Mastering Grilled Cube Steak Rollups: A Flavorful Recipe for Tender, Bacon-Wrapped Beef

As a passionate home cook, I’m always on the lookout for exciting new ways to prepare familiar ingredients. If you’ve followed my culinary adventures for a while, you’ll know that I often source my beef directly from a local farmer, purchasing it by the side. This approach not only supports local agriculture but also provides me with various cuts, offering a delightful challenge to experiment beyond the usual. Recently, a specific cut request resulted in a generous supply of cube steaks. While the classic chicken fried steak is always an option, my cooking philosophy revolves around exploration and avoiding the monotony of everyday dishes. This quest for culinary novelty led me to create an incredibly delicious and innovative recipe: Grilled Cube Steak Rollups.

Discovering the Delight of Grilled Cube Steak Rollups

My desire for something different prompted an online recipe search, and I stumbled upon numerous intriguing possibilities. Many were bookmarked for future culinary endeavors, but one particular idea, “Grilled Cube Steak Rollups” from Recipezaar (now Allrecipes), immediately captured my attention. What I deeply appreciate about sites like Recipezaar are the user reviews. They offer invaluable insights and practical tips from fellow home cooks. For this specific recipe, there were 17 reviews, consistently rating it a solid four stars or higher, which was enough to convince me to give it a try.

The original recipe called for a bottled marinade, but I decided to put a personal spin on it. I opted for a homemade marinade recipe that a friend had shared with me ages ago, one she had always raved about but I had never tried. This was the perfect opportunity! I’m thrilled to report that my decision paid off handsomely; the results were absolutely delicious, adding a unique depth of flavor that truly elevated the dish.

Beyond these rollups, don’t miss out on my Beef Stroganoff – a classic comfort food that never disappoints. And for those who love the traditional, my Chicken Fried Steak recipe is a must-try for another fantastic cube steak preparation.

Since I incorporated several modifications to the original concept, I’ve compiled my refined version of the Grilled Cube Steak Rollups recipe below. Feel free to click the link above if you wish to see the original inspiration.

Crafting the Perfect Marinade for Tender Cube Steak

A well-crafted marinade is the secret weapon for transforming tougher cuts of meat, like cube steak, into incredibly tender and flavorful culinary masterpieces. Our homemade marinade is a powerful blend designed to penetrate the meat, breaking down fibers and infusing it with a rich, savory essence. Here’s a breakdown of the key ingredients and their roles:

• Olive Oil: Provides moisture and helps distribute fat-soluble flavors throughout the meat.
• Worcestershire Sauce & Soy Sauce: These are umami powerhouses. Worcestershire adds a tangy, savory depth, while soy sauce contributes saltiness and a rich, fermented flavor, both essential for tenderizing and enhancing beef.
• Minced Garlic & Chopped Onion: Aromatic fundamentals that build a robust flavor base. As they blend, they release their pungent, sweet notes into the marinade.
• Pepper & Crushed Dried Rosemary: Pepper adds a classic bite, while rosemary introduces an earthy, piney aroma that complements beef beautifully. Crushing the rosemary helps release its essential oils for maximum flavor.
• Steak Dust or Favorite Steak Seasoning: This is where you can personalize the marinade further. A good steak seasoning typically contains a blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and sometimes other herbs, adding layers of savory flavor. I linked to Creations Original Steak Dust as an example, but your preferred blend will work wonders.
• A1 Steak Sauce: A touch of A1 brings a classic steakhouse tang and a hint of sweetness, rounding out the marinade’s profile.

The beauty of this marinade is its simplicity in preparation: just blend all the ingredients until smooth. This ensures an even distribution of flavors. For optimal results, allow your cube steaks to marinate for a minimum of 2 hours, or up to 24 hours for maximum tenderness and flavor. For particularly tough cuts, you can even extend the marinating time up to three days. This recipe yields enough marinade for approximately 8 cube steaks, so I often prepare a larger batch and freeze half of the marinated steaks for a quick and easy meal on another busy day.

The Art of Assembling Cube Steak Rollups

Once your cube steaks are perfectly marinated and brimming with flavor, it’s time for the creative part: assembling the rollups. This step is surprisingly simple yet adds an incredible dimension to the dish. The combination of creamy cheese and fresh herbs, enveloped in tender beef and crispy bacon, creates a symphony of textures and tastes.

Preparing the Creamy Filling

First, ensure your cream cheese is thoroughly softened. A few seconds in the microwave will achieve the perfect, spreadable consistency – think of it like a runny cake frosting. This makes it much easier to work with. Gently fold in your minced fresh parsley. The parsley adds a vibrant color, a fresh, herbaceous note, and a subtle peppery flavor that cuts through the richness of the cream cheese, creating a balanced and aromatic filling.

Rolling and Wrapping

Once your steaks are drained from the marinade, lay each piece flat. Spread a thin, even layer of the parsley cream cheese mixture over one side of the steak. Don’t overfill, as a thin layer is all you need to impart flavor without making the rollups difficult to manage. Starting from a short end, carefully roll up each steak tightly. The goal is a compact cylinder that will hold its shape during grilling.

Now for the pièce de résistance: the bacon wrap. Take a strip of raw bacon and spirally wrap it around each rolled steak. The bacon serves multiple purposes: it adds a salty, smoky flavor, provides a delightful crispy texture once grilled, and most importantly, it helps keep the rollup intact. Secure the bacon and the steak with one or two toothpicks. I highly recommend using individual toothpicks for each rollup. In a pinch, I’ve used long skewers, but individual toothpicks allow you to turn each rollup independently on the grill, ensuring even cooking and crisping of the bacon on all sides.

