How To Cook Bottom Round Steak In The Oven? Maximum Flavor and Tender

Steaks cut from the cow’s hind portion are known as bottom round steaks. Their toughness can make them a tad tricky to prepare.

But what if we tell you there is one easy way to cook a bottom round steak? Use your oven! 

Today, we’ll share with you how to cook bottom round steak in the oven. We’ll also give you some useful tips to make your steak cooking successful.

Understanding Bottom Round Steak 

Bottom round steak is a lean and budget-friendly cut that comes from the rear leg of the cow. This steak is tough, so it needs careful cooking. This helps enhance its texture and flavor. You will find it has less marbling than premium cuts like ribeye. This makes it a healthier choice. However, it also needs slow cooking or tenderizing techniques for the best results.

Despite being a tougher cut, bottom round steak is packed with nutritional value that is good for you. It is high in protein, low in fat, and an excellent source of iron, zinc, and B vitamins. It’s a clever choice for anyone looking to gain strength or maintain a healthy diet. Plus, it doesn’t have extra saturated fat.

One common misconception is that bottom round steak is too tough to enjoy. Though it’s not as tender as filet mignon, using the right methods can help. Marinating, slow roasting, or braising can make it flavorful and satisfying.

Knowing the traits of this cut helps you decide how to prepare it for great taste and texture. Bottom round steak is versatile and affordable. You can slow-cook it for tenderness or slice it thin for stir-fries.

6 Steps to Cook Bottom Round Steak in the Oven 

1. Preheat Your Oven

To cook bottom round steak in the oven, you’ll need to preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (163 degrees Celcius). 

2. Cut Your Steak Into Serving Size

Next, cut your bottom round steak into serving-sized bits. We recommend cutting the steak between 3 to 5 ounces. You can also check the USDA’s website for the recommended steak serving size. 

3. Place the Steaks in the Casserole Dish

Now, place the cut steak in your casserole dish. You can season the steak with garlic salt for added flavor. 

4. Pour the Soup Mix and Cover With Aluminum Foil

Pour the soup mix onto the casserole dish along with the steak. The soup mix usually has carrots, garlic, onion, cream of mushroom, oregano, basil, and pepper. You can also add other ingredients you like. 

Once you put all the ingredients in, cover the casserole with aluminum foil. 

Tip: You can add the bone broth for extra flavor. 

5. Place in the Oven to Cook Until Tender

Put the casserole dish in your oven to start cooking. The cooking time can take around two and a half hours or until the beef is tender.

According to the USDA, meat is safe to eat when it reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees Celsius). 

Read: Buy Beef Tenderloin: How Far In Advance?

6. Serve with Gravy on Top

When the steak is already cooked, carefully remove it from the oven and transfer it to your serving plate.

To make it more special and delicious, you can serve it with gravy on top.

Tips When Cooking Bottom Round Steak

Use Meat Tenderizer

If you want to achieve perfectly tender beef more quickly, you can use a meat tenderizer. Before cooking, use the meat tenderizer to reduce the toughness of the steak’s fiber. 

You can use either a traditional hand-powered meat tenderizer or a powdered meat tenderizer [1]. If you use the powder, make sure to fully cover the steak’s surface. 

Season Nicely

Of course, you need to season the steak nicely to make it flavorful and savory. While you can follow any recipe, you can always add more spices to it. 

Aside from salt, pepper, and basil, you can also add any of the following spices:

• Rosemary
• Parsley
• Thyme
• Dry mustard
• Red pepper flakes
• Cumin
• Paprika
• Chilli powder
• Brown sugar

Chef Tip: You may want to use kosher salt to season your steak instead of the normal salt. Don’t be reluctant to season your steak with kosher salt liberally. The steak’s thickness plays a big role, but you need the salt to season the meat well.

Slice Against the Grain

A good rule of thumb when slicing any kind of steak is cutting against the grain. This means you will cut the steak against the direction where the muscle fiber aligns. 

But how do you know which way the fiber runs in the steak? 

Look for cognate lines of muscle fiber that run down the meat, then cut perpendicular to them.

For cuts with fibers running in different directions, it’s important to “read the flesh.” Then, change the slicing direction as needed.

Related Post: How Do You Cook Steak In The Oven Without A Cast Iron Skillet?

Cook Low and Slow

This part is crucial as it greatly affects the result of the cooking. For cooking steak in the oven, make it low and slow – meaning the more time you cook, the more tender the beef.  

Slow-cooking steak makes it tender, juicy, and full of flavor. You can also make other dishes. Try shredded beef tacos, beef soups, or stews with your cooked bottom round steak. 

FAQs on Cooking Bottom Round Steak In The Oven

Summary

Now you know that cooking bottom round steaks in the oven is simple and easy. Just prepare all the ingredients beforehand to make the cooking process continuous. Don’t forget to serve it with gravy on top or any spices or dressing you want. 

Additionally, take note of the useful tips we mentioned in advance. You can use a meat tenderizer and season the steak nicely for better results. Cut against the grain to achieve more tender meat, and make sure to cook it low and slow.

By following this guide, you’ll get to enjoy your favorite steak – tender and juicy – any time of the day. Bon appetit!

References:

1. https://www.leaf.tv/articles/how-to-use-meat-tenderizer-powder/ 
2. https://www.weightwatchers.com/au/blog/food/difference-between-stewing-braising 
3. https://afs.ca.uky.edu/livestock/beef/retail-cuts/round-bottom-round-steak