This Easy Keto Low Carb Chicken Fried Steak is made with tenderized cube steaks, almond flour, grated parmesan cheese, and with no pork rinds. You can substitute those if you wish. This dish is drizzled in white country gravy that can you cook with sausage if you wish.
Table of Contents
Why is it Called Chicken Fried Steak
Some people aren't aware that there is no chicken in chicken fried steak. It gets its name because it's fried very similarly to fried chicken, which is a staple Southern dish. It's also called "country fried steak," which is just another nod to its Southern roots.
It's a breaded cutlet that is typically breaded with all-purpose flour, seasoned, and then pan-fried, traditionally in a cast-iron skillet.
What Type of Meat to Use
Cube steaks are the most popular cut of meat to use. What is cubed meat? It's usually top round or top sirloin, tenderized and flattened by pounding with a meat tenderizer. The name comes from the shape of the indentations left by the tenderizing process, which is called cubing.
You will need to use tenderized meat.
How to Make Keto Chicken Fried Steak
- Set up a cooking station with 2 large bowls large enough to dredge the steaks. Add almond flour, grated parmesan cheese, and seasoning to one bowl. Add whipping cream and eggs to another bowl and whisk.
- Dip the steaks in the almond flour, then the cream and eggs, and back into the almond flour and set aside.
- Heat a skillet on medium-high heat and add avocado oil and melted butter. When hot add the steaks.
- Pan fry each side for 3-4 minutes until crisp.
How to Make Country Gravy
Typical country gravy is made with breakfast sausage. If you want country gravy, add 4 ounces of ground sausage to the pan after you remove the finished steaks. Pan-fry the sausage until browned.
Then add in heavy cream, salt, and pepper to taste. To thicken the gravy, combine ½ teaspoon of xanthan gum with 2-3 tablespoons of the liquid gravy. Stir until thick and add it back to the liquid gravy.
What Type of Oil to Use for Frying
While frying you want to use oil that is neutral in flavor. I don't recommend coconut oil for this reason. Coconut oil has a distinct flavor that will transfer over to your food.
You will need to use oil with a high smoke point, such as olive oil or avocado oil. During my testing, I found that avocado oil works better than olive oil. When I coupled both with a little unsalted butter, I found that avocado oil keeps the breading intact on the steaks.
Tips to Keep the Breading Intact
Using avocado oil will help. You will also notice that the breading is very sticky. Placing sticky breading or batter into oil can also lead to the loss of breading while frying.
To avoid this, you can allow the steaks to sit for 20-30 minutes after you have finished breading. Place them in the refrigerator so that the breading hardens up a bit.
You will also need to make sure you are frying with the right amount of oil. This will vary based on the size of the pan you use. You should have ¼ of an inch of oil in your pan. If you use too much oil, this could result in the loss of breading.
Be careful when you flip the steak patties. You should be careful also because you don't want to burn yourself with hot grease. However, flipping the patty can result in the loss of breading on the side of the steak that hasn't been fried yet if you aren't delicate.
How to Substitute Almond Flour
I love the combination of almond flour and grated parmesan cheese in this recipe. The steaks do not have an "almondy" taste, thanks to the parmesan cheese. The cheese also isn't overbearing.
You can substitute almond flour for crushed pork rinds if you wish. You can use the same amount.
I have not tested this recipe using coconut flour. It does not have a 1:1 substitution ratio. It's also very dense and drying so I rarely cook with it.
What is Xanthan Gum and Why is It Used
It helps hold ingredients together (commonly used in baking) and is great to use as a thickening agent. It is used to thicken the gravy. You only need about a half a teaspoon for most recipes. Be sure to look for gluten-free xanthan gum as it will not contain wheat. Grab xanthan gum here on Amazon.
You can try substituting with a couple of ounces of cream cheese.
How Many Calories and Carbs
One steak (without gravy) has 594 calories and 6 grams of carbs.
Freezer Tips
You can freeze leftovers, tightly sealed, for 3-4 months. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight and reheat leftovers in the oven.
Pair this Dish With These Sides
Keto Cauliflower Mash
Air Fryer Green Beans
Air Fryer Broccoli
Air Fryer Asparagus
Keto Broccoli Salad
More Keto Low-Carb Comfort Foods
Keto Low-Carb Smothered Pork Chops
Smothered Chicken
Keto Low-Carb Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
Keto Low-Carb Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
Keto Low Carb Orange Chicken
Easy Keto Low Carb Chicken Fried Steak
Ingredients
- 1 pound cube steaks Cut into 4 steaks
- 1 cup blanched almond flour
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup avocado oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter Melted and measured solid.
