Southern Living's Country Fried Steak

Little Bee's Note:

This is absolutely 100 percent Southern cooking at its best!

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 4 (4 ounce) cube steaks
• 38 saltine crackers, crushed
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons salt, divided
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 4 3/4 cups milk
• 2 eggs
• 3 1/2 cups peanut oil
• chopped fresh parsley, to garnish

Directions:

1. sprinkle salt and pepper evenly over steaks.
2. Set aside.
3. combinecracker crumbs, 1 cup flour, baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and red pepper.
4. whisk together 3/4 cup milk and eggs.
5. Dredge steaks in cracker crumb mixture; dip in milk mixture, and dredge in cracker mixture again.
6. POUR oil into a 12-inch skillet;heat to 360 degrees.
7. Do not use a nonstick skillet.
8. I like to use a cast iron skillet for this.
9. Fry steaks 10 minutes.
10. Turn and fry 4 to 5 more minutes or until golden brown.
11. Remove to a wire rack on a jellyroll pan.
12. Keep steaks warm in a 225 degree oven.
13. Carefully drain hot oil, reserving cooked bits and 1 tablespoon drippings in skillet.
14. whisk together remaining 1/4 cup flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 4 cups milk.
15. Pour mixture into reserved drippings in skillet; cook over medium-high heat, whisking constantly, 10 to 12 minutes, or until thickened.
16. Serve gravy with steaks and mashed potatoes.
17. Sprinkle with parsley, if desired.

Reviews

[Naturelover]

This is the best recipe for country fried steak. The only thing I do different is I use my electric fry pan and a lot less oil. I also halve the gravy. Thank You for posting.

[Susie R.]

Good meat! I did something wrong and the gravy was bad- burned flavor. I may have had the heat too high in the pan when frying. I accidentally added crushed red pepper to the breading so I just added ground red pepper, too and it was fine. I'll try this again with a thermometer because of the gravy issue.

[lynng32]

I liked it a lot and so did my family, BUT I am one for a lot of flavor and the gravy was BLAND so I think I will try to make my gravy with spicy sausage to give it a kick. But other than that it was delightful! :) and the dish was easy to make.... Thank you!