Cody Casey
Cube steak is a classic beef dish that is easy to prepare for a weekday dinner. It is a cheap cut of meat, usually top sirloin or top round, that is tenderized by pounding with a meat mallet. Cooking cube steak in an air fryer is a great way to get a delicious dinner on the table in a flash.
How to cook beef cube steak in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of meat | Cube steak |
| Cut of meat | Top sirloin or top round |
| Marinade | Olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, dijon mustard, and minced garlic |
| Spices | Garlic powder, onion powder, coriander, black pepper, cayenne pepper, dill seed, and salt |
| Temperature | 380°F-400°F |
| Cooking time | 6 minutes on one side, 3-4 minutes on the other side, or 10 minutes in total |
| Resting time | 5 minutes |
| Storage | Leftover steak can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days |
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What You'll Learn
Marinating the steak
Cube steak is a tougher cut of meat, so marinating it beforehand can help to break down the meat and make it more tender. It is recommended that you marinate the steak for at least an hour, or up to two hours if you have the time.
To prepare the marinade, mix together olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic in a shallow baking dish or pan. You can also add salt and pepper to taste. Place the cube steaks in the dish and coat them well with the marinade. Cover the dish and place it in the refrigerator to marinate for your desired amount of time.
If you want to dry brine the meat, you can sprinkle on about 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt per steak the night before and let the steaks sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before cooking. This will give the cube steaks a nice, crispy crust.
Once you're done marinating the steaks, be sure to let any excess sauce drip off before placing them in the air fryer.
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Pre-heating the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures your cube steak cooks evenly and efficiently. Here is a step-by-step guide to preheating your air fryer for the best results:
Firstly, ensure your air fryer is clean and dry. Some people like to line the basket or tray of their air fryer with foil, but this is not necessary for all recipes. If you do choose to line your air fryer with foil, ensure it is suitable for use in cooking appliances.
Next, set your air fryer to the desired temperature. For cube steak, most recipes recommend preheating your air fryer to between 380°F and 400°F. However, it is important to refer to your specific recipe, as the temperature may vary depending on the thickness of your steak and the type of air fryer you are using. For example, one recipe recommends a cooking temperature of 380°F, suggesting that temperatures higher than 400°F may cause the outside of the steak to brown too much before the inside is cooked.
Once you have set the temperature, allow your air fryer to preheat for around 5 minutes. This will ensure your air fryer is hot enough to cook your steak effectively. While your air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your steak by coating it in your chosen marinade or seasoning, and allowing it to rest until your air fryer is ready.
Finally, when your air fryer has preheated, you can place your steak inside and adjust the temperature and cooking time as instructed by your recipe. Remember to avoid overcrowding your air fryer, and cook in batches if necessary.
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Cooking the steak
Cube steak is a classic beef dish that is easy to prepare for a weekday dinner. It is a tougher cut of meat, so marinating it beforehand can help to tenderise it.
To begin, you can prepare a marinade with olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic. Place the cube steaks in a shallow baking dish or pan and pour the marinade over them. Leave the steaks to marinate for at least an hour in the refrigerator.
When you are ready to cook, preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. Remove the steaks from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Place the steaks in the air fryer in a single layer, ensuring they do not touch each other. If your air fryer is too small, you may need to cook the steaks in batches.
Cook the steaks for 6-7 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 145°F. For a steak cooked to medium-rare, you want a little pink in the middle. Do not overcook the steak, or it will become tough.
Let the steaks rest for about 5 minutes before serving. You can serve them with gravy, a side of vegetables, or a simple side salad.
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Making the gravy
While the steak is cooking, you can make the gravy. Melt some butter over medium heat in a saucepan. Once melted, whisk in some flour and cook until the mixture is smooth and bubbling. Be sure to whisk continuously.
Slowly add milk, half a cup at a time, while still whisking. You can add more or less milk depending on your desired consistency. If you prefer a thinner gravy, simply add more milk. Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes or until it has thickened to your liking.
Season the gravy with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add a little garlic powder or onion powder to the flour to dip the sides of the steak in.
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Storing leftovers
It's best practice to let the steak come to room temperature before storing it in the fridge, rather than placing it in the refrigerator while it's still hot. This is because the steak will take a long time to cool down in a sealed container, and you run the risk of it spoiling if it stays warm for too long.
If you're not planning to eat the leftovers within 3 to 4 days, you can freeze the steak. Raw cube steak can be frozen for up to 6 months, but cooked steak should be eaten within 2 to 3 months of freezing.
To freeze your leftover steak, wrap it tightly in plastic freezer wrap, then place it in a freezer bag or airtight container. You can also freeze the steak in its airtight container, but be sure to leave an inch of space at the top, as the food will expand as it freezes.
When you're ready to enjoy your frozen steak, simply remove it from the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator. This will take a few hours, depending on the thickness of the steak. You can then reheat it and enjoy!
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking beef cube steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a delicious dinner on the table. You will need to:
- Marinate the steaks for at least an hour.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF for 5 minutes.
- Place the steaks in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 400F for 6-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Let the meat rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
A simple marinade of olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, dijon mustard, and minced garlic will add tons of flavor to your beef cube steak. However, you can use any marinade you like, such as a BBQ tofu marinade.
It is recommended to cook beef cube steak in an air fryer at 380-400°F.
It should take 6-10 minutes to cook beef cube steak in an air fryer, depending on the thickness of your steak and the model of your air fryer.
