Finger Steaks are like chicken fingers, but steak. They’re crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. If you haven’t heard of them, you have to give them a try. My family is hooked on these tender, beef strips that are perfect for dipping.
If you are looking for more unique recipes featuring steak, then try my recipe for steak quesadilla or my tender beef roll ups.
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Why this Finger Steak Recipe is a Keeper
I love this recipe because it’s a quick and inexpensive meal that’s also super delicious. You will definitely want to add this one to your stash of easy cube steak recipes.
- 30 Minute Meal: This is a great meal for any night of the week because it is so quick and easy.
- Easy Ingredients: This tenderized finger steak recipe requires 6 ingredients and is very economical.
- Family Friendly: Anything kids can eat with their fingers is fun. It is also great for family get togethers.
- Makes Great Leftovers: I doubt that there will be some but if there are, these are great leftovers.
What is Cube Steak?
It is just a different cut of meat, usually from the top round or sirloin; The meat is run through a meat tenderizer which makes the cube shaped indentations in the meat, helping the tenderness. It’s the best type of beef to use for these Idaho-style finger steaks along with Swiss steak.
Pro Tip for Idaho Finger Steaks Recipe
Slice the steak into 1 to 1.5-inch wide strips against the grain. This ensures the steaks are tender and easy to chew while still having that delicious crispy crust.
Ingredient Notes and Variation Suggestions for Steak Fingers
To make recipes for steak, you will need just a few ingredients. This recipe is super easy to customize to make it your own, so try using different ingredients or experimenting with flavors.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Cube Steak: Cubed steak is the best cut of meat to make steak fingers.
- Corn Flakes: This recipe uses crushed corn flakes for a super crispy crust.
- Different Breading: Use panko breadcrumbs, crushed cornflakes, or even almond flour for a gluten-free option.
- Garlic Parmesan Finger Steaks: Add grated Parmesan cheese and garlic powder to the corn flake mix.
- Burger Seasoning: Make your own Burger Seasoning Blend to have on hand for whenever you need it.
- Spicy Finger Steaks: Add cayenne pepper, chili powder, or other spices to the breading.
- Different Dipping Sauces: Serve golden brown fried steak fingers with your favorite dipping sauces, such as ketchup, mustard, ranch dressing, or a creamy horseradish sauce.
How to Make Crispy Beef Cubed Steak Fingers
This beef cubed steaks recipe comes together in 5 easy to follow steps. This fried steaks recipe is so good, you will want to add it to your weekly meal rotation.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Preheat Oven and Prep Pan: Preheat the oven to 350℉ and place a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet and spray the wire rack with non-stick cooking spray.
- Prepare the Meat: Season the steaks with some of the Burger Seasoning Blend, and cut into strips.
- Prepare Breading Station: Crush the corn flakes and mix with French fried onions and the rest of the burger seasoning. Place into a shallow dish. Beat the eggs in a separate shallow dish.
- Bread the Steak: Dredge the steak strip in the egg mixture, then into the corn flake mixture. Place each piece of steak strip on the prepared wire rack.
- Bake: Bake for 15 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 145℉. Serve immediately with Red Robin Campfire Sauce.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for Breading and Preparing Dipping Sauce for Fingers
Preparing a recipe ahead of time can be the best way to go. Make a recipe in advance to be able to enjoy it whenever.
- Cut the Steak: You can cut the steak into strips ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator.
- Mix the Breading: You can mix the dry ingredients for the breading ahead of time.
- Bread the Steaks: You can bread the steaks up to a few hours before cooking and and keep them chilled in the refrigerator. This actually helps the breading adhere even better.
- Sauce: Prepare your dipping sauces. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours, or refrigerate until ready to serve.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftovers
- Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Steaks can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat golden and crispy strips of steak in the air fryer, in the oven or large skillet over medium heat.
- Using Leftovers: Serve remaining fingers with French Fry Sauce, Worcestershire sauce or BBQ sauce.
Common Questions About This Recipe
Traditionally the cube steak is used but round steak, ground beef or ground steak can be used, but the cooking times will vary as well as the tenderness.
Pat the steak dry: Use paper towels to thoroughly pat the steak strips dry. Excess moisture is the enemy of good adhesion. Use a meat mallet to pound the steak even.
