There’s something wonderfully old‑fashioned and comforting about a casserole of cube steak oven braised in a rich mushroom gravy. It’s the kind of supper many of us grew up with — simple, hearty, and deeply satisfying — the sort of meal that fills the kitchen with those “home” smells we never forget.
This version keeps all that classic flavor, coated in a rich spicy and savory flour mixture and browning easily on the stovetop. It is then oven braised with a creamy mushroom gravy until it literally falls apart. It is perfect for busy weeknights or those chilly evenings when you’re craving something warm and familiar. Tender beautifully flavored beef in a silky gravy… it’s pure comfort on a plate.
- 2 to 3 pieces of cube steak (steak which has been tenderized)
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup of all purpose flour
- 1 tsp seasoning salt
- coarse black pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp ground paprika
- pinch cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup (60ml) light olive oil
- 1/2 TBS butter
- 1 can of condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 can of whole milk (empty soup can half filled with milk)
- It is relatively easy to buy cube steaks in most areas. Alternately you can pound pieces of round or braising steak with a meat mallet, or the edge of a plate until tenderized. I have a meat tenderizer attachment for my Kitchen Aid that I just run the pieces of meat through several times.
- You can use regular milk, but I find buttermilk really helps to tenderize the meat.
- I use light olive oil for frying, not extra virgin. You still get the health benefits without affecting the taste of your dish. EVOO has a strong pepper green flavor.
- Condensed cream of mushroom soup is a type of soup that has been condensed and that needs an equal amount of liquid added to reconstitute it. If you are in the U.K. the usual brand is Bachelors.
- I use whole milk for the gravy because it adds a lovely richness.
- Begin with prepping the steak. Beat the egg together with the buttermilk in one shallow bowl. Whisk the flour together with the seasoned salt, black pepper, paprika and cayenne in another shallow bowl. (This is the best way to set things up and makes the whole process of coating the steak go quickly.)
- Have a clean plate ready to hold the steak when you are done coating it.
- Working with one piece of steak at a time, lightly season it with salt and pepper. Dip it into the egg/milk mixture to coat, into the flour, into the egg again and then into the flour one last time. Place on the clean plate. Repeat for each piece of steak. (Shake off any excess in between to avoid clumping and arrange on the clean plate in a single layer so that they don't stick together.)
- Preheat the oven to 325*F/160*C/ gas mark 4. Have ready a casserole with a tight fitting lid large enough to hold the steak and the gravy.
- Heat the oil and butter in a heavy bottomed skillet over medium heat. (Heat just until the butter begins to foam.)
- Add the steak, working in batches if required. Brown thoroughly on one side, flip over carefully and brown on the other side. Place into the casserole dish as it is browned. (Don't be in a rush to brown the steak or the flour may burn.)
- Once you have all the meat browned and in the casserole dish, whisk the mushroom soup together with the milk. Pour this over the steak to cover. (Cover tightly with the lid.)
- Bake in the preheated oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until the steak is tender and the gravy has thickened. (Check periodically to make sure that it isn't getting too thick. If it is add a bit more milk.)
- Divide the steak between dinner plates to serve with a bit of the mushroom gravy spooned over top. Delicious! This really melts in the mouth
Choose the right pan A heavy skillet (cast iron or stainless steel) gives the best sear. A good sear = deeper flavour in both the meat and the gravy.
Pat the cube steak dry Moisture prevents browning. Blot each piece with paper towel before seasoning — it makes a noticeable difference.
Season generously Cube steak is lean and mild, so don’t be shy with salt, pepper, and any additional seasonings you enjoy (paprika, garlic powder, onion powder).
Don’t overcrowd the pan Sear in batches if needed. Overcrowding steams the meat instead of browning it.
Your casserole dish should have a tight fitting lid and be large enough to hold the steak and the gravy/soup mixture comfortably.
A lower oven temperature and a long oven braise will ensure that your steak is melt-in-the-mouth tender and filled with plenty of flavor.
If the gravy is too thin, simmer uncovered for a few minutes. Too thick? Add a splash of broth or water.
Taste and adjust before serving A final pinch of salt or a crack of pepper can brighten the whole dish.
Make it ahead This dish reheats beautifully — the flavors deepen, and the steak becomes even more tender.
Cube Steak with Mushroom Gravy
Tender melt in the mouth beef with a rich mushroom gravy. Simple and delicious.
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 pieces of cube steak (steak which has been tenderized)
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup of all purpose flour
- 1 tsp seasoning salt
- coarse black pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp ground paprika
- pinch cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup (60ml) light olive oil
- 1/2 TBS butter
- 1 can of condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 can of whole milk (empty soup can half filled with milk)
Instructions
- Begin with prepping the steak. Beat the egg together with the buttermilk in one shallow bowl. Whisk the flour together with the seasoned salt, black pepper, paprika and cayenne in another shallow bowl. Have a clean plate ready to hold the steak when you are done coating it.
- Working with one piece of steak at a time, lightly season it with salt and pepper. Dip it into the egg/milk mixture to coat, into the flour, into the egg again and then into the flour one last time. Place on the clean plate. Repeat for each piece of steak.
