Venison cube steak is a hidden gem in the world of wild game! This affordable, lean cut is easy to turn into a super tasty meal.
Don’t be intimidated if you’re new to cooking venison! Our guide gives you all the tips and tricks for making a delicious venison cube steak dinner. Even seasoned cooks will find some new methods to love.
You can cook venison cube steak in so many delicious ways, like pan frying or braising! This guide helps you prepare a satisfying cube steak dinner your whole family will love. My family begs me to make this simple meal as often as possible!
Why This Venison Cube Steak Recipe Works
We’ll show you how to tenderize and flavor your venison cube steak without any fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients.
Our easy-to-follow recipe will help you get mouthwatering, tender venison cube steak on the table every time. The simple marinade and cooking methods guarantee an easy and delicious meal you’ll make again and again.
Understanding Venison Cube Steak
What Is Venison Cube Steak?
Venison cube steak is venison that’s been through a tenderizing machine. This makes it thinner and easier to cook. Look for the little “cubes”—that’s how you know it’s cube steak!
Usually, the butcher will use cuts like the round or sirloin to make venison cube steak. These cuts benefit from tenderizing.
Nutritional Benefits of Venison
Venison is a healthy choice! It’s lean protein, meaning it’s low in fat. Plus, it’s packed with iron and B vitamins.
If you source venison locally, it is also a sustainable meat choice as it grows naturally in the forests. Enjoy this sustainable nutrition source!
Buying and Storing Venison Cube Steak
You can often find venison cube steak at your local butcher shop. Online retailers are another great option.
Keep your venison cube steak cold! Refrigerate it right away, and freeze it for longer storage up to several months.
Preparing Venison Cube Steak for Cooking
The Importance of Marinating
Marinating is a must when you cook venison cube steak! A good marinade will tenderize venison, making it super juicy and delicious. It also adds flavor and helps get rid of any strong “gamey” taste that some people don’t love.
A great marinade should have acid (like vinegar), oil, and tasty seasonings. Marinades tenderize venison while infusing it with flavor!
Our Favorite Venison Cube Steak Marinade Recipe
This simple marinade uses things you probably already have in your kitchen!
You’ll need:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Optional: 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar for extra tang!
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix together the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, olive oil, and red wine vinegar (if used).
- Place and cover your venison cube steak in a ziplock bag or dish and pour the marinade over it, making sure all of the meat is covered.
- Let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours! You can even leave it overnight for best results. The longer it marinates, the more tender and flavorful it will become.
Preparing the Venison After Marinating
Before you cook your venison, take it out of the marinade. Pat each piece dry with paper towels. This helps the meat sear nicely in the pan! If they’re too wet there is a possibility that the cube steak wont brown well.
Cooking Venison Cube Steak: Two Foolproof Methods
Method 1: Pan-Fried Venison Cube Steak
Pan-frying gives you a delicious, crispy venison cube steak in minutes! Here’s how:
- Heat a tablespoon of oil (vegetable or canola works great) in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- While the oil heats, lightly coat the venison in flour or seasoned breadcrumbs. This helps create a nice crust. As important as the tenderizing marinade, is a great sear on both sides of the cube steak. Looking for another great appertizer before launching into the main meal? Head over to these delicious skewered appetizers!
- Carefully place the venison in the hot skillet. Don’t overcrowd the pan!
- Sear for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the center. It should reach 160°F.
Tips for success:
- Use a cast iron skillet! It heats evenly and helps get a super crispy crust.
- Don’t overcook! Venison can get tough if it’s cooked for too long. Wagyu ground beef guide has helpful information for various cooking levels.
- For a simple yet savory meal serve your pan-fried venison cube steak with a creamy gravy.
Method 2: Braised Venison Cube Steak
Braising makes venison cube steak incredibly tender and creates a rich, flavorful sauce!
- Sear the venison in a Dutch oven or heavy pot with a little oil until browned on both sides then remove and set aside.
- Add chopped onions, carrots, and celery to the pot and cook until softened and transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Now, pour in some beef broth (about 2-3 cups), a tablespoon of tomato paste, and your favorite herbs (like thyme or rosemary).
