There’s something undeniably comforting about a hearty meal that combines crispy, golden-brown steak with creamy gravy. Country fried steak, a beloved Southern dish, fits the bill perfectly. In this blog post, we’ll explore a delicious Country Fried Steak Recipe with Cube Steak for country fried steak using cube steak, a tenderized and versatile cut of beef.
Ingredients: Country Fried Steak Recipe with Cube Steak
To recreate this classic dish, gather the following ingredients:
- Cube steak: Cube steak is thinly pounded beef that has been tenderized, resulting in a texture that’s perfect for frying.
- All-purpose flour: Used for coating the steak.
- Salt and pepper: For seasoning.
- Garlic powder: Adds a subtle hint of garlic flavor.
- Paprika: Gives a touch of smokiness and color to the steak.
- Buttermilk: Helps to tenderize and moisten the meat.
- Vegetable oil: Used for frying the steak to golden perfection.
Preparation
- Tenderizing the cube steak: Before beginning the recipe, tenderize the cube steak by gently pounding it with a meat mallet. This helps to break down the fibers and ensure a tender result.
- Seasoning the steak: In a shallow dish, combine flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix well all for Country Fried Steak Recipe with Cube Steak.
- Dredging the steak in flour mixture: Coat each piece of cube steak in the seasoned flour, ensuring an even and generous coating.
- Soaking the steak in buttermilk: Place the floured steak into a dish with buttermilk, allowing it to soak for about 15 minutes. This step adds flavor and further tenderizes the meat.
- Dredging the steak in flour mixture again: Take the soaked steak and coat it again in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure an even coating.
Cooking Process for Country Fried Steak Recipe with Cube Steak
- Heating vegetable oil in a skillet: In a large skillet, start by heating vegetable oil over medium-high heat (approx 350°F (175°C)).
- Frying the steak: Carefully place the coated steak in the hot oil. It makes sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry each side for about 4-5 minutes or until golden brown.
- Turning the steak for even browning: Flip the steak using tongs, ensuring that both sides cook evenly.
- Draining excess oil: Once the steak is cooked to perfection, transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Gravy
- Using drippings from the skillet: Remove most of the oil from the skillet. It leaves behind flavorful drippings.
- Adding flour to make a roux: Sprinkle flour over the drippings and whisk together to create a roux. Now, cook the roux just for a minute or two that is to remove any raw flour taste.
- Gradually whisking in milk: Slowly pour in milk while whisking that is to prevent lumps from forming. Continue whisking until the mixture is smooth.
- Cooking until thickened: Cook the gravy over medium heat, stirring until it thickens to your desired consistency.
- Seasoning with salt and pepper: Season the gravy with salt and pepper to taste.
Tips for Country Fried Steak Recipe with Cube Steak
Preparing a delicious country-fried steak using cube steak requires some attention to detail. Here are a few tips to ensure your dish turns out perfectly:
- Choose high-quality cube steak: Look for a cube steak that is fresh and well-marbled. This will contribute to the tenderness and flavor of the final dish.
- Tenderize the steak properly: Before beginning the recipe, use a meat mallet that is to gently pound the cube steak. This supports breaking down the muscle fibers, resulting in a more tender steak.
- Season generously: Don’t be shy when seasoning the flour mixture. The steak itself is relatively mild in flavor, so a generous amount of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika will enhance the taste.
- Let the steak soak in buttermilk: After dredging the steak in the flour mixture, allow it to soak in buttermilk for about 15 minutes. This step adds tanginess and moisture and helps the coating adhere better to the meat.
- Maintain the right oil temperature: It’s crucial to fry the steak in oil that is at the right temperature (around 350°F or 175°C) for Country Fried Steak Recipe with Cube Steak. If the oil is too hot, that is why the coating will burn quickly, leaving the inside undercooked. If the oil is not hot enough, the steak will become greasy. Use a cooking thermometer that is to monitor the oil temperature.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Fry the steak in batches, if necessary, to ensure that each piece has enough space to cook evenly. Overcrowding the pan can lead to uneven browning and steamed rather than crispy results.
- Let the steak rest: After frying, allow the cooked steak to rest on a paper towel-lined plate. This helps to drain excess oil and allows the coating to set and become crispier.
- Make a flavorful gravy: Use the drippings from frying the steak to make a rich and flavorful gravy. Be sure to whisk while adding the flour and milk to avoid lumps. Adjust the thickness of the gravy by cooking it longer or adding more milk as needed.
- Serve immediately: Country fried steak is best enjoyed right after cooking while the coating is still crispy and the gravy is warm. Serve it with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, for a complete meal.
- Experiment with variations of the Country Fried Steak Recipe with Cube Steak: While the classic recipe is delicious on its own, feel free to add your own twist to the dish. You can incorporate additional spices or herbs into the flour mixture or try different seasonings in the gravy to suit your taste preferences.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to preparing a mouthwatering country-fried steak using cube steak that will impress your family and friends. Enjoy the flavors of this comforting and satisfying dish!
Serving
- Placing the country-fried steak on a plate: Transfer the fried steak to a serving plate, allowing the excess gravy to drip off.
- Pouring gravy over the steak: Generously ladle the creamy gravy over the country-fried steak, allowing it to soak into the crispy coating.
- Garnishing with parsley (optional): For a pop of color and freshness, sprinkle chopped parsley over the dish.
Conclusion
In conclusion, country fried steak with cube steak is a timeless comfort food that brings together tender beef, crispy coating, and creamy gravy. By following the steps outlined in this Country Fried Steak Recipe with Cube Steak, you can recreate this classic Southern dish in your own kitchen.
Serve it alongside creamy mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal. Whether it’s a special occasion or a simple weeknight dinner, country-fried steak is sure to delight your taste buds and warm your soul. Enjoy!