Beef cubes offer a versatile starting point for countless delicious meals. Whether you’re looking for quick weeknight dinners or impressive dishes for guests, these bite-sized pieces of beef can be transformed into something special.
From tender steak bites to slow-simmered beef tips, the options are abundant. You can serve them over rice, egg noodles, or alongside potatoes and vegetables for a complete meal.
With methods ranging from quick searing to slow cooking, you’ll find options that fit your schedule and cooking style.
1. Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Garlic butter steak bites are tender, juicy cubes of beef cooked to perfection in a rich, flavorful sauce. This dish uses sirloin or beef tenderloin cut into bite-sized pieces.
Quickly sear the meat to lock in juices and develop a delicious crust. Minced garlic and butter create the signature sauce that coats each piece.
You can prepare this versatile dish in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or party appetizers. Some recipes add white wine and fresh herbs for extra flavor.
Be careful not to overcook the steak to keep it tender. Cook the meat last and then combine everything for best results.
2. Asian Steak Bites and Potatoes
Asian Steak Bites and Potatoes combines tender beef cubes with potatoes in one delicious dish. The beef is seared perfectly, creating juicy bites with a crisp exterior.
The sauce blends garlic, butter, and soy, coating both the steak and potatoes with savory Asian-inspired flavor. You can prepare this dish quickly in just one pan, making it perfect for weeknight dinners.
It works well with economical cuts like stew meat, saving you money without sacrificing taste. The combination of protein and starch makes this a complete meal with minimal cleanup.
3. Classic French Beef Bourguignon
Beef Bourguignon is a famous French dish that features tender beef cubes cooked in rich red wine gravy. This dish combines fork-tender beef with vegetables for a truly satisfying meal.
The recipe typically includes carrots, onions, garlic, and pearl onions. You’ll also need herbs like thyme and bay leaf, plus bacon for extra flavor.
Mushrooms add an earthy quality to the dish, while the red wine creates a deep, complex sauce. Most recipes call for simmering the beef until it’s fall-apart tender.
Prepare this classic dish in the oven at a low temperature (around 275°F) for best results. The slow cooking process ensures the beef becomes perfectly tender.
4. Slow Cooker Cube Steak with Brown Gravy
Slow cooker cube steak with brown gravy offers comfort food without much effort. You only need a few ingredients to make this hearty dish.
Coat your cube steaks in seasoned flour. Some recipes call for lightly frying them before adding to the slow cooker, but this step is optional.
For the gravy, combine brown gravy mix with beef broth in your slow cooker. Adding cream of mushroom soup creates a richer, thicker sauce.
Place sliced onions in the bottom of your slow cooker, then add the steaks. Pour the gravy mixture over everything and cook on low for 6-8 hours until the meat becomes tender.
5. Garlic Herb Steak Bites
Garlic herb steak bites are a quick and satisfying dish that cooks in under 10 minutes. They’re perfect when you want steak without cooking a large piece of meat.
Season tender, juicy beef cubes with garlic, butter, and fresh herbs. Use sirloin steak cut into bite-sized pieces for the best results.
The combination of garlic and herbs creates an addictive flavor that makes these steak bites a crowd-pleaser. Serve them as a main dish or party appetizer.
You can have this meal ready in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you need something tasty and fast.
6. Beef Tips in Soy Worcestershire Sauce
This savory dish combines tender beef tips with a rich sauce that’s both simple and flavorful. You’ll need about 2 pounds of beef tips or stew meat as your base.
The sauce blends beef broth, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce, creating a balance of umami flavors that penetrate the meat during cooking.
Sear the beef with diced onions and minced garlic. Add your liquid ingredients along with seasonings like salt, pepper, and thyme.
Let everything simmer until the beef becomes fork-tender. The sauce thickens into a delicious gravy that’s perfect over rice or mashed potatoes.
7. Seared Sirloin Steak Bites
Seared sirloin steak bites offer a quick and flavorful meal option that’s ready in minutes. Cook bite-sized cubes of sirloin steak in a hot pan until they develop a beautiful crust.
Add garlic butter to finish the dish. Sear the beef cubes for 2-3 minutes without moving them, then flip for another 2 minutes until they reach your desired doneness.
