Tender Ground Beef Country Fried Steaks with Creamy Milk Gravy
This nostalgic recipe brings the warmth of home cooking right to your table. Inspired by my mother’s budget-friendly meals, this country-style dish transforms humble ground beef into deliciously crispy 'steaks' that are tender and flavorful. With its rich, creamy milk gravy, it's the perfect complement for a heap of homemade mashed potatoes. Your family and guests will love it so much they won't even realize it’s not traditional steak. Easy enough for a weeknight dinner, yet delectable enough to impress, this meal is a true comfort food classic that has been passed down through generations.
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground Beef
1 lb (none)
Eggs
2 (beaten)
All-Purpose Flour
2 cups (none)
Seasoning Salt
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
Oil or Lard
1/4 cup (for frying)
Dredging Flour
4 tablespoons (none)
Cooking Fat
4 tablespoons (none)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Milk
3 cups (none)
Instructions
1
In a mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour with the seasoning salt and black pepper. Set aside.
2
Shape the ground beef into four thin, even patties, making sure to flatten them slightly without breaking them apart.
3
Dredge each patty in the seasoned flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and return to the flour to coat thoroughly. This double-dredging technique helps create a crispy crust.
4
In a heavy skillet, heat the oil or lard over medium-high heat. To check if it's hot enough, sprinkle a bit of flour into the skillet – it should sizzle.
5
Carefully place the coated patties into the hot skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes on each side or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
6
Once done, remove the patties from the skillet and let them drain on paper towels to absorb excess grease.
7
For the gravy, remove all but 4 tablespoons of fat from the skillet. Keep any browned bits for flavor.
8
Stir in the 4 tablespoons of dredging flour and the 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Cook, stirring constantly, for about one minute until the mixture turns light brown.
9
Gradually whisk in the 3 cups of milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue whisking until the gravy thickens and bubbles.
10
Remove from heat and add additional black pepper to taste, stirring well to combine.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ground Beef Country Fried Steak?
It is a comfort food dish where ground beef is shaped into patties, breaded, fried until crispy, and served with a creamy milk gravy.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
What ingredients are needed for the meat patties?
You will need 1 lb of ground beef, 2 beaten eggs, and seasoned all-purpose flour.
What is the secret to a crispy crust?
The secret is the double-dredging technique, where patties are coated in flour, dipped in eggs, and coated in flour again.
How much flour is used for the initial dredging?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of all-purpose flour mixed with seasonings.
What seasonings are added to the flour?
The flour is seasoned with 1/4 teaspoon of seasoning salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.
How should I shape the ground beef?
Shape the beef into four thin, even patties and flatten them slightly without breaking them apart.
What can I use for frying the steaks?
You can use 1/4 cup of oil or lard for frying.
How do I know if the oil is hot enough?
Sprinkle a bit of flour into the skillet; if it sizzles, the oil is ready.
How long do the patties need to cook?
Cook the patties for about 5 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through.
What should I do after frying the steaks?
Remove the patties from the skillet and let them drain on paper towels to remove excess grease.
How much fat is needed to start the gravy?
You should leave 4 tablespoons of fat in the skillet after frying the meat.
Should I clean the skillet before making gravy?
No, keep the browned bits in the skillet as they provide extra flavor for the gravy.
How much flour is added to the gravy roux?
Stir in 4 tablespoons of the dredging flour into the hot fat.
How long do I cook the flour and fat mixture?
Cook and stir constantly for about one minute until the mixture turns a light brown color.
How much milk is required for the gravy?
The recipe requires 3 cups of milk.
How do I prevent lumps in my milk gravy?
Gradually whisk in the milk and continue whisking constantly until the mixture thickens and bubbles.
What is the final step for the gravy?
Remove from heat and add additional black pepper to taste.
Is this recipe budget-friendly?
Yes, it is designed as a budget-friendly meal that transforms humble ground beef into a delicious steak-like dish.
What is a recommended side dish for this meal?
It is perfectly complemented by a heap of homemade mashed potatoes.
Can I use butter for the gravy?
The recipe uses the leftover cooking fat (oil or lard) for flavor, but butter could be used if there isn't enough fat left.
What kind of skillet is recommended?
A heavy skillet is recommended for even heating and frying.
Does this recipe use a lot of salt?
It uses 1/4 teaspoon of seasoning salt in the flour and 1/4 teaspoon of salt in the gravy.
Is this a quick dinner option?
Yes, it is described as easy enough for a weeknight dinner.
What is the category of this recipe?
This recipe falls under the Meat category.
How much ground beef do I need per person?
With 1 lb for 4 servings, it is 1/4 lb of ground beef per person.
What gives the gravy its creamy texture?
The combination of the flour roux and 3 cups of milk creates the creamy texture.
Can I substitute seasoning salt?
If you don't have it, you can use a mix of regular salt, garlic powder, and onion powder.
What temperature should the stove be for frying?
The oil should be heated over medium-high heat.
Is the meat supposed to be tender?
Yes, the recipe specifically highlights that these are 'tender' ground beef steaks.