This poor man’s chicken fried steak is a simple, no-frills comfort meal made from ground beef patties, seasoned, breaded, and fried. It’s just like the classic but made with what you have on hand. Unlike many recipes that rely on cheap and toxic seed oils, this version is prepared more thoughtfully using avocado or olive oil.
Ingredients
For the steaks:
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 works well)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp paprika (optional)
- 1 egg
- ½ cup milk (or buttermilk)
- ½ cup flour (for dredging)
- Oil for frying (avocado, olive, or light-tasting oil)
For the gravy:
- 2 Tbsp pan drippings (or butter)
- 2 Tbsp flour
- 1 ½–2 cups milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Form the patties:
Mix ground beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Divide into 4 equal portions and flatten into thin oval patties (about ½ inch thick). Press them a bit wider than you want (they’ll shrink slightly). - Set up dredging station:
- Bowl 1: ½ cup flour mixed with paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Bowl 2: Whisk together the egg and ½ cup milk.
- Bowl 3: Another ½ cup plain flour.
- Coat the patties:
Dip each patty in seasoned flour → egg wash → plain flour. Press flour on firmly to create a good crust. Let them rest 5 minutes so the coating adheres. - Fry:
Heat about ¼ inch of oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high.
Once hot (sprinkle of flour should sizzle), fry patties 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to paper towel–lined plate. - Make the gravy:
- Pour off excess oil, leaving about 2 Tbsp of drippings in the pan.
- Whisk in 2 Tbsp flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in milk until smooth and thickened (add more for a thinner gravy).
- Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Serve and Enjoy:
Spoon gravy over steaks. Serve with mashed potatoes or rice of choice and your families favorite side dish.
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