3 Easy-to-Cook Beef Cube Recipes

Looking for beef cube recipes? But if you couldn’t find that one blog yet where everything about beef cube  lies under one roof? Then this article is waiting for you.

How? Okay, this article is not just going to talk about the recipes. You will know what beef base you should choose for different recipes like a pro.  

Besides that, you will also learn some effective cubing, marinating, and even pan-searing techniques. So, let’s end the intro here and start learning everything about  cube recipes right now! 

How to Cut Beef for Cubes?

Before we start cooking, it is really important to know how you should cut the beef into cubes. Because the taste of these types of dishes depends heavily on how finely you cut the cubes. 

So, in the following section, let’s first learn how to cut perfect cubes. 

Which Beef Base is the Right Option for You? 

At first, we have to pick the right meat cut. Yeah, to do this easily, just follow the below tips: 

1. Chuck Roast:

If you’re preparing slow-cooked dishes, stews, or braise, then you’ve got to go for the budget-friendly chuck roast cut, which is the best option for you. 

Why? Because this cut can break down the connective tissues easily during slow cooking. And that gives you a soft texture and flavorful taste of the dish. 

2. Sirloin Tip: 

This leaner base goes perfectly with the sir-fries and fajitas. It helps to cook quickly and also keeps the beef cubes nice and tender without getting tough. 

So, if you’re done picking the meat base, then let’s learn how you can cut it into cubes like a pro.

Step By Step Guide to Having the Best Cubes

Cutting the meat base into cubes like a pro is an easy thing if you know some easy hacks. Yes, some easy hacks can give you your desired cubes. Also, it might save you time. 

So, what are those hacks? Here they are:

1. Freeze the Meat Base: 

If you want to cut easily, you’ve got to freeze the meat for about 30 minutes. This will firm up the meat a bit, which means you’ll have more control while you’re cutting the meat base into cubes.

2. Trim the Fat: 

Removing the excess fat from the beefy base let you cook the dish evenly and it also helps to avoid the greasy bits.  

3. Slice it Up: 

You can get the best cubes if you start cutting with the grain. Yes, I’m talking about those long muscle fibers. So, cut the roast slabs about 1 inch thick for the best result. 

4. Let’s Make Cubes:

To have the perfect cube shape, just turn those slabs and cut them into strips that go against the grain. Then, chop the strips into roughly 1-inch cubes. There you have it. The perfect beef cubes. 

Pro Tip: Try to keep them all about the same size. By doing that you can cook the beef cubes evenly.

This is it! These are the things that you’ve to follow for cubing like a pro!

5. Beyond the Basics for Shaping Beef into Cubes 

Yes, there are some advanced techniques also for cutting beef into cubes. And the interesting thing is that these cuts are perfect for cubin in any recipe. 

So, what they are? Let’s find out them below: 

• For Maximum Tenderness, you’ll need to choose boneless short rib or brisket as they go smooth while you’re cooking slow-cooked dishes.  

How does it work? Well, from the boneless short rib or brisket’s fat content adds intense flavor in the cube recipes. And that gives you a texture which will melt down easily in your mouth. 

• To bring a rich flavor into your dish, always go for cuts like ribeye or New York Strip. Though the cutting price is a little bit high. But if you’re cooking quick recipes such as pan-seared cubes or kebabs, these cuts help a lot. 

What Ingredients You’ll Need?

So, to make it easy for you, I’ve divided the ingredients into 5 different sections. I also have added some substitutions. I hope you find it useful. 

Basic Ingredients for Beef Cube Recipes:

1. The Beefy Base:

• Beef Cubes (cut based on recipe – chuck roast, sirloin tip, etc.)

2. Veggies:

• Potatoes (diced or whole)
• Carrots (diced or sliced)
• Onions (diced, sliced, or caramelized)
• Bell peppers (various colors, diced)
• Mushrooms (sliced)
• Other vegetables like green beans, corn, peas, or broccoli (Optional) 

3. Liquids: The Broths

• Beef broth (low-sodium recommended)
• Chicken broth
• Vegetable broth

4. Spices for Seasonings

• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Dried herbs: thyme, rosemary, oregano, basil, etc.

