Cube Steak Lipton Onion Soup Recipe

Cube steak with Lipton onion soup is a classic comfort food dish that’s as simple to prepare as it is full of flavor. This dish is a favorite in many households due to its delicious taste, tender texture, and the convenience of using pre-packaged ingredients like Lipton Onion Soup mix. What makes this recipe so special is how it combines the robust flavors of onion soup with the tenderized cube steak, creating a hearty and satisfying meal.

This recipe takes the humble cube steak, a cut of beef that’s often associated with budget-friendly meals, and elevates it into something truly mouthwatering with minimal effort. Whether you’re feeding a family or preparing a quick weeknight dinner, cube steak with Lipton onion soup is the answer to an easy, no-fuss meal. Let’s break it down and take a closer look at what makes this dish such a crowd-pleaser.

Cube Steak Lipton Onion Soup Recipe

This recipe is as straightforward as it gets but doesn’t sacrifice flavor. The cube steak absorbs the seasoning from the Lipton Onion Soup, making it extra flavorful while maintaining its tenderness. Here’s how you can make this delicious dish.

Ingredients Needed

Before diving into the cooking process, let’s gather the ingredients. You won’t need anything fancy, just a few basic items from your pantry and fridge:

• 4 cube steaks – Typically 4 to 6 oz. each. These steaks are pre-tenderized, making them easy to cook and soft when done.
• 1 packet of Lipton Onion Soup Mix – This is the secret ingredient that brings all the flavor, rich with onion seasoning and dehydrated vegetables.
• 1 cup of beef broth – You’ll need this to create a savory base for the sauce, helping to keep the steaks moist while they cook.
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil – For frying the steaks and getting that perfect sear.
• 1/2 cup of water – Used to help dilute the soup mix slightly and give the steaks room to simmer.
• Salt and pepper to taste – While the soup mix will provide some seasoning, a pinch of salt and pepper adds that extra layer of flavor.

Optional:

• Garlic powder or onion powder – For those who want an extra kick of flavor.
• Chopped fresh parsley – For garnishing, adding a fresh pop of color.

Cooking Instructions

Once you’ve gathered everything, it’s time to get cooking! Follow these easy steps for a delicious result:

1. Prep The Steak

   • Lightly season the cube steaks with salt and pepper on both sides. The soup mix will provide plenty of flavor, but a little extra seasoning never hurts.

2. Sear The Steak

   • Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, place the cube steaks in the skillet. Sear them for about 3 minutes per side until they develop a golden-brown crust. This step locks in the juices and enhances the overall flavor.

3. Mix The Sauce

   • In a small bowl, combine the Lipton Onion Soup mix, beef broth, and water. Stir to make sure everything is well incorporated. This will create a flavorful sauce that will simmer with the steaks.

4. Simmer

   • Once the steaks are seared, pour the soup mixture over them. Lower the heat to medium-low and cover the skillet. Let the steaks simmer for 30 to 45 minutes. During this time, the steaks will absorb the flavors of the onion soup, and the sauce will thicken into a rich gravy.

5. Final Touches

   • After simmering, check for tenderness. The steaks should be fork-tender, and the sauce should be thick and savory. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

6. Serve

   • Serve the cube steaks with the onion gravy over mashed potatoes, rice, or even noodles for a satisfying meal. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired.

Ingredient Insights

Let’s take a closer look at the key ingredients in this dish and why they make such a difference:

• Cube Steak: Cube steak is an affordable cut of beef that’s typically tough but is tenderized through pounding or machine tenderizing. This makes it an ideal choice for braising or simmering in a flavorful sauce like the one in this recipe.
• Lipton Onion Soup Mix: This mix is more than just a simple soup-it’s packed with concentrated onion flavor, spices, and salt. When combined with beef broth, it transforms into a rich, savory sauce. The mix is quick, convenient, and helps tie the whole dish together without you having to create a sauce from scratch.
• Beef Broth: This adds depth to the sauce and helps ensure the meat stays juicy while cooking. The rich, umami-packed broth complements the onion flavor in the soup mix and enhances the overall savory profile of the dish.

Expert Tips

Want to take your cube steak with Lipton onion soup to the next level? Try these expert tips:

• Don’t Skip the Searing: Searing the steaks before simmering them helps lock in the juices and gives them a nice caramelized flavor. Don’t rush this step!
• Low and Slow Cooking: Let the steaks simmer for at least 30 minutes. Cube steaks are often a tougher cut of meat, so the longer you cook them, the more tender and flavorful they’ll become.
• Customize the Gravy: If you want to amp up the flavor of the gravy, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce for a touch of umami. For a bit of sweetness, try a spoonful of brown sugar.
• Add Vegetables: If you want to make the dish more hearty, you can add some vegetables like carrots, mushrooms, or bell peppers to the skillet while the steaks simmer. This will add more texture and flavor to the gravy.

Recipe Variations

While the classic cube steak with Lipton onion soup is delicious as is, there are plenty of ways to customize it to suit your tastes. Here are a few variations you might want to try:

• Mushroom Variation: Add sliced mushrooms to the pan while the steaks are cooking. The mushrooms will soak up the flavorful gravy, giving the dish an earthy richness.
• Cheesy Version: Top the steaks with shredded cheese-Swiss, cheddar, or mozzarella-and broil for a few minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
• Vegetarian Version: You can replace the cube steak with a vegetarian protein option like portobello mushrooms or even tofu. Adjust the cooking time for non-meat proteins to prevent overcooking.
• Spicy Kick: If you like a little heat, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce into the gravy for an extra layer of flavor.

Final Words

Cube steak with Lipton onion soup is one of those comforting meals that never goes out of style. It’s easy to prepare, doesn’t require a lot of fancy ingredients, and is guaranteed to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. The combination of tender meat and savory onion gravy creates a dish that’s hard to resist, and the best part is that you can adapt it to suit any flavor preference.