Beck Ranch Chicken-Fried Steak

Transform your Beck Ranch Cube Steaks into a crispy, Southern comfort icon—tenderized beef pounded to perfection, golden-fried, and smothered in velvety white gravy. This quick-fix dinner serves 4 and takes about 45 minutes, ideal for weeknights with mashed potatoes and green beans on the side.

Ingredients

For the Chicken-Fried Steak:

• 4 Beck Ranch cube steaks (about 1–1½ lbs total, ½-inch thick)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup whole milk (plus ½ cup more for gravy)
• Butter, Tallow, or Vegetable oil, for frying (about 1 cup)

For the Gravy:

• ¼ cup pan drippings or butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Prep the Steaks: Pat the cube steaks dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. In another dish, beat the egg with 1 cup milk.
2. Dredge and Bread: Dredge each steak in the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Dip into the egg mixture, then back into the flour for a second coat, pressing to adhere. Let rest on a wire rack for 10 minutes to set the breading.
3. Heat the Oil: In a large cast-iron skillet, heat ½ inch of oil over medium-high heat until shimmering (about 350°F). Fry the steaks in batches, 3–4 minutes per side, until deep golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels and keep warm.
4. Make the Gravy: Pour off all but ¼ cup oil from the skillet (or melt butter). Whisk in ¼ cup flour over medium heat to make a roux; cook 1–2 minutes until golden. Slowly whisk in 2 cups milk, scraping up bits. Simmer until thickened, 4–5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Serve: Plate the steaks and generously ladle gravy over top. Dig in hot!

Pro Tip: For extra crunch, add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the flour dredge—it's a game-changer for that shatteringly crisp coating. This recipe nods to timeless Texas traditions, scaled for our grass-fed cube steaks.