Country Fried Steak with Gravy

Name: Country Fried Steak with Gravy Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs cube steak; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning; 1 tsp seasoned salt, plus more for seasoning steak; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp paprika; 2 large eggs; 1 cup buttermilk; 2 cups avocado oil, for frying; 2.5 cups milk

Country fried steak is a Southern classic featuring cube steak fried until golden and crispy, then smothered in a silky homemade cream gravy. The buttermilk batter ensures a tender, juicy interior with a perfectly crunchy exterior.

🌍Southern 🏷️Country fried steak 🏷️Chicken fried steak 🏷️Comfort food 🏷️Steak Gravy

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TikTok

Total

35 min

Servings

6

Difficulty

Medium

Est. Cost

$20–$33

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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Ingredients

1.5 lbs cube steak
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
1 tsp seasoned salt, plus more for seasoning steak
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp paprika
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
2 cups avocado oil, for frying
2.5 cups milk

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Instructions

1
If needed, cut cube steak into hand-sized portions. Season both sides generously with seasoned salt.
2
In a shallow bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, Cajun seasoning, 1 tsp of seasoned salt, black pepper, and paprika. Whisk to combine.
3
In a separate shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs and buttermilk.
4
Reserve 3 tablespoons of the seasoned flour mixture and set aside for the gravy.
5
Heat about an inch of avocado oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat.
6
Dredge a piece of steak in the seasoned flour, then dip it completely in the egg and buttermilk mixture.
7
Return the steak to the flour mixture for a second coating, pressing firmly to ensure it's well-coated.
8
Carefully place the breaded steak into the hot oil. Repeat with remaining steaks, frying in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
9
Fry for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the pan and place on a wire rack to drain.
10
To make the gravy, carefully pour off most of the oil from the skillet, leaving about 3-4 tablespoons of drippings.
11
Add the 3 tablespoons of reserved seasoned flour to the drippings in the pan and cook for one minute, stirring constantly to form a roux.
12
Gradually whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring frequently, until the gravy has thickened.
13
Serve the country fried steak smothered in the creamy gravy.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Pound the flour-coated steaks lightly with a meat mallet to seal the breading and ensure even cooking.
Maintain oil temperature between 350-375°F; use a thermometer to prevent burning the crust before the meat cooks through.
For extra-crispy coating, double-dip: dredge in flour, then buttermilk mixture, then flour again.
Make the gravy in the same skillet using the browned flour bits (fond) for deeper flavor and color.

Substitutions

All-purpose flour → cornstarch blend (1:1) for crispier crust
Buttermilk → milk mixed with 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar (let sit 5 minutes)
Cajun seasoning → Creole seasoning or homemade blend of paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, and thyme
Avocado oil → vegetable or canola oil (lower smoke point, monitor temperature)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat steak in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes to restore crispness; warm gravy separately on the stovetop.

Equipment

meat thermometer · large cast-iron or heavy skillet

Common Questions

Can I use a different cut of steak for this recipe?

Cube steak is ideal because it's already tenderized. Round steak or thin-cut sirloin work as alternatives, though they may need light pounding to match the texture.