15 Beef Round Steak Recipes That Actually Make Tough Cuts Tender

When you’re staring at that package of beef round steak in your freezer, you might be wondering what the heck to do with it. Don’t worry – you’re not alone! Round steak gets a bad rap for being tough and chewy, but with the right techniques and recipes, it can become absolutely delicious. These 15 recipes will transform your tough round steak into tender, flavorful meals that’ll have your family asking for seconds.

Authority Insights: What Experts Say About Round Steak

According to culinary professionals and food scientists, “Round steak cuts are most tender when cooked with moisture, so methods such as slow cooking or braising are usually preferable” – as noted by homesteading expert Jill Winger from The Prairie Homestead. The key lies in understanding that this cut comes from the hindquarters where muscles get plenty of exercise, making proper cooking technique absolutely crucial.

Round Steak Quick Reference	Rating (1-10)
Sourcing Difficulty	2 (Very Easy)
Versatility	7 (Moderately Versatile)
Price	2 (Very Affordable)
Toughness	8 (Requires Proper Technique)
Nutritional Value	9 (High Protein, Low Fat)

Source: The Prairie Homestead Cooking Guide

Understanding Your Beef Round Steak

Before we dive into the recipes, let’s get one thing straight. Round steak isn’t just one cut – it’s actually several different cuts from the beef round primal. You’ve got your top round (perfect for London broil), bottom round (great for roasts), eye of round (fantastic for thin slicing), and sirloin tip (excellent for marinating).

The reason round steak can be tricky is simple: it’s lean and comes from a well-exercised part of the cow. But here’s the thing – lean doesn’t mean flavorless if you know what you’re doing. Plus, at around 145 calories per 3-ounce serving with 23 grams of protein, it’s one of the healthiest cuts you can buy.

Pro-Tip: Always slice round steak against the grain after cooking. This breaks up those tough muscle fibers and makes every bite more tender.

Amazing Beef Round Steak Recipes

1. Classic Smothered Round Steak with Onion Gravy

This is comfort food at its finest. The slow braising method turns tough round steak into fork-tender perfection.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs round steak, tenderized
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 3 large onions, sliced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp butter

Instructions:

1. Mix flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a shallow dish
2. Dredge steaks in seasoned flour, shaking off excess
3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat
4. Brown steaks on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side
5. Remove steaks and sauté onions until golden
6. Add remaining flour to pan, cook 1 minute
7. Gradually add beef broth, stirring constantly
8. Return steaks to pan, cover, and simmer 1.5 hours until tender

Pro-Tip: If your gravy gets too thick, just whisk in a little more broth. Too thin? Mix a tablespoon of flour with cold water and stir it in.

2. Slow Cooker Beef Round Steak with Vegetables

Set it and forget it! This recipe lets your slow cooker do all the work while you go about your day.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs round steak, cut into serving pieces
• 4 medium potatoes, cubed
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 packet onion soup mix
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp dried thyme

Instructions:

1. Place vegetables in slow cooker
2. Season steak with salt and pepper, place over vegetables
3. Mix broth with soup mix and pour over everything
4. Cook on low 8 hours or high 4 hours
5. Mix cornstarch with 2 tbsp cold water, stir into cooker
6. Cook 15 minutes more until thickened

3. Marinated Grilled Round Steak

Who says you can’t grill round steak? This marinade works magic on tough fibers.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs top round steak, 1-inch thick
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

Instructions:

1. Whisk together all marinade ingredients
2. Place steak in a zip-lock bag with marinade
3. Refrigerate 4-24 hours
4. Preheat grill to medium-high
5. Grill 6-8 minutes per side for medium-rare
6. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing against the grain

Pro-Tip: Don’t overcook grilled round steak – medium-rare is your sweet spot. Any more and it’ll get tough as shoe leather.

