Can I freeze country fried steak?

You bet! Just skip the gravy when freezing - it doesn't thaw well. Freeze the breaded-and-fried steaks on a baking sheet first, then transfer to freezer bags. When cravings hit, pop 'em straight into a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes. The breading stays surprisingly crispy!

What's the best oil for frying?

My grandma swore by vegetable or canola oil - they have high smoke points and neutral flavors that let the steak truly shine. Peanut oil works great too if you've got it! Just avoid olive oil - its flavor's too strong and it can't take the heat needed for perfect crispiness.

How do I prevent soggy breading?

Oh honey, I learned this the hard way! Three golden rules: 1) Pat steaks bone-dry before breading, 2) Keep your oil hot (about 375°F), and 3) Never overcrowd the pan - give each steak room to crisp up beautifully. And always let them drain on a wire rack instead of paper towels - game changer!

Can I make gravy ahead of time?

Truth time - fresh is best, but you can make it 2 days ahead. Just store it separately in the fridge and reheat slowly with a splash of milk, whisking like crazy. It'll thicken up again perfectly for smothering those crunchy steaks!

Why use cube steak specifically?

Those little indentations from tenderizing are magic - they help the breading cling like glue! But don't stress if you can't find cube steak. Thin-cut round steak works nearly as well when pounded gently with a meat mallet (or even a heavy saucepan in a pinch - kitchen improvisation at its finest!).

Crispy Country Fried Steak Recipe with Creamy 5-Min

Name: Classic Country Fried Steak
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 4 cube steaks (about 1/2 inch thick); 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 egg; 1/2 cup milk; 1/2 cup vegetable oil (for frying); 2 cups milk (for gravy); 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for gravy); Salt and pepper to taste (for gravy)

Classic Country Fried Steak

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Crispy breaded cube steak smothered in creamy white gravy, a Southern comfort food favorite.

Author: Sophia Collins
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Dish
Method: Pan-Frying
Cuisine: Southern
Diet: Low Lactose

Ingredients

Scale

4 cube steaks (about 1/2 inch thick)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
2 cups milk (for gravy)
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for gravy)
Salt and pepper to taste (for gravy)

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Instructions

In a shallow dish, mix flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
In another dish, whisk egg and 1/2 cup milk.
Dredge each cube steak in the flour mixture, dip in the egg mixture, then coat again in flour.
Heat oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
Fry steaks for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
For the gravy, leave 2 tablespoons of oil in the skillet. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of flour until smooth.
Gradually add 2 cups of milk, stirring constantly until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
Serve steaks hot, smothered in gravy.

Notes

For a lighter version, use an air fryer at 400°F for 10-12 minutes.
Substitute cube steak with thin-cut round steak if needed.
Find more recipe inspiration on our Pinterest account.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 steak with gravy
Calories: 450
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 120mg

Find it online: https://kitchenuser.net/crispy-country-fried-steak-recipe/