Country Fried Steak Fingers

Country Fried Steak Fingers are a true Southern comfort food classic that never fail to impress. I mean, who can resist the crispy, golden coating on tender steak strips, especially when they’re dipped in a rich, creamy gravy? These little beauties are perfect for any gathering, and trust me, they disappear faster than a cold beer on a hot summer day.

Growing up, I remember my mom whipping these up after a long day. The smell of frying steak would fill the house, and I’d be hovering around the kitchen, just waiting for my share. This recipe brings back those warm memories while adding my own twist.

So, whether you’re planning a casual dinner or a backyard get-together, these Country Fried Steak Fingers are bound to steal the show.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

First off, the flavor is out of this world. The combination of paprika and all-purpose seasoning makes each bite pop with a smoky, savory kick. Plus, the juicy steak paired with that crispy crust is the stuff dreams are made of.

You’ll be savoring every single bite, and I guarantee you’ll want to make them over and over again.

Another reason to love this recipe? It’s super simple to make. With just a handful of ingredients, you can whip up a feast that looks like you spent all day in the kitchen.

The frying process gives you that satisfying crunch, and the creamy gravy takes it to a whole new level. You can even get the kids involved – they’ll have a blast helping to coat the steak strips!

And let’s not forget how versatile this dish is. Serve them as a main course, or cut them into smaller pieces for a fun appetizer at your next party. You can even switch up the gravy or try different dipping sauces.

The possibilities are endless!

Ingredients & Tools You’ll Need

Let’s gather what we need to make these delicious steak fingers. You’ll start with about 1 to 1.5 pounds of cubed steak, cut into strips. I like to use a nice cut, so it’s tender and juicy.

Then, we’re going to coat those strips in a mixture of flour, paprika, and all-purpose seasoning – that’s where the magic begins.

You’ll also need some buttermilk for soaking the steak, which adds moisture and flavor. Trust me, it makes a difference! For frying, you’ll need oil and some bacon grease or butter to get that rich flavor in the gravy.

Don’t forget the eggs, salt, and pepper to round everything out. You might already have most of these ingredients in your pantry, making it even easier to dive in.

As for tools, a cast iron skillet is your best friend here. It holds heat well and gives that perfect crispy texture. You’ll also want a couple of shallow dishes for your flour and egg mixtures, plus a rack to drain the fried steak fingers when they’re done.

Got everything? Great! Let’s get cooking.

How To Make It

Alright, here’s the deal – making Country Fried Steak Fingers is all about the process. We’re going to start with some prep work, so let’s get everything ready. After that, it’s time to fry and get that gravy going.

Preparation

First things first, we need to heat up our oil. Pour enough oil into your cast iron skillet to make it about an inch deep and get that baby heated to 350°F. While that’s warming up, let’s mix our flour.

In a dish, combine the flour, paprika, and all-purpose seasoning, and give it a good stir. You want every bit of that flour to be nicely flavored.

In another dish, crack your eggs and mix them with the buttermilk until it’s all combined. This is going to help our flour stick to the steak. Now, take each steak strip and dip it in the flour mixture, then into the egg mixture, and back into the flour.

Set them aside on a plate – letting them sit for a bit helps the flour get nice and moist.

Cooking

Now that our oil is hot and our steak strips are ready, it’s time to fry! Carefully place a few strips into the hot oil, but don’t overcrowd the skillet – we want them to fry evenly. Cook them for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until they turn a beautiful golden brown.

You’ll know they’re done when they look crispy and smell incredible.

Once they’re cooked, pull them out and let them drain on a rack. This is super important; nobody wants soggy steak fingers! While they’re draining, let’s make that creamy gravy.

In a separate pot, melt some bacon grease or butter, then whisk in a bit of flour and cook it until it turns a lovely beige color. Slowly add in your milk while whisking, and watch that gravy start to thicken. Flavor it with salt and pepper, and once it’s at your desired thickness, you’re ready to serve!

Serving & Variations

When it comes to serving these Country Fried Steak Fingers, the options are endless. You can serve them straight up with that creamy gravy on the side or drizzled right on top. They pair wonderfully with mashed potatoes or a simple salad for a complete meal.

Feeling adventurous? Try them with a spicy ranch or a tangy BBQ sauce for a fun twist!

And if you have leftovers (which is rare), don’t worry! Store them in an airtight container in the fridge, and they’ll keep for a couple of days. Just reheat them in the oven to get that crispy texture back.

You can also cut them up and toss them in a salad or wrap them in a tortilla for a fun lunch idea.

Wrapping Up

So there you have it, folks! Country Fried Steak Fingers are a delicious, easy-to-make dish that’s sure to become a family favorite. With their crispy coating and creamy gravy, they bring all the comfort and nostalgia of home-cooked meals.

Trust me, you’ll be reaching for seconds before you know it!

Recipe created by Leslie Ross for Trust Me Try It.

Country Fried Steak Fingers

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp. paprika
• 1 cup buttermilk
• Oil for frying
• 3 tbsps. all-purpose flour
• 3 tbsps. bacon grease/butter
• 2 cups milk
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 1-1.5lbs cubed steak (cut in strips)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp. all-purpose seasoning (salt, pepper, garlic)
• 2 eggs

Instructions

• In a cast iron skillet, add enough oil to make it about an inch deep and heat until 350°.
• In a dish, add the flour, paprika, and all-purpose seasoning. Mix those ingredients well.
• In a separate dish, mix the eggs and buttermilk together.
• Take a steak strip, dip it into the flour mixture, then the egg mixture, then back into the flour mixture, and set aside to allow the flour to get moist.
• Once the oil is at temp, start frying the strips.
• Cook each side until browned.
• Remove from the oil and place on a rack to allow the oil to drain off.
• In a separate pot, add in the bacon grease/butter and melt.
• Once melted, add in the flour and cook for about 5 minutes or until the flour is a beige color.
• Then slowly add in 1 cup of milk, whisk as adding.
• The flour mixture will start to thicken.
• Once thickened start adding the other cup of milk, salt and pepper, and bring to a simmer.
• The gravy will thicken back up.
• Serve when ready with the gravy on the side or on top of the strips.