5. Other Useful Ingredients:

• Cooking oil (optional)
• Tomato paste (optional)
• Soy sauce or tamari (optional)
• Flour or cornstarch (optional for thickening)
• Additional ingredients specific to the recipe e.g., Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, etc. (Optional)

Dietary Substitutions:

• Ground beef, ground turkey, lentils, or crumbled tofu (instead of beef cubes) are the alternatives that you can use as dietary substitutions. But whether you can use these ingredients depends on which recipe are you going to prepare. 
• You can use coconut milk, almond milk, or cashew cream instead of regular dairy products as a healthier option. 
• Opt for thickening agents like cornstarch slurry, arrowroot powder, or xanthan gum. These alternatives are gluten-free.

How to Marinate the Beef Cubes Perfectly?

So, as we have learned what ingredients we’ll need to cook the beef cube, now, it’s time to marinate the beef cubes perfectly. 

And why does marinating perfectly matter? Because when you marinate the beef cubes evenly you’ll get the tender texture. Not only that, it also makes the dishes more tasty. 

Therefore, which are the best ways to marinate the beef cubes flawlessly? Here’s the lowdown: 

1. Through Acids: 

You can use acids like vinegar, lemon juice, or yogurt. These acids will break down the tough connective tissues in meat. 

So, what’s the benefit of that? Well, this mainly makes the beef cubes soft and way more enjoyable to eat. 

2. Italian Blending Technique: 

If you’re an Italian food lover you’ll love this technique. So, in this marinating process, you’ll need to mix the beef cubes with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, and dried oregano.

After that just add a pinch of red pepper flakes. It’ll bring an authentic Italian flavor to your dish. And by marinating the beef cubes in this way you can cock stroganoff or a mouthwatering beef cube recipe like Italian stew. 

3. Asian Marinating for a Twist Taste: 

For marinating like Asian with a twist that changes the whole idea of cooking traditional beef cubes, you’ll just need to whisk soy sauce, honey, grated ginger, rice vinegar, and a bit of sesame oil with the beef cubes. 

And if you marinate like this you can prepare the dish like stir-fires or beef bowls. 

3. Southwest Marinating Process for Smokey Flavor:

Who doesn’t love smokey flavor? For me, it’s the most unique and flavorful taste when it comes to any beef cube recipe. 

So, if you want to bring a smokey flavor to your dish, you’ll have to add a blend of smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, lime juice, and olive oil to marinate the beef cubes. And you’ll get a perfect smokey flavor.

In which dishes does this marinating process complement the most? The dishes I would personally prefer from my cooking experience are fajitas and tacos.

Easy Cooking Techniques 

Alright! As we walk through the aisle of ingredients and the marinating process, it’s high time to learn some useful cooking techniques that will please your taste buds.

But before we jump into the recipes, let’s talk about the sear. Why? Because searing is a wonderful trick to achieve a brown crust on the outsides of your beef cubes. 

And why is it so important to have a brown crust? So, the brown curst basically adds intense flavor and depth and caramelized goodness to your dish. Therefore, let’s start searing: 

Pan-Seared Beef Cubes Cooking Formula: A Step-by-Step Guide

You can sear the beef cubes so easily just by following the below steps:

Step 1: Pat the Beef Cubes and Season Them

First, pat your beef cubes dry with paper towels. It’ll prevent the moisture which allows you to good searing. And then season the cubes with salt and pepper.

Step 2: Heat the Skillet

After patting, get your skillet or frying pan, and put it on the stove over medium heat. Then, add a small amount of oil.

Step 3: Heat the Beef Cubes

If your is hot enough, add the beef cubes in a single layer. And make sure that you don’t overcrowd the pan. Otherwise, it’ll prevent you from cooking the beef cubes evenly.

