How to Cook Tender, Juicy Thin Sliced Beef Top Round Steak

Beef top round steak can be a delicious, budget-friendly cut of meat, but it does require some special handling to turn out tender and flavorful. When sliced thinly against the grain, top round transforms into a great option for meals like sandwiches, fajitas, or quick weeknight stir fries

I love using thin sliced top round steak because it cooks up super fast. With just a few simple tricks, you can have a tasty meal on the table in under 30 minutes.

In this complete guide, I’ll share my best tips on how to buy, prepare, and cook thin sliced top round steaks so they turn out perfect every time. Let’s get cooking!

Selecting and Preparing Thin Sliced Top Round Steak

The first step is choosing the right cut at the store. Here’s what to look for:

Thickness: Select steaks that are 1/4 inch thick or less. Any thicker and they won’t cook as quickly.
Marbling Top round is a lean cut but try to pick steaks with some thin white lines of fat running through them. This adds flavor and moisture.
Color Look for steaks that are bright red with no brown or gray spots, which indicate oxidation.

Once you get the steaks home, trim off any excess fat or silver skin membrane. Then use a meat mallet or heavy pan to gently pound them to an even 1/4 inch thickness. This helps them cook faster and become more tender.

Season the steaks well on both sides with salt, pepper, and any other spices you want. I like using a Southwest style rub with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and oregano. Let the steaks sit at room temperature as you prep the other ingredients.

Choosing the Best Cooking Method

Thin sliced top round steak cooks up very quickly, in just 2-4 minutes per side. High heat searing is the best technique to maximize browning while keeping the interior moist and juicy.

These are my favorite cooking methods for thin top round steaks:

Pan searing: This is my go-to for weeknight meals. Use a heavy skillet with a little oil over medium-high heat. Cook each side for 2-3 minutes until well browned.
Broiling: Great for finishing steaks after an initial sear on the stovetop. Position the steak 4-6 inches under the broiler for 1-2 minutes per side.
Grilling: Gets nice char marks from the grill grates. Use direct high heat for 2-4 minutes per side. Watch carefully to avoid overcooking.
Stir frying: Slice steak into thin strips and stir fry in a hot skillet with veggies and sauce. Cooks in just a minute or two.

No matter which method you use, make sure the pan, grill, or broiler is very hot before adding the steaks. This helps ensure a nice browned crust develops before the interior overcooks.

Quick and Easy Thin Sliced Top Round Recipes

Here are a few of my favorite recipe ideas for thin sliced top round steak. The simple prep and short cooking time means you can have a tasty homemade meal on the table fast.

Steak Sandwiches

Slice partially frozen steaks very thin across the grain
Season with salt, pepper, oregano
Sear quickly in a hot skillet with oil, about 1 minute per side
Serve on hoagie rolls with melted provolone cheese, sautéed peppers and onions

Fajita Steak Tacos

Marinate thin sliced steak in fajita seasoning, lime juice, and oil for 30 minutes
Sear in a hot skillet with sliced bell peppers and onions
Serve in warm corn tortillas with your favorite taco toppings

Thai Steak Salad

Stir fry thin sliced steak strips with red bell pepper and red onion
Toss with romaine lettuce, grated carrots, edamame, and cilantro
Top with a Thai peanut dressing

Philly Cheesesteak

Sear thin sliced steak and thinly sliced onions in a hot skillet
Pile onto a hoagie roll and top with melted cheese wiz
Add other desired toppings like sautéed peppers, mushrooms, or jalapeños

Steak and Eggs

Cook thin sliced steak in a skillet until lightly browned and crispy at the edges
Fry some eggs in the same skillet
Serve the steak and eggs together, seasoned with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs

Helpful Tips for Perfect Results

Follow these tips and tricks to get tender, flavorful results every time with thin sliced top round steak:

Always slice against the grain for maximum tenderness.
Use a digital meat thermometer to check doneness rather than relying on cook time. Pull the steaks at 140-145°F for medium rare.
Let the cooked steaks rest for 5 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.
Add a pat of butter to the pan once you flip the steaks. It bastes them and adds richness.
Try a reverse sear – gently cook in the oven first, then sear to finish. Great for thicker steaks.
Pair with zesty chimichurri sauce or salsa verde to add big, bright flavor.
Slice leftover cooked steak to use in salads, sandwiches, tacos or breakfast dishes.

Time to Cook Thin Sliced Steak

Hopefully these tips give you everything you need to cook perfect thin sliced top round steak anytime. It’s an affordable, quick-cooking cut that’s great for easy weeknight meals or backyard grilling.

The keys are buying high quality steaks, slicing thinly against the grain, seasoning well, and using high heat to sear the exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy.

Thin Sliced Beef Round Steak with Creamy Sauce

FAQ

How do you cook a thin top round steak?

Sear the Steak: Lay the seasoned thin top round steak(s) in the hot pan. Depending on the thickness, cook each side for 1–2 minutes or until it develops a nice brown crust. Avoid flipping the steak(s) too frequently. Cook to Desired Doneness: Since the steak is thin, it will cook quickly.

What is the best way to cook thin steak?

Sear the steaks first in a hot cast iron pan for a few seconds per side. Layer the thin steaks in a casserole dish or Dutch oven with ingredients like beef broth, red wine, fresh herbs, and sliced onions. Cook the steaks at 300 degrees for about 2 hours and serve topped with the rich juices.

What is the best way to cook round steak so it is tender?

The best way to cook Round Steak is with moisture, which makes this cut of meat much more tender. Moist cooking includes slow cooking and braising.

How to cook thin sliced top round steak?

Pan-frying thin-sliced top round steak is a great way to cook this cut of meat. Here is how to do it: 1. First, place the thin steaks onto a working surface and tenderize the meat using a meat tenderizer. The thickness of the meat should be 0.5 cm or 1/4-inch. 2. Pat dry the meat using a paper towel, then season on both sides with salt and pepper.

How to cook top round steak in a pan?

Pan-Fried Top Round Steak: 1. Place the thin steaks onto a working surface and tenderize the meat using a meat tenderizer. The thickness of the meat should be 0.5 cm or 1/4-inch. 2. Pat dry the meat using a paper towel, then season on both sides with salt and pepper. 3.

How to cook a round steak in the oven?

The oven-baked round steak goes well with stewed tomatoes and chopped carrots. Plus, it only takes 15 minutes to prepare. First, preheat the oven to 350℉ and set a pan at medium-high heat. Then, mix flour and salt in a bowl. Dust the mixture over the steak and sear it in the pan for 30 seconds to one minute per side.

How to cook a thin steak?

1. Place the thin steaks onto a working surface and tenderize the meat using a meat tenderizer. The thickness of the meat should be 0.5 cm or 1/4-inch. 2. Pat dry the meat using a paper towel, then season on both sides with salt and pepper. 3. Sprinkle flour over a plate or baking sheet and coat the beef in flour on one side.