Beef cubes can transform a simple weeknight meal into a delicious culinary experience. When simmered into a flavorful stew or skewered onto kabobs, properly cooked beef cubes offer a melt-in-your-mouth texture that takes your dish to the next level. However, when poorly prepared, beef cubes can turn out disappointingly tough and chewy.
If you want to master the art of creating tender beef cubes, you’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive guide outlines easy methods for consistently achieving fork-tender beef cubes that both you and your dinner guests will love. With a few simple preparation techniques and cooking tips, you’ll be able to unlock the secret to cooking flawlessly tender beef cubes every time.
Select the Right Cut of Beef
The first step in ensuring tender beef cubes is choosing the right cut of beef. Opt for cuts that have good marbling and adequate connective tissue, such as:
- Chuck (7 mentions)
- Brisket (2 mentions)
- Short ribs (1 mention)
- Sirloin (1 mention)
- Round (1 mention)
These well-marbled cuts tend to be more tender Their fat content keeps the meat moist and tender during cooking The connective tissue in these cuts also breaks down into succulent gelatin when cooked slowly.
Thicker cuts like chuck and brisket are great choices as they can withstand longer cooking times without drying out. Avoid lean cuts like tenderloin, as these can turn out dry and tough when cooked in cubes
Trim Excess Fat and Cut Uniform Cubes
Before cooking your beef, take time to properly prepare the cubes:
- Trim off any excess fat, as too much can make the dish greasy.
- Cut the beef into 1-2 inch uniform cubes so they cook evenly.
- Pat the cubes dry for better browning.
Cutting uniform cubes is key for even cooking and tender results.
Marinate the Cubes
Marinating is one of the most effective ways to tenderize beef cubes while adding flavor. The acidic ingredients in the marinade work to break down tough muscle fibers. Try marinades with:
- Vinegar (3 mentions)
- Lemon or lime juice (2 mentions)
- Yogurt (2 mentions)
- Wine (1 mention)
- Soy sauce (1 mention)
You can also season the marinade with garlic, spices, herbs and oil. Marinate the cubes for at least 2-4 hours, or up to overnight.
Choose a Cooking Method that Develops Tenderness
The cooking method you use can make all the difference in achieving tender bites of beef. Methods that break down connective tissue are ideal, such as:
- Braising (4 mentions)
- Stewing (2 mentions)
- Slow cooking in a crockpot (2 mentions)
These moist-heat methods gently simmer the beef in flavorful liquid over low heat for hours. This lengthened cooking time transforms tough cuts into fall-apart tender cubes.
You can also use a pressure cooker to accelerate this tenderizing effect. Other good options include pot-roasting or cooking in a Dutch oven.
Cook at the Right Temperature
Cooking beef cubes at the ideal temperature ensures they turn out tender:
- Sear the cubes over high heat first to caramelize the outside.
- Then lower the temperature and gently simmer the meat at 250°F to 300°F until fork tender.
- For stovetop, maintain a gentle simmer.
- For oven braising, keep the temperature between 300°F to 325°F.
Use a meat thermometer to check doneness – 135°F for medium-rare and up to 190°F for well done. Exceeding 195°F can make the cubes tough and dry.
Let Cubes Rest Before Serving
Resist digging into just-cooked beef cubes immediately. Let them rest for 5-10 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute throughout the meat. This makes the cubes even more succulent and tender.
Slice Against the Grain
When serving or biting into a larger cut of tender cooked beef, always slice against the grain. This cuts through the tough muscle fibers, yielding more tender results.
Complementary Ingredients for Beef Cubes
Certain ingredients can complement the beef cubes and further enhance tenderness:
- Tomatoes or tomato paste – Help break down collagen in beef (3 mentions)
- Red or white wine – Tenderize meat, provide acidity (2 mentions)
- Mushrooms – Absorb flavors, add umami savoriness (1 mention)
- Carrots or onions – Sweeten and add texture (2 mentions)
- Thyme or bay leaves – Boost flavor and aroma
- Beef broth or stock – Provides moisture for braising
When combined thoughtfully, these ingredients meld with tender beef cubes into memorable masterpieces.
Putting it All Together
Follow this summary checklist to ensure you achieve tender beef cube perfection every time:
- Select well-marbled cuts like chuck, brisket or sirloin
- Trim fat, cut uniform 1-2 inch cubes
- Marinate 2-4 hours in acidic ingredients
- Cook with moist heat at 250°F – 300°F
- Simmer gently until fork tender – 2-3 hours
- Check doneness with meat thermometer
- Let beef cubes rest before serving
- Slice against the grain for maximum tenderness
Mastering these simple steps unlocks the secret to irresistibly tender beef cubes anytime. Say goodbye to unpleasantly chewy beef and start crafting rich stews, curries and kabobs that deliver tender, mouthwatering beef goodness with every bite. Once you discover how easy it is to achieve beef cube perfection, new culinary horizons will unfold before you.
