These easy chuck steak recipes, along with a few favorites using chuck roast and ground chuck, turn an affordable cut of beef into flavorful dinners. From pan-seared steak and hearty chili to Hungarian goulash, slow cooker pot roast, and burger bowls, there's something here for every kind of dinner.
Quick Look: Chuck Steak Recipes
- What it is: Six budget-friendly recipes using chuck steak, chuck roast, or ground chuck, all cut from the shoulder.
- Recipes included: Pan-seared chuck steak, chuck steak chili, marinated chuck steak, Hungarian goulash, slow cooker pot roast, and ground chuck burger bowls.
- Best method: Most chuck steaks benefit from low, slow cooking. For pan-searing, see my notes below on choosing the cut.
- Why make it: Chuck is low-priced, richly flavored, and tender when cooked with the right method.
- Serve with: Mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, rice, noodles, or crusty bread.
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What Is Chuck Steak?
Chuck steak is a thinner cut of beef from the cow's shoulder-the same area as chuck roast. Think of it as a steak-sized slice of chuck roast, with rich beefy flavor and connective tissue that softens with slow cooking.
For my pan-seared recipe, I buy a well-marbled chuck steak (or chuck eye, when available) from my local Whole Foods Market. The cuts I've purchased there consistently cook up tender.
Chuck eye comes from the section next to the ribeye, making it more tender than most of the chuck. It can be difficult to find, so when I see a good one, I buy a few and freeze the extras.
This recommendation comes from my firsthand experience cooking and comparing these cuts. Most chuck steaks benefit from low, slow cooking to soften the connective tissue and make the meat tender.
Here are a few of my favorite chuck steak recipes.
Pan-Seared Chuck Steak
This pan-seared chuck steak gets a deeply browned crust in a hot cast-iron skillet and finishes with butter.
Chuck Steak Chili
Warm, hearty chuck steak chili combines beef, tomatoes, and classic spices, with stovetop and Instant Pot directions.
This chili uses standard chuck steak that I grind with my KitchenAid meat grinder attachment.
Marinated Chuck Steak
This marinated chuck steak uses a sweet-and-savory marinade to tenderize the beef and create a rich, golden skillet crust.
The marinade combines soy sauce, Worcestershire, lemon juice, garlic, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar, and works best after at least 4 hours in the fridge (overnight is even better). Sear in a hot cast-iron skillet, following the recipe's timing for your steak's thickness.
Hungarian Chuck Roast Goulash
This Hungarian beef goulash simmers chunks of chuck roast with sweet Hungarian paprika, onions, garlic, and potatoes in a deeply savory broth. It's a cozy one-pot dinner.
Chuck roast is a thicker cut from the same shoulder section as chuck steak, making it ideal for low-and-slow cooking. Brown the beef first, then simmer gently for about an hour before adding the potatoes. After about 2½ hours total, the meat is fork-tender. A touch of hot Hungarian paprika added at the end gives the dish a little kick.
Slow Cooker Chuck Roast
This slow cooker chuck roast makes a fall-apart pot roast with tender potatoes, carrots, and rich homemade gravy. It's a comforting dinner you can make ahead and reheat for an easy family meal.
Burger Bowls with Cauliflower Rice
These easy burger bowls pair juicy ground chuck patties with warm cauliflower rice, crisp vegetables, and fresh berries for a quick low-carb lunch or dinner.
I use 85/15 ground chuck, which keeps the burgers juicy without being greasy. You can also grind your own chuck steak, the same way I do for the chili.
Chuck Steak Recipes FAQs
Yes. Chuck steak has rich beef flavor and is usually less expensive than premium steaks. Its texture can be firmer, so choosing the right cooking method matters.
It isn't essential when you'll braise or simmer the beef. For quick pan-searing, however, a marinade can add flavor and help tenderize the meat.
Some chuck cuts work well for quick cooking, especially chuck eye steak and the cuts I describe in my pan-seared recipe. Many other chuck steaks are better braised or simmered until tender. For pan-seared steak, let it rest and slice thinly across the grain.
Yes. You can grind chuck steak for a rich, beefy chili, as in this recipe, or cut it into cubes and simmer it until tender.
Divide cooked beef into shallow containers and refrigerate within two hours. Once chilled, pack airtight and freeze for up to three months for best quality.
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