Steak Fingers

If you’re from Idaho, Oklahoma or the South, chances are you’ve seen your fair share of steak fingers. Like chicken tenders or fish sticks, these breaded and deep-fried beef strips make a scrumptious snack or party appetizer, especially when paired with your favorite dips. Serve them with fries (OK, or a green vegetable), and you have a full meal.

Variations of this steak fingers recipe abound, so feel free to add herbs and spices to the breading, cook them in an air fryer, or switch up the sides and sauces.

What are steak fingers?

Steak fingers (aka finger steaks) are tender strips of beef dredged in an egg batter, coated in flour or bread crumbs, fried, then served with ranch dip or cocktail or fry sauce. They’re like chicken tenders or mozzarella sticks, but with steak! Folks from different regions of the United States claim steak fingers as their own. You’ll find them at Dairy Queen, but only in Texas; Southerners serve their steak fingers with gravy. But Idaho has the best claim as the true home of steak fingers.

Like many recipes, its origins aren’t exactly clear, but legend has it that a butcher and chef for the U.S. Forest Service invented these tasty treats as a way to use up steak scraps. He battered, floured and fried beef strips and eventually served them at Mylo’s Torch Lounge in the late 1950s. The Boise restaurant quickly became famous for serving finger steaks, which are now a staple all around the state of Idaho.

Ingredients for Steak Fingers

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• Batter: A combination of eggs and milk makes the batter that helps the breading stick to the steak. Use room-temperature brown or white eggs, since they’ll combine better with the milk. Milk with a higher fat content will tenderize the meat more, so reach for the whole milk. Any milk you have on hand will do, though.
• Bread crumbs: Classic Italian-style seasoned bread crumbs are a good go-to for this recipe. Making homemade bread crumbs isn’t difficult if you have time, and Japanese panko can be a fun and tasty way to give steak fingers a flakier texture.
• Seasonings: Salt and pepper are essential for seasoning the meat and bread crumbs.
• Steak: For our recipe, we use tenderized cube steak or top round. Slice the meat into thin strips (somewhere between 1/4 and 1/2 inch) for the best texture and easy eating.
• Vegetable oil: The best oil for frying has a high smoke point, like corn or canola oil.
• Barbecue sauce or ranch salad dressing: Dipping your steak fingers is essential to the experience! Choose your favorite barbecue sauce if you like the sweet and savory combo, or pick homemade ranch dressing for a creamy, herby kick. Or choose both!

Directions

Step 1: Create dip and dredge stations

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Beat the eggs and milk in a shallow bowl.

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In another shallow bowl, mix together the bread crumbs, salt and pepper.

Step 2: Dip and roll the steak

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Dip the steak strips into the egg mixture and then roll them in the bread crumbs.

Editor’s Tip: Make sure the breading consistently covers the whole area of the steak so it cooks evenly. You can lightly press the coating into each strip to ensure it adheres.

Step 3: Fry the steak fingers

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In a skillet, heat two tablespoons of oil. Fry the strips, a few at a time, for one to two minutes on each side or until they’re golden brown. Repeat with the remaining strips, adding more oil as needed.

Step 4: Sauce and serve

Drain the steak fingers on paper towels. Serve them with barbecue sauce or ranch dressing.

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Recipe Variations

• Add herbs and spices: Load up the bread crumbs with spices! Garlic salt, cayenne pepper, steak seasoning, oregano, onion salt and even Parmesan cheese can really boost the flavor.
• Go with a flour coating: In Idaho, steak fingers are coated with seasoned flour rather than bread crumbs. It’s an easy swap, and they’ll fry up just as quickly.
• Use a deep fryer: If you want a more deep-fried version of steak fingers, add more oil to a high-sided pot or pan. Heat the oil to 350°F and fry the steak fingers in small batches for about four minutes or until they’re crisp and golden brown.
• Use an air fryer: For a lighter version, the air fryer is a solid choice for attaining a terrific crisp without the oil. Preheat the air fryer to 400°. When the steak fingers are fully prepped and breaded, lay them in a single layer in the air-fryer basket and spray the top with cooking spray. Cook them for a few minutes, then flip them and spray them with more oil if needed, cooking for a few minutes more.

How to Store Steak Fingers

Wrap leftover steak fingers in an airtight container after letting them cool completely. Store steak fingers in the refrigerator or the freezer.

How long do steak fingers last?

When properly stored in an airtight container, steak fingers will last three to four days in the refrigerator.

Can you freeze steak fingers?

Yes, you can freeze steak fingers! Be sure your homemade steak fingers are completely cooled. Lay them in one layer on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer. When they are fully frozen, remove them and store them in an airtight container. They will keep up to three months in the freezer.

How do you reheat steak fingers?

Reheat steak fingers in a 350° oven until they’re warmed through, or pop them in the air fryer for a few minutes. If you reheat them in the microwave, you risk ending up with a soggy breading. If reheating them from frozen, thaw your steak fingers overnight in the fridge.

Steak Fingers Tips

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What’s the best type of meat for steak fingers?

There are so many choices when it comes to types of steak for steak fingers. We recommend top round from the rear leg (not quite as tender as sirloin or loin, but more tender than round) or cube steak (usually from the top sirloin or top round), pounded flat.

Can you marinate the steak before frying it?

For super tender meat, place your steak strips in the milk and egg mixture and refrigerate for one to two hours. The calcium and minimal acidity will break down the tougher pieces of steak and improve the texture of each bite. For added flavor, throw in a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce.

What can you serve with steak fingers?

While French fries are the go-to side for steak fingers, mashed potatoes are a close second. Add a side of southern-style biscuits if you serve them with gravy as a dipping sauce. Sides like baked mac and cheese, creamed spinach and a wedge salad with blue cheese dressing are always good with any steak dish.