How to Cook Cube Steak in the Air Fryer
Recipe Snapshot
PREP + COOK TIME: 25 minutes
METHOD: Air fryer
OTHER TOOLS: Meat thermometer
TOTAL INGREDIENTS: 8
Cube steaks in the air fryer make a quick and easy, yet satisfying dinner! In just a few minutes, you can make a tender and juicy main entrée without a greasy mess on the stove. The textured surface soaks up every bit of seasoning and sauce, and turns out so flavorful!
What is cube steak?
Cube steak is an inexpensive beef cut prepared from top or bottom round steak. The steak is sliced into rounds approximately 1-2 inches thick, then tenderized with a mechanical tool or manual tool that pierces perforations or “cube” indentations into the meat, breaking down the muscle.
The meat is very dense with little to no marbling so it can be tough to eat if not cooked properly. The tenderization allows the meat to soak up marinades, sauces, and seasonings and to cook quickly while maintaining a tender texture.
Cube steaks are usually served with sauces or gravies which integrate perfectly into the cubed texture.
Can you make your own cube steak?
You can make your own cube steak from a top round or bottom round roast. Use a very sharp knife to cut the steaks (rounds) across the grain, then you’ll need a manual meat tenderizer to pound the meat thoroughly. The grooves should go deeply into the steak.
What’s To Love About This Recipe
- Cube steak is an inexpensive, tenderized cut that cooks quickly. You can prepare them in under 30 minutes in the air fryer for a quick, satisfying dinner served with sides!
- The steak is incredibly tender, and the air fryer produces juicy results with a lightly crisp outside.
- This is an easy beef dish for beginners or those new to air fryer cooking. Simply prepare your meat with oil, sauce, and seasonings, and air fry until it reaches the appropriate temperature.
- You can dress up cube steaks with sauces or gravies, or enjoy them with simple seasonings. The texture is so tender that you’ll enjoy the flavor and juiciness either way!
Ingredients Needed
- Cube steaks – Choose cube steaks weighing about 6 ounces each so they fit well in the air fryer and cook quickly. The cube steaks are a great choice for the air fryer because they will brown on the outside while staying juicy inside.
- Olive oil – A light coating of olive oil helps the seasonings stick to the steak and prevents it from drying out.
- Worcestershire sauce – This sauce adds depth and enhances the beef, and the steak’s texturized exterior helps it absorb the sauce’s flavor.
- Kosher salt – Kosher salt adds a dry-rub-like texture and brings out even more flavor from the meat.
- Black pepper – Balance the saltiness with a bit of black pepper.
- Garlic powder and onion powder – This pair provides warmth and depth to the cube steaks and creates a classic steakhouse-style seasoning blend
- Smoked paprika – This adds a hint of smokiness and appealing color to the steaks.
How To Make Air Fryer Cube Steak
- Preheat the air fryer to 400℉ for at least 3 minutes.
- Pat the cube steaks dry with paper towels.
- Drizzle the olive oil and Worcestershire sauce over the steaks and rub to coat both sides evenly.
- Season both sides of the cube steaks with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
- Place the cube steaks in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Do not overlap and cook in batches if necessary.
- Air fry at 400℉ for 4-6 minutes. Flip the steaks and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, depending on thickness, until the outside is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches about 135-140℉ for tender results.
- Remove the steaks from the air fryer and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Pro Tips
- Preheat the air fryer to 400℉ for the best sear.
- Avoid overcooking since the cube steak can get tough if cooked too long. (Unlike other cuts of meat, cooking longer will NOT make cube steak more tender.)
- The best way to ensure proper cooking is with a meat thermometer.
- Cube steaks should reach an internal temperature of 135-140℉ in the middle for tender results; however, the temperature will rise slightly while resting.
- Allowing the steaks to rest for a few minutes before slicing helps preserve the juices and keeps the meat tender.
- Pat the steak very dry before adding oil and Worcestershire to improve browning on the outside.
- Cook the steaks in a single layer to allow proper airflow and flip halfway through for even browning.
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Try other seasoning variations, such as a premade steakhouse seasoning or Italian seasoning with a sprinkle of Parmesan when serving.
- To add a little spice to the seasoning, add a small amount of cayenne pepper or Cajun Seasoning.
- Substitute Worcestershire sauce with soy sauce or coconut aminos if needed.
- This recipe is very flavorful and browned without breading, but you add a quick flour dredge by mixing flour with the seasoning and pressing it gently into the meat. Shake off any excess flour before adding the steaks to the air fryer.
How To Serve Cube Steak
Savory cube steaks make a great weeknight meal option with any of your favorite sides. If you want to serve a fancier steak meal, try the BEST Brown Gravy to easily spoon over the steaks alongside mashed potatoes! You can also just use a simple brown gravy packet from the store, or quickly make some sautéed onions to serve the steaks in a comfort-style variation.
Add a simple veggie side for color and variety, such as Skillet Green Beans or a fresh garden salad.
Storing and Reheating
How To Best Store Leftovers
Fridge
Store leftover cube steak in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezer
Freeze leftover cube steaks in a tightly sealed bag or container for up to 3 months. Allow to defrost in the fridge before reheating.
How To Best Reheat Leftovers
Reheat leftover cube steaks gently on low to medium heat to prevent a chewy, tough texture.
In the air fryer, reheat the steaks at 325℉ for 3-4 minutes until warmed through. Or use a skillet on the stove to reheat over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth or a little butter to prevent dryness.
If you use the microwave, cover the steak and heat in short bursts until just heated through.
How to Cook Cube Steak in the Air Fryer
Equipment
- Meat thermometer
Ingredients
- 2 cube steaks about 6 ounces each
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400℉ for at least 3 minutes
- Pat cube steaks dry with paper towels
- Drizzle olive oil and Worcestershire sauce over steaks and rub to coat both sides evenly
- Season both sides of cube steaks with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika
- Place cube steaks in air fryer basket in a single layer without overlapping
- Air fry at 400℉ for 4-6 minutes, then flip steaks and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, depending on thickness, until outside is golden brown and internal temperature reaches about 135-140℉ for tender results
- Remove steaks from air fryer and let rest for 5 minutes before serving
Notes
- Store leftover cube steak in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze cooked cube steaks in a tightly sealed freezer bag or container for up to 3 months, and thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Reheat leftovers gently over low to medium heat to prevent the steak from becoming tough or chewy. Reheat cube steak in the air fryer at 325℉ for 3-4 minutes until warmed through, or in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of broth or butter.
- Avoid overcooking – cube steak can become tough if cooked too long.
- For the most tender results, cook cube steaks to an internal temperature of 135-140℉, as the temperature will rise slightly while resting.
- Let the steaks rest for a few minutes before slicing to preserve the juices.
- Flip halfway through for even cooking and browning.
