Are you a fan of crispy, golden-brown steak fingers but don’t have any cube steaks on hand? Fear not, because you can still enjoy this classic dish with ground beef!
With a few simple steps and ingredients, you can whip up a batch of delicious steak fingers that are sure to satisfy your cravings.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of making steak fingers with ground beef, from tenderizing the meat to creating the perfect breading and gravy.
So grab your apron and let’s get cooking!
How To Make Steak Fingers With Ground Beef?
Step 1: Tenderize the Meat
To start, you’ll need to tenderize your ground beef. You can do this by pounding it with a meat mallet or rolling pin until it’s about 1/4 inch thick. This will help ensure that your steak fingers are tender and easy to eat.
Step 2: Prepare Your Dredging Station
Next, you’ll want to set up your dredging station. You’ll need three shallow dishes or pie plates. In the first dish, whisk together flour, seasoned salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. In the second dish, whisk together milk and eggs. In the third dish, combine flour and breadcrumbs.
Step 3: Bread the Meat
Take each piece of ground beef and dredge it in the flour mixture, making sure it’s coated on both sides. Then dip it quickly in the egg mixture and return it to the flour mixture to coat again. Repeat this process until all of your meat is breaded.
Step 4: Fry the Steak Fingers
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add butter and vegetable oil. Once hot, fry your steak fingers in batches, turning them midway through cooking until they’re golden brown on both sides. Remove them from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
Step 5: Make the Gravy
Pour off any excess grease from the skillet and add 1/4 cup of the grease back in. Sprinkle on some flour and whisk until it becomes a paste. Cook the paste over medium-low heat until it’s deep golden brown. Pour in about 3 cups of milk, whisking constantly until the gravy thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!
Arrange your steak fingers on a plate and pour some gravy over them. Serve hot with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes or green beans.
Preparing The Ground Beef
Before you can start making steak fingers with ground beef, it’s important to properly prepare the meat. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Choose the right ground beef: For steak fingers, it’s best to use lean ground beef with a fat content of around 80/20. This will give your meat a good texture and flavor without being too greasy.
2. Season the meat: Add salt, pepper, and any other desired spices to the ground beef and mix gently until they are well integrated.
3. Form into patties: Take a small amount of seasoned ground beef and form it into a patty shape. You can use your hands or a burger press for this step.
4. Tenderize the meat: Once you have formed your patties, use a meat mallet or rolling pin to tenderize them until they are about 1/4 inch thick. This will help ensure that your steak fingers are tender and easy to eat.
5. Cut into strips: Use a sharp knife to cut your flattened ground beef into strips that are about 1 inch wide and 3-4 inches long. These will be your steak fingers.
By following these steps, you’ll have perfectly prepared ground beef that’s ready to be breaded and fried into delicious steak fingers.
Tenderizing The Meat
Tenderizing the meat is a crucial step in making steak fingers with ground beef. Ground beef is not naturally tender, so it’s important to take steps to ensure that it’s easy to eat. One way to tenderize ground beef is by pounding it with a meat mallet or rolling pin until it’s about 1/4 inch thick. This will break down the tough fibers in the meat, making it more tender.
Another way to tenderize ground beef is by using a meat tenderizer tool. This tool has small blades that pierce the meat, breaking down the fibers and making it more tender. Simply place your ground beef on a cutting board and use the tenderizer tool to pierce it all over.
It’s important not to over-tenderize your ground beef, as this can make it too mushy and affect the texture of your steak fingers. Aim for a tender but still slightly firm texture.
Tenderizing your ground beef will make a big difference in the final result of your steak fingers. It will make them easier to eat and more enjoyable overall. Don’t skip this step!
Creating The Breading
Creating the perfect breading for your steak fingers is key to achieving a delicious and crispy texture. To start, you’ll want to combine flour, seasoned salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper in a shallow dish. This will add flavor and spice to your breading.
