Cooking beef cubes in the oven is a simple and delicious way to prepare this versatile meat. When done right, oven-cooked beef cubes are fork-tender and packed with flavor. This cooking method allows you to create anything from hearty stews to quick weeknight dinners.
In this detailed guide, I will walk you through everything you need to know to cook irresistibly tender and juicy beef cubes in the oven.
Selecting the Right Cut of Beef
The first step is choosing the right cut of beef. Opt for cuts that are known for tenderness and adequate marbling, such as:
- Chuck roast
- Brisket
- Short ribs
- Flank steak
- Sirloin tip roast
These cuts have just the right amount of fat and connective tissue. When cooked slowly in the oven, the fat renders and the connective tissue breaks down, leaving you with succulent, fork-tender beef
Avoid lean cuts like eye of round or top sirloin as these can turn out dry and chewy.
Prepping the Beef Cubes
Proper prep is key for evenly cooked beef cubes:
- Trim off any excess fat or silver skin. Too much external fat can make the dish greasy.
- Cut the beef into 1-1.5 inch cubes. Uniform pieces cook at the same rate.
- Pat the cubes dry with paper towels. Excess moisture can hinder browning.
- Generously season all over with salt and pepper. Sprinkling the seasonings over each cube ensures even flavor distribution.
Browning the Beef Cubes (Optional)
Browning the cubes first is optional but highly recommended. It adds tons of flavor by caramelizing the exterior and forming a crispy crust. Here’s how to do it:
- Heat 1-2 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Working in batches, add the cubes in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes per side.
- Transfer the browned cubes to a plate and repeat with remaining cubes.
Browning all the surfaces may take 10-15 minutes, but it’s worth the extra effort.
Cooking the Beef Cubes in the Oven
Now comes the fun part – cooking the beef cubes in the oven until melt-in-your-mouth tender:
- Preheat oven to 300°F.
- Place browned beef cubes in a baking dish or dutch oven.
- Add aromatics like onions, garlic, carrots, celery, herbs, peppers, etc.
- Pour in 1-2 cups of beef broth or stock until cubes are halfway submerged.
- Cover tightly with foil and bake for 2-3 hours, until fork tender.
The low and slow cooking allows the collagen to transform into luscious gelatin, making the beef cubes succulent.
Tips for Maximum Tenderness
Follow these tips to amp up the tenderness of your oven-cooked beef cubes:
- Marinate the cubes beforehand in an acidic marinade. Ingredients like wine, vinegar, lemon juice, or yogurt help tenderize meat.
- Use a meat mallet or tenderizer to gently break down the muscle fibers. Don’t overdo it or the cubes will get mushy.
- Add collagen-rich ingredients like chicken feet or oxtails to the cooking liquid. Their natural gelatin further boosts tenderness.
- Let the cooked cubes rest for 10 minutes before serving. This allows juices to re-absorb for a more tender bite.
Sample Recipe Ideas
The possibilities are endless when cooking beef cubes in the oven. Here are just a few recipe ideas to get you started:
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Classic Beef Stew: The ultimate comfort food with potatoes, carrots, onions, and broth.
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Beef Bourguignon: A French classic with red wine, mushrooms, bacon, and herbs.
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Beef Empanadas: Savory Latin American hand pies stuffed with spiced beef cubes.
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Beef Rendang: Malaysian curry loaded with tender beef cubes and warming spices.
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Beef Stroganoff: Seared cubes smothered in a creamy mushroom sauce over egg noodles.
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Beef Kebabs: Skewer the cubes with veggies for a fast weeknight dinner.
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Cottage Pie: Ground beef and cubes baked under a fluffy mashed potato crust.
No matter which recipe you choose, following these guidelines will deliver melt-in-your-mouth tender oven-cooked beef cubes every time. With this foolproof method, you can create endless incredible beef dishes right from your own kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best temperature for cooking beef cubes in the oven?
I recommend cooking the beef cubes at a low temperature of 250°F to 300°F. This slower cooking method gives the collagen time to break down into gelatin, ensuring tender results.
How long should I cook beef cubes in the oven?
Cooking time can vary from 1.5-3 hours depending on the size of the cubes and desired level of tenderness. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness, aiming for 195-205°F for fall-apart tender meat.
Should I sear the beef cubes first?
Browning the cubes before oven cooking is highly recommended. It adds tons of flavor but doesn’t significantly impact tenderness. Skipping this step means missing out on those nutty, caramelized flavors.
What liquid should I use for braising beef cubes?
Beef broth or stock are classic braising liquids, but you can also use red or white wine, tomato sauce, or a bold beer like stout or porter. Avoid dairy-based liquids as the proteins can break down during extended cooking.
Can I cook frozen beef cubes in the oven?
Yes, you can cook frozen beef cubes without thawing first. Just extend the oven cooking time by 30-60 minutes. Make sure the cubes are cooked through by taking their internal temperature.
What herbs and spices work well with oven-cooked beef?
Classic herbs like thyme, rosemary, oregano, and bay leaves pair wonderfully with beef. For spices, try paprika, cumin, chili powder, coriander, garlic, and black pepper.
Sautéing Diced Beef
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1 Trim the fat and cut the meat into diced cubes. Using a kitchen knife, cut excess pieces of fat from your beef then cube it. Cut your steak into strips that are less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide.[3] From here, you can begin cutting these into bite-sized diced beef strips. You can skip this step if you bought pre-cut beef tips.
- Remove any large chunks of fat, gristle, or silvery membrane that you missed.
- 2 Mix your diced beef with flour, salt, and pepper in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Add your diced steak bites in and toss the meat until theyre covered on all sides.
- If your taste buds prefer marinated beef, add your choice ingredients into a shallow dish and put your meat in. Cover it and let them sit for at least 2 hours or overnight. Common ingredients include oil, vinegar, ginger, onion, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce.
- 3 Heat oil on the skillet and cook your beef in batches. Heat 1 and 1/2 tablespoons (22.5 grams) of oil in your skillet on medium-high heat. Cook your bites in the oil in 2 or 3 batches for about 2 minutes per batch.[4] Be careful to not splash any oil on yourself and dont overcrowd the pan.
- 4 Check to see that your meat is properly cooked. Use your spatula or food thermometer to ensure your beef bites are properly cooked through. Add 1 and 1/2 tablespoons (22.5 grams) of oil as needed until they are no longer pink on the outside and cooked inside. Transfer them to a plate when finished.
- Your bites should be 125 degrees F (52 C) for the rarest and 160 degrees F (71 C) for medium-well. Medium-rare can be removed at 130 degrees F (54 C) and medium at 140 degrees F (60 C).[5]
- 5 Create your seasoning. Cook your garlic and rosemary in the remaining oil over medium-high heat for 1 to 2 minutes or until golden. Add wine and 1 and 1/2 tablespoons (22.5 grams) each of salt and pepper. Scrape up the brown bits until your mix is reduced by half.
- 6 Warm your diced beef. Add your diced beef bits into the skillet with your new seasoning. Move them around gently until theyre warmed through. If youre unsure, insert your thermometer and ensure theyre at least 135 degrees F (57 C).
- 7 Pair your beef with your favorite sides. Fresh steamed vegetables, salads, and baked potatoes are common choices. You can also use your bites as the protein of other primary dishes such as stew, pasta, or pizza.[6]
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Things You’ll Need
- 1 kitchen knife
- 1 medium-sized mixing bowl
- 12-inch heavy skillet
- 1 spatula
- 1 tablespoon set
- 1 food thermometer