4. Country-Style Fried Round Steak

This Southern classic turns round steak into crispy, golden perfection.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs round steak, tenderized and cut into portions
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 2 cups buttermilk
• Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Mix flour, salt, pepper, and paprika
2. Dip steaks in buttermilk, then coat with seasoned flour
3. Heat oil to 350°F in a large skillet
4. Fry steaks 3-4 minutes per side until golden
5. Drain on paper towels

5. Asian-Style Round Steak Stir-Fry

Thin slicing and high heat make this a winner for busy weeknights.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs round steak, sliced paper-thin against the grain
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 2 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil

Instructions:

1. Toss sliced steak with soy sauce and cornstarch
2. Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat
3. Cook steak 2-3 minutes, remove from pan
4. Stir-fry vegetables until crisp-tender
5. Return steak to pan, add sauces, toss 1 minute

Pro-Tip: The key to great stir-fry is super thin slicing and blazing hot heat. Don’t crowd the pan!

6. Braised Round Steak with Mushrooms

Rich, earthy mushrooms complement the beef perfectly in this elegant dish.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs round steak, cut into serving pieces
• 1 lb mixed mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1/2 cup red cooking sherry (optional)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Season steak with salt and pepper
2. Heat oil in Dutch oven, brown steak on all sides
3. Remove steak, sauté mushrooms until golden
4. Add tomato paste, cook 1 minute
5. Return steak to pot, add broth, herbs
6. Cover and simmer 2 hours until tender

7. Mexican-Style Round Steak Fajitas

Spice things up with these flavorful fajitas that’ll make you forget round steak’s reputation.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs round steak, sliced into strips
• 2 bell peppers, sliced
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 3 tbsp fajita seasoning
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Flour tortillas
• Toppings: cheese, sour cream, salsa

Instructions:

1. Toss steak strips with fajita seasoning and lime juice
2. Heat oil in large skillet over high heat
3. Cook steak 3-4 minutes until browned
4. Add peppers and onions, cook 3 minutes more
5. Serve with warm tortillas and toppings

8. Hearty Round Steak Stew

Nothing beats a good stew on a cold day, and this one’s loaded with tender beef and vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs round steak, cubed
• 4 cups beef broth
• 3 potatoes, cubed
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 3 tbsp flour
• 3 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Coat steak cubes with flour, salt, and pepper
2. Heat oil in large pot, brown steak in batches
3. Add onion, cook until softened
4. Add tomato paste, cook 1 minute
5. Add broth, herbs, bring to boil
6. Simmer covered 1.5 hours
7. Add vegetables, cook 30 minutes more

Pro-Tip: Brown the meat in batches so you don’t overcrowd the pot. This ensures good browning and better flavor.

9. Round Steak Stroganoff

Creamy, comforting, and absolutely delicious – this stroganoff will become a family favorite.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs round steak, sliced into strips
• 1 lb egg noodles
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 packet onion soup mix
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb mushrooms, sliced

Instructions:

1. Cook noodles according to package directions
2. Heat oil in large skillet, brown steak strips
3. Add mushrooms, cook until golden
4. Stir in soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, and broth
5. Simmer 20 minutes until steak is tender
6. Stir in sour cream, serve over noodles

10. Barbecue Round Steak Sandwiches

Transform tough round steak into pull-apart tender barbecue that’s perfect for sandwiches.

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs round steak
• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• Hamburger buns

Instructions:

1. Place steak in slow cooker
2. Mix barbecue sauce, broth, brown sugar, vinegar, and spices
3. Pour over steak
4. Cook on low 8 hours
5. Shred meat with two forks
6. Serve on buns with coleslaw

11. Swiss Steak in Tomato Sauce

This classic comfort food dish transforms round steak into something special.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs round steak, tenderized
• 2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 cup flour
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Coat steak with flour seasoned with salt and pepper
2. Heat oil in Dutch oven, brown steak on both sides
3. Add onion and bell pepper, cook until softened
4. Add garlic, cook 1 minute
5. Add tomatoes and herbs, bring to simmer
6. Cover and cook 1.5 hours until tender

12. Round Steak Piccata

Bring a touch of Italian elegance to your round steak with this lemony dish.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs round steak, pounded thin
• 1/2 cup flour
• 4 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/3 cup lemon juice
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 2 tbsp capers
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. Dredge steak in flour
2. Heat butter and oil in large skillet
3. Cook steak 2-3 minutes per side
4. Remove steak, keep warm
5. Add lemon juice, broth, and capers to pan
6. Simmer 2 minutes, pour over steak
7. Garnish with parsley

13. Curry Round Steak

Spice up your dinner routine with this aromatic curry that’s perfect over rice.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs round steak, cubed
• 2 tbsp curry powder
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in large pot, brown steak cubes
2. Add onion, cook until softened
3. Add garlic, ginger, curry powder, cook 1 minute
4. Add tomato paste, cook 1 minute
5. Add coconut milk and broth, bring to boil
6. Simmer covered 1.5 hours until tender

14. Round Steak Roulades

Fancy-looking but surprisingly easy, these stuffed steaks are perfect for special occasions.

