Easy Country Fried Steak & Black Pepper Gravy

Easy Country Fried Steak and Sawmill Gravy

Recipe by Zach Bates
4.7 from 3 votes
Servings

4-6

servings
Cook Mode

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Ingredients

  • 4-6 Cube Steaks

  • 1 tsp Salt

  • 1/2 tsp Pepper

  • 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder

  • Flour Coating
  • 2 cup All Purpose Flour

  • 1/4 cup Cornstarch (adds color and crispiness)

  • 1 tsp Baking Powder

  • 1 tsp Salt

  • 1 tsp Paprika

  • 1/2 tsp Black Pepper

  • 1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper

  • Egg Wash
  • 1 Cup Buttermilk

  • 2 Eggs

  • 1 Tbsp Frank’s Red Hot Sauce (or your favorite hot sauce)

  • For Frying
  • Beef Tallow, or Neutral Oil

  • Black Pepper Gravy
  • 1/4 cup Pan drippings (or butter if they burn too much)

  • 1/4 cup All Purpose Flour

  • 2 1/2 cup Whole Milk

  • 1 tsp Fresh Cracked Black Pepper

  • 1/2 tsp Salt

  • 1/4 cup Heavy Whipping Cream (optional but adds extra richness)

Directions

  • Pound cube steaks to 1/4 inch, pat dry, and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  • Whisk buttermilk, eggs, and hot sauce, then place steaks in this mixture while preparing the rest of the recipe
  • In a shallow dish or pan, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and cayenne.
  • Remove each steak from the buttermilk wash and let excess drip off. Dredge in the flour mixture, pressing to create a thick, craggy crust. Optional* Double dip, placing back in the egg wash and coating again with the flour for extra thick breading! Let the breaded steaks rest for 15–20 minutes before frying (this helps the coating stick).
  • Heat ½ inch of tallow or oil in a cast-iron skillet to 350°F. Fry each steak for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a wire rack to drain.
  • Discard excess oil, keeping ¼ cup of drippings in the pan. Add flour and whisk for 1–2 minutes until golden. Slowly whisk in milk, stirring constantly. Simmer 3–5 minutes until thick, then season to taste with black pepper and salt.
  • Plate the crispy chicken fried steak, smother it with creamy sawmill gravy, and serve with mashed potatoes, green beans or corn & biscuits for the perfect Southern comfort meal!

Recipe Video

Notes

  • This is also commonly called Chicken Fried Steak, but whatever you call it, you are gonna love this taste of classic southern cuisine!
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Hi! I’m Zach!

Husband + Dad of 5 that loves to cook.

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