Customize these steak bites with fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme. Serve as a protein-packed dinner or as an appetizer for gatherings.
8. Cube Steak with Onions and Peppers
This colorful dish combines tender cube steak with onions and peppers. Season your cube steaks with salt and pepper, then lightly coat them in flour.
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the steaks for about 5 minutes per side until they’re nicely browned, then remove them from the pan.
Add sliced onions and peppers to the same skillet. Sauté for a few minutes until they soften.
Slice the steak into strips and return them to the pan with the vegetables. The flavors meld together, creating a simple yet satisfying meal.
9. Garlic Steak Bites with Herbs
These tasty steak bites cook in under 10 minutes, making them perfect for busy weeknights. Start with cubes of sirloin steak seasoned with salt and pepper.
Heat olive oil in a hot pan, then add your steak cubes. Cook until they’re browned on all sides but still tender inside.
Add butter, minced garlic, and fresh herbs like parsley to the pan. Let the butter melt and coat the steak pieces with rich, garlicky flavor.
Serve these bites as a main dish with vegetables or as an appetizer for gatherings. They’re always a crowd-pleaser!
10. BBQ Beef Cubes with Sautéed Vegetables
BBQ beef cubes make a simple yet satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Sauté onions, celery, and bell peppers in a bit of oil until they begin to soften.
Add cubed beef to the pan and brown on all sides. This creates a flavorful base for your dish.
Once the meat is browned, cover it with your favorite barbecue sauce. The sweet and spicy flavors of the sauce will coat the beef cubes beautifully.
Let everything simmer until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened. Serve this over rice or with a side of potatoes for a complete meal.
11. Spicy Cajun Cube Steak
Cajun cube steak offers a bold and flavorful meal option with minimal effort. Season your steak cubes with Cajun seasoning, black pepper, salt, and garlic powder.
Sear the seasoned cubes in a hot skillet until they develop a nice crust. The quick cooking time keeps the steak tender and juicy inside.
Finish the steak in a garlic butter sauce and add Worcestershire sauce for depth and richness. Some recipes include caramelized onions for sweetness to balance the spice.
Serve these spicy bites as an appetizer or main dish with rice or potatoes to soak up the delicious sauce.
12. Beef Cubes in Red Wine Sauce
Beef cubes in red wine sauce offer a rich, deeply flavored dish that’s perfect for a comforting dinner. Lightly coat your beef cubes in flour and sear until brown to create a flavorful crust.
Add robust red wine, balsamic vinegar, and fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary to create the braising liquid. The wine breaks down the tough muscle fibers in the meat.
Cook your beef low and slow until it becomes tender and falls apart easily. The sauce will reduce and intensify during cooking, creating a luxurious coating for the beef.
Serve over mashed potatoes or egg noodles to soak up the delicious sauce.
13. Steak Bites with Garlic Butter and Fresh Herbs
Steak bites with garlic butter make a perfect quick dinner or party appetizer. You’ll need cubes of sirloin steak, butter, garlic, and fresh herbs like thyme, sage, or rosemary.
Sear the beef cubes in a hot skillet until they reach your desired doneness. The outside gets nicely browned while the inside stays juicy.
Add garlic butter to the pan to create a rich, flavorful sauce that coats each piece of steak. Finish with additional fresh herbs just before serving.
14. Beef Cube Stroganoff
Beef Cube Stroganoff is a comforting dish that uses beef cubes instead of traditional strips. You’ll need beef cubes, beef broth, mushrooms, onions, and sour cream for this hearty meal.
Coat your beef cubes in flour and sear them until brown to create a flavorful crust. Sauté onions and mushrooms in the same pan to capture all the beefy flavors.
Add beef broth and cream of mushroom soup for a rich sauce base. Return the beef to the pan and simmer until tender.
Finish with a dollop of sour cream stirred in just before serving over noodles or rice.
15. Slow Simmered Beef Tips
Slow simmered beef tips transform tough cuts into tender, juicy morsels. This dish features beef chunks cooked slowly in a rich gravy made with soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce.
