Introduction
This Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich with Spicy Mayo is a delightful twist on a Southern classic. Crispy, flavorful cube steaks are piled high on a soft hamburger bun, topped with a zesty spicy mayo and fresh lettuce. Perfect for a satisfying meal, this dish promises to please your taste buds with its combination of textures and flavors.
Detailed Ingredients with measures
For the Spicy Mayo:
– ¾ cup mayonnaise
– 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
– 1 teaspoon crushed garlic
– 1½ tablespoons sriracha or hot sauce
– Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the Chicken Fried Steak:
– 4 pre-tenderized cube steaks (about 1 pound)
– Kosher salt, for seasoning
– 2 large eggs, beaten
– 1 cup milk
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 2 teaspoons kosher salt
– 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
– ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
– 1 cup canola oil, for frying
– 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Additional Ingredients:
– 4 hamburger buns
– 4 leaves lettuce
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Total Time
45 minutes
Yield
4 sandwiches
Directions
1. Prepare the Spicy Mayo:
– In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, crushed garlic, and sriracha sauce.
– Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
– Mix well, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.
2. Prepare the Steaks:
– Place each cube steak between sheets of plastic wrap.
– Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the steaks until they’re less than ¼-inch thick.
– Lightly season the steaks with kosher salt.
3. Set Up for Frying:
– Preheat the oven to 200°F.
– Place a wire rack over a baking sheet in the oven to keep the cooked steaks warm while assembling the sandwiches.
4. Prepare the Dredging Stations:
– In one shallow dish, whisk together the beaten eggs and milk.
– In another dish, combine the flour, kosher salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.
5. Dredge the Steaks:
– Dredge each steak in the flour mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated.
– Dip the floured steak into the egg wash.
– Coat the steak again with the flour mixture.
– Set aside on a plate.
6. Fry the Steaks:
– In a large frying pan, heat the canola oil to 350°F.
– Add the unsalted butter to the hot oil.
– Carefully lay a coated steak in the hot oil and fry for about 2 minutes on each side, until golden brown.
– Transfer the fried steak to the wire rack in the oven to keep warm.
– Repeat with the remaining steaks.
7. Assemble the Sandwiches:
– Lightly toast the hamburger buns.
– Spread a generous layer of spicy mayo on the bottom half of each bun.
– Top with a crispy chicken fried steak and a leaf of fresh lettuce.
– Spread more spicy mayo on the inside of the top bun.
– Place the top bun over the lettuce to complete the sandwich.
8. Serve:
– Serve the sandwiches immediately. Enjoy the crispy, spicy goodness!
Detailed Directions and Instructions
Prepare the Spicy Mayo:
In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, crushed garlic, and sriracha sauce. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Mix well, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.
Prepare the Steaks:
Place each cube steak between sheets of plastic wrap. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the steaks until they’re less than ¼-inch thick. Lightly season the steaks with kosher salt.
Set Up for Frying:
Preheat the oven to 200°F. Place a wire rack over a baking sheet in the oven to keep the cooked steaks warm while assembling the sandwiches.
Prepare the Dredging Stations:
In one shallow dish, whisk together the beaten eggs and milk. In another dish, combine the flour, kosher salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.
Dredge the Steaks:
Dredge each steak in the flour mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated. Dip the floured steak into the egg wash. Coat the steak again with the flour mixture. Set aside on a plate.
Fry the Steaks:
In a large frying pan, heat the canola oil to 350°F. Add the unsalted butter to the hot oil. Carefully lay a coated steak in the hot oil and fry for about 2 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Transfer the fried steak to the wire rack in the oven to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining steaks.
Assemble the Sandwiches:
Lightly toast the hamburger buns. Spread a generous layer of spicy mayo on the bottom half of each bun. Top with a crispy chicken fried steak and a leaf of fresh lettuce. Spread more spicy mayo on the inside of the top bun. Place the top bun over the lettuce to complete the sandwich.
Serve:
Serve the sandwiches immediately.
Notes
Spicy Mayo Storage:
The spicy mayo can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Steak Tenderness:
Using pre-tenderized cube steaks ensures a more tender result. If using regular steak, ensure to pound well.
Oil Temperature:
Keeping the oil at the correct temperature is key to achieving the perfect crispy coating. Use a thermometer for best results.
Customization:
Feel free to customize the spicy mayo by adjusting the amount of sriracha to suit your spice preference.
Cook techniques
Preparing the Spicy Mayo
To make the spicy mayo, combine mayonnaise, lemon juice, crushed garlic, and sriracha in a bowl. Mix thoroughly and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Refrigerate to enhance the flavors.
Tenderizing the Steak
For the cube steaks, place them between plastic wrap and pound them with a meat mallet or rolling pin until less than ¼-inch thick. This helps to achieve a soft texture when cooked.
Setting Up for Frying
Preheat your oven to 200°F. Use a wire rack over a baking sheet to hold the cooked steaks warm after frying. This method keeps them crispy.
Creating Dredging Stations
Set up two shallow dishes: one for the egg wash (beaten eggs and milk) and another for the seasoned flour mixture. This allows for thorough coating of the steaks.
Dredging the Steaks
Coat each steak in the flour mixture, dip in the egg wash, and then coat again in the flour. This double dredging ensures a thicker, crunchier crust upon frying.
Frying the Steaks
Heat canola oil to 350°F and add unsalted butter for flavor. Fry the coated steaks for about 2 minutes per side until they’re golden brown, ensuring they remain crispy.
Assembling the Sandwiches
Toast the hamburger buns lightly, spread spicy mayo on both halves, add a crispy steak and lettuce, then top with more spicy mayo before placing the bun on top.
FAQ
Can I use a different type of sauce instead of sriracha?
Yes, you can substitute sriracha with any hot sauce of your choice that meets your spice preference.
What can I use if I don’t have a meat mallet?
A rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy skillet can be used to pound the steaks, ensuring even thickness.
Is it necessary to preheat the oven?
Preheating the oven helps keep the fried steaks warm and crispy while you finish cooking all of them.
How can I make the fried steak healthier?
You can try baking the steaks instead of frying them or using an air fryer for a lower-fat alternative.
Can I prepare the spicy mayo ahead of time?
Absolutely! The flavors of the spicy mayo can develop better when made ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
Conclusion
This Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich with Spicy Mayo is a delightful combination of crispy, flavorful meat and zesty sauce, making it a perfect indulgence for any meal. The contrasting textures and tastes are sure to satisfy your cravings and impress your friends and family.
More recipes suggestions and combination
Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
Swap the chicken fried steak for crispy buffalo chicken tenders and use the spicy mayo as a dipping sauce.
Fish Tacos with Spicy Mayo
Use battered and fried white fish fillets, pairing them with the spicy mayo, shredded cabbage, and avocado in soft tortillas.
Veggie Burger with Sriracha Mayo
Replace meat with a grilled veggie burger patty and enhance the flavor with a spread of sriracha mayo and fresh cucumber slices.
BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Use shredded barbecue pulled pork in place of the steak, topped with spicy mayo and coleslaw on toasted buns.
Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich
Substitute the cube steak with a spicy breaded chicken breast and layer with spicy mayo and pickles for a Southern classic.
Cheesy Mushroom Swiss Burger
Use beef or turkey patties topped with sautéed mushrooms, Swiss cheese, and a dollop of spicy mayo for a gourmet twist.
