5 Delicious Eye Round Steak Recipes You'll Love

Whether you're a culinary novice or a seasoned chef, eye round steak is a cut of beef that might not immediately jump to mind for your next dinner party or family meal. However, with its lean nature and relatively low cost, eye round steak can be transformed into something truly delicious with the right techniques. In this post, we'll explore five mouthwatering eye round steak recipes that will elevate your cooking game and have your guests asking for seconds!

Grilled Eye Round Steak with Herb Marinade

Let’s start with a classic preparation that brings out the best in eye round steak: grilling. Here’s how to make a Grilled Eye Round Steak with Herb Marinade:

• Marinade Ingredients:
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • Juice of 1 lemon

1. Combine all the marinade ingredients in a bowl. Place the eye round steak in a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish, pour the marinade over it, ensuring the steak is well coated. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for deeper flavor infusion.
2. Preheat your grill to high heat. Remove the steak from the marinade, letting excess drip off.
3. Grill the steak for about 6-8 minutes on each side or until it reaches your preferred level of doneness. Eye round steak, being lean, can quickly become tough if overcooked, so aim for medium rare to medium (about 135°F to 140°F).
4. Let the steak rest for 10 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain. This helps retain moisture and tenderness.

🔥 Note: Eye round steak is lean, so be cautious not to overcook it, as it can dry out easily.

Eye Round Steak with Red Wine Reduction

Next, let’s delve into a more sophisticated dish with an Eye Round Steak with Red Wine Reduction:

• Ingredients for Steak:
  • 1 Eye Round Steak
  • Salt and Pepper
• For the Sauce:
  • 1 cup red wine
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 2 shallots, minced
  • 2 sprigs of fresh thyme
  • 2 tablespoons butter

1. Season the steak with salt and pepper. Sear it in a hot skillet for about 3 minutes per side, then transfer to a 400°F oven and cook for 8-10 minutes for medium rare.
2. In the same skillet, sauté shallots until translucent. Add wine, beef broth, and thyme. Reduce the mixture by half over medium heat.
3. Strain the sauce through a sieve, return it to the pan, and whisk in the butter for a silky finish.
4. Slice the steak thinly against the grain, and drizzle with the red wine reduction.

Stuffed Eye Round Roast

When you’re looking for something different, consider making a Stuffed Eye Round Roast:

• Ingredients:
  • 1 Eye Round Roast
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup spinach, cooked and drained
  • 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons basil, chopped
  • Salt and pepper

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Butterfly the eye round roast by making a horizontal cut through the center, being careful not to cut all the way through.
2. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Mix the cream cheese, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil. Spread this mixture on the bottom half of the roast, then roll and tie it with kitchen twine.
3. Season the exterior with additional salt and pepper. Sear in a hot skillet until browned on all sides, then transfer to the oven to cook for about 50-60 minutes for medium rare.
4. Let it rest before removing the twine and slicing.

Eye Round Steak Stir-Fry

For a quick and flavorful meal, Eye Round Steak Stir-Fry is the way to go:

• Ingredients:
  • 1 pound eye round steak, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 1 bell pepper, sliced
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
  • 1/4 cup hoisin sauce

1. Marinate the sliced steak in soy sauce and cornstarch for 15 minutes.
2. In a wok or large pan, heat sesame oil. Add garlic and ginger, stir-fry for 30 seconds, then add the steak. Cook until nearly done.
3. Add vegetables, cook until just tender. Stir in hoisin sauce, cooking for another 2 minutes.
4. Serve hot, possibly with rice or noodles.

🌱 Note: Eye round steak stir-fry benefits from high heat cooking to ensure the steak remains tender.

Eye Round Steak Skewers

Our final recipe, Eye Round Steak Skewers, is perfect for outdoor gatherings:

• Ingredients:
  • 1 pound eye round steak, cubed
  • 1 zucchini, sliced into rounds
  • 1 red onion, cut into chunks
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

1. Whisk together oil, lemon juice, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper for the marinade.
2. Skewer alternating pieces of steak, zucchini, onion, and tomatoes.
3. Marinate the skewers for at least 20 minutes, up to several hours for flavor.
4. Grill over medium-high heat for about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the steak is cooked to your liking.

Incorporating eye round steak into your culinary repertoire can be both economical and delicious. Each of these recipes demonstrates the versatility of this often overlooked cut, showing that with the right approach, you can turn a budget-friendly steak into a gourmet experience. Whether grilled, braised, or marinated, eye round steak offers a lean, yet flavorful option for your table.

Can I use eye round steak for a slow cooker?

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Yes, eye round steak is excellent for slow cooking. It’s lean, so cooking it low and slow can help tenderize it. Use a rich broth or sauce to keep it moist.

What’s the best way to tenderize eye round steak?

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Marinating with acids like lemon juice or vinegar helps tenderize the meat. You can also use a meat mallet or consider brining for flavor and tenderness.

How long should I rest the eye round steak after cooking?

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Allowing your steak to rest for about 5-10 minutes after cooking helps redistribute the juices, making the steak tender and juicy.