Mushroom Steak

This is a great quick and easy weeknight dinner. All you need is a package of Diamond R minute steaks and some fresh mushrooms.

Minute steak, also called cube steak, is beef that has been run through a tenderizer, which is where those little cube-shaped marks come from. That extra step means it cooks fast and stays tender, so it is a perfect weeknight cut. Pan-fry it, build a quick mushroom gravy from the drippings, and dinner is on the table in about 30 minutes.

Mushroom Steak

Ingredients

• 4 to 6 Diamond R minute steaks
• Small package of sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1c milk
• 1/4c of vegetable oil
• 4T good olive oil
• 2T butter
• 2c of flour
• 2T seasoning salt
• 1T ground pepper
• 2t garlic powder
• 2t onion powder
• 1T blackened seasoning (if you like spice)
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Directions

1. Pour the vegetable oil into a cast iron skillet and start heating it.
2. Combine the flour and seasonings on a dinner plate. Coat both sides of the minute steaks with the flour mixture. Keep the remaining flour for making the gravy. Pan-fry the steaks in vegetable oil until they are brown on both sides. Transfer the steaks to a paper towel to drain and then set them aside.
3. Remove the oil from the pan (keeping the crispy bits from frying the steaks!) and mix in 2 tablespoons of olive oil and half of the butter. Sauté the mushrooms until they turn golden brown, then set them aside.
4. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the rest of the butter to the pan on medium heat. Stir in approximately 3 tablespoons of the dredged flour with a whisk, making sure to scrape the bottom to mix in all the flavors from the steaks and mushrooms. If necessary, add more flour to absorb the excess oil. Allow it to cook for one minute over medium heat to cook off the raw flour taste. Gradually pour in one cup of milk while whisking continuously to thicken the gravy and prevent lumps from forming. Keep cooking for an additional 5 minutes until the mixture thickens. If the consistency is too thick, add more milk and cook for another minute or two. Turn off the heat.
5. Return the steaks and mushrooms to the pan and cover them with the gravy. Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving alongside mashed potatoes.

Round steak can also be used. If you opt for this cut, fry it first and then transfer it to the oven at 275 degrees for 30 minutes to tenderize.

Tips and Serving Ideas

• Get the oil hot first. A properly heated skillet gives the flour coating a crisp, golden crust instead of a greasy one. The steaks only need a few minutes per side.
• Don't skip the crispy bits. Those browned scraps left in the pan are the backbone of the gravy. Whisking flour into them is what gives the sauce its flavor.
• Serve it over something. Mashed potatoes are the classic, but this mushroom steak and gravy is just as good over egg noodles, rice, or a split biscuit.

Love cooking with minute steak? Turn the same package into crispy country fried steak fingers for the kids, or plan a slower Sunday around a slow cooker pot roast. For a full week of ideas, see our guide on how to eat through a beef share.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is minute steak?

Minute steak, also known as cube steak, is a lean cut, usually from the round, that has been mechanically tenderized. That process breaks down the muscle fibers so the steak cooks quickly and stays tender. The name comes from how fast it cooks in a hot pan.

How do you keep minute steak from getting tough?

Cook it hot and fast. Minute steak is already tenderized, so it only needs a couple of minutes per side to brown. Overcooking dries it out. If you use a thicker cut like round steak instead, finish it low and slow in the oven to keep it tender.

Can I make the gravy ahead of time?

The gravy is best fresh, but you can make it an hour or two ahead and reheat it gently, whisking in a splash of milk to loosen it back up. Fry the steaks just before serving so the coating stays crisp, then combine the two.

What sides go with minute steak and mushrooms?

Mashed potatoes are the natural partner because they soak up the gravy. Egg noodles, rice, or buttered biscuits all work too. Round out the plate with a simple green vegetable like green beans or a crisp side salad.

Start With Better Beef

Great gravy needs a great steak underneath it. Our Diamond R cube steak comes from single-source, pasture-raised, grain-finished cattle with no added hormones and no antibiotics. Keep a package in the freezer and this 30-minute dinner is always within reach.