and ready to cook.

Other delicious beef recipes include Easy Steak Fajita Foil Packets and Teriyaki Beef and Broccoli.

HOW TO FREEZE CUBE STEAKS WITH GRAVY?

To prepare ahead of time, add all ingredients (uncooked) to a gallon-sized freezer bag. Remove as much of the air as possible, and freeze for up to 6 months.

To freeze a package of raw cube steaks, remove them from the package, wrap each steak tightly in Saran Wrap, place in a freezer bag, squeeze out the excess air, and freeze up to 6 months. 

HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE?

Store leftovers in Tupperware in the fridge for 3-4 days, or frozen in a high-quality, gallon-sized freezer bag for up to 6 months.

WHAT DO YOU SERVE WITH CROCK POT CUBE STEAKS AND GRAVY?

The rich gravy makes this a perfect meal to go with mashed potatoes or white rice. But feel free to add more flavors to the meal by preparing a side of cheesy potatoes or decadent twice-baked potatoes.

PRO TIPS/NOTES

For a hearty lunch, try serving the meat on a ciabatta sub roll with grilled onions and peppers and a slice of melting provolone. You might need a nap afterward!

Chop up the fully cooked meats and toss with cooked egg noodles and sauce for a homestyle pasta meal. It’s a great way to get your little ones to try it, especially if they’re not too enthusiastic about a big, scary steak.

Serve the meat over instant white rice for an extra-easy rice bowl.

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU MAKE WITH BEEF?

• Make this savory Beef and Mushroom Stew.
• Prepare these Instant Pot Shredded Beef Fajitas.
• Make these Slow Cooker Roast Beef French Dip Sandwiches. 
• Create this Spicy Pepper Beef.
• Prepare this Mini Meatloaf.

If you make this recipe, I would love to see it! Snap a picture of it and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #happymoneysaver and tagging me @happymoneysaver

This recipe was first posted on Oct 2, 2018, but has been updated with new photos and better-detailed instructions & tips on December 27th, 2021.