Crispy Buttermilk Chicken Fried Steak with Country Gravy

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Grab a bite of real southern comfort—crispy Chicken Fried Steak bathed in creamy, peppery gravy. Cheap cube steak turns totally tasty with juicy tenderness and an amazing crunch. Marinate in buttermilk to make things soft, and dip it twice in seasoned flour for max crunch. The gravy uses all those tasty bits from the pan for a deep, rich flavor that holds everything together. Great when you're craving something comfy for dinner or just want a weekend treat. It always hits the spot!

Barbara Chef
Updated on Thu, 31 Jul 2025 02:30:29 GMT
Plateful of Chicken Fried Steak smothered in Gravy. Pin it
Plateful of Chicken Fried Steak smothered in Gravy. | gracefulflavors.com

This stick-to-your-ribs chicken fried steak with rich, peppery cream gravy takes humble cube steak and turns it into a showstopping Southern favorite. Crunchy coating meets smooth gravy for a meal that screams Texas comfort with every bite.

I whipped up this dish when the Texas blues hit after moving away. The crispy crust and creamy gravy took me back home in one bite. Now it’s what I always fix when folks stop by and want legit Southern grub.

Tasty Ingredients

  • Eggs: Help everything stick together so your crust won’t bail on you
  • Buttermilk: Softens the meat so it’s not chewy and sneaks in a tangy zip
  • Cube steaks: Cheap cut, but with a soak and fry, it’s melt-in-your-mouth good
  • Cayenne pepper: Bring on the spicy kick if you’re into that peppery gravy vibe
  • Paprika: Gives a kick of color and a hint of sweetness
  • All-purpose flour: The secret to the crunchy goodness when you double-coat just right
  • Whole milk: Turns into that yummy, classic gravy Southerners dream about
  • Onion powder and garlic powder: Build in flavor without hiding the beefy taste

Delicious Step-by-Step Guide

Make the Gravy:
Once you’re done frying, drain off most of the oil but keep about three tablespoons. Sprinkle in flour and whisk it up so you don’t get any lumps. Stir that for a minute to cook out the raw flour flavor. Slowly add the milk, whisking the whole time. Toss in garlic powder. Let it bubble gently. In three to five minutes you should have a tasty thick sauce that clings to a spoon. Salt and crack plenty of black pepper in!
Fry the Steak:
Heat up enough oil in a big skillet so it’s about half an inch deep. You want it hot—think 350 to 375°F. Cook your breaded steaks a few at a time, giving them space. Fry about 3 or 4 minutes per side till they’re deep golden brown. Let them drain on a rack or some paper towels.
Bread the Steak:
Take steaks from the buttermilk, let excess drip off. First coat in plain flour, knocking off any extra. Next dip in beaten eggs. Then press into the seasoned flour really well to form an even layer that’ll get super crispy.
Prep the Breading:
Mix up half a cup of flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne (if you want), salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl. Give it a good whisk. Put the rest of your plain flour in a second bowl. Whisk your eggs smooth in a third bowl.
Marinate the Steak:
Take the cube steaks out of their packaging and lay them in a shallow dish. Pour in buttermilk until every steak is covered. Stick it in the fridge for a half hour (or even better, 2 hours). This soak softens up the meat just right.
A piece of Chicken Fried Steak with Gravy. Pin it
A piece of Chicken Fried Steak with Gravy. | gracefulflavors.com

There’s no rushing this. If you skip the careful breading, don’t be surprised if the coating slips off in the fryer and you end up with bare steak. My grandma used to sing while she worked slowly, making sure each piece was covered just right. That patience really is what makes this dish shine and go from regular to unforgettable.

Advance Prep and Storing Leftovers

You can bread these up to 8 hours ahead and stash them in the fridge before you fry. Lay them on parchment on a baking sheet, cover loosely, and chill. When you’re hungry: fry as usual. For leftovers, box up the steaks and the gravy separately—keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Heat the steaks in a hot oven (350°F, about 10 minutes) so they get crispy again and warm the gravy on the stove with a splash of milk to loosen it up.

