Deep-Frying Country Steak: A Tasty Frying Guide

Country fried steak, also known as chicken fried steak, is a Southern food classic. It is made by tenderizing round steak or using cube steak, which is then breaded and fried to a crispy golden brown. The pan drippings are used to make a creamy milk gravy to smother the steaks.

To make this dish, you will need to prep the steaks, fry them, and then make the gravy. The steaks should be tenderized using a meat mallet and then coated in a flour mixture with salt, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper, along with an egg wash buttermilk mixture. The oil should be heated to around 350°F before frying the steaks for about two minutes on each side. Finally, the gravy can be made by adding butter to the drippings, whisking in flour, and then slowly adding in milk and cream.

Pound the steak to a thickness of 1/4 inch

To make country fried steak, you'll need to pound the steak to a thickness of 1/4 inch. To do this, place the steak in a large resealable plastic bag and use a meat tenderizer mallet to pound it to the desired thickness. You can also use a meat mallet or other heavy object, such as a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy pan.

Pounding the steak to a uniform thickness is important for ensuring even cooking and a tender texture. It is also crucial to pound the steak hard enough, especially if you are using a tougher cut of meat like round steak. Continue pounding until the meat feels tender and no longer "fights back" when hit.

Once the steak has been flattened, you can move on to the next steps in the recipe, such as preparing the flour mixture and egg wash for coating the steak.

Prepare the flour mixture and egg wash

To prepare the flour mixture and egg wash, you'll need to gather your ingredients and find some containers that are large enough to fit the entire steak.

For the flour mixture, you'll need:

• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Cayenne pepper

For the egg wash, you'll need:

• Eggs
• Buttermilk

In one flat-bottomed container, whisk together the eggs and buttermilk. In another container, combine the flour with the salt and seasonings. You can adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to your preference for spiciness. Make sure you have enough of the flour mixture to really coat the steaks, burying them in the flour and getting it into all the crevices.

Now you're ready to coat the steaks! Press the steaks into the flour mixture, then coat them in the egg wash, and then coat them in the flour mixture for a second time. Make sure the steaks are completely coated before you move on to frying.

Coat the steak in the flour mixture, then egg wash, then flour again

To make country fried steak, you'll need to coat the steak in a flour mixture, then an egg wash, and then flour it again. Here's a detailed, step-by-step guide:

Start by preparing your flour mixture. In a shallow bowl, combine flour with seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper. You can also add baking powder and baking soda to the flour mixture for an extra crispy coating. Whisk everything together until well combined.

Next, prepare your egg wash in a separate shallow bowl. Beat eggs and combine them with buttermilk. You can also add a dash of hot sauce to the egg wash for some extra flavour. Whisk the mixture until well combined.

Now, it's time to coat the steaks. Start by pressing both sides of each steak into the flour mixture. Make sure to get a good amount of flour adhering to the surface. Then, shake off any excess flour.

After coating with flour, it's time for the egg wash. Dredge both sides of the steak in the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Again, make sure the steak is well coated.

Finally, it's time for the second flour coating. Set the steak back into the flour mixture, turning and pressing it down to ensure it's completely coated. You can also shake the steak gently to remove any excess flour.

Once all the steaks are coated, they are ready to be fried. Place them in a deep fryer or large pan with hot oil, and fry until golden brown.

By following these steps, you'll end up with a delicious country fried steak with a crispy, flavourful coating. Enjoy!

Heat the oil to 325-350°F

Heating the oil to 325-350°F is an important step in making country fried steak in a deep fryer. This temperature range is crucial for achieving the desired level of crispiness and browning on the steak. Here's a detailed guide on how to heat the oil and some tips to ensure success:

Heating the Oil:

• Use a deep fryer or a large pan on the stove: You'll need a sufficient amount of oil to deep fry the steaks, so a deep fryer or a large pan is necessary. Fill it with enough oil to reach a depth of a few inches.
• Target a temperature of 325-350°F: Use a thermometer to monitor the oil's temperature. Adjust the heat source as needed to reach and maintain this temperature range.
• Test the oil: If you don't have a thermometer, you can test the oil by dropping a small pinch of flour into it. If the flour sizzles and turns golden brown, the oil is ready. Another sign that the oil is ready is when it starts to glisten but not smoke.

Tips for Success:

• Don't overcrowd the pan: Fry the steaks in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. This ensures even cooking and prevents the oil temperature from dropping too much.
• Maintain oil temperature: Keep an eye on the oil temperature throughout the frying process. Adjust the heat as needed to maintain a consistent temperature of 325-350°F.
• Use a cast iron skillet (optional): While not necessary, a cast iron skillet is recommended for even heat distribution and better heat retention.
• Prepare the steaks beforehand: Before heating the oil, make sure your steaks are pounded to a uniform thickness of about 1/4 inch and coated with the flour mixture. This ensures that you can focus on maintaining the correct oil temperature during frying.

Fry the steak for 2-5 minutes on each side

Frying the steak is a crucial step in making country fried steak. Here is a detailed guide on how to fry the steak to perfection:

Firstly, ensure your steaks are dry. Use paper towels to pat them down and remove any excess moisture. This step is important as it helps the flour coating adhere better to the steak.

Next, heat up your deep fryer or large pan on the stove. You want the oil to be a few inches deep, and it should be heated to around 325°F. It is now time to fry the steaks. Carefully place the steaks into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the steaks for 2-5 minutes on each side, until they are golden brown. Be careful not to flip the steaks more than once, as you don't want to disturb that crispy coating you've created.

Once the steaks are golden brown and cooked to your liking, remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess grease. Keep the steaks warm in a preheated oven while you make the gravy.

And that's it! You've successfully fried your country fried steaks. Now, all that's left is to make a delicious gravy to go with it and enjoy your mouth-watering creation.

Frequently asked questions