Cube Steak Ranchero with Charred Tomato Salsa
Cube steaks smothered in a smoky charred tomato ranchero salsa made from fire-roasted tomatoes, dried chiles, and garlic — a bold, deeply flavored Mexican preparation. Serve with warm flour tortillas and refried beans for a hearty, satisfying plate. This Mexican-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs cube steak, kosher salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 456 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces (about 1.5 lbs total) cube steak
- 1.5 tsp, divided kosher salt
- 3/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp cumin
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 6 large, halved Roma tomatoes
- 2, halved serrano chiles
- 1, halved jalapeño
- 1 medium, quartered white onion
- 4, unpeeled garlic cloves
- 1, stemmed and seeded dried ancho chile
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- 8, for serving warm flour tortillas
- 1 can, warmed refried black beans
- 1/3 cup, crumbled queso fresco
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Season cube steaks with 1 tsp salt, pepper, and cumin on both sides.
- Step 2: Heat a dry cast-iron skillet or comal over high heat until very hot. Char tomato halves, serrano and jalapeño halves, onion quarters, and unpeeled garlic until blackened in spots, turning occasionally, about 8-10 minutes total. Remove garlic and squeeze out cloves.
- Step 3: Soak dried ancho chile in boiling water for 5 minutes until pliable; drain.
- Step 4: Blend charred vegetables (with any juices), garlic, soaked ancho chile, chicken broth, oregano, and remaining 1/2 tsp salt until slightly chunky. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Step 5: Heat 2 tbsp oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Sear cube steaks 2-3 minutes per side until browned. Remove to a plate.
- Step 6: Add remaining oil to skillet, pour in salsa (it will spatter), and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring, until darkened and thickened.
- Step 7: Return steaks to the skillet, cover, and simmer in the salsa for 15 minutes over low heat until very tender.
- Step 8: Serve steaks topped with salsa, garnished with cilantro and queso fresco, alongside warm tortillas and refried beans.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cube Steak Ranchero with Charred Tomato Salsa take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cube Steak Ranchero with Charred Tomato Salsa?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cube steak from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cube Steak Ranchero with Charred Tomato Salsa?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cube Steak Ranchero with Charred Tomato Salsa for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cube Steak Ranchero with Charred Tomato Salsa?
Mexican beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
