Perfectly Cooked Thin-Sliced Beef Eye of Round Steak

Eye of round is an affordable lean cut of beef from the hindquarter. When sliced thin eye of round steak cooks up quickly with a texture similar to flank or skirt steak. The thin cuts are perfect for fast weeknight meals.

Cooking thin-sliced eye of round requires some special techniques though The thinness leads to overcooking if you aren’t careful. With the right prep and cooking methods, you can have perfectly medium-rare, tender eye of round steak any night of the week

In this article, you’ll learn all the tips and tricks for cooking thin cut eye of round steaks. With step-by-step instructions and helpful guidance, you’ll be able to buy this budget cut with confidence and make delicious meals in minutes. Let’s get started!

Why Choose Thin Sliced Eye of Round?

Opting for thin cut eye of round steak has several advantages:

• Quick cooking time since the steaks are sliced thinly
• Ability to cook individual servings easily
• Versatility for stir fries, fajitas, skewers and more
• Tenderness achieved through proper cooking method
• Lower cost than other steak options like ribeye
• Minimal prep work needed compared to roasts
• Easy to incorporate into weeknight dinner routines

If you love steak but want an affordable option, thin eye of round is perfect. The thin cuts cook lightning fast while developing a nice sear.

Picking the Right Thickness of Eye Round Steak

When purchasing eye of round steaks for quick cooking, choose cuts that are around 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. This thinness allows the steaks to cook through in just 2-4 minutes per side.

Here are some other tips for choosing the best cut:

• Have the butcher slice a roast into 1/4 to 1/2 inch steaks if pre-cut options look too thick.

• Avoid steaks thicker than 1/2 inch which require longer cook times.

• Examine cuts for adequate marbling since eye round is a very lean cut.

• Pick steaks that are evenly sized for consistent cooking.

• Plan for around 4 ounces of meat per person.

With properly thin cuts, you can quickly transform the eye round into tender, juicy steaks perfect for busy weeknights.

Easy Methods for Cooking Thin Eye Round Steak

Thinly sliced eye of round can be prepared using several quick and easy cooking methods:

Pan-Searing:

• Pat steaks dry and season well with salt and pepper.
• Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with oil.
• Add steaks and cook 2-4 minutes per side.
• Baste with herb butter or remove from pan to rest.

Grilling:

• Coat steaks with olive oil and seasonings of choice.
• Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
• Grill steaks 4-7 minutes total, flipping once.
• Move to cooler part of grill if charring too quickly.

Broiling:

• Place a broiler pan lined with foil on upper rack of oven.
• Broil 4-5 minutes per side until browned and crisp.
• Monitor closely to avoid overcooking.

All these quick cooking methods result in tender, juicy eye round steak when using thin cuts. The thinness is the key for fast cooking without drying out.

Marinades and Rubs for Added Flavor

Since eye of round steak lacks much fat or collagen, marinades and spice rubs can infuse it with lots of extra flavor. Consider using:

• Wet marinades with oil, acidic ingredients like wine or citrus, and herbs. Let steak marinate 30-60 minutes.

• Dry rubs with spices like smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin and chili powder. Coat steaks generously.

• Flavored butters with ingredients like rosemary, bleu cheese, or chipotle peppers. Baste over meat while cooking.

• Teriyaki or soy sauce marinades for Asian flavors. Goes great with stir fries.

• Chimichurri sauce for an Argentinean twist. Spoon over grilled steaks.

Get creative with the seasonings to give otherwise mild eye of round steak lots of personality. A flavorful coating makes a world of difference.

Cooking Juicy Eye of Round Steak

Since eye of round is so lean, special care must be taken to keep it moist and juicy:

• Don’t overcook. Cook just until meat reaches 145°F for medium doneness.

• Let rest at least 5 minutes after cooking so juices redistribute.

• Slice against the grain to shorten muscle fibers for tenderness.

• Add a flavorful sauce like chimichurri, béarnaise or peppercorn sauce.

• Use a meat thermometer to accurately gauge doneness, not just cooking time.

• Keep a close eye while pan-searing or grilling to avoid charring or drying out.

With proper cooking techniques, quick-cooked thin eye of round can be just as juicy and tender as more expensive cuts.

Eye of Round Steak Recipes

Ready to put your thin cut eye of round steaks to good use? Here are some delicious recipe ideas:

Steak Fajitas

Marinate sliced eye of round in fajita seasoning. Sear quickly in a hot pan. Serve with peppers and onions in warm tortillas.

Stuffed Steak Roll-ups

Pound steaks thin. Fill with spinach, feta and sundried tomatoes. Roll up and secure with toothpicks to bake or pan-sear.

Steak Salad with Chimichurri

Grill eye of round steaks to medium rare. Thinly slice and serve over mixed greens, tomatoes and avocado. Top with chimichurri sauce.

Teriyaki Stir Fry

Marinate thin sliced steak in teriyaki sauce. Stir fry with snap peas, mushrooms and red peppers. Serve over rice.

Steak Sandwiches

Pan sear seasoned steaks. Let rest then slice against the grain. Pile onto crusty rolls with caramelized onions and bleu cheese.

The possibilities are endless for making quick, budget-friendly meals with thin cut eye round steak.

Tips for Cooking Eye of Round Steak

Follow these tips for the best results when cooking thin sliced eye of round steaks:

• Remove steaks from fridge 30 minutes before cooking so they come to room temperature.

• Pat extremely dry with paper towels before seasoning to help browning.

• Use heavy pans like cast iron or carbon steel to sear steaks properly.

• Let pan preheat well before adding oiled steaks for an optimal sear.

• Flip steaks with tongs rather than a fork to avoid piercing meat and losing juices.

• Add butter, garlic, herbs or shallots to pan for extra flavor.

• Allow meat to rest at least 5-10 minutes before slicing to maximize juiciness.

• Always slice against the grain for the most tender texture.

With proper techniques, eye of round steak can become your new favorite affordable, quick-cooking choice for easy dinners. Master the simple tricks outlined here for mouthwatering results.

Inexpensive eye of round takes well to fast cooking methods and flavorful spicing. For tender, budget-friendly steaks any night of the week, grab some thin cut eye rounds from the butcher. You’ll enjoy steakhouse quality from this humble cut.