Chill the Meat: After coating, place the fingers on a wire rack and chill them in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes. This helps the coating set and adhere better during frying.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When frying, don’t overcrowd the pan. This will lower the oil temperature and result in soggy finish.
Maintain Oil Temperature: Keep the oil at a consistent temperature (around 350-375°F/175-190°C). Too low, and the breading will absorb oil; too high, and it will burn.
Use a Wire Rack: After frying, place the steak fingers on a wire rack to drain excess oil. This helps keep the breading crispy.
Cornstarch in flour: Adding a small amount of cornstarch to the flour mixture helps to create a crispier coating.
Buttermilk marinade: Marinating the steak in buttermilk before the flour stage can also help the breading to stick.
Yes. Freeze the finger steaks before or after cooking and follow the directions for cooking after thawed. Make sure the internal temperature of the meat reaches 145 degrees.
Use a thermometer to monitor temperature. When meat thermometer reads 145℉ the steaks are done and should be a deep golden brown.
Expert Tips to Make Finger Steaks Recipe
- Dry the Steak: Dry with a paper towel. This is crucial for the breading to adhere.
- Season the Meat: Season the steak with salt and pepper before they’re breaded. You can also add other spices, like paprika, to the coating.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Work in batches to ensure they’re evenly golden brown and crispy.
- Alternate Cooking Method: Feel free to make deep fried steak fingers. Fill a large dutch oven with a couple inches of oil. When oil is hot, let each piece cook in the hot oil for 1-2 minutes on each side. Remove steaks to a paper towel-lined plate. Like you would with chicken fried steak.
- Gravy: Make this finger breaded steak with Homemade Brown Gravy. All you generally need to make gravy is broth and seasoned flour mixture.
- Let them Rest: After cooking, let the finger steaks rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute.
- What to Serve with the Steaks: Air Fryer Animal Fries, Bacon Cheddar Ranch Dip or Caramelized Onion Dip.
More Recipes You Might Like
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Finger Steaks
Video
Equipment
- Non-stick cooking spray
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Ingredients
- 1 pound Cube steak
- 3 cups Corn flakes
- 1 cup French fried onions
- 1 tablespoon Burger Seasoning Blend, divided
- 4 Eggs
- Red Robin Campfire Sauce, for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉.
- Place a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet and spray the wire rack with non-stick cooking spray; Set aside.
- Season the cube steaks with 2 teaspoons of Burger Seasoning Blend.
- Cut the steaks into strips that are about ½ inch thick; Set aside.
- Place the corn flakes, French fried onions and remaining Burger Seasoning Blend in a food process and pulse until the mixture is fine crumbs; Pour into a shallow dish.
- Whisk eggs in a shallow dish.
- Dredge each steak strip in the egg mixture, ensuring that both sides are coated.
- Roll the steak strip in the corn flake mixture, pressing the crumbs onto the steak; Place each coated strip on the prepared wire rack.
- Repeat with remaining steak strips.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 145℉.
- Serve immediately with Red Robin Campfire Sauce.
Christina’s Notes
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- Dry the Steak: Dry with a paper towel. This is crucial for the breading to adhere.
-
- Season the Meat: Season the steak with salt and pepper before they’re breaded. You can also add other spices, like paprika, to the breading.
-
- Don’t Overcrowd: Work in batches to ensure they’re evenly golden brown and crispy.
-
- Alternate Cooking Method: Feel free to make deep fried steak fingers. Fill a large dutch oven with a couple inches of oil. When oil is hot, let each piece cook in the hot oil for 1-2 minutes on each side. Remove steaks to a paper towel-lined plate.
-
- Gravy: Make this finger breaded steak with Homemade Brown Gravy. All you generally need to make gravy is broth and seasoned flour mixture.
-
- Let them Rest: After cooking, let the finger steaks rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute.
- What to Serve with the Steaks: Air Fryer Animal Fries, Bacon Cheddar Ranch Dip or Caramelized Onion Dip.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
I had never heard of these before, but so glad I tried them! They are delicious and so easy to make!
We loved this! Steak you can dip!
This is so easy to make! Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Highly recommended!
These were easy, fast and tasty! Will never buy the out again!! Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Glad you liked them!
Count me in the “never heard of finger steaks” camp, but I’m definitely going to try this recipe! Looks delicious!