Our Instant Pot cube steak with gravy recipe can be made in under 30 minutes = winner of a dinner. We serve this over butter noodles or rice. If you loved our air fryer cubed steak this one is going to be a winner too.
I’m here to share this easy cube steak recipe that even my non steak loving children thought was amazing. Definitely one of our favorite under 20 minutes comfort food Instant Pot recipes we make all of the time.
I know you’re busy, aren’t we all??!! It’s hard to find time to cook a complete meal, and find time to spend together. Using your pressure cooker or as a Ninja Foodi recipe this just makes life easier. (with the latter you will use the lid that is not attached)
Now if you made our slow cooker cube steak with cream of mushroom soup this tastes just like that but is made in a fraction of the time. This is super handy if you forgot to prep your ingredients early in the day.
Ingredient Notes
I like to pick up a tray of Cube steak, or make your own with a meat mallet and steaks. You can also ask the butcher to run a few thru their tenderizer. All the pokes on the outside makes it fork-tender and able to really soak in the flavors of the gravy.
Olive oil is needed to saute the meat just a bit to brown at the very beginning of the instructions to lock in the juices.
All purpose all purpose flour is used to coat the meat and thickens the gravy too. You could use a gluten free flour for this if need be.
How to Make the Gravy
You are going to want to use Beef broth, could use half cup of water and rest broth, to thin the Cream of mushroom soup which will make a nice thick gravy to cook your meat in. Add 1 packet of dry onion soup mix to add a lot of taste to the meat and sauce
As with any recipe the seasonings that you add to the outside comes down to personal preference. I usually add salt and pepper at the end if I feel it needs it but typically it doesn’t
We serve on top of Instant Pot white rice, egg noodles, or mashed potatoes on the side typically. If you wanted to add some heat to make it a bit spicy that is an option as well. I would use 1/4 tsp of red pepper flakes for this.
How Long to Cook Cube Steak in Instant Pot
That depends on whether you leave your pieces whole or cut into bite size pieces like we did here. To get as tender as possible I would follow our directions below. Only takes 5 minutes in this case where the other would take twice as long. You don’t want to over-cook this or it will get tough.
How Long to Cook Frozen Cube Steak in Instant Pot
You can cook frozen cube steak slow cooker style but that takes all day. Instead, throw it in under high pressure with gravy and OMG. That is right, it doesn’t matter whether your meat is fresh, thawed or frozen as far as timing goes. Cut into bite size pieces is key to getting it fork tender with tons of flavor though. If left whole add 2 more minutes.
Tips for Success
When you saute in the first step, cook all pieces until they are lightly browned on both sides, then turn pot OFF/Cancel button – this is an important step! Remove meat from pan and pour some beef broth in to deglaze the pot.
You will want to whisk in a bowl your cream of mushroom, onion soup mix packet. Worcestershire sauce, and remaining beef broth. It is important to thin this out so it doesn’t trigger the burn notice before adding.
Instant Pot Cube Steak Recipe
Video
Equipment
- 1 pressure cooker
- 1 meat tenderizer
Ingredients
- 1.5-2 lbs cube steak, I used top sirloin pounded flat, cut into bite size pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1 tbsp garlic salt
- pinch pepper, optional
- 1 pkg. onion soup mix, 1 oz. package
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 10.5 oz.
- 2 cup beef broth, or a bit more if you want it thinner
- 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 1 small onion , diced
Instructions
- If you don't have cubed steak that has already been put through a tenderizer at the butcher, pound your eye of round steak with a meat tenderizer/mallet on both sides (helps make meat tender).
- Cube your cube steak into bite size pieces.
- Fill a gallon size storage bag with your flour, garlic salt and pepper. Shake to combine.
- Set Instant Pot to saute and add your olive oil.
- Put steak pieces inside baggie, zip closed and shake to coat pieces.
- When Instant Pot is hot use your fingers to take pieces of floured meat out of bag shaking off excess flour before putting it into the pot.
- Cook all pieces until they are lightly browned on both sides, then turn pot OFF/Cancel button – Important step! Remove meat and set aside. Pour some beef broth in the pot to deglaze it so it doesn't trigger the burn notice (this means to get the stuck on food off of the bottom).
- In a bowl whisk together the can of cream of mushroom, onion soup mix packet. Worcestershire sauce, and remaining beef broth.
- Add diced onions on the bottom of your pot. Then put browned meat on top of that followed by soup mixture on top. Put lid on and close steam valve.
- Set to pressure high for 5 minutes followed by a natural release for 5 minutes. Then let out rest of steam.
- Lift lid and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes so sauce thickens more. Serve over rice or as is. I usually sprinkle with a bit of salt when serving because everyone prefers a different amt. of salt.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can you make this with pork?
Here’s a quick step by step but there is a printable recipe card at the bottom of this post too. Pound your eye of round steak or do the same for Pork Cube Steak, with a meat tenderizer/mallet on both sides (helps make meat tender, can buy it at store already tenderized too).
FAQ
Cube steak is a very lean cut. You won’t get a lot of fat from the meat by itself on this one as you can see here. I mean everything in moderation but compared to other cuts it is leaner than most so I would venture to say no to this question.
If your butcher doesn’t have cubed steak already available you can make a version yourself at home with a few thin steaks. Just place them in between plastic wrap and with a meat mallet hit it on both sides to thin and tenderize on both sides.
Cook time is under 15 minutes total in Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi which is much faster than in a Crock pot. If you’re looking for comfort food smothered with brown gravy we have directions for you here. We like cutting into bite size pieces first but can be cooked whole too.
I’m loving the idea of Thor’s hammers, made from cheese cubes and pretzel sticks.
I’m a horrible cook lol that’s why I live through other peoples beautiful dishes like yours 😉 But I do love vodka sauce pasta, inspired by Valkyrie and her booze and maybe had some peas for Hulk lol.
Hulk chili. Making it green like the hulk.
What a great idea!
Mjölnir and lightning shaped rice krispies, cuz they crackle like thunder
OH my that is creative!
I would make thor cookies!
Cute!!
The only recipe that comes to mind is Rock Candy — it’s fun to make around the Christmas holidays with red or green food coloring. Pastel food coloring would be good to use at Easter.
Good idea!!
My kids would love Thor inspired cupcakes!
Yes…fun!
I would probably make macaroni and cheese and call it something silly like Thoroni and cheese.
Adorable!!
I have no idea- something with meat and maybe greek food
Yes!!
Oh, tough one. Chicken Kiev. My son would have fun pounding the chicken for it!
Cute idea!