Cubed beef is a versatile and budget-friendly cut of meat that works great in a variety of dishes. The small, bite-sized pieces absorb flavors well and become tender when cooked properly. With cubed beef, you can make hearty meals the whole family will love without breaking the bank.
In this article, we’ll explore 15 delicious ways to cook with cubed beef. From stews and curries to kebabs and stir-fries, there are plenty of tasty options to add to your meal rotation.
1. Beef Stew
One of the classics, beef stew is a comforting dish perfect for chilly nights Cubed beef works wonderfully here, becoming melt-in-your-mouth tender when simmered with veggies like carrots, potatoes, celery and onions Add some beef broth, red wine and fresh herbs and you’ve got a hearty, soul-warming meal.
2. Beef Stroganoff
For another cozy dish, whip up some beef stroganoff. Lightly sauté cubed beef and mushrooms before simmering in a sauce of beef broth, red wine, sour cream and mustard. Serve over buttered egg noodles for a delicious, old-world flavor.
3. Shepherd’s Pie
With its savory meat filling and creamy mashed potato topping, shepherd’s pie makes a fabulous meal. Simply cook cubed beef with veggies like peas, carrots and corn, then top with seasoned mash and bake until bubbly and golden. Comfort food at its finest!
4. Beef Chili
On cold days, chili really hits the spot. Cook cubed beef with beans, tomatoes, onions, garlic, spices and broth until thick and saucy. Top with grated cheddar, sour cream and green onion for a hearty bowl of chili.
5. Beef Curry
For an exotic flavor, use cubed beef to make a tasty curry. Cook the beef with potatoes, then simmer in an aromatic sauce of curry powder, coconut milk, garlic, ginger and spices. Serve over rice for a delicious weeknight dinner.
6. Beef Kabobs
Kabobs are fun, especially when made with flavorful cubed beef. Marinate the meat in a mixture of oil lemon juice, garlic and spices. Skewer with veggies then grill or broil until charred and juicy. The possibilities are endless for creative kabob combinations.
7. Beef Enchiladas
For a Mexican-inspired meal, wrap cubed beef and cheese inside tortillas with some enchilada sauce. Top with more sauce and cheese, then bake until hot and bubbly. Serve with Spanish rice, beans, guacamole and sour cream for an incredible dinner.
8. Beef Tacos
Everybody loves tacos! Cook cubed beef with taco seasoning and lettuce, tomato, cheese and salsa wrapped in soft tortillas. Or go hard shell for satisfying crunchy tacos. Either way, it’s a quick, easy and tasty meal.
9. Beef Empanadas
For an impressive appetizer, fill empanada dough with spiced cubed beef and bake until golden. They also make a fun, hand-held meal. Serve with chimichurri or avocado crema for dipping.
10. Beef Noodle Soup
Noodle soup is comfort in a bowl. Simmer cubed beef in broth along with vegetables like carrots, celery, onion and mushrooms. Add noodles and seasonings like soy sauce, fish sauce and garlic. Top with fresh herbs for a soothing, flavorful soup.
11. Beef Stir Fry
For a quick and healthy dinner, stir fry cubed beef and veggies like broccoli, bell peppers, mushrooms, snap peas and baby corn. Toss everything in a flavorful sauce made with soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic and ginger. Serve over steamed rice.
12. Cottage Pie
Similar to shepherd’s pie, cottage pie uses cubed beef instead of lamb. Cook the beef with carrots, peas and onion, top with mashed potatoes and bake. It’s simple but oh-so-good, especially with cheese mixed into the mash.
13. Beef Stuffed Peppers
Roasted peppers stuffed with herbed cubed beef make an awesome meal. Cook the beef with tomato sauce, rice, garlic and seasonings, then fill halved peppers and top with cheese. Bake until melty for a tasty dish with Italian flair.
14. Beef Goulash
This Hungarian stew combines cubed beef with veggies like bell peppers, potatoes and tomatoes simmered in a paprika-infused broth. The long cooking time results in incredibly tender, flavorful meat and vegetables in a rich, comforting sauce.
15. Beef and Barley Soup
Lastly, don’t overlook classic beef and barley soup. Simmer cubed beef with potatoes, carrots, celery and barley in broth seasoned with bay leaves and thyme. It’s a soothing, hearty soup that’s packed with good-for-you ingredients.
With cubed beef, the possibilities are endless for making delicious family dinners on a budget. Try out some of these tasty recipes to enjoy this versatile and affordable cut of meat. Which will be your new favorite?
