This Instant Pot Low Carb Cube Steak and Gravy delivers tender beef and a rich mushroom gravy in a weeknight-friendly time frame. At about 6 grams net carbs per serving, it’s a satisfying low-carb option that cooks quickly in a pressure cooker. Using a few convenient shortcuts keeps the recipe simple without sacrificing flavor—serve it over mashed potatoes for the kids or over cauliflower mash for a low-carb plate.
Low Carb Cube Steak
Low-carb eating doesn’t mean giving up all comfort food. Many people assume ketogenic or low-carb diets must be limited to eggs and bacon, but variety and practical shortcuts are what make a plan sustainable. This recipe embraces that idea by pairing cube steak with a creamy, mushroom-forward gravy. The canned cream of mushroom soup is a pantry shortcut many people rely on—a single can contains carbohydrates, but when diluted into a sauce across multiple servings it contributes only a few carbs per portion while adding a comforting, familiar taste.
What is cube steak?
- Cube steak is typically a tenderized cut—often top round or top sirloin—that’s been pounded with a tenderizer, leaving small indentations that resemble cubes. The flattening and tenderizing help make a leaner cut cook more evenly and become more tender.
- It is sometimes sold as “minute steak” or “fast fry steak.” These thin, tenderized steaks can be treated the same as cube steak in recipes, though cooking times and methods may vary based on thickness.
Which Instant Pot should I use to make Instant Pot Cube Steak & Gravy?
A 6-quart Instant Pot or larger is recommended for this recipe. A 6-quart model has enough capacity to brown the meat in batches and finish the sauce without crowding the pot. The method should work in any comparable electric pressure cooker; adjust quantities and layering if using a smaller device.
My Top Five Instant Pot Accessories That I Think Are Worth The Money!
Helpful accessories that many home cooks find useful: an extra stainless steel inner pot, a tempered glass lid for reheating without pressure, a silicone lid for storage, extra sealing rings, and a stackable steamer rack or trivet. These items improve versatility and make cleanup easier, especially when you use your Instant Pot frequently.
How do you make cube steak tender?
- The name “cube steak” comes from the small square indentations left by the tenderizer. Those marks are a sign the meat has been flattened and tenderized to break down muscle fibers.
- Cube steak benefits from longer, gentler cooking so the connective tissue can soften—pressure cooking or slow cooking are both good approaches. Quick fast-fry methods can leave it tough if the meat is not given enough time to break down.
- Minute steak and cube steak are similar in appearance, but minute steak is generally just thinly sliced and lightly pounded. Labels vary by butcher and region, so pay attention to texture and thickness when you buy steak for this recipe.
Is cube steak the same as ground beef?
No. Cube steak is a whole-muscle cut that has been tenderized and flattened. It can sometimes look textured in photos because of the tenderizer marks, but it is not ground or processed like ground beef.
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Instant Pot Low Carb Cube Steak and Gravy
Instant Pot Low Carb Cube Steak and Gravy cooks quickly under pressure, turning a modest cut into a tender, saucy main dish with a savory mushroom flavor.
- Prep Time
- 15 minutes
- Cook Time
- 25 minutes
- Total Time
- 40 minutes
- Cuisines
- Keto, low carb
- Servings
- 6
- Calories
- 500
- Author
- Karami Urbanoski
Ingredients
Instant Pot Cube Steak Ingredients
- 3 lbs cube steak, cut into 2–4 inch pieces
- 2 tbsp canola oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1/2 cup finely diced white onion
Instant Pot Mushroom Sauce
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (0.75 oz) packet gluten-free powdered mushroom gravy mix
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 (10 oz) can button or sliced mushrooms
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot to Sauté and heat the canola oil.
- Season the cube steaks with salt and pepper. Sauté the diced onion for 4–5 minutes until softened.
- Add the cube steaks in batches and brown on all sides. Transfer browned pieces to a plate as you go.
- In a large measuring cup or bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, powdered gravy mix, onion powder, garlic powder, canned mushrooms, and water until well combined and smooth.
- Pour the sauce over the browned cube steaks and onions in the Instant Pot. Nestle the meat into the sauce so it’s mostly covered.
- Close and seal the lid. Cook on High Pressure (Manual) for 20 minutes.
- Allow a natural release for 5 minutes, then carefully perform a quick release to depressurize the pot. Open the lid and serve.
Recipe Notes
You can swap beef or brown gravy mix for the mushroom gravy packet if you prefer, though the mushroom mix enhances the mushroom flavor when paired with canned mushrooms. Choose low-sodium soup and gravy products to reduce the overall sodium content.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 500 kcal, Carbohydrates: 7 g, Protein: 48 g, Fat: 29 g, Saturated Fat: 10 g, Cholesterol: 163 mg, Sodium: 933 mg, Potassium: 852 mg, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 1 g, Vitamin C: 1 mg, Calcium: 61 mg, Iron: 4.1 mg.
All nutrition values are estimates and will vary by brand, ingredient choice, and portion size.
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