Craving a hearty, satisfying red meat dish that doesn’t demand hours in the kitchen? Look no further than this incredible Instant Pot Cube Steak recipe! It’s the ultimate weeknight solution for busy families and red meat enthusiasts alike, delivering a dish that is wonderfully tender, incredibly flavorful, and surprisingly quick to prepare. Forget the long, slow simmering typically associated with traditional cube steak; the modern magic of your Instant Pot transforms this classic comfort food into a fast, delicious reality.
Cube steak has long been a staple of home cooking, cherished for its robust beefy flavor and its ability to absorb rich gravies. Traditionally, achieving that melt-in-your-mouth tenderness required extended cooking times in the oven or on the stovetop. However, the Instant Pot revolutionizes this process, utilizing high-pressure cooking to drastically cut down prep time while ensuring every bite is unbelievably succulent. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a nostalgic journey back to classic flavors, made effortless for today’s lifestyle.
Why Instant Pot Cube Steak is Your New Weeknight Hero
This Instant Pot Cube Steak recipe isn’t just another meal; it’s a culinary triumph that offers a multitude of benefits, making it a beloved dish for countless reasons:
- A Comfort Food Classic, Reimagined: There’s something undeniably comforting about a plate of tender beef smothered in a rich, savory gravy. This recipe taps into that deep-seated desire for a hearty, home-cooked meal, delivering all the nostalgic flavors you remember but with a modern twist. It’s perfect for satisfying those cravings for truly wholesome food.
- Remarkably Quick and Effortless: The Instant Pot is a game-changer for speed and convenience. What once took hours of slow cooking to tenderize is now achieved in a fraction of the time. This means you can enjoy a delicious, homemade beef dinner on even the busiest weeknights without feeling chained to the kitchen.
- Budget-Friendly Beef Excellence: Cube steak is a fantastic, economical cut of beef that offers incredible value without compromising on flavor or texture. This recipe makes it easy to incorporate delicious beef into your family’s diet regularly, proving that gourmet taste doesn’t have to come with a high price tag.
- Unanimously Family-Approved: The incredible tenderness of the pressure-cooked cube steak, combined with its familiar and inviting flavors, makes this dish a guaranteed hit. It’s gentle enough for younger palates yet sophisticated enough for adults, ensuring clean plates and happy smiles all around the dinner table.
What Exactly is Cube Steak? Unpacking This Versatile Cut
Often referred to as “cubed steak,” this popular cut of beef is a true kitchen workhorse. Essentially, cube steak is a thin cut of beef, typically sourced from the sirloin or top round primal cuts. Its distinctive characteristic comes from a mechanical tenderization process, where the meat is run through a tenderizing machine or pounded vigorously with a mallet. This process creates small, cube-like indentations across the surface of the meat, which not only gives it its name but also breaks down tough muscle fibers, ensuring a more tender eating experience. These indentations also help the meat absorb marinades and sauces more effectively, leading to deeper flavor penetration.
Many people occasionally confuse cube steak with minute steak, but there’s a subtle yet important distinction. While both are thin cuts of beef designed for quick cooking, minute steak is generally sliced even thinner and is not mechanically tenderized or pounded. Its thinness alone ensures its rapid cooking, hence the name “minute steak.” Cube steak, on the other hand, relies on its physical tenderization to become wonderfully soft, making it ideal for dishes where a more substantial, yet still tender, piece of beef is desired, often served with a rich gravy.
Gathering Your Ingredients for Instant Pot Cube Steak
Creating this flavorful and tender Instant Pot Cube Steak requires a simple list of readily available ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the dish’s signature taste and texture:
- Cube (or Cubed) Steak: The star of our show! Look for fresh, reddish-pink cuts with minimal marbling. About 2 pounds is ideal for a family meal.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup: This forms the creamy, rich base of our gravy, contributing a classic savory depth and thickness.
- Beef Consommé: A concentrated beef broth that adds an intense beefy flavor. You can substitute with regular beef broth for a slightly milder taste.
- Mushrooms: Fresh white button or cremini mushrooms, sliced or whole, add an earthy texture and enhance the overall savory profile of the dish.
- Onion: A small yellow onion, finely chopped, provides an aromatic foundation for the sauce, adding sweetness and depth.
- Flour: Used for coating the steak before browning, which helps create a delicious crust and also contributes to thickening the sauce later.
- Olive Oil: Essential for browning the cube steak, ensuring a beautiful sear and locking in flavor.
- Garlic Powder (Optional but Recommended): A touch of garlic powder mixed with the flour adds an extra layer of savory aroma and taste to the steak.
