Introduction
When beef was scarce and pork was abundant, I stumbled upon a package of Cubed Pork Steak in the meat department. Intrigued by this new find, I decided to give it a try. With the hope of finding a tender and juicy alternative to pork chops, I embarked on a delicious culinary adventure.
Cooking Tenderized Pork Steaks
To achieve the perfect flavor and texture, follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Buttermilk Soak
In a shallow dish, combine 1 1/2 cups of buttermilk, 1 egg, and 1-2 tablespoons of tangy Frank’s Buffalo Wing Sauce (adjust according to your taste). Whisk them together until well combined.
Step 2: Flavorful Breading
In another shallow dish, mix 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of pepper, 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, 3/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of paprika. Ensure all the dry breading ingredients are thoroughly blended.
Step 3: Dredging and Frying
Take 4 pork cube steaks and dip each one into the buttermilk mixture. Let them soak for a moment, allowing the flavors to seep into the meat. Then, remove the steaks from the buttermilk and coat them generously with the dry flour mixture, ensuring both sides are well coated. Place the coated pork steaks on a baking rack until ready to fry.
Heat vegetable oil to 325 °F in a large heavy skillet, cast iron skillet, or electric skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place each pork steak in the heated oil, away from you. Fry them until they turn a beautiful golden brown and become irresistibly crispy, approximately 3-5 minutes per side. Place the fried pork steaks on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
Step 4: Homemade Gravy
Drain the fat from the skillet, but save 1/4 cup of the liquid along with any solid remnants (also known as “bits”). Return the skillet to medium-low heat and add the reserved oil. Whisk in 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour, followed by 1/2 cup of chicken broth. Scrape the bottom of the pan with a spatula to release the flavorful solids into the gravy. Slowly stir in 4 cups of milk until the gravy thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Chicken Fried Pork Cube Steaks and Gravy over a bed of mashed potatoes for a classic country-style meal. The combination of crispy fried meat, creamy gravy, and homestyle mashed potatoes is pure comfort food.
Recipe Variations
Feel free to get creative with this recipe! These fried pork chops are incredibly versatile. You can use them to create mouthwatering Southern Fried Pork Chop Sandwiches. Simply omit the gravy and place a thin chicken fried pork cube steak on a toasted bun. Top it off with scrumptious honey mustard sauce or white BBQ sauce for a flavorful twist.
Other Southern Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoy Southern cuisine, here are some other delightful recipes to try:
- Country Fried Cube Steaks
- Homemade Fried Peach Hand Pies
- Chicken Fried Chicken with Creamy Gravy
- Fried Peaches Sweet Biscuit Shortcakes
- Easy Homemade Baking Powder Biscuits
- Southern Speckled Butter Beans from Julia’s Simply Southern
- Banana Pudding Cheesecake Parfaits from Soulfully Made
Conclusion
Give this irresistible Pork Cube Steak recipe a try, and I guarantee you’ll fall in love with its juicy and tender goodness. It’s perfect for satisfying your craving for comfort food. Sometimes, even in the midst of a trial, you stumble upon delicious new discoveries.