Prepare this dish on the stovetop or in a slow cooker. For the slow cooker, set it on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours until the meat becomes fork-tender.
Serve your beef tips over egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or rice to soak up the flavorful gravy.
16. Garlic Butter Herb Steak Bites with Potatoes
These garlic butter herb steak bites with potatoes make a delicious and quick meal. You can prepare this dish in under 20 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
Cook steak bites, often made with tender ribeye or sirloin, in a flavorful garlic butter sauce. The potatoes cook alongside the steak, absorbing all those wonderful flavors.
Use quality ingredients like Kerry Gold butter and fresh garlic for best results. The herb mixture enhances the natural flavors of the beef without overwhelming it.
This dish offers a perfect balance of protein and carbs. The steak bites turn out tender while the potatoes develop a nice crispy exterior.
17. Asian Style Beef Cubes
Asian Style Beef Cubes are tender bites of steak with bold flavors. They combine soy sauce, garlic, and often Chinese cooking wine for a savory profile.
Cut the beef into small pieces and marinate them to enhance their taste. Some recipes add honey to create a sweet-savory balance that complements the meat.
This dish cooks quickly, usually just a few minutes in a hot pan. Serve these juicy beef cubes as an appetizer or pair them with rice for a complete meal.
The Vietnamese version, called Bo Luc Lac or “shaking beef,” involves tossing the meat during cooking. Some variations include a wasabi soy sauce for extra kick.
18. Browned Cube Steak with Mushroom Gravy
Browned cube steak with mushroom gravy is a classic comfort meal that’s both affordable and delicious. You’ll need cube steaks, mushrooms, onions, and a few pantry staples to create this hearty dish.
Season your cube steaks with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Brown them in a tablespoon of oil until they develop a nice crust.
For the gravy, use French onion soup, mushroom soup, or a combination of beef broth and gravy mix. Add fresh or canned mushrooms to enhance the flavor.
Prepare this dish on the stovetop in about 30 minutes or use a slow cooker for more tender results. Serve with mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious gravy.
19. Garlic and Soy Marinated Beef Cubes
Garlic and soy marinated beef cubes combine savory Asian flavors in a simple yet delicious dish. Cut your steak into bite-sized pieces for quick and even cooking.
Blend minced garlic, soy sauce, and a touch of Chinese cooking wine for the marinade. Some recipes also add Worcestershire sauce for extra richness.
Let your beef marinate for at least 30 minutes to absorb the flavors. Cook these beef cubes quickly in a hot pan with a little oil.
For best results, avoid overcrowding the pan so each piece gets a nice sear while staying juicy inside. These flavorful beef bites work great as an appetizer or main dish served over rice or noodles.
20. Tender Beef Cube Stew
Tender beef cube stew is the ultimate comfort food for cold weather. Slow-simmer the beef cubes until they become juicy and melt-in-your-mouth tender.
The secret to this stew is the rich, flavorful sauce made with a combination of wine, beef broth, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. These ingredients create depth that coats each piece of meat perfectly.
Add carrots, potatoes, and mushrooms to make this a complete one-pot meal. The vegetables absorb the savory flavors while adding texture and nutrition.
Serve your beef cube stew over egg noodles or with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
21. Beef Cube Chili
Beef cube chili offers a heartier twist on traditional ground beef versions. The chunks of beef create a more substantial texture in each spoonful.
Sear beef cubes (chuck steak works wonderfully) in olive oil until browned on all sides. This step locks in flavor and creates a delicious crust.
Add chopped onions, bell peppers, and jalapenos to build a flavorful base. Mix in your favorite chili spices like cumin, chili powder, and oregano.
Simmer everything slowly with beans and tomatoes until the beef cubes become tender and the flavors meld together.
How to Choose and Prepare Beef Cubes
Getting the perfect beef cubes starts with selecting the right cut and using proper preparation techniques. The way you choose, cut, and prepare your beef cubes significantly impacts the final texture and flavor of your dish.
Selecting the Best Cut for Cubing
When choosing beef for cubing, look for cuts with good marbling and not too much connective tissue. Chuck roast is an excellent affordable option that becomes tender with cooking.