Step 4: Sear the Beef Cubes

Now, let the beef cubes sear for a few minutes on each side. And use tongs to flip them after a while to make sure they are cooking evenly. Once the cubes get the deep golden brown crust form, the beef cube searing is done.

Step 5: Add Aromatics to Boost Flavor

Add some aromatics like onion, garlic, or herbs to the pan to boost the flavor. 

Step 6: Remove the Pan

As everything is done. Now, you’ll need to remove the pan from the stove and let it rest for a few minutes before you use it for any other recipe. And if you want, then you can eat these delicious pan-seared beef cubes as they are. 

So, this is it, simple! And now that you have learned how to sear, let’s use this skill in the following 3 delicious and easy-to-cook beef cube and explore how it brings the heavenly taste to your each dish. 

1. Classic Beef Stew Recipe:

Classic beef stew recipe is a timeless dish that can make your dinner a memorable one. How? Because of its tender beef, colorful vegetables, and the yummiest gravy will please your appetite for sure. 

So, without wasting time, let’s prepare this amazing dish. 

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds boneless beef round steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
• Salt and cracked black pepper to taste
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 3 cups chopped onion
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 cups dry red wine
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
• 1 tablespoon herbes de Provence
• 3 bay leaves
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 3 cups chopped carrots
• 3 cups cubed Yukon Gold potatoes
• 1 cup fresh peas
• 1 ½ teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme

Equipment: 

• Dutch Oven or a Heavy Oven-safe Pot with a Lid.

Instructions:

Step 1: In the beginning, you’ll need to season the beef cubes with salt, pepper, flour, and smoked paprika. Then add them in a Dutch oven to sear perfectly. And when you’ll notice that the beef cubes, get a brown color, take them out, and set them aside. 

Step 2: Now, in the same pot, add the onions and garlic to caramelize. After caramelizing them, add the tomato paste and cook it until it becomes brown. 
Step 3: Then, take the bottle of red wine and pour it into the pot.  You’ll need to use a spoon to scrape the bottom of the pot. This will help you to incorporate those flavorful bits of red wine into the dish. Then you’ll need to toss in some thyme, rosemary, herbes de Provence, bay leaves, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce in the pot. 

Step 4: Now, bring back the beef cubes in the pot, then cover it up, and let it stew in the oven at 350°F  for 1.5-2 hours. After cooking the beef cubes, add some carrots, potatoes, and more broth (optional) to the pot, and cook it for another 30 minutes.

Step 5: This is the final step. In this stage, just add in some peas. As you serve up this hot, comforting beef stew, you can feel the warmth spreading through your body, and that is what brings a sense of contentment when you make a mouthwatering dish.

2. Weeknight Beef Stroganoff: Quick and Easy Recipe

This beef cube recipe is not only easy to prepare but also you can cook it so quickly. And what about the taste? Of course, it’s yummy enough to please your foodie soul easily. 

Still have doubts about my words? Why don’t you give it a try yourself and taste it? I believe you’ll be mesmerized once you take the first bite.  So, here is a list of ingredients and some simple steps to make this recipe in no time: 

Ingredients:

• 1 pound sirloin steak, thinly sliced into cubes
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ½ cup sour cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooked egg noodles or mashed potatoes (for serving)

Equipment: 

• Large Skillet.

Instructions:

Step 1: As like the previous recipe, first, heat the pan and sear the beef cubes there until they get brown colored. Then take it out and put it on a plate. And In the same pan, you’ll need to put some butter and melt it.

Step 2: Add the onions and mushrooms to the pan with the melted butter. If it is done, cook them until all the ingredients get soft. Then, sprinkle some flour into the pan and stir. After that add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard, and cook them all together.

Step 3: When the mixture will get a thick texture, put back the cooked cubes into the pan and heat it. Once everything is heated thoroughly, just take the pan off the heat and stir in sour cream. 

Step 4: Congrats—you did it perfectly. Now, serve the beef stroganoff over cooked egg noodles or mashed potatoes and enjoy. 

