The Best Chicken Fried Steak

Serves 4
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Directions

  1. 1Peel and mince two cloves of garlic
  2. 2Put two cups of all-purpose flour in a shallow dish or bowl
  3. 3Put two teaspoons of baking powder into a separate dish or bowl
  4. 4Add a teaspoon of baking soda
  5. 5Add a teaspoon of ground black pepper
  6. 6Add three-quarters of a teaspoon of salt
  7. 7Mix the ingredients with a fork to blend
  8. 8Stir in one and a half cups of buttermilk
  9. 9Add a large egg
  10. 10Add a tablespoon of hot sauce
  11. 11Add the minced garlic
  12. 12Mix the batter well
  13. 13Dredge each steak first in the flour, then in the batter, and then again in the flour
  14. 14Rest the steak on a wire rack over parchment paper to air dry while you batter the others
  15. 15Heat three cups of vegetable shortening in a deep cast iron skillet to 325 degrees
  16. 16Fry each steak until it's golden brown, about three to five minutes per side
  17. 17Transfer the fried steak to a towel-lined tray and keep them warm under foil
  18. 18Drain the fat from the skillet, preserving a quarter cup of the fat and as much of the solids as possible
  19. 19Return the skillet to medium-low heat and add the reserved fat
  20. 20Stir in a quarter cup of all-purpose flour until blended, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan
  21. 21Then, stir in four cups of milk
  22. 22Increase the heat to medium and bring the gravy to a simmer
  23. 23Cook, stirring often, until the gravy has thickened (6 to 7 minutes)
  24. 24Season the gravy to taste with kosher salt and ground black pepper
  25. 25Transfer the steaks to a platter and pour the gravy over them

Ingredients

  • 4 beef cube steaks
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 0.75 teaspoon salt
  • 1.5 cups buttermilk
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 3 cups vegetable shortening
  • 0.25 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups milk
  • kosher salt
  • ground black pepper

Equipment

shallow dishbowlforkwire rackparchment paperdeep cast iron skillettowel-lined trayspatula

Tips

  • For a buttermilk substitute, add 1 3/4 tablespoons of cream of tartar, or 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar, to a cup of milk; let stand for 5 to 10 minutes.