- Return the venison and the sauteed vegetables to the pot; bring to a simmer, then cover.
- Braise in the oven at 325°F (160°C) for 1.5-2 hours, or until the venison is fork-tender.
Tips for success:
- For a richer sauce, you can add a splash of red wine before braising.
- Serve your braised venison cube steak over mashed potatoes or rice to soak up all that delicious gravy.
- If your cube steaks are thicker, they may need a little more braising time. Check for tenderness!
Serving Suggestions and Pairings for Venison Cube Steak
Delicious Side Dish Ideas
Your venison cube steak deserves some tasty side dishes! Here are a few ideas:
- Mashed potatoes: A classic choice! They’re creamy, comforting, and soak up any yummy gravy.
- Roasted vegetables: Carrots, potatoes, and onions roast up perfectly alongside venison.
- Green beans: A simple, fresh side that adds a pop of color.
- Creamy polenta: For a touch of elegance, try serving your venison over soft, creamy polenta.
For more side dish recipes and great meat pairings, check out our other articles!
Sauces and Gravies that Complement Venison
The right sauce can make your venison cube steak even more amazing! The options here are endless! You can get all sorts of inspiration from Healthline’s dietary guides.
- Mushroom gravy: This earthy and savory gravy is a classic pairing with venison.
- Creamy horseradish sauce: Add a tangy kick with a creamy horseradish sauce. It really balances out the richness of the meat.
- Red wine reduction: For a special occasion, try a rich and flavorful red wine reduction. It’s elegant and delicious!
Check out our gravy recipes for inspiration on the perfect sauce for venison! If you’re interested in branching out into exciting new flavors, take some cues from this guide to AIP recipes!
Wine Pairing Suggestions
A medium-bodied red wine goes perfectly with venison cube steak. Try a Pinot Noir or Merlot!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you cook venison cube steak?
You can cook venison cube steak in several ways! Pan-frying and braising are two great options. Don’t forget to marinate it first! No matter which method you choose, be careful not to overcook it. Remember, venison is best served medium!
What part of the deer is used for cube steak?
Cube steak often comes from the round or sirloin of the deer. These cuts get run through a tenderizing machine to create that signature cube steak texture. Less desirable cuts can even be made into cube steak because the tenderizing makes them more palatable. If you’re using ground deer meat sometime soon, our guide to wagyu ground beef recipe is another extremely useful resource.
What is venison steak?
Venison steak is simply a steak cut from a deer. Usually, these come from more tender areas like the loin or round. Cube steak is a type of venison steak that has been tenderized. Regular venison steak isn’t usually tenderized, with more thickness.
What goes well with venison cube steak?
So many things! Mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, and green beans are all great side dishes. For sauces, try mushroom gravy or creamy horseradish sauce. A medium-bodied red wine, like Pinot Noir, is the perfect drink to pair with venison.
Tips, Variations, and Making It Your Own
Other Marinade Ideas
Want to switch things up? Try marinating your venison cube steak with Italian herbs for a Mediterranean twist. Or, go bold with a spicy southwest seasoning blend for a flavor explosion!
Variations for Braising
Make your braised venison even more delicious! Add sliced mushrooms to the pot during braising. Or, try using beer or red wine in the braising liquid for extra depth of flavor. You may pick up some helpful techniques from this simple but flavorful guide to Hawaiian beef stew!
Tips for Tenderizing
Want extra-tender venison? Before you marinate, use a meat mallet to gently pound the cube steaks. This helps break down the fibers and tenderize the meat even further. Tenderizing tough cuts of meat is also one of the keys to making delicious chipped beef gravy.
Many cooks are also looking for healthier ways to cook at home. This easy to follow and very helpful guide from Healthline provides information about healthier cooking substitutes.
See? Cooking venison cube steak doesn’t have to be complicated! It’s a simple and delicious way to enjoy wild game.
We encourage you to try our recipes and then get creative with your own flavors and different methods for even more great variations!
Venison cube steak is an affordable way to put a tasty and versatile main course on the dinner table any night of the week. Enjoy!