- Salt and Pepper: Fundamental seasonings to enhance the natural flavors of the beef and gravy.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Cook Instant Pot Cube Steak to Perfection
Follow these easy steps to prepare a mouth-watering cube steak dinner in your Instant Pot that will become a new family favorite:
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Begin by combining your wet ingredients for the sauce. In a medium bowl, mix together the cream of mushroom soup, beef consommé (or broth), sliced mushrooms, and chopped onion. Stir well and set aside. In a separate shallow bowl, whisk together the flour with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. This seasoned flour will coat your steaks.
- Coat and Brown the Steaks: Take each cube steak and dredge it thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring both sides are well coated. Shake off any excess. Set your Instant Pot to the “SautĂ©” function on normal heat and add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add a couple of flour-coated steaks to the pot, making sure not to overcrowd it. Brown each side for 2-3 minutes until a golden crust forms. This browning step is crucial for developing deep, rich flavors (the Maillard reaction!). Once browned, remove the steaks to a plate and repeat with the remaining pieces until all are done.
- Deglaze for Maximum Flavor: After browning all the steaks, the bottom of your Instant Pot will likely have delicious brown bits stuck to it – this is called “fond,” and it’s pure flavor! To incorporate this into your sauce and prevent a “burn” notice during pressure cooking, add a splash of water or beef broth to the hot pot. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape up all those flavorful bits from the bottom. This process is called deglazing, and it’s key to a truly rich gravy.
- Combine and Pressure Cook: Return all the browned cube steaks to the Instant Pot. Pour the previously prepared soup, mushroom, and onion mixture evenly over the steaks. Ensure that the liquid covers the bottom of the pot.
- Set and Relax: Secure the lid on your Instant Pot, making sure the sealing valve is set to the “Sealing” position. Select the “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” function and set the cooking time for 20 minutes on high pressure. While the Instant Pot works its magic, you can prepare your chosen side dishes like mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice. Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pot to naturally release its pressure (NPR). This means you let the pressure slowly decrease on its own, which usually takes about 10-15 minutes. Natural release helps to ensure the meat remains incredibly tender.
- Thicken the Gravy (Optional but Recommended): After the pressure has fully released, carefully open the lid. The sauce might appear a little thin, which is perfectly normal. If you prefer a thicker gravy, remove the cooked cube steaks to a separate plate and cover them to keep warm.
- Finish the Sauce: With the steaks removed, switch the Instant Pot back to the “SautĂ©” function. While the sauce heats up and begins to bubble, create a slurry by mixing about 2 tablespoons of the leftover seasoned flour with 2-3 tablespoons of cold water in a small bowl until smooth. Slowly drizzle the flour slurry into the bubbling sauce in the Instant Pot, stirring constantly with a whisk. Continue adding the slurry a little at a time until the gravy reaches your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Once thickened, return the tender cube steaks to the pot, or spoon the rich gravy over the steaks on your serving plates.
Tips for Success and Delicious Variations
To ensure your Instant Pot Cube Steak is perfect every time, consider these helpful tips and creative variations:
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pot: When browning the steaks, work in batches to allow for proper searing. Overcrowding will steam the meat instead of browning it, reducing flavor development.
- Ensure Proper Deglazing: The deglazing step is crucial for both flavor and preventing the dreaded “burn” notice. Make sure to scrape up all those browned bits thoroughly.
- Season Generously: Don’t be shy with salt and pepper on the steaks before flouring. You can always add more at the end, but proper seasoning at each stage builds the best flavor.
- Customize Your Gravy Base: While cream of mushroom soup is classic, feel free to experiment! Cream of celery or cream of onion soup can offer different flavor profiles. For a richer, deeper flavor, consider adding a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce or a splash of red wine during the deglazing step.
- Add More Vegetables: For a complete one-pot meal, you can add chopped carrots, potatoes, or celery directly into the Instant Pot along with the soup mixture. Ensure they are cut into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Spice It Up: A pinch of smoked paprika, a dash of cayenne pepper, or a teaspoon of Italian seasoning can add an interesting twist to the gravy.
- Homemade Soup Alternative: If you prefer to avoid canned soups, you can create a similar creamy base with a roux (butter and flour), beef broth, and heavy cream or milk, along with sautéed fresh mushrooms and onions.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
This Instant Pot Cube Steak is fantastic as leftovers, often tasting even better the next day as the flavors meld. Here’s how to store and reheat it:
- Refrigeration: Store any leftover cube steak and gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, transfer the cooled cube steak and gravy to a freezer-safe container or freezer bags. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating:
- Stovetop: Gently reheat the cube steak and gravy in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. Add a splash of beef broth or water if the gravy is too thick.
- Microwave: For individual portions, microwave on medium power, stirring every minute, until hot.
