Chicken Fried Steak Gravy (Print Format)

Tender steak coated and fried, paired with creamy gravy for a classic southern comfort dish.

# Ingredients:

01 - 1 pound pre-tenderized cube steaks or round steaks (4 steaks)
02 - Kosher salt, for seasoning the meat
03 - 2 large eggs, beaten
04 - 1/2 cup milk
05 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
06 - 2 teaspoons kosher salt, for breading
07 - 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
09 - Canola oil, peanut oil, olive oil, or other fat for frying

→ For the gravy

10 - 3 tablespoons pan drippings
11 - 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
12 - 1/4 cup heavy cream
13 - 1 3/4 cups milk (a little more or less, depending on your preference)
14 - Kosher salt, to taste
15 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 200°F.
02 - If using round steak instead of pre-tenderized cube steak, pound the steaks thin until less than 1/4 inch thick. Place each steak between two pieces of plastic wrap and use a mallet or rolling pin to achieve the thickness. Repeat with all the steaks.
03 - Sprinkle a little kosher salt over the meat. Place a wire rack over a baking sheet and put it in the oven to keep the finished steaks warm and crisp.
04 - Prepare two wide, shallow dishes. In the first, whisk together the eggs and milk. In the second, combine the flour, salt, garlic powder, and cayenne. Dredge a steak in the flour mixture, pressing the flour into both sides. Dip into the egg wash, then dredge in the flour again, pressing it in. Set aside and repeat with remaining steaks.
05 - Heat 1/4 inch of oil in a frying pan to 350°F. Lay a coated steak into the hot oil and spoon oil over the top to set the coating. Fry for 2 minutes until golden brown on the edges, then flip and fry for another 2 minutes. Drain excess oil and place the steak on the rack in the oven. Repeat with remaining steaks.
06 - Pour out all but 3 tablespoons of fat from the pan. Mix in 3 tablespoons of flour and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the roux reaches a milk chocolate color (about 4–5 minutes).
07 - Slowly whisk in the milk and cream until the mixture loosens. Cook to your desired gravy thickness, adding milk if too thick or letting it cook longer if too thin. Season with salt and black pepper.
08 - Serve the chicken fried steak with gravy and a side of mashed potatoes or another side of your choice.