Seared Cube Steaks are a quick, easy beef recipe that is easy on your wallet too. Try this simple, tasty budget friendly dish tonight!
If you’re craving a delicious, juicy beef but don’t want to break the bank, why not try a cube steak? It’s a budget friendly Main Dish that you can have ready in just 20 minutes.
Sabrina’s Seared Cube Steaks
A cube steak might be a fraction of the cost of choice cuts but it can be just as delicious and satisfying. My recipe is simple and easy, you just flavor the meat with some simple seasonings then cook the steaks in a cast-iron skillet. The meat turns out wonderfully tender and flavorful without a lot of work. In less than 30 minutes you’ll have a tasty comfort food meal that feels nicer than a burger but for about the same price. Add this budget friendly beef option to your shopping list and try this recipe tonight!
Recipe Card


Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cube steaks
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
Instructions
- Using a meat tenderizer, pound the steaks on each side for 5-10 seconds to tenderize them.
- Add butter to a large heavy skillet on medium-high heat.
- Season the steaks with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Cook cube steaks for 4-5 minutes on each side on medium-high heat until cooked through.
Nutrition
Table of contents
About this Recipe
The nice thing about cube steaks is they have a super quick cooking time. But this also means you’ll want to cook them once your sides are almost done and you don’t want to overcook them. If your sides need more time, transfer the steaks from the pan to a plate, and cover them in tin foil to trap the moisture so they don’t dry out. Serve them up with your favorite sides like Creamy Mashed Potatoes, and Roasted Green Beans for a comforting, diner-style meal.
Chef’s Note
Cube Steaks get their name from the indentations on the surface of the beef cut caused by the meat tenderizer. In order for a cut to be considered a cube steak, it has to be flattened and tenderized with a meat mallet. This process is great for turning a tougher cut into a tender piece of meat. It also leaves a pattern of cube indentations along the top of the meat, lending to the name.
How to Store
- Serve: After cooking the cube steaks, don’t leave them out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
- Store: Let the steaks cool down then put them in a ziplock bag or other airtight container to store in the fridge. They’ll keep well for 3-4 days.
- Freeze: You can also freeze steak for 2-3 months. Let them thaw in the fridge then reheat them in the skillet for a few minutes before serving.
Variations
- Seasonings: There are so many different flavors you can add to your steak depending on what seasonings you use. Prep the steak with minced garlic, fresh basil, fresh thyme, and fresh rosemary.
- Marinade: To make them extra tender, you can marinate the steaks overnight before searing. Try making my easy Steak Marinade with soy sauce, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, basil, and rosemary.
- Garlic Butter: Try making an easy compound garlic butter to serve over top like a fancy steakhouse. Mix together ½ cup butter, 6 cloves minced garlic, and ¼ cup of mixed herbs including chives, basil, parsley, and rosemary. Freeze the butter mixture overnight. Once the steak is cooked, serve them up with a dollop of butter on top.
More Budget Friendly Steak Recipes

I made this recipe tonight, with boiled potatoes with their jackets, and it was amazing, very tender I will definitely be making this again.
Great! Thank you Kathy!
Wow! They came out delicious n tender. Thank you!
Great! Thank you for the 5 star rating!
Your cubed steak recipe is the best I have tried. My husband likes it as it is tasty and not tough.
My family loved this recipe ??
Will make numerous times again
Thanks, Rosie!