Crispy Buttermilk Chicken Fried Steak
Southern comfort at its best—tender cube steak in a crispy buttermilk crust, topped with creamy country gravy. A hearty, home-cooked classic.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Pan-Fried / Shallow Fry
- Cuisine: American Southern
Ingredients
4 beef cube steaks (about 1 cm thick)
2 cups (480 ml) buttermilk
2 large eggs
1.5 cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon (2 g) paprika
0.5 teaspoon (1 g) cayenne pepper (optional)
1 teaspoon (3 g) garlic powder
1 teaspoon (3 g) onion powder
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Vegetable oil, for shallow frying
→ Gravy
0.25 cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
2.5 cups (600 ml) whole milk
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Place cube steaks between plastic wrap and gently pound to 0.5 cm thickness for even tenderization. Season both sides with salt and black pepper.
In a shallow bowl, whisk together buttermilk and eggs. In another bowl, mix flour, paprika, cayenne (if using), garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Dredge each steak in the flour mixture, dip into the buttermilk mixture, and then coat again in flour, pressing to adhere the crust.
Heat about 1.25 cm of vegetable oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Fry steaks in batches, 3–4 minutes per side, until golden and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
Pour off most of the oil, leaving about 30 ml and the browned bits in the pan. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
Gradually whisk in milk, scraping up browned bits, and cook for 5–7 minutes until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
Serve fried steaks topped generously with hot country gravy.
Notes
Maintain consistent oil temperature for even crispiness.
Use a cast-iron skillet for best heat retention.
For extra flavor, add a dash of hot sauce to the buttermilk mixture.
Serve with mashed potatoes or biscuits for a full Southern-style meal.
Find it online: https://allcookedup.com/crispy-buttermilk-chicken-fried-steak/
