Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that'll transport you straight to the heart of Southern comfort food! This Throw Down Winning Chicken Fried Steak isn't just a recipe—it's a legendary dish that promises to turn an ordinary meal into an extraordinary experience. With a perfectly crispy golden exterior and tender, juicy meat inside, this classic Southern favorite is guaranteed to become the star of your dinner table and have everyone begging for seconds.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: Southern
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 beef cube steaks
- 1 cup flour
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Gravy mix (optional)
Instructions
- Pat the cube steaks dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring a crispy coating.
- Season both sides of the cube steaks generously with salt and black pepper.
- Prepare three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with beaten eggs mixed with buttermilk, and the last with additional seasoned flour.
- Dredge each steak first in plain flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the egg-buttermilk mixture, and finally coat thoroughly in the seasoned flour.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large cast-iron skillet to 350°F, ensuring oil is about 1/2 inch deep.
- Carefully place coated steaks into hot oil, cooking 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove steaks and drain on a wire rack or paper towels to maintain crispiness.
- Optional: Prepare gravy using drippings from the skillet or packaged gravy mix, whisking until smooth and creamy.
- Serve hot, traditionally accompanied by mashed potatoes and topped with country gravy.
Tips
- Temperature is Key: Use a meat thermometer to ensure your oil stays consistently at 350°F for the perfect crispy coating.
- Pat Those Steaks Dry: Remove excess moisture from the cube steaks to achieve maximum crispiness.
- Don't Overcrowd the Pan: Fry steaks in batches to maintain oil temperature and ensure even cooking.
- Use a Cast-Iron Skillet: This provides the most even heat distribution and helps create that gorgeous golden-brown crust.
- Let the Meat Rest: After frying, let the steaks rest on a wire rack to prevent the bottom from getting soggy.
- Gravy Tip: Save those delicious skillet drippings to make an authentic, flavor-packed country gravy.
- For Extra Flavor: Consider adding garlic powder or paprika to your flour mixture for an additional flavor boost.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: mg