How to make Beef Tips
Step 1: In a large pot over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until it’s nice and crisp. Remove it from the pan and let it drain on some paper towels.
Step 2: Season up the beef tips then add some olive oil to the pot and pop the beef into the pot browning in batches.
Step 3: Once the beef is seared, remove it from the pot and let it drain on some paper towels.
Step 4: Next add the chopped onion, stirring until soft. Add garlic, sprinkle in flour, stir together and cook.
Step 5: Add the red wine to deglaze the pan scraping up all the little browned bits. Pour in the beef stock, and soy sauce then stir and whisk until everything is smooth. Then, add thyme sprigs and bring the braising liquid to a boil.
Low and Slow Is (Really) the Key
Some cooking phrases are well-worn for good reason, and “low and slow” is one of them. Lower temperatures for longer periods allow the collagen in tougher stew beef to break down and get juicy.
Wilson said, “I like to use the oven, pot-roasting a stew between 284° and 320°F for four to six hours. I place a cartouche [a parchment paper lid] on top of the stew, along with the pot’s lid. This keeps the moisture in.”
He emphasized, “Make sure there’s enough liquid to keep the meat ‘wet.’ While that’s not an official term, I like to think of the beef as swimming in a pool, with the finish line being the stew. If it runs dry, it toughens.”
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Butter Garlic Beef Cubes Recipe
FAQ
How to make beef cubes really tender?
… marinating or dry rubbing the meat and cooking it at a lower temperature (around 275-325°F or 135-163°C) for an extended period to allow the connective …Feb 5, 2024
How do you make beef so soft and tender?
- Sprinkle 3/4 tsp baking soda (bi-carbonate soda) on 250g / 8oz sliced economical beef cuts.
- Toss with fingers, leave for 30 minutes.
- Rinse, pat off excess water.
- Proceed with stir fry recipe. It can be marinated with wet or dry seasonings, or cooked plain.
How do you cook beef so it’s tender?
This method is great for tougher cuts. Pressure Cooking: Use a pressure cooker to cook tougher cuts quickly while keeping them moist and tender. After cooking, let the meat rest for at least 5-10 minutes before slicing. This allows juices to redistribute, making the meat more tender.
Do beef cubes get softer the longer you cook them?
The more you cook, the softer it will get until it just completely falls apart. You usually don’t want to get fully to the falling apart stage – you want your pieces to have some integrity but still be easy to chew.
How to make beef cubes tender?
To make beef cubes tender, you can use a marinade with acidic ingredients such as vinegar, citrus juice, or yogurt to break down the muscle fibers. Alternatively, you can use a slow cooking method such as braising or stewing to tenderize the beef cubes and enhance their flavor.
How long does it take to tenderize beef cubes?
In general, though, most beef cubes will become tender within 30 minutes to 1 hour of cooking time. So if you’re looking for perfectly cooked beef cubes that are melt-in-your-mouth tender, plan on simmering them for at least an hour. What are 3 ways to tenderize meat? There are a few different ways that you can go about tenderizing meat.
How do you cook tender beef chunks?
To cook tender beef chunks, follow these culinary tips: Pound the beef chunks with a meat mallet. Pounding tenderizes the meat by breaking connective tissues and long muscle fibers that make the meat chewy. For traditional cube shapes of meat, skip this step or pound a larger piece of meat before cutting the cubes.
How do you tenderize beef before cooking?
Tenderizing meat before cooking is essential for breaking down the tough connective tissues and making it more tender. Marinating the beef cubes in acidic ingredients such as vinegar, lemon juice, or buttermilk helps to soften the meat. Alternatively, using a mechanical tenderizer or pounding the meat with a mallet can also achieve this goal.
Are beef cubes tender?
The best cuts of beef for cooking beef cubes tender are those with good marbling and connective tissue, such as chuck, brisket, or shank. These cuts have a higher amount of collagen, which breaks down and becomes tender during the cooking process. Should I marinate the beef cubes before cooking?
How do you make beef tender?
But you can help create extra tenderness to beef chunks, which are cut from strong parts of the cow, by cooking them slowly over low heat and adding your favorite broth or another type of liquid. This long cooking method keeps the chunks moist and delicate while breaking down the tendons that make the meat chewy.