Best Sidekicks

Nothing beats mashed potatoes for soaking up extra gravy. Toss in green beans or collards for something fresh. Fluffy buttermilk biscuits are awesome for sopping up the last drops. Sweet iced tea rounds it all out. If you’ve got room, apple pie or peach cobbler with ice cream will totally finish the meal.

Common Problems and Easy Fixes

If your coating’s sliding off, odds are the meat was still wet—pat it dry first. Lumpy gravy? Whisk hard while you add milk or strain it before you pour. If it’s too thick, add warm milk a bit at a time. Too thin? Let it simmer longer or stir in a quick flour-and-milk mix to thicken it up.

A piece of Chicken Fried Steak covered in gravy. Pin it
A piece of Chicken Fried Steak covered in gravy. | gracefulflavors.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Which beef cut is best for Chicken Fried Steak?

Go for cube steak or a round steak that's already been tenderized—they cook quick and come out nice and soft.

→ How do I get my steak even softer?

Just smack the steak with a meat mallet until it's thin, then let it soak in buttermilk to make it extra juicy and tender.

→ What's the perfect oil for frying?

Stick with vegetable oil. It can get really hot without burning and makes your steak super crispy.

→ What's the trick for super crispy breading?

Dip the steak in flour, then egg, and then back into seasoned flour. Press it on gently, so it sticks well and fries up crunchy.

→ Can I make the gravy healthier?

Definitely! Just swap whole milk for plain almond milk or use fewer pan drippings if you want to cut down on the fat a bit.

Chicken Fried Steak Gravy

Golden crunchy steak and smooth gravy. The best kind of southern comfort.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
50 Minutes
By: Barbara

Category: Hearty Mains

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Southern

Yield: 4 Servings (You’ll feed 4 people steaks slathered with gravy)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Steak

01 A little vegetable oil for frying up the steaks
02 2 beaten eggs (big ones)
03 1 teaspoon salt
04 About 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
05 1/2 teaspoon cayenne (don’t worry, it’s optional)
06 1 teaspoon garlic powder
07 1 teaspoon onion powder
08 A cup of flour (split into two parts)
09 1 cup buttermilk or whole milk with a splash of vinegar (great for soaking)
10 4 cube steaks (or round steaks) about 6-8 ounces each, make 'em thin
11 1 teaspoon paprika

→ Gravy

12 Salt—toss in as much as you like
13 Black pepper—shake it in to your taste
14 Half a teaspoon of garlic powder
15 2 cups regular or almond milk (unsweetened)
16 3 tablespoons flour (all-purpose works)
17 3 tablespoons butter or those leftover pan juices

Instructions

Step 01

Pour out oil until you've got about 3 tablespoons left in your pan. Whisk in the flour and let that cook for a minute. Add your milk slowly, sprinkle in garlic powder too, then stir. Keep simmering till it thickens—like 3-5 minutes—then season with salt and pepper.

Step 02

In a skillet, heat about half an inch of oil over medium-high heat (175–190°C). Set down the steaks, fry ‘em 3-4 minutes per side until the crust looks golden and crunchy. Put onto a rack or paper towels so extra oil drips off.

Step 03

Take each steak from the buttermilk bath and give it a second to drip. Dip in plain flour, then dunk in the egg, then coat all over in your seasoned flour. Press the flour on so it sticks well.

Step 04

In a shallow bowl, whisk together half your flour with the garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Grab a second bowl for the rest of the flour and a third bowl for beating up your eggs.

Step 05

Lay your steaks flat in a big dish and pour the buttermilk mix on top. Pop ‘em in the fridge anywhere from half an hour up to 2 hours.

Notes

  1. Letting the steak soak in buttermilk makes it tender. Double dipping creates that crunchy outside, and the pan gravy just brings it all together.

Tools You'll Need

  • Something heavy (like a meat mallet)
  • Big shallow pan or dish
  • A skillet
  • Paper towels or wire rack
  • Whisk

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Milk, gluten, and eggs are in this.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 480
  • Total Fat: 24 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 32 g
  • Protein: 32 g