3. Instant Pot Korean Beef Bulgogi Bowls

If you’re looking for a trending beef cube recipe, then instant pot Korean Beef Bulgogi Bowls is the one that you can choose with your eyes closed. 

Why? Because this recipe is simple, and the juicy beef, flavorful marinade, fluffy rice, and tasty veggies like kimchi is going to lure your foodie soul. 

And to cook the recipe without any hassle, in this recipe section I’m going to show you the most easy ways. So, whether you’re a pro chef or a homemade cook who has just started the journey in the kitchen, you can cook this recipe with just 4 simple steps below. Therefore, let’s start cooking: 

Ingredients:

• Beef cubes (flank steak or skirt steak recommended)
• Soy sauce
• Brown sugar
• Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
• Sesame oil
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Rice
• Vegetables (shredded carrots, kimchi, etc.)

Equipment: 

• Pressure Cooker 
• Pot or Rice Cooker 

Instructions:

Step 1: First, you’ll need to marinate the beef cubes with soy sauce, brown sugar, gochujang, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a bowl. Then add the beef cubes to the marinade. 

Coat them evenly and let them marinate for around 30 minutes. You can marinate for more time if you want to infuse more flavor in the beef cubes.  

Step 2: Now in step 2, take your pressure cooker and put the marinated beef cubes into it. Then, close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and pressure cook for 10-15 minutes on high. But keep in mind that the time of pressure cooking may vary depending on the cube size. That means the bigger the cubes, the more time you need to add.

Step 3: So, while your beef cubes are cooking, you’ve to prepare the rice. To cook rice you can follow the package instructions as the packages of rice usually provide directions on how much water you’ll need to use and how long you should cook. 

Step 4: Now, release the pressure manually of the instant pot and open the lid. Then serve the beef over rice, and add the toppings like kimchi and shredded veggies.  

Tips and Tricks

So, we’ve covered nearly everything about the beef cube recipe, including cutting, marinating, and cooking. Now, let’s learn some tips and tricks as they will help you to cook beef cubes like a pro. 

1. Use a meat thermometer to cook the beef cubes perfectly. But what temperatures you should aim for? Here they are:  

• Rare: 120°F (49°C)
• Medium-Rare: 130°F (54°C)
• Medium: 140°F (60°C)
• Medium-Well: 150°F (66°C)
• Well Done: 160°F (71°C)

2. If you find that the sauce you’ve made is too thin, then you can try these: 

• Mix cornstarch and water gradually into your sauce. 
• You can thicken the sauce by adding some flour into melted butter and then whisk the mixture with your sauce.
• Also, using arrowroot in the sauce by mixing it in water is another useful option. 

3. What if your beef cubes are overcooked? Don’t panic. It’s normal. And you can fix it by shredding them to use in tacos, nachos, or even a breakfast hash. 
4. You can also fix bland flavor. Yeah, it’s easy. To do that, you’ll need to add some lemon juice, fresh herbs, or hot sauce. That’s it! Your bland flavor issue will be fixed by boosting the flavor with these ingredients. 

Nutritional of Benefits 

History Beef Cube Recipe

In the late 19th century, the beef cube recipe came into the limelight. It was the year 1863 when a German chemist Justus von Liebig made a concentrated meat extract. And this was the key to the invention of bullion cubes later.

The simplicity, depth of flavors, and affordability made this beef cube recipe so popular among every class of people from then till now. 

Conclusion

So, in the end, I must mention that the cube recipes are full of versatility, have rich flavors, and they are pretty much affordable. But what’s the best part of cooking these recipes? The best part of these recipes is that they actually are very easy to prepare, and you’ll definitely enjoy them while cooking. 

But to make them easier, in this article, I’ve covered the basics of beef cubing like a pro alongside the effective ways of marinating and cooking them.

And I also ensured that the recipes and techniques I have shown are enough suitable for both beginners and pros.  So, let’s gather the ingredients, follow the instructions, and cook some delicious beef cube dishes.