This skillet recipe for Pork Cube Steak is fall-apart tender and extra delicious, thanks to the panko coating that creates the perfect, crispy exterior.
Create your prep station by laying out the breading ingredients in three wide, flat bowls.
In the first bowl, combine the flour with the salt and pepper.
1 cup all purpose flour, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon pepper
In the second bowl, beat the eggs with the cream.
3 large eggs, 1/4 cup whipping cream
In the third bowl, place the Panko bread crumbs.
3 cups seasoned or unseasoned Panko bread crumbs
Working one at a time, take a cube steak and dredge it on both sides in the prepared flour mixture.
4 each pork cube steaks
Next, dip that same floured cube steak into the egg mixture, coating it on both sides.
Now dredge the cube steak into the Panko crumbs, using your fingertips to press them in a bit so they stick well.
Place the breaded cube steak onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet while you repeat the breading process with the remaining 3 cube steaks.
Into a 10-inch or 12-inch heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat, add enough oil so that it’s about 1/4-inch deep.
When the oil is nicely hot, add the prepared cube steaks, working 1 or 2 at a time, depending on how large your skillet is.*To know if the oil is hot enough, sprinkle a tiny bit of flour over the surface at the center of the skillet. If the flour immediately sizzles, the oil is ready!
Cook the cube steaks about 2 minutes per side, just until each side is a deep golden brown. **Using a large fish spatula works very well for turning the cube steaks. Don’t use tongs to turn the steaks as this will usually cause them to fall apart.
Remove the browned cube steaks from the hot oil and place onto a paper-towel lined cookie sheet. Keep the cube steaks warm in the oven set to the lowest setting, continuing to cook the remaining cube steaks.
Serve the warm cube steaks with the dipping sauce on the side, as desired.
Make the Dipping Sauce (Optional)
To prepare the dipping sauce, combine the mayonnaise with the ketchup until smooth.
1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1-2 tablespoons Heinz chipotle ketchup
Notes
Be sure the oil is nicely hot before adding the cube steaks to the skillet. To know if the oil is ready, sprinkle a bit of flour over the oil. If it sizzles, the oil is ready!
I like to use a nice, thin fish sptaula for turning the cube steaks in the oil. Sometimes I even have a second sptaula in my other hand just so I can make the turn a little easier keeping the hot oil from splattering.
You can also use this same recipe for beef cube steaks - it works perfectly.
Use the fried pork cube steaks to make pork tenderloin sandwiches or sliders. Just add buns and mayo (and maybe some good pickled red onions?) and you've got yourself something really terriffic for a quick meal or that tailgating party.