Grilling for Perfection: Tips and Techniques

Grilling these cube steak rollups requires a little finesse to achieve that perfect sear, tender interior, and crispy bacon exterior. Follow these steps for grilling success:

1. Preheat Your Grill: Begin by preheating your grill on high heat with the lid closed. This ensures the grates are hot enough to create an initial sear.
2. Sear the Steaks: Once the grill is hot, turn your burners down to medium. Place the rollups on the grill and sear one side for several minutes until beautifully browned. This locks in the juices and creates a delicious crust.
3. Flip and Sear Again: Carefully turn the rollups and sear the other side. This two-sided searing ensures an even, golden-brown exterior.
4. Lower the Heat and Cook Through: After searing both sides, reduce the grill heat to low. Close the lid and continue to grill, turning the rollups every five minutes. This indirect, lower heat cooking allows the internal temperature of the steak to rise slowly, ensuring tenderness, while the bacon continues to crisp up without burning. The total cooking time will vary depending on your grill and desired doneness, but mine typically took about 25 minutes.

For best results, aim for a medium doneness for the cube steak, which keeps it juicy and tender. Remember to remove the toothpicks or skewers before serving!

The anticipation as these rollups sizzle on the grill, filling the air with an irresistible aroma, is almost as good as the meal itself. And the final outcome? Truly delicious!

Recipe Card: Grilled Cube Steak Rollups

Grilled Cube Steak Rollups

5 from 16 votes

IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!

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Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Author: Amanda Davis

Ingredients

• ▢ 4-5 pieces cube steaks
• ▢ marinade recipe below
• ▢ 2 oz cream cheese softened
• ▢ 4-5 pieces bacon raw
• ▢ 1 sprig fresh parsley minced, (stem too)

Marinade

• ▢ ½ cup olive oil
• ▢ ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
• ▢ 6 tablespoons soy sauce
• ▢ ¼ cup minced garlic
• ▢ ½ medium onion chopped
• ▢ 1 tablespoon pepper
• ▢ 1 tablespoon crushed dried rosemary
• ▢ 3 tablespoons steak dust or your favorite steak seasoning
• ▢ 3 tablespoons A1 steak sauce

Instructions

Marinade

• Put all ingredients into a blender and puree. Pour over meat in a glass dish or gallon zipper bag and place in the refrigerator 2-24 hours. Can be marinated up to three days for tough cuts of meat. This made enough marinade for 8 cube steaks, so I put four in the freezer in marinade.

Roll Ups

• Marinate steaks in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours, up to 24. Mine marinated for 24.
• Preheat your grill on high with the lid closed. Remove the steaks from the refrigerator and take them out of the marinade. Place them on paper towels to drain.
• Warm the softened cream cheese in the microwave for a few seconds. You want the cream cheese to be very soft, similar to a runny cake frosting. Combine the cream cheese with the minced parsley. Spread thin layer of cream cheese over one side of steak.
• Beginning with short end roll up the steak.
• Spirally wrap a piece of bacon around steak and secure with one or two toothpicks. I didn’t have enough toothpicks so I used two long skewers. I definitely recommend the toothpicks so you can turn the steaks individually.
• Turn the burners on your grill down to medium and grill roll ups on one side for several minutes to sear the meat. Turn and sear the other side. Turn the heat down to low and continue to grill with the lid closed and turn every five minutes until done. Mine took about 25 minutes total.

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The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cube Steak Rollups

What is cube steak?

Cube steak is a cut of beef, typically from the round or sirloin, that has been tenderized by pounding or passing through a mechanical tenderizer (which creates the characteristic “cubed” indentations). This process breaks down tougher muscle fibers, making it quicker to cook and more palatable.

How can I make cube steak more tender?

Marinating is key! As shown in this recipe, a good marinade with acidic ingredients (like Worcestershire sauce) and enzymes helps to break down muscle tissue. Pounding the steak before marinating also helps. Quick cooking methods like grilling or pan-frying at high heat, or slow cooking, are also effective.

Can I bake these rollups instead of grill them?

Absolutely! If you don’t have a grill or prefer baking, you can cook these in the oven. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the secured rollups on a baking sheet. Bake for about 25-35 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the steak is cooked to your desired doneness. You might want to finish them under the broiler for a few minutes to ensure extra crispy bacon.

What are good side dishes to serve with Grilled Cube Steak Rollups?

These flavorful rollups pair wonderfully with a variety of sides. Consider a fresh green salad, roasted asparagus, corn on the cob, mashed potatoes, or a simple rice pilaf to complement the rich flavors.

Conclusion: Your Next Favorite Grilled Beef Recipe Awaits!

These Grilled Cube Steak Rollups are a testament to how simple ingredients, combined with a little creativity and a fantastic homemade marinade, can create an unforgettable meal. They offer a delightful alternative to traditional cube steak preparations, promising a dish that’s rich in flavor, satisfying in texture, and impressive enough for guests, yet easy enough for a weeknight dinner. Whether you’re a seasoned grill master or just starting out, this recipe provides clear steps to achieve perfect results every time. Give it a try, and prepare to add these delicious rollups to your regular cooking rotation!