Minute Steaks with Red Beans and Rice

Before I get started, it must be clear that this recipe for red beans and rice is not the 'red beans and rice' you are thinking of. This is the recipe that my mom made when I was growing up. I have eaten the real thing numerous times in New Orleans and I had a lady from New Orleans teach me how to make red beans the right way. Some day soon I will make real red beans and rice and put it on the site.

Tonight we had one of the staples of my diet when I was growing up. We must have eaten minute steaks with red beans and rice at least 3 times a month. Minute steaks are a cheap piece of meat that has been tenderized by a machine. It looks almost like a hamburger but it is a steak. They are tough and gristly and very cheap. Another name for a minute steak is cube steak.

When my mom used to make minute steaks she would coat them in flour and then brown them in the pan. After a while she would add a little more flour and water to make a gravy. I make them a slightly different way. I like to brown them and then simmer them in beef broth for a while. It makes them so tender you can cut them with a fork. The red beans for this recipe are basically the same ones I make to go over burritos with just a couple modifications.

Minute Steaks

1. Season 2 minute steaks with pepper and seasoned salt.
2. Heat a skillet with a little oil in it. Brown the steaks on each side.
3. Add one can of beef broth, a healthy amount of dried minced onions and a 5 or 6 bay leaves.
4. Cover and simmer for 1/2 hour to 45 minutes. A lot of the beef broth will have evaporated and it will be too salty as is.
5. Take 1 cup of water and stir in 2 T flour. Dump this into the pan and heat until it forms a gravy.

Red Beans


1 can red beans, drained
1 can enchilada sauce
1 cup salsa (your choice, I like medium Pace in this)
1 t salt
1 t pepper
1 bunch of green onions, diced
Louisiana Hot Sauce to taste - I like a lot.

Pour everything into a sauce pan and simmer for a while until you are ready to serve it. Serve over rice.