Chicken fried steak fingers are made with tender strips of cube steak that are seasoned perfectly, and fried to golden perfection. They are typically served with country gravy, and are a classic comfort food loved by people of all ages.
While I continually sing – well blog – the praises of the delicious Mexican and Tex-Mex food that you’ll find in Texas, I can’t forget that Texas is also home to some delicious southern food, as well. Although it’s not the deep south, along with its mastery of all things south of the border, Texas definitely has southern cooking down pat, as well. One of my favorite down-home classics is steak fingers. This delicious dish is easy to make, loaded with flavor, and makes a great dinner or addition to any party or potluck. It’s comfort food at its finest!
Steak Fingers
These delicious steak fingers start with strips of tender cube steak. I dredge them in flour, a buttermilk mixture, and a final flour coating full of bold seasonings. After that, I fry them until the coating is golden and crispy. That’s all there is to it! It’s a simple recipe that absolutely explodes with flavor and texture in every bite. And, when you serve them with gravy? MmmmMMMMMM! It’s so good.
Why You’ll Love This Steak Finger Recipe
- Steak fingers are a classic comfort food that everyone loves and enjoys. They are seasoned perfectly, fried to golden perfection, and are definitely a crowd-pleaser.
- They are easy to make and the recipe is simple and straightforward.
- They’re perfect for a casual meal at home or to serve at a dinner party.
- Steak Fingers are made with cube steak which is pre-tenderized which makes the steak easy to cook and ensures that it will be tender and juicy.
Steak Fingers Ingredients
This simple Southern classic only takes a few equally simple ingredients. You probably have most of them in your kitchen right now, in fact. All of the ingredients can easily be found at the local grocery store.
- Cube steak is a cut of beef that is tenderized. And, it is the perfect cut of meat for chicken fried steak fingers.
- Buttermilk helps to create a crispy crust when fried.
- Large eggs help to bind the breading to the meat.
- All purpose flour is the base for the breading, and helps create a crispy, crunchy coating that seals in the moisture.
- Slap Ya Mama® seasoning is a Cajun seasoning that adds a kick of flavor to the coating.
- Garlic salt or garlic powder adds flavor to the coating.
- Black pepper adds a bit of heat and flavor.
- Onion powder adds a touch of onion flavor to the meat.
- Red pepper flakes adds a bit of heat and flavor.
- Parsley flakes adds flavor and color to the crispy coating.
- Vegetable oil is for frying the steak fingers. It is a neutral oil that does not impart any flavor.
How to Make Steak Fingers
Making this recipe is a snap! You’ll be in and out of the kitchen in just about 30 minutes. It’s quick and easy.
Step 1: Prep
Cut the cube steak into 1-inch strips and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess liquid. Place the strips in a single layer, then place paper towels on top of them and add another layer until you’ve cut up all the steaks. Preheat the oil to 375 degrees in a large, cast-iron skillet or an electric skillet, or heat oil over medium-high heat.
Step 2: Make the Dredging Station
Add flour to a shallow container. Then, whisk eggs and buttermilk together in another shallow container. Finally, combine 2 cups of flour and the seasonings in a third shallow container.
Step 3: Coat the Steak Fingers
Pat 4 to 5 strips dry and dredge them in the flour. Then, dip them in the egg mixture. Finally, coat them in the seasoned flour mixture.
Step 4: Fry
Place the steak fingers in the hot oil and fry until golden brown on both sides. Place them on a plate lined with paper towels and place the plate in a 175-degree oven to keep warm. Fry the remaining steak fingers. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Pat your steak strips dry before dredging them so the coating isn’t soggy.
- Always fry your steak fingers in small batches so the oil stays hot. This keeps your coating crispy instead of soggy.
- Gently tap your strips to remove excess coating between each dredging bowl for the optimal coating.
- If you don’t have buttermilk, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to a liquid measuring cup and fill it with regular milk to the 1 cup line. Let it sit for 5 minutes, and you have buttermilk.
Variations
- You can use pork or chicken strips for this recipe, as well.
- For a mild version, omit the red pepper flakes.
- If you have a deep fryer, you can deep fry these, as well.
What to Serve with Fried Steak Fingers
Steak fingers are classically served with country gravy. Pair them with mashed potatoes or French fries for a classic southern meal.
Recipe FAQ
Steak fingers are a Southern staple made with strips of cube steak coated in a seasoned batter and fried or deep-fried until golden brown. Other variations are also popular in the Pacific Northwest.
Steak fingers get their names because they’re shaped like fingers. Gruesome but true!
Steak fingers aren’t necessarily a Texas thing, but they are popular in the state.
Steak fingers are made of slices of some kind of steak – usually cube steak – and a seasoned coating.
Cube steak is top round or top sirloin that’s tenderized and flattened by pounding with a meat tenderizer. It gets its name from the cube shapes on its surface left by the mallet.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Refrigerate for up to 4 days in an airtight container. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 3 months in an airtight, freezer-safe container.
To reheat them, place them in the air fryer on reheat mode for five minutes. You can also place them on a wire rack over a baking dish in the oven for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.
Try This Delicious Steak Finger Recipe Today
Tender and juicy on the inside and crispy and golden on the outside, these steak fingers are pure comfort food, and when you pair them with country gravy… Well, you’ve really got something, then. Give this recipe a try, and I know you’ll fall in love with these fried steak fingers. They’re a great Southern-style dinner or addition to any party. And they’re so easy to make. You can’t beat that combo!
More Delicious Fried Recipes You’ll Enjoy
Here are some delicious and crunchy Cheesy Jalapeno Cream Cheese Bites that are the perfect appetizer to serve at parties, game day celebrations, potlucks, or a side dish paired with beef, chicken, pork and fish.
Steak Fingers
Ingredients
- 6 large cube steak, cut into 1 inch strips
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 3 cups all purpose flour, divided
- 1 tablespoon Slap Ya Mama® seasoning
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon parsley flakes
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1-2 cups vegetable oil
Instructions
- Using an electric skillet, or large cast iron pan, heat oil to 375°.
- Cut cubed steaks into 1 inch strips and place on a plate lined with paper towels to soak up excess liquid. As you cut the steak into strips and fill the plate in a single layer, add another layer of paper towels and continue stacking steak strips with paper towels in between layers to absorb excess liquid and pat dry.
- While the oil is heating up, add one cup of flour into a shallow container, then prepare 2 more shallow containers.
- In the second container whisk eggs and buttermilk together, and in the third shallow container, add 2 cups of flour mixed with all the seasonings, red pepper flakes and parsley flakes.
- Once the oil is ready, pat dry and place about 4-5 steak fingers into the container with the flour. Coat both sides with flour, then add each steak finger into the egg mixture, and lastly, into the flour with all the seasonings, red pepper flakes and parsley flakes mixture.
- Place about 4-5 steak fingers into the hot oil and fry until golden brown on both sides.
- Once the first batch is cooked, place on a plate lined with paper towels and place into a preheated oven at 175° to keep warm while the rest of the steak fingers are being fried.
- Repeat the coating process for the remaining steak fingers. For best results, make sure to coat the steak fingers right before going into the skillet.
- Serve hot with your favorite country gravy recipe.
Notes
Nutrition
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