Make this savory marinated cube steak in your air fryer in a flash! We'll show you how to turn an inexpensive beef cut into a delicious dinner.
AIR FRYER CUBE STEAK RECIPE
The key to a tender and delicious air fryer cube steak is this simple marinade. In fact, I find that marinades make most things better. I use this BBQ Tofu Marinade with all sorts of proteins and veggies, but the marinade I'm sharing today is perfect for beef.
If you grew up eating tough, dry cube steaks, you will be pleasantly surprised with this recipe. We are tenderizing the cube steak even more with our delicious savory marinade.
You'll pull these out of the air fryer and have tender, juicy cube steaks like you've never had before.
For a different spin on cube steak, make Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak!
INGREDIENTS IN AIR FRYER CUBE STEAKS
Cube Steak - You'll need about 1 pound of cube steaks for this recipe. That's usually four pieces.
Olive Oil - This is the base of our marinade and adds tons of moisture.
Worcestershire Sauce - Check for gluten free Worcestershire sauce if needed. This sauce has a savory, umami flavor that goes beautifully with beef.
Balsamic Vinegar - for both flavor and tenderizing. Balsamic vinegar helps break down the meat a bit more during the marinating time.
Dijon Mustard - This thickens up the marinade, helps the oil mix with the vinegar, and adds a tangy flavor.
Garlic - Fresh garlic is best for this marinade. It adds tons of flavor to the beef.
Salt - I like kosher salt for marinades.
Pepper - Freshly ground adds the most flavor.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you ASAP!
HOW TO MAKE CUBE STEAK IN AIR FRYER
- Place the cube steaks in a shallow baking dish or pan.
- Create the marinade by mixing together the olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, dijon mustard, and minced garlic.
- Stir to combine.
- Pour the marinade over the cube steak. Allow to marinate for at least an hour in the refrigerator.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF for 5 minutes.
- Remove the steaks from the marinade being sure to let excess sauce drip off. Place cube steaks in the air fryer in a single layer, working in batches if needed.
- Air Fry as directed in the recipe card below. Let steaks rest for 5 minutes before serving.
These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please see the recipe below.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH AIR FRYER CUBE STEAK
If you love sauce you might want to whip up your own steak sauce! This recipe is ready to be served with your favorite side dishes!
Air Fryer potato wedges are always a hit when served with steak, and perfect for dipping into ketchup or your favorite sauce. Other potato dishes, like Air Fryer Baked Potatoes or New Potatoes would be delicious too.
I like to serve a vegetable with my meals as well. Try Air Fryer Broccoli or Air Fryer Asparagus.
How Long Does It Take to Cook Cube Steaks in the Air Fryer?
It really only takes about 5-7 minutes to cook a cube steak in the air fryer. The most time consuming part of this recipe is the marinade.
Is Cubed Steak Supposed to Be Tough?
Nope! If cooked right, your cube steak will be tender and juicy. Follow this recipe for the best air fryer cube steak.
MORE DELICIOUS AIR FRYER DINNER RECIPES
Love Steak? Try our recipe for Air Fryer Steak, or get a bit fancy with Air Fryer Lamb Chops.
For a vegetarian dinner in the air fryer, you have to try this recipe for Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan. It's so good!
Have you made this recipe? Please leave a comment AND rating below! It helps other readers!
Be sure to tag @AirFryerEats on instagram, if you share a picture on the gram! Let's get social, you can follow me on Youtube, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or join one of our Air Fryer Facebook Groups: Air Fryer Recipes, Air Fryer Recipes for Seniors and Gluten Free Air Fryer Recipes.
Don't forget to subscribe to our EMAIL newsletter.
Air Fryer Cube Steak
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb cube steak
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup Worcestershire Sauce
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place cube steaks in a shallow baking dish or pan.
- Mix together the olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic. Stir to combine.
- Pour the marinade over the cube steak. Let marinate for at least an hour in the refrigerator.
- Preheat air fryer to 400F for 5 minutes.
- Remove the cube steaks from the marinade, being sure to let excess sauce drip off the steaks. Place the cube steaks in the air fryer in a single layer, working in batches if needed.
- Air fry at 400F for 6-7 minutes, or until the cube steaks have reached an internal temperature of 145F. Be sure not to overcook as the steak will get tough.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing so the juices don't run out of the steaks.
Notes
- You can typically find cube steak pre-tenderized at the grocery store in the meat section.
- Cube steak is a tougher cut of meat, so marinating it for at least an hour helps to break down the meat and create a more tender steak.
- Pro Tip: This recipe can be made in the air fryer unit with a basket or the air fryer oven. If you are using the air fryer oven, use the middle rack and select the "Air Fry" function.
- Pro Tip: Check your food as it cooks. Each air fryer runs a bit differently. Sometimes airfying is a trial and error process. Check your food as it cooks to learn your air fryer better! When cooking a new recipe or food items be sure to check your food often to help avoid over/under cooking.
Nutrition
Air Fryers can vary greatly. Please take the time to learn your specific air fryer. You may need to adjust times and temperatures based upon your air fryer. All though this website attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, the information should only be considered an estimate. Varying factors such as different product types, different brands, etc. can change nutritional information. It is your responsibility as a consumer to read all labels to make sure the ingredients fit your dietary needs as well as calculate your own nutritional information as a double check.
Have you ever wondered if you can put foil in your air fryer? You can! But you need to do it a specific way! Be sure to check out our post about: Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer So you can get all the details you need to be successful!
If you are looking for more recipes for your air fryer, we have got you covered! Some of our favorites and our readers favorites are: Mozzarella sticks air fryer, Frozen chicken nuggets in air fryer, Frozen chicken tenders in air fryer, Air fryer scallops and Air Fryer Burger.
Beth
I remember when my Mom used to make cube steaks when we were kids. They were tougher than shoe leather! Boy not with this recipe! These are tender, delicious and incredibly easy! Thanks.
Cindy
Hi Beth! So glad we could take a childhood memory and make it delicious!!
Jac
Love how the air fryer allows you to make simple yet delicious dinners! I wouldn't be without my air fryer 🙂
Shadi Hasanzadenemati
Love how easy this recipe is. Can’t wait to try it this weekend.
Brian
I'm new to air frying and just learning through recipes online. Is there a reason you preheat before you marinate?
Mandy (Team AFE)
Hi Brian!
Thank you for pointing that out. This was a mistake in the recipe card and has now been fixed. I hope that helps!
Happy air frying 🙂
Irina
I should start using our air fryer more often. Your recipe is a great inspiration 🙂 I cannot wait to give it a try!
Elizabeth
This was my first time making cube steak, and I couldn't believe how easy and delicious it is! Thanks for a new family favorite. 🙂
Laura
Can the balsamic be substituted for like an apple cider or regular vinegar? I don’t have balsamic on hand.
Cindy
You can use ACV as a sub. It may alter the taste a bit, but it will work 🙂
LynnM
So yummy! I cooked them the whole time on the recipe, not thinking about them being thinner ones. Next time, I’ll follow your advice to check them. Especially if they are on the thinner side. Still very tasty! A keeper, for sure!
Cindy
So glad you enjoyed them!