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This crispy Country Fried Steak is smothered in a rich, homemade gravy, creating a comfort food masterpiece in just 30 minutes.
A Southern Classic
We may be Mexican, but we sure enjoy a good Southern main dish! From Chicken Fried Steak to this country fried steak, down-home southern cooking is always a hit.
This recipe is reminiscent of classic, comforting recipes like Buttermilk Biscuits, Mac and Cheese and Buttermilk Fried Chicken all enjoyed at grandma’s house and can easily be recreated at home!
What’s not to love?!
- Budget-friendly. Cube steak is cost-effective but delivers a tasty easy dinner idea with hearty satisfaction.
- Homemade gravy. The rich and creamy gravy made from scratch elevates the dish with added flavor.
- Traditional comfort. It’s a timeless, down-home dish, perfect for a Sunday dinner idea and more!
- The texture. The tenderized and breaded steak is fried to perfection, offering a delightful contrast between the crispy coating and the juicy, flavorful meat.
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 15 minutes
COOK TIME: 15 minutes
Country Fried Steak
- 4 (4-ounce) cube steaks – or use round steak
- ½ teaspoon salt, divided
- 1½ teaspoons ground black pepper, divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder – paprika and cayenne pepper can also be used
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- ½ cup lard – or unsalted butter, vegetable oil, Canola oil, peanut oil.
Country Gravy
- 3 tablespoons lard fat – or unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup chicken broth – chicken stock or vegetable broth
- 1 cup whole milk
- salt
- pepper
- garlic powder
How to Make Chicken Fried Steak
- SEASON. Season steaks.
- DIP. In a shallow dish, combine flour, 1 teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder and mix. In a shallow bowl, add beaten eggs.
- Dredge steaks in the seasoned flour mixture, then into the egg mixture and back into the flour. Shake excess flour off. Place on a paper towel-lined plate.
- COOK. In a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, add lard. Heat so the steak sizzles when added.
- Fry steaks in hot lard for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown (meat should have an internal temperature of 145°F on a thermometer). Place onto a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack to drain excess oils.
Make the Gravy
- COMBINE. Remove all but 3 tablespoons of fat from the skillet. Add 3 tablespoons of dredging flour into the pan drippings and cook over medium heat for 1-2 minutes, scraping up all bits from the skillet.
- Gradually, pour in broth and milk, whisking until gravy is thickened and there are no more lumps (about 3-4 minutes).
- SEASON. Season with a little salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Remove gravy from the skillet and pour over warm steaks.
Complete the Meal
- Side dishes: Best Mashed Potatoes, Homemade Mac and Cheese, Easy Coleslaw, Dinner Rolls Recipe
- Desserts: Easy Peach Cobbler, Apple Pie Recipe, Gooey Butter Cake
- More like this: Buttermilk Fried Chicken Recipe, Chicken and Waffles, Crispy Chicken
More collections: Quick Dinner Ideas, Family Dinner Ideas, Beef Dinner Ideas
Country Fried Steak
Crispy country fried steak is topped with a savory homemade gravy for classic comfort food in only 30 minutes!
Ingredients
- 4 (4-ounce) cube steaks
- ½ teaspoon salt, divided
- 1½ teaspoons ground black pepper, divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- ½ cup lard, or unsalted butter
Country Gravy
- 3 tablespoons lard fat, or unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup whole milk
- salt
- pepper
- garlic powder
Instructions
- Season steaks with ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper and set aside.
- In a shallow dish, combine flour, 1 teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder and mix. In a shallow bowl, add beaten eggs.
- Dredge seasoned steaks in flour, then into the egg mixture and back into the flour. Place on a paper towel-lined plate.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add lard. Fry steaks in hot lard for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown (meat should have internal temp of 145°F). Place back onto plate.
- Make gravy by removing all but 3 tablespoons of fat from the skillet. Add 3 tablespoons of dredging flour into the fat and cook over medium heat for 1-2 minutes, scraping up all bits from the skillet.
- Gradually, pour in broth and milk, whisking until gravy is thickened and there are no more lumps (about 3-4 minutes).
- Season with a little salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Remove gravy from skillet and pour over warm steaks.
Notes
STORE any leftover country fried steak in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
Reheat leftover steak in a skillet over medium heat with a little oil, until warmed. You can also use the microwave, but it will not be as crisp.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g, Calories: 303kcal, Carbohydrates: 33g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 91mg, Sodium: 511mg, Potassium: 199mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 336IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 105mg, Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Recipe FAQ
Tips?
- Tenderize. Cube steak is pre-tenderized. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the round steak. Steaks should be about ¼-inch thick.
- Fresh is best. For the best texture and flavor, cook the breaded steak as close to serving time as possible. This ensures a crispy coating and juicy steak.
- Golden perfection. Aim for a beautiful golden brown crust on both sides. Adjust the heat slightly if needed to prevent burning.
- Don’t crowd the pan. Cook the steaks in batches to avoid overcrowding. This helps maintain the oil temperature and ensures even browning.
- Let it rest. Once cooked, let the steak rest on a paper towel-lined plate for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to be redistributed for a more flavorful and tender piece of meat.
How to store country-fried steak?
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat leftover steak in a skillet over medium heat with a little oil, until warmed. You can also use the microwave, but it will not be as crisp.