- Preheat the oven to 325*F/160*C/ gas mark 4. Have ready a casserole with a tight fitting lid large enough to hold the steak and the gravy.
- Heat the oil and butter in a heavy bottomed skillet over medium heat. Add the steak, working in batches if required. Brown thoroughly on one side, flip over carefully and brown on the other side. Place into the casserole dish as it is browned.
- Once you have all the meat browned and in the casserole dish, whisk the mushroom soup together with the milk. Pour this over the steak to cover.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until the steak is tender and the gravy has thickened. (Check periodically to make sure that it isn't getting too thick. If it is add a bit more milk.)
- Divide the steak between dinner plates to serve with a bit of the mushroom gravy spooned over top. Delicious! This really melts in the mouth
This content, written and photography, is the sole property of The English Kitchen. Any reposting or misuse is not permitted. If you are reading this elsewhere, please know that it is stolen content and you may report it to me at mariealicejoan at aol dot com.
There’s nothing quite as comforting as a homemade Chicken & Mushroom Pot Pie, and this version is everything you want in a cozy, from‑scratch supper. Tender chunks of poached chicken are folded into a creamy herb‑kissed gravy with carrots, parsnips, celery, onions, and plenty of mushrooms — a simple, hearty filling that bubbles up under a golden, flaky pastry crust. The flavors of summer savory and thyme add that classic pot‑pie warmth, while a touch of cream makes the sauce extra luscious.
Baked until the crust is beautifully browned and the filling peeks through in delicious little bubbles, this is the kind of meal that turns an ordinary evening into something special. Perfect with a simple salad on the side, and even better the next day, this Chicken & Mushroom Pot Pie is a timeless family favorite you’ll want to make again and again.
I have been told that a pie without a bottom crust is considered a pot pie and a pie with both bottom and top crusts is a pie. I don't know which is right. I just like pie. Top crust, bottom crust, top and bottom crust. I don't quibble over a name. If pastry is involved then I am all in!
Our mother always made her own pies. You could almost guarantee that if there was leftovers from a roast dinner, she would be throwing together several "family-sized" pot pies for us to enjoy. One the day after and one for in the freezer. They were hearty and delicious. She did not add much gravy to hers, unlike those frozen pot pies we used to get in the shops back in the day that were mostly gravy without any substance by way of meat or vegetables. (Why did we ever like those???)
Mom's pies were a great economy. A wonderful way to stretch a bit of leftover meat even further. Nobody was complaining. Nobody.
The filling for this pie I am sharing with you today is really quite simple, just chicken, carrots, parsnips, celery, onions and mushrooms. I normally also add peas also, but didn't have any on the day. You could also add corn.
The gravy is a simple one, flavored with summer savory and thyme . . . and yes there is a smidgen of cream in there. Normally I would use leftover gravy, but this day I didn't have leftover gravy, so I had to make a sauce from scratch. Its delicious. Trust me on this.
We enjoyed ours with a tasty salad on the side and had plenty of leftovers for the next day. You really can't go wrong with a savory pie I don't think! We are great pie lovers of both the savory and the sweet in this house! If it is in a crust, we love it!
- 2 TBS butter
- 1 medium onion, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 parsnip, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
- 1 large handful of mushrooms, finely sliced
- 2 TBS flour
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp summer savory
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme
- 1 1/2 cups (350ml) of chicken stock
- 1/4 cup (60ml) of double cream
- 3 chicken breast fillets, poached and broken into chunks
- 1 1/4 cups (156g) plain all-purpose flour
- pinch of salt
- 2 TBS butter (1 ounce) of butter
- 2 TBS (1 ounce) of vegetable shortening or lard
- 2 TBS cold water
- 1 egg beaten together with 2 TBS water.
- I use salted butter both in the filling and in the pastry.
- I cut all of the vegetables into a half inch dice. The mushrooms were trimmed and thinly sliced.
- Summer savory can be hard to find outside the maritime provinces, so in that case you can use marjoram or winter savory.
- For stock I use reconstituted Better than Bullion stock concentrate.
- Use heavy or whipping cream.
- I have left a link to a post on how to poach chicken. Alternately you can use leftover cooked chicken breast meat.
- Do not use self rising flour.
- I used lard in the pastry.
- Make the pastry first. Sift the flour and salt into a bowl. Drop in the butter and lard to the flour mixture.
- Rub this into the flour with the tips of your fingers, lifting it as you go to aerate the flour somewhat. Rub in lightly until the mixture looks crumbly. Don't over mix. (Alternately you can use a pastry blender.)
- Add the cold water all at once, and stir in with a fork. Blend quickly until the mixture clings together in a ball, leaving the sides of the bowl clean. (Speed is of the essence as the flour absorbs the liquid.)
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead a couple times, lightly, to make a smooth fairly stiff dough. Let rest, covered, for at least 10 minutes before using. (Do not over handle the pastry as this can toughen it.)
- Melt the butter for the filling in a large skillet. Add all of the vegetables. (This includes the mushrooms.)
- Cook and stir, until the onion turns translucent and the vegetables start to soften. Sprinkle the flour (2 TBS) over top of the vegetables. Cook and stir for a minute to take away the flour taste.
