Herb-Crusted Country Fried Steak

Name: Herb-Crusted Country Fried Steak
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 4 beef cube steaks (about 4 oz each); 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup cornmeal; 2 tsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp paprika; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tbsp dried thyme; 1 tbsp dried rosemary; 1 cup buttermilk; 2 large eggs; Vegetable oil for frying

🕒 Prep: 10 min

🔥 Cook: 15 min

🍽 Serves: 4

★★★★★

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If you're craving something crispy, savory, and a bit nostalgic, this Herb-Crusted Country Fried Steak is just what you need. It's a classic comfort dish with a herby twist that brings a delightful crunch to your plate. Plus, it's easier to make than you might think!

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Ingredients for Herb-Crusted Country Fried Steak

The star of this dish is the beef cube steak, which is tenderized and perfect for frying. All-purpose flour and cornmeal form the base of the crispy coating—cornmeal adds an extra crunch. The seasoning mix of salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder brings bold flavor to every bite. The dried thyme and rosemary add aromatic notes that elevate the dish. Buttermilk and eggs help the coating adhere to the steaks, while vegetable oil is ideal for frying due to its high smoke point.

Tips & Tricks

For an extra-herby flavor, feel free to add a teaspoon of dried basil to the flour mixture.
If you don't have buttermilk, mix regular milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes.
Use a thermometer to ensure your oil is around 350°F for optimal frying.

Serving Suggestions

This dish pairs wonderfully with creamy mashed potatoes or a fresh garden salad. For a Southern-style meal, serve alongside collard greens or cornbread. A cool, crisp coleslaw also complements the richness of the fried steak perfectly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different cut of meat?: Yes, you can use any tenderized cut like round steak, but cube steak is traditional and works best.
Can I bake these instead of frying?: While frying gives the best texture, you can bake them at 400°F for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Herb-Crusted Country Fried Steak Recipe Walkthrough

Start by setting up your breading station. In a shallow dish, mix together the flour, cornmeal, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and rosemary. This is your herby, crispy coating that makes the steak so irresistible. In another shallow dish, whisk together the buttermilk and eggs until they're well combined. This mixture will help the coating stick to the steaks.

Take each beef cube steak and dip it into the buttermilk mixture, making sure it's fully coated. Then, transfer it to the flour mixture. Press down gently to ensure the coating sticks well, covering every inch of the steak. Set the coated steaks aside on a plate while you prepare to fry.

Heat a generous layer of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. You'll know it's ready when it starts to shimmer slightly. Carefully place a couple of steaks in the skillet, being sure not to crowd them. Fry for about 4-5 minutes on each side, until they turn a beautiful golden brown and are cooked through. Use tongs to transfer the steaks to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. Repeat with the remaining steaks.

Once all your steaks are cooked, serve them while they're hot. The aroma alone will have everyone at the table eager to dig in!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Rich and savory with a fragrant herbal crust.
Perfectly crispy on the outside, tender on the inside.
Simple ingredients that pack a flavorful punch.
Quick enough for a weeknight meal but special enough for company.

Ingredients

4 beef cube steaks (about 4 oz each)

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup cornmeal

2 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1 tbsp dried thyme

1 tbsp dried rosemary

1 cup buttermilk

2 large eggs

Vegetable oil for frying

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a shallow dish, combine flour, cornmeal, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and rosemary.

2. In another shallow dish, whisk together buttermilk and eggs.

3. Dip each steak into the buttermilk mixture, ensuring it's fully coated, then transfer to the flour mixture, pressing to adhere.

4. In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium heat until shimmering.

5. Fry steaks in batches for 4-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through.