Fried Cube Steak

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Photo by bour3 licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Looking for a delicious and easy weeknight dinner idea? Make fried cube steak! This classic Southern comfort food is sure to be a hit whether you’re making it for yourself or your guests. The crispy, golden crust with the juicy, flavorful interior makes for the ultimate comfort food that no one can say no to. And the best part? It’s quick and easy to make, requiring just a few basic ingredients and just a little bit of your time. So why don’t you try it today and see why fried cube steak is a staple in most Southern kitchens everywhere!

What is fried cube steak?


Fried cube steak is a piece of tenderized beef, then cut into small, cube-shaped portions. These small portions are then breaded and fried until golden brown and crispy. The result is a bite-sized and flavorful piece of meat that will go well with just about any side dish you serve, like mashed potatoes, grilled vegetables, and gravy.

Variations

While fried cube steak is a classic and popular way to prepare this cut of beef, you still have a lot of other options when preparing your meals. Here are a few tried and tested ideas you can try:

Grilled: Sprinkle your cube steak with your favorite seasonings and throw it on the grill for a smoky, charred flavor. Make sure you watch them because they will burn easily because of their size.

Slow-cooked: Cube steak can be cooked low and slow in a crockpot with vegetables and broth, resulting in a tender and flavorful meal. You can easily cut your cooking time by a significant amount because the bite-sized pieces will cook faster.

Stuffed: Make a tiny pocket in your cube steak and stuff it with cheese and vegetables before grilling or baking for a tasty and unique meal. This might take a while to prepare because you will have to make sure that the pockets are tiny but big enough for the stuffing so it doesn’t spill while cooking.

Country Fried Cube Steak and Gravy Recipe

Who can say no to crispy breaded steak and creamy gravy that pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes? Here’s how to make this cube steak recipe:

Ingredients

For the Steak

  • 4 cube steaks
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil

For the Gravy

  • 1/4 cup reserved oil from frying
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

For the Steak

  1. Mix together the flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl, making sure there are no lumps.
  2. Dredge each cube steak in the flour mixture, pressing the flour into the steak to ensure it’s fully coated.
  3. Heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a skillet.
  4. Add the cube steaks in a single layer once the oil gets hot and starts to smoke.
  5. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
  6. Remove steaks from the skillet and set aside.

For the Gravy

  1. Using the same skillet, leave about 1/4 cup of oil.
  2. Whisk in 1/4 cup of flour until smooth on medium heat and cook for 1-2 minutes.
  3. Slowly pour in milk while whisking constantly, and continue to stir until the mixture thickens.
  4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Serve the steak with a generous amount of gravy poured on top.

Conclusion

Fried cube steak is traditionally made by seasoning, breading, and frying, but that doesn’t mean you can’t try other methods of cooking. There are so many ways to enjoy cube steak, so don’t be afraid to experiment once you’re ready. We promise that once you’ve mastered this recipe, you can make the other variations even with one eye closed.

Fried Cube Steak FAQs

fried cube steak salad

Country Fried Cube Steak and Gravy

Course Main Course

Ingredients
  

For the Steak

  • 4 cube steaks
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil

For the Gravy

  • 1/4 cup reserved oil from frying
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

For the Steak

  • Mix together the flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl, making sure there are no lumps
  • Dredge each cube steak in the flour mixture, pressing the flour into the steak to ensure it's fully coated
  • Heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a skillet
  • Add the cube steaks in a single layer once the oil gets hot and starts to smoke
  • Cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy
  • Remove steaks from the skillet and set aside

For the Gravy

  • Using the same skillet, leave about 1/4 cup of oil
  • Whisk in 1/4 cup of flour until smooth on medium heat and cook for 1-2 minutes
  • Slowly pour in milk while whisking constantly, and continue to stir until the mixture thickens
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste
  • Serve the steak with a generous amount of gravy poured on top

Notes

*Photo by bour3 licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0