- Stir in the chicken stock and the cream. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens. Add the seasoning and herbs. (Make sure everything is well blended.)
- Fold in the chicken. Pour this mixture into a pie dish large enough to hold it. Leave to cool to lukewarm. Roll out the pastry large enough to cover the pie dish amply. (I used an oval shallow pie dish.)
- Brush the edge of the pie dish with some beaten egg. Place the pastry on top of the filling. Trim, flute and press the edges. Cut several slits in top to vent. Brush the top with beaten egg. (Brushing the edge of the pie dish helps the pastry to adhere. I used a pie bird to vent any steam from the filling and keep the pastry crisp.)
- Place onto a baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 375*F/190*C/ gas mark 5. Bake the pot pie for 25 to 30 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. (Let the cooked pie rest for a bit before spooning out. You don't want anyone getting scalded from an over-hot filling. Very important when serving something with a liquid base.)
- Serve hot, spooned onto plates with your favorite sides. (Boiled new potatoes go very well, as does a leafy mixed salad.)
Sauté the vegetables until they soften and the onions turn translucent
This step builds the flavor base of the whole pie. The recipe cooks the onions, carrots, parsnips, celery, and mushrooms together until softened before adding flour and liquids .
Cook off the flour fully before adding stock
Sprinkling flour over the vegetables thickens the gravy, but it needs a minute to cook so the sauce doesn’t taste floury later.
Use good chicken stock for the best flavor
The filling relies on chicken stock plus a splash of cream to create a rich, velvety sauce. A flavorful stock makes a noticeable difference.
Don’t skip the herbs — they define the flavor
Summer savory and thyme give the gravy its classic, comforting pot‑pie taste. They’re subtle but essential.
Let the pastry rest before rolling
The dough rests for at least 10 minutes, which relaxes the gluten and makes it easier to roll without shrinking in the oven.
Keep the pastry cold for the flakiest crust
Cold butter and lard help create those tender, flaky layers. If your kitchen is warm, pop the dough in the fridge briefly before rolling.
Brush the pie dish rim with egg wash
This helps the pastry adhere firmly to the dish so it doesn’t lift or slide during baking — exactly as the recipe instructs before placing the top crust on.
Vent the top well
Cutting several slits (or using a pie funnel if you have one!) allows steam to escape and prevents a soggy crust.
Bake until the crust is deeply golden and the filling bubbles
The bubbling is your sign that the inside is hot and thickened. The recipe bakes for 25–30 minutes at 190°C/375°F until golden brown and bubbling through the vents.
Let it rest a few minutes before serving
This helps the filling settle so it spoons out nicely and won't burn anyone from being steaming hot.
Chicken and Mushroom Pot Pie
Oh my my . . . its chicken pot pie. Scrumptiously delish with a lush rich chicken and vegetable filling and a flaky top crust, this always goes down a real treat.
Ingredients
- 2 TBS butter
- 1 medium onion, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 parsnip, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
- 1 large handful of mushrooms, finely sliced
- 2 TBS flour
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp summer savory
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme
- 1 1/2 cups (350ml) of chicken stock
- 1/4 cup (60ml) of double cream
- 3 chicken breast fillets, poached and broken into chunks
- 1 1/4 cups (156g) plain all-purpose flour
- pinch of salt
- 2 TBS butter (1 ounce) of butter
- 2 TBS (1 ounce) of vegetable shortening or lard
- 2 TBS cold water
- 1 egg beaten together with 2 TBS water.
Instructions
- Make the pastry first. Sift the flour and salt into a bowl. Drop in the butter and lard to the flour mixture.
- Rub this into the flour with the tips of your fingers, lifting it as you go to aerate the flour somewhat. Rub in lightly until the mixture looks crumbly. Don't over mix.
- Add the cold water all at once, and stir in with a fork. Blend quickly until the mixture clings together in a ball, leaving the sides of the bowl clean.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead a couple times, lightly, to make a smooth fairly stiff dough. Let rest, covered, for at least 10 minutes before using.
- Melt the butter for the filling in a large skillet. Add all of the vegetables. Cook and stir, until the onion turns translucent and the vegetables start to soften.
- Sprinkle the flour (2 TBS) over top of the vegetables. Sook and stir for a minute to take away the flour taste.
- Stir in the chicken stock and the cream. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens. Add the seasoning and herbs.
- Fold in the chicken. Pour this mixture into a pie dish large enough to hold it. Leave to cool to lukewarm.
- Roll out the pastry large enough to cover the pie dish amply. Brush the edge of the pie dish with some beaten egg. Place the pastry on top of the filling.
- Trim, flute and press the edges. Cut several slits in top to vent. Brush the top with beaten egg. Place onto a baking sheet.
- Preheat the oven to 375*F/190*C/ gas mark 5. Bake the pot pie for 25 to 30 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
- Serve hot, spooned onto plates with your favorite sides.
This content, written and photography, is the sole property of The English Kitchen. Any reposting or misuse is not permitted. If you are reading this elsewhere, please know that it is stolen content and you may report it to me at mariealicejoan at aol dot com.
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