This easy Fried Cube Steak Recipe will tie all of your favorite Southern side dishes together.
If you’ve never had cube steak, you might not be from the South. This dish starts with round or top sirloin that’s been pounded until tender, then dredged in a seasoned coating and fried—it’s crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside. It’s a no-frills comfort food that brings everyone to the table over simple ingredients, satisfying flavor, and that unmistakable crunch when you take your first bite.
Cube steak is a cut that proves a great meal doesn’t need to be expensive. You can find pre-tenderized cube steaks at most grocery stores, but you can also do it yourself with a meat mallet. It will be cheaper and fresher that way, and you can get the texture just to your liking.
Paired with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of parsley, these fried cube steaks hit all the right notes: they’re crispy, savory, and super satisfying. It’s homey food that doesn’t try too hard. Add a side of creamy grits or cornbread, and you’ve got a dinner that tastes like it’s been passed down for generations.
Making tough cuts more palatable
Tenderizing is what makes the cube steak what it is. Pounding the meat helps break down the muscle fibers, which is necessary when you’re dealing with a tougher, more economical cut. For example, if you were to try to fry up a portion of top round steak, you would end up with a very chewy result. Pounding it thin helps tremendously with the texture. It also allows the seasoning and breading to cling better, creating that signature crust when fried.
How do I store leftovers?
You can keep any leftover cube steak in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Be sure to store it in an airtight container. I would recommend reheating in either the oven or air fryer to preserve the breaded texture, ensuring the steak is heated through before serving.
Serving suggestions
Because it is a Southern staple, I love to serve my cube steak with Southern side dishes. Try it with Creamy Baked Mac And Cheese, Brussel sprouts, collard greens, grits, cornbread, hush puppies, fried green tomatoes, and/or Easy Buttermilk Biscuits. White gravy is delicious with this steak, or you can use this No Drippings Gravy for a quick fix. Lastly, and probably most importantly, do not forget the Southern Sweet Tea!
Fried Cube Steak Recipe
Ingredients Â
- 2 cube steaks
- Pinch of salt and pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup oil for frying
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 lemon cut into wedges
- Parsley for garnish
InstructionsÂ
- Season the cube steaks on each side with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Beat the egg in a bowl. Place flour and breadcrumbs in two separate bowls.
- Coat the beef with the flour, then dip it in the beaten egg, then into the breadcrumbs.
- Heat the oil and butter in a pan over medium-high heat, then add the breaded cube steaks.
- Fry the cube steaks for 3 minutes on each side. Transfer the cooked steaks to kitchen paper to remove excess oil.
- Serve the cube steaks with lemon wedges and garnish with some fresh parsley.
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