Other good choices include:
- Sirloin: Leaner but still flavorful
- Round: Budget-friendly and versatile
- Ribeye: More expensive but extremely tender and flavorful
- Beef shoulder: Great for stews and slow cooking
Match the cut you select to your cooking method. For quick-cooking recipes like stir-fries, choose tender cuts like sirloin or ribeye.
For slow-cooking methods like stews, tougher cuts like chuck work well as they become tender over time. Always check for freshness.
The beef should be bright red with white marbling, not brown or gray. Fresh beef shouldn’t have a strong smell.
Tips for Properly Cutting Beef into Cubes
Start with partially frozen beef for easier cutting. About 30 minutes in the freezer will firm it up without freezing it solid.
Tools you’ll need:
- Sharp chef’s knife or butcher knife
- Cutting board (preferably wood)
- Paper towels for drying
Cut against the grain to ensure tenderness. Slice the beef into strips of your desired thickness, then cut these strips into cubes.
Aim for uniformly sized cubes—typically 1 to 1½ inches for stews and ¾ inch for faster-cooking dishes. Uniform size ensures even cooking.
Pat the cubes dry with paper towels before seasoning or searing. This helps achieve a better sear and prevents steaming.
Essential Preparation Techniques
Proper preparation makes all the difference in beef cube recipes. Trim excess fat and silver skin to prevent chewy texture in the final dish.
Seasoning methods:
- Basic: Salt and pepper at least 30 minutes before cooking
- Dry rub: Apply spice mixtures 1-4 hours in advance
- Marinade: Soak for 2-24 hours for tenderizing and flavor
For maximum flavor, brown your beef cubes before slow cooking. Work in small batches and don’t overcrowd the pan.
This creates a flavorful crust through the Maillard reaction. Consider dusting cubes in flour before browning for stews and gravy-based dishes.
This helps thicken the sauce and creates a nice coating on the meat. Let the meat rest at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before cooking.
This promotes even cooking and better browning. Never skip this step for the best results.
Cooking Methods for Tender Beef Cubes
Preparing beef cubes to reach perfect tenderness requires using the right cooking technique for your specific cut of meat. The method you choose can significantly impact the final texture and flavor of your dish.
Slow Cooking for Flavor Development
Slow cooking transforms tougher cuts of beef cubes into melt-in-your-mouth morsels. This method breaks down tough connective tissues over time, resulting in incredibly tender meat.
Best cuts for slow cooking:
- Chuck roast cubes
- Bottom round
- Brisket pieces
Use a slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours or simmer on the stovetop at low heat for 2-3 hours. Cover the beef with liquid (broth, wine, or sauce) during cooking.
Brown the cubes before slow cooking to enhance flavor. This creates a rich fond (the browned bits in the pan) that adds depth to your dish.
The long cooking process allows spices and aromatics to fully infuse the meat.
Quick Searing for Juicy Results
Quick searing works best for naturally tender cuts of beef that you want to keep juicy and medium-rare inside.
Steps for perfect searing:
- Pat beef cubes dry before cooking.
- Use a very hot pan (cast iron works great).
- Add beef in a single layer with space between pieces.
- Sear 1-2 minutes per side for medium-rare.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
This method creates a flavorful crust while keeping the inside juicy. For best results, use high-quality, tender cuts like sirloin or tenderloin cubes.
Finish with butter and herbs in the pan to add incredible flavor to your seared beef cubes.
Marinating Strategies for Enhanced Tenderness
Marinating beef cubes before cooking can dramatically improve tenderness. This method works especially well for lean or moderately tough cuts.
Effective marinade components:
- Acidic ingredients (vinegar, citrus, yogurt) break down proteins.
- Salt or soy sauce helps meat retain moisture.
- Oil carries flavors and prevents sticking.
- Enzymes (pineapple, papaya) naturally tenderize.
Marinate beef cubes for at least 2 hours. Do not exceed 24 hours, as over-marinating can make meat mushy.
Place beef and marinade in a ziplock bag for even results. Massage the bag occasionally to distribute flavors.
After marinating, pat the beef relatively dry before cooking. This step ensures proper browning, which is essential for flavor development.