Expert Q&ASearch
- Question How to make diced beef soft and tender? Marrow Private Chefs Culinary Experts Marrow Private Chefs are based in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. It is a chefs’ collective comprised of an ever-growing number of chefs and culinary professionals. Though regionally influenced primarily by coastal, traditional southern, cajun, and creole styles and flavors, the chefs at Marrow have a solid background in all types of cuisine with over 75 years of combined cooking experience. Marrow Private Chefs Culinary Experts Expert Answer Cook it slowly! You can do this by cooking it on the stovetop over medium heat, or by braising it in liquid in the oven.
- Question How long does it take to cook diced beef?
Drew Hawkins1 Community Answer Beef thats been cut into small, bite-sized cubes needs to be cooked for at least 2 minutes to be fully cooked through. Move them around in the pan so all of the sides are browned and the meat cooks evenly. To be sure, use a meat thermometer to check the meats internal temperature. It 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). - Question Is diced beef the same as stewing beef? Drew Hawkins1 Community Answer No, the 2 terms refer to different cuts of meat. Diced beef refers to small, bite-sized pieces that are usually seared or sauteed. Stewing beef refers to larger chunks of tougher cuts that need to be stewed for a long time in order to be tender.
- Cut your beef bits into roughly the same size to ensure they cook through evenly. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1
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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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FAQ
What can be made from diced beef?
- Beef stew in red wine sauce recipe. …
- Slow-cooked beetroot & beef curry (Chukandar Gosht) …
- Slow cooker beef curry. …
- Big beef in red wine pie. …
- Beef, potato & banana curry with cashew rice. …
- Lighter Cornish pasties. …
- Dad’s beef, mushroom & mustard pies. …
- Beef stew with horseradish dumplings.
What are beef cubes good for?
These beef cubes are your secret weapon for creating those memorable meals that bring everyone to the table. Picture the possibilities: a rich burgundy beef stew for your next dinner party, a comforting beef and barley soup on a chilly evening, or a flavorful curry that’ll have your kids asking for seconds.
What to do with cubed steak?
Cube steaks are seasoned, fried, and slow-baked in beef broth until super tender to make the most of this inexpensive cut of beef. Make a meal of it by serving with mounds of mashed potatoes and green beans topped with the delicious gravy. “This was delicious!” says home cook kellifrey.
How to cook diced beef so it’s tender?
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Livestrong.comhttps://www.livestrong.comHow Do I Make Beef Chunks Tender? – Livestrong.comMaking beef chunks tender requires using low heat in a slow cooker or searing the meat in a heavy skillet in liquid. … But you can help create extra tendernes…
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Allrecipeshttps://www.allrecipes.comThe Secret to Perfectly Tender Stew Meat – AllrecipesMar 24, 2023 — Most recipes use the two-stage browning approach: Brown meat cubes first, and then simmer them until tender. … Rather than searing, you end up sim…
What to do with beef cubes?
This is one of those quick and easy beef cube recipes that you definitely want to keep handy because it makes a great-tasting dish in minutes! Seasoned with salt, pepper, and paprika, beef cubes are seared and sautéed with a flavorful honey garlic sauce until they are nicely cooked.
How do you make beef cubes tender?
There are several ways to make beef cubes tender, including physically tenderizing with a meat mallet or letting the meat marinate for a few hours before cooking. Using a slow cooker at low heat will also create tender beef cubes. 1. Beef Cubes and Potatoes This Beef Steak Bites recipe takes less than 30 minutes to make in a skillet.
What to eat with beef cubes?
Seasoned with salt, pepper, and paprika, beef cubes are seared and sautéed with a flavorful honey garlic sauce until they are nicely cooked. Everything comes together really fast and it’s so tasty that you’ll want to slurp all that delicious sauce right up! It’s the perfect dish for a scrumptious weeknight dinner! 6. Asian Steak Bites And Potatoes
What type of beef is used in beef cubes?
The most common type of beef used in beef cube recipes is sirloin as it is tender, flavorful and affordable. However, many other types such as tenderloin, rib eye and New York strip steak will also do the trick. How To Make Beef Cubes Tender? There’s nothing worse than biting into a chunk of beef and struggling to chew because of how tough it is.
What are beef cubes made of?
Beef cubes are made from the chuck portion of the cow, so they’re super flavorful. However, sometimes beef cubes are made from other cuts of meat (see below). Traditionally, beef cubes have been used to make beef stew, but there’s so much you can do with these tender little nuggets. What are beef cubes?
What is a beef cube?
Beef cubes are also known by several other terms, including steak bites, steak cubes, stew beef, beef tips, cubed steak (or cube steak), or beef chunks. This cut of beef is usually made from top sirloin steak, flank steak, or top round steak. Beef cubes are made by flattening and tenderizing the steak with a meat tenderizer.