What to Cook with Beef Cubes: 27 Amazing Recipes

Beef cubes are a versatile and budget-friendly cut of meat that can be used to make delicious family meals. With the right recipes beef cubes can be tender juicy and packed with flavor. In this article, we’ll explore 27 amazing recipes to give you ideas on what to cook with beef cubes.

What are Beef Cubes?

Beef cubes are cuts of beef chuck or round that have been cut into 1-inch cubes. They are usually taken from the chuck or round primal cut and offer great value and nutrition. Beef cubes have a good amount of connective tissue, which breaks down during cooking to become tender. When cooked correctly, beef cubes can turn into fork-tender pieces of meat perfect for stews, casseroles, skewers, and more.

Compared to other cuts like steak or tenderloin beef cubes are more affordable. Their moderate fat content gives them plenty of flavor. While they take a bit longer to cook than more tender cuts beef cubes reward you with succulent, richly-flavored meat.

Benefits of Cooking with Beef Cubes

There are many advantages to cooking with beef cubes rather than ground beef or steak:

• Cost – Beef cubes are an economical choice compared to steak. You can stretch your grocery budget further with this versatile ingredient.

• Flavor – Because they contain fat and connective tissue, beef cubes are packed with beefy flavor when cooked properly.

• Texture – The connective tissue in beef cubes breaks down during moist cooking methods to become fall-apart tender. This gives a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

• Nutrition – Beef is a great source of protein, iron, zinc and B vitamins. Choosing grass-fed beef provides extra nutrition.

• Versatility – Beef cubes work great in everything from soups and stews to kebabs, stir fries, and more. Their uniform 1-inch size makes them easy to cook evenly.

With the right recipes, beef cubes can become incredibly tender and flavorful. Now let’s look at 27 amazing ways to cook with beef cubes!

27 Recipes to Cook with Beef Cubes

From curries to casseroles and skewers to stews, beef cubes are endlessly versatile in the kitchen. Here are 27 delicious recipes to inspire you:

Stews and Soups

Slow cooking beef cubes results in fork-tender meat and richly flavored broth. These stews and soups are comfort food at its finest:

• Classic Beef Stew – Beef, potatoes, carrots and peas simmered in a savory gravy. Simple and comforting!

• Beef and Barley Soup – Nutty barley and beef cubes in a hearty tomato broth.

• French Onion Soup – Caramelized onions and beef broth topped with toasted bread and cheese.

• Beef Chili – Spicy chili powder and smoky chipotles flavor this hearty chili.

• Beef and Vegetable Soup – A nutrient-packed soup with beef cubes, tomatoes, zucchini and beans.

Curries

The spices and aromatics in curries perfectly complement beef’s hearty flavor. Try:

• Beef Curry – A rich curry gravy with tender beef cubes and potatoes.

• Massaman Beef Curry – Fragrant Thai curry with beef, potatoes, peanuts and cinnamon.

• Beef Rendang – Spicy Indonesian curry with beef cubes simmered in coconut milk.

• Madras Beef Curry – Flavorful Southern Indian curry made with chili powder and curry leaves.

Skillet Meals

Thanks to their uniform size, beef cubes cook up fast in skillets. These recipes make weeknight dinners a breeze:

• Beef and Broccoli – A Chinese takeout classic, made easily at home.

• Beef Fajitas – Spicy beef cubes with peppers and onions, served with warm tortillas.

• Beef Stroganoff – Tender beef in a creamy mushroom gravy over egg noodles.

• Salisbury Steak – Beef patties smothered in mushrooms and onions. Serve over mashed potatoes.

• Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry – Savory stir fry with beef, cabbage, ginger and soy sauce.

Oven and Slow Cooker Meals

The low, slow heat of the oven or a slow cooker renders beef cubes ultra-tender and juicy:

• Beef Pot Roast – A comforting Sunday supper made easily in a slow cooker.

• Beef Bourguignon – Braised beef stew from France, made with red wine and mushrooms.

• Greek Beef and Eggplant Casserole – Also called moussaka, this comforting casserole has a creamy bechamel sauce.

• Swiss Steak – Beef cubes braised with tomatoes, making them ultra-tender.

• Beef Lasagna – Rich layers of pasta, ground beef sauce, cheese, and spinach.

Skewers and Kabobs

Thread beef cubes onto skewers along with veggies for easy grilled meals:

• Beef and Vegetable Kebabs – Beef alternated with cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers and onions.

• Steakhouse Kebabs – Marinated beef cubes brushed with steak sauce while grilling.

• Teriyaki Beef Skewers – Beef marinated in a sweet and salty teriyaki sauce.

• Korean Bulgogi Beef – Thin slices of marinated beef, perfect for grilling.

Sandwiches and Tacos

Beef cubes cook up fast, making them ideal for sandwich and taco filling:

• French Dip Sandwiches – Tender roast beef on a hoagie roll, served with hot au jus for dipping.

• Philly Cheesesteak – Shaved beef, peppers, onions and melted cheese piled high on a sub roll.

• Sloppy Joes – Ground beef in a sweet, tangy tomato sauce served on buns. A family classic!

• Beef Tacos – Spicy seasoned beef tucked into soft tortillas with all your favorite toppings.

Cooking Tips for Beef Cubes

To get fork-tender beef cubes, keep these tips in mind:

• Brown the cubes first over high heat to develop flavor. Slow cook, braise or stew until tender.

• Cook with moisture – braise, stew or simmer in broth or sauce to prevent drying out.

• Use acidic ingredients like tomatoes or wine to help tenderize meat.

• Let meat rest 5-10 minutes after cooking so juices redistribute evenly.

• Slice across the grain after cooking for more tenderness.

The Perfect Family Meals

With their deep, beefy flavor and tender texture, beef cubes make the perfect base for so many family-friendly recipes. They’re budget-friendly, easy to cook, and pair well with vegetables, grains and herbs.

Braise beef cubes in a savory stew or simmer them in a hearty soup. Skewer them for the grill or cook them up fast in a skillet. However you choose to cook beef cubes, you’ll enjoy nutritious, protein-packed meals the whole family will love.