Beef round steak is one of the most versatile cuts of meat, perfect for cooking delicious meals on a budget. Whether you’re a seasoned home chef or a beginner, mastering round steak opens up a world of flavorful, tender dishes. This article dives deep into beef round steak recipes, offering step-by-step instructions, tips, and tricks to ensure your meals are mouthwateringly good every time.
What is Beef Round Steak?
Beef round steak comes from the rear leg or hindquarters of a cow, a lean, affordable cut. Due to its low fat content, round steak is often considered tough, but with the right cooking techniques, it can be transformed into a tender, flavorful piece of meat. This cut is commonly sold as top round, bottom round, or eye of round steak.
Round steak is great for slow cooking, marinating, and braising to help break down the muscle fibers, making it soft and delicious. With a little care, it can be perfect for quick meals or rich, slow-cooked dishes like beef stew or stroganoff.
Essential Ingredients for Beef Round Steak Recipes
Here are some common ingredients that enhance the flavor and tenderness of beef round steak:
- Beef round steak (top, bottom, or eye of round)
- Olive oil or canola oil for searing
- Garlic cloves (minced or sliced)
- Butter for added richness
- Onions, thinly sliced or diced
- Bell peppers for added sweetness and texture
- Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce for depth
- Beef broth or stock for braising
- Mushrooms (sliced), which pair beautifully with beef
- Kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder for seasoning
- Red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar for marinating
- All-purpose flour for thickening gravies
- Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for flavor
- Lime juice for a bright marinade
- Sesame oil for Asian-inspired dishes
Tips for Tenderizing Beef Round Steak
Because beef round steak can be tough, it’s important to use the right techniques to tenderize it:
1. Marinade
Marinating your round steak for at least 30 minutes (or overnight) in acidic ingredients like lime juice, red wine vinegar, or balsamic vinegar helps break down the muscle fibers. Combine these with oil, garlic, herbs, and spices for a delicious marinade.
2. Pounding with a Meat Tenderizer
Using a meat mallet or tenderizer helps soften the steak. Simply place the steak between plastic wrap and pound both sides evenly. This method works great when preparing thin steak cuts.
3. Slow Cooking
Slow cooking in a crock pot or Dutch oven for several hours at a low temperature ensures the meat becomes fall-apart tender. A slow cooker beef round steak recipe with onions, mushrooms, and gravy is a hearty meal full of flavor.
4. Searing and Braising
Searing the steak in a hot cast iron skillet locks in the juices, while braising it in broth, wine, or gravy further tenderizes the meat.
How to Cook Beef Round Steak: Methods and Recipes
1. Pan-Seared Beef Round Steak with Garlic Butter
This easy beef round steak recipe delivers a simple, delicious meal in minutes.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound beef round steak, tenderized
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme)
Instructions:
- Warm the olive oil in a cast iron skillet set over medium-high heat.
- Season both sides of the steak with salt and pepper.
- Sear the steak for 3-4 minutes on each side, until browned.
- Reduce the heat to medium, add the butter, and stir in the garlic. Cook for 2 more minutes, basting the steak with the garlic butter.
- Remove the steak from the pan, cover with foil, and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
- Serve with mashed potatoes or a simple salad.
2. Slow Cooker Beef Round Steak with Mushrooms
For tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef, the slow cooker is your best friend.
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds beef round steak, cut into pieces
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Season the steak with salt, pepper, and dredge in flour.
- In a hot skillet, sear both sides of the steak until browned.
- Transfer the steak to the slow cooker. Add onions, garlic, and mushrooms.
- Combine beef broth and Worcestershire sauce and pour over the steak.
- Prepare the dish on a low setting for a duration of 6 to 8 hours, or until the meat achieves a tender consistency.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles.
3. Beef Stroganoff with Round Steak
This classic beef stroganoff is a creamy, comforting dish that’s easy to make with beef round steak.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound beef round steak, sliced thinly
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1 teaspoon flour
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Egg noodles, cooked
Instructions:
- In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onions and mushrooms, and cook until softened.
- Push the vegetables to the side, and sear the beef round steak until browned.
- Stir in flour, and cook for 1 minute before adding beef broth. Simmer until thickened.
- Stir in sour cream and cook on low until warmed through.
- Serve over egg noodles for a rich, hearty meal.
4. Grilled Marinated Beef Round Steak
This grilled beef round steak recipe brings out bold flavors through a simple marinade.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound beef round steak
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Combine the olive oil, lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, red pepper flakes, and season with salt and pepper.
- Submerge the steak in the marinade and allow it to chill in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill the steak for 4-5 minutes per side, depending on the thickness and your preferred doneness.
- Allow the steak to rest for five minutes prior to slicing it against the grain.
Best Side Dishes for Beef Round Steak
To complement your beef round steak dishes, consider these tasty sides:
- Mashed potatoes: Creamy and rich, a perfect match for savory beef.
- Roasted vegetables: A healthy, flavorful side with bell peppers, onions, and carrots.
- Noodles or rice: Serve alongside beef stroganoff or slow-cooked round steak.
- Grilled corn: Sweet, buttery, and charred to perfection.
- Green salad: A light, fresh option to balance out the richness of the beef.
Final Thoughts
Beef round steak is an affordable and versatile cut, perfect for a variety of cooking methods. Whether you prefer pan-seared, slow-cooked, or grilled dishes, this cut of meat can be turned into a flavorful, tender meal with the right techniques. With the tips and recipes in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to make the most of this lean yet delicious steak.
From a classic stroganoff to slow-cooked beef with mushrooms, there’s no shortage of recipes that highlight the rich, hearty flavors of round steak. Try these recipes today and enjoy restaurant-quality meals from the comfort of your kitchen!