Ingredients:

• 4 round steaks, pounded thin
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cups beef broth
• Toothpicks

Instructions:

1. Mix breadcrumbs, cheese, parsley, and garlic
2. Spread mixture on steaks, roll up, secure with toothpicks
3. Heat oil in large skillet, brown roulades
4. Add broth, cover, simmer 1 hour
5. Remove toothpicks before serving

15. Korean-Style Round Steak Bowl

End our list with a fusion dish that’s both healthy and delicious.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs round steak, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 4 cups cooked rice
• Green onions for garnish

Instructions:

1. Mix soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes
2. Marinate sliced steak 30 minutes
3. Cook in hot skillet 2-3 minutes until browned
4. Serve over rice, garnish with green onions

Pro Tips for Perfect Round Steak Every Time

Temperature Matters: For grilled or pan-seared round steak, aim for medium-rare (135°F internal temperature). Any higher and you’ll have tough, chewy meat.

Marinate for Success: Acidic marinades with ingredients like vinegar, citrus juice, or yogurt help break down tough fibers. Marinate for at least 2 hours, but overnight is even better.

Don’t Skip the Rest: After cooking, let your steak rest for 5-10 minutes. This allows juices to redistribute throughout the meat.

Sharp Knife is Key: When slicing cooked round steak, use a sharp knife and cut against the grain. This makes each bite more tender.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can you cook round steak like a regular steak? A: While you can grill round steak, it requires careful attention. Marinate it first, don’t overcook (medium-rare max), and always slice against the grain. For best results, stick to moist cooking methods like braising or slow cooking.

Q: How long should I cook round steak to make it tender? A: It depends on your method. For braising or slow cooking, plan on 1.5-2 hours. For grilling, just 6-8 minutes per side for a 1-inch thick steak. The key is either cooking it quickly at high heat or low and slow with moisture.

Q: What’s the difference between round steak and cube steak? A: Round steak refers to the cut from the beef round primal, while cube steak is any cut that’s been mechanically tenderized. Your round steak might be cube steak if it’s been tenderized, but cube steak could come from other cuts too.

Q: Can I substitute round steak in recipes that call for other cuts? A: Yes, but adjust your cooking method. Round steak works great in recipes calling for chuck roast, stew meat, or other tough cuts that benefit from slow cooking. Just don’t substitute it for tender cuts like ribeye or filet mignon.

Q: How do I know when round steak is done? A: For grilled or pan-seared steak, use a meat thermometer (135°F for medium-rare). For braised or slow-cooked steak, it’s done when you can easily shred it with a fork – usually 1.5-2 hours of cooking time.

Conclusion

Round steak doesn’t have to be the intimidating cut lurking in your freezer anymore. With these 15 recipes and techniques, you’ve got everything you need to turn tough, inexpensive round steak into restaurant-quality meals your family will love.

The secret isn’t just in the cooking method – it’s in understanding that round steak is actually incredibly versatile. Whether you’re braising it low and slow, marinating it for the grill, or turning it into crispy fried steak, the key is working with the cut’s natural characteristics rather than against them.

Here’s something most people don’t realize: round steak is actually one of the most sustainable cuts you can choose. Because it comes from a well-exercised part of the cow, it’s packed with nutrients and has a robust, beefy flavor that more expensive cuts often lack. Plus, at roughly half the price of premium steaks, it’s budget-friendly without sacrificing nutrition.

Next time you’re at the grocery store, don’t walk past that round steak. Grab a package, try one of these recipes, and discover just how delicious “tough” cuts can be when you treat them right. Your wallet – and your taste buds – will thank you.

USDA Beef Nutrition Facts

The Prairie Homestead: How to Cook Round Steak

Beef It’s What’s For Dinner: Top Round Steak

AllRecipes: Smothered Round Steak

The Pioneer Woman: Fried Round Steak

Simply Recipes: Best Way to Cook Steak