In a separate dish, whisk together milk and eggs. This will act as your wet mixture and help the dry mixture stick to the meat.
In the third dish, combine flour and breadcrumbs. The breadcrumbs will add a nice crunch to your steak fingers. You can also add additional seasonings, such as garlic powder or paprika, to the breadcrumb mixture for added flavor.
To bread the meat, first dredge it in the flour mixture, making sure it’s coated on both sides. Then dip it quickly in the egg mixture and return it to the flour mixture to coat again. Repeat this process until all of your meat is breaded.
When frying your steak fingers, be sure not to overcrowd the skillet. This will ensure that they cook evenly and stay crispy. Once they’re golden brown on both sides, remove them from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
By following these steps and using the right combination of ingredients, you can create delicious and crispy steak fingers with ground beef that are sure to be a hit with your family or guests.
Frying The Steak Fingers
Now that your steak fingers are breaded, it’s time to fry them up! Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a mixture of butter and vegetable oil. You want enough oil to cover the bottom of the skillet, but not so much that the steak fingers are submerged.
Once the oil is hot, carefully add your steak fingers to the skillet. Be sure not to overcrowd the skillet, as this will cause the temperature of the oil to drop and your steak fingers won’t cook evenly. Fry the steak fingers in batches, turning them midway through cooking until they’re golden brown on both sides. This should take about 2-3 minutes per side.
Once your steak fingers are cooked, remove them from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate. This will help absorb any excess oil and keep your steak fingers crispy.
And that’s it! With these simple steps, you can make delicious and crispy steak fingers using ground beef. Serve them up with some homemade gravy and your favorite sides for a hearty and satisfying meal.
Making The Gravy
Making the gravy is an essential step in preparing steak fingers with ground beef. It adds a rich and savory flavor to the dish and takes it to the next level. Here’s how you can make the gravy:
Step 1: Pour off any excess grease from the skillet after frying the steak fingers. Leave about 1/4 cup of the grease in the skillet.
Step 2: Sprinkle flour over the grease and whisk it until it forms a paste. You may need to add more flour if the paste is too runny.
Step 3: Cook the paste over medium-low heat until it turns a deep golden brown color. This will take about 5-7 minutes.
Step 4: Gradually pour in about 3 cups of milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Keep whisking until the gravy thickens and reaches your desired consistency. If the gravy seems too thick, add more milk as needed.
Step 5: Season the gravy with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add other seasonings, such as garlic powder or onion powder, for extra flavor.
Step 6: Pour the gravy into small dishes and serve alongside your steak fingers.
By following these simple steps, you can make delicious and flavorful gravy that perfectly complements your steak fingers with ground beef.
Serving And Enjoying Your Steak Fingers
Now that you’ve made your delicious steak fingers with ground beef, it’s time to serve and enjoy them! Here are some tips on how to make the most of this tasty dish:
1. Keep Them Warm: After frying your steak fingers, cover them loosely with foil to keep them warm until you’re ready to serve. This will help keep them crispy and flavorful.
2. Pair Them with Your Favorite Sides: Steak fingers are a versatile dish that go well with a variety of sides. Some popular options include mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, or a simple side salad.
3. Dip Them in Gravy: The creamy white gravy is the perfect complement to the crispy steak fingers. Pour some gravy over your steak fingers or serve it on the side for dipping.
4. Make It a Finger Food: Steak fingers are a great option for parties or gatherings because they’re easy to eat with your hands. Serve them on a platter with toothpicks or skewers for easy grabbing.
5. Customize the Seasoning: If you want to add some extra flavor to your steak fingers, try experimenting with different spices and seasonings. You can adjust the amount of cayenne pepper or add some garlic powder or paprika for a different flavor profile.
By following these tips, you can enjoy your homemade steak fingers with ground beef to the fullest. Whether you’re serving them as an appetizer or a main course, they’re sure to be a hit with family and friends alike!