Be careful not to overcook the meat when reheating to maintain its tenderness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are answers to some common questions you might have about making Instant Pot Cube Steak:
- Can I use frozen cube steak? It’s generally best to thaw cube steak before cooking in the Instant Pot for optimal tenderness and even cooking. If you must cook from frozen, you would likely need to increase the pressure cooking time, but it might affect the browning step and overall texture.
- What if I don’t have beef consommĂ©? Beef broth is a perfectly acceptable substitute. Just note that consommĂ© is more concentrated, so you might want to add an extra bouillon cube or a teaspoon of beef base to your broth to boost the flavor.
- Why did I get a “burn” notice? The most common reason for a burn notice is insufficient liquid at the bottom of the pot or food stuck to the bottom. This is why deglazing is so crucial! Ensure you scrape all the browned bits thoroughly before adding other ingredients and that there’s enough liquid to come to pressure.
- How can I make this gluten-free? To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend when coating the steaks and for the gravy slurry. Always double-check that your cream of mushroom soup and beef consommé are certified gluten-free.
- Can I add vegetables to the Instant Pot with the steak? Yes, absolutely! Hearty vegetables like chopped carrots, potatoes (cut into 1-inch pieces), or celery can be added along with the soup mixture. They will cook perfectly under pressure alongside the steak.
More Delicious Meals from Your Instant Pot
If you’ve discovered the joy and convenience of pressure cooking with this incredible cube steak recipe, you’ll be thrilled to explore more culinary possibilities with your Instant Pot. This versatile appliance is perfect for creating a wide array of comforting and hearty meals with minimal effort:
- For another savory beef dish, you might want to try making old-fashioned Beef Stew, rich with vegetables and tender meat.
- If you enjoy a bit of zest and crunch, our Pepper Steak in the Instant Pot offers vibrant flavors and tender strips of beef.
- In the mood for chicken? The Instant Pot excels at poultry dishes too! Try some flavorful Instant Pot French Onion Chicken for a savory, cheesy experience.
- Or, for a wholesome and satisfying meal, our Instant Pot Chicken Stew is packed with vegetables and tender chicken, perfect for any season.
The consistent flavor, unmatched tenderness, and sheer ease of preparation the Instant Pot offers truly make it a winner in any kitchen!
đź“– Instant Pot Cube Steak Recipe
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Instant Pot Cube Steak
10 mins
25 mins
20 mins
55 mins
Ingredients
- 2 pounds cube steak
- ½ cup flour
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 10.5 ounce can beef consommé (beef broth may be substituted)
- 10.5 ounce can cream of mushroom soup
- 8 ounces white mushrooms (sliced or whole)
- Small yellow onion (chopped or ½ medium)
Instructions
- Combine mushrooms, soup, beef consommé, and onion in a bowl; set aside.
- Place flour with garlic powder, salt and pepper in a shallow bowl. Dip cube steak in the flour mixture to cover both sides. (save leftover flour)
- Set Instant Pot to Sauté and add oil.
- Add a couple steaks to hot oil and brown both sides. Remove and repeat with remaining steaks.
- Splash a little water or broth in the pot and scrape up the browned bits on the bottom, then return steaks to the pot.
- Pour the soup and mushroom mixture over the steak.
- Cover and seal. Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes, then allow to naturally depressurize.
- Remove steaks from Instant pot and check the sauce. If it seems too thin, add some water to the remaining flour from step 1 to make a slurry. Set Instant Pot to Sauté to heat the sauce. Once bubbling, stir and drizzle in flour slurry a little at a time until desired thickness is reached.
- Serve with rice, potatoes or noodles.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Complementary Side Dishes: What to Serve with Your Cube Steak
This tender Instant Pot Cube Steak pairs beautifully with a variety of classic side dishes that help soak up the delicious gravy and round out your meal. Here are some fantastic ideas:
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Carrots: A healthy and flavorful vegetable side that adds color and nutrients.
- French Onion Potato Bake: Creamy, cheesy potatoes with a hint of onion, perfect for pairing with rich gravy.
- Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings: For a touch of crispy indulgence, these are quick and easy.
- Garlic Herb Roasted Potatoes: Simple, savory, and always a crowd-pleaser, these potatoes are ideal for soaking up every drop of that wonderful sauce.
- Grilled or Steamed Broccoli: A fresh, green vegetable offers a nice contrast and lightens the meal.
- Broccoli and Kale Salad: A vibrant, healthy salad can add a refreshing crunch to your plate.
- Roasted Spaghetti Squash: A lighter, low-carb alternative to noodles or potatoes, offering a subtly sweet counterpoint to the savory beef.