Country Gravy
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- salt and pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon xanthan gum See notes.
- 4 ounces ground breakfast sausage Optional if you want sausage gravy. See recipe notes for how to incorporate it.
Instructions
- Set up a cooking station and add the almond flour, parmesan cheese, and all of the spices and seasonings to a bowl large enough to dredge the steaks. Keep a moist kitchen towel on hand. Your hands will get sticky.
- Add the whipping cream and eggs to a separate large bowl and whisk.
- Dredge the cube steak in the almond flour mixture, and then the cream and eggs, and again in the almond flour mixture.
- Set each cube steak aside.
- Heat a cast iron skillet or frying pan on medium high heat. Add the avocado oil and melted butter. Be sure you have enough to fill about ¼ of inch high. Adjust the amount of oil if necessary.
- Add the cube steaks. Cook in batches if needed. Do not crowd the pan. Fry each side for about 3 minutes each until crisp.
- Remove the chicken fried steaks and set aside. Adjust the heat on the pan to medium and add the heavy cream for the gravy along with salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir continuously for 2 minutes.
- Add the xanthan gum to a small bowl. Gather about 2 tablespoons of the gravy mixture from the pan and add it to the bowl with the xanthan gum.
- It will create a thick and sticky mixture. Add the mixture to the pan and stir continuously for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the pan from heat. The gravy will thicken upon standing.
Video
Notes
- Macros noted exclude optional gravy.
- Typical country gravy is made with breakfast sausage. If you want country gravy, add 4 ounces of ground sausage to the pan after you remove the finished steaks. Pan-fry the sausage until browned. Then add the cream and proceed to the remaining steps.
- You can air fry these steaks on 370 degrees for 7-12 minutes.
- While frying you want to use oil that is neutral in flavor. I don't recommend coconut oil for this reason. Coconut oil has a distinct flavor that will transfer over to your food.
- You will need to use oil with a high smoke point, such as olive oil or avocado oil. During my testing, I found that avocado oil works better than olive oil. When I coupled both with a little unsalted butter, I found that avocado oil keeps the breading intact on the steaks.
- You can substitute almond flour for crushed pork rinds if you wish. You can use the same amount.
- I have not tested this recipe using coconut flour. It does not have a 1:1 substitution ratio. It's also very dense and drying so I rarely cook with it.
- You can substitute xanthan gum for a couple of ounces of cream cheese.
- To help keep the breading intact, you can allow the steaks to sit for 20-30 minutes after you have finished breading. Place them in the refrigerator so that the breading hardens up a bit.
- You will also need to make sure you are frying with the right amount of oil. This will vary based on the size of the pan you use. You should have ¼ of an inch of oil in your pan. If you use too much oil, this could result in the loss of breading.
- Be careful when you flip the steak patties. You should be careful also because you don't want to burn yourself with hot grease. However, flipping the patty can result. in the loss of breading on the side of the steak that hasn't been fried yet if you aren't delicate.
- If you don't care about the carb count you can use 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour combined with 1 tablespoon of water to thicken the gravy. Add an additional tablespoon of both of it still isn't thick enough.
Nutrition (displayed with net carbs)
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Baltisraul says
If you are pressed for time put breaded steak in freezer for 12-13 min. and go directly to the hot oil, it will stay breaded thru the frying process.
Kristin says
Hi, I love your recipes! I did have a question about this one. I followed all the instructions to the letter, but we found that our steaks were quite tough. Breading stayed intact, and I did it in a cast iron skillet. Any tips on how to get the steaks to be really tender? I used grass-fed cube steak, and I did put it in the fridge after breading for 30 minutes...
staysnatched says
What you're describing isn't what I would expect from a cube steak. Cube steak is essentially ground beef, with a little variation. You may prefer chicken fried chicken, using chicken instead.
Brittany says
I've been following a low carb diet for almost two years and I only came across your site in the last two weeks! I LOVE country fried steak - I've been missing it on my low carb plan. This recipe is truly the best low-carb food I've ever had. Thank you for a wonderful recipe!! I also highly recommend the easy keto low-carb lemon bars and keto low-carb bacon parmesan crusted chicken nuggets!
staysnatched says
Yay! So glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Anonymous says
Why not use cornstarch or tapioca flour as a thickener. I use tapioca flour a lot for thickening. Karen Williams
staysnatched says
Because this is a keto recipe. You are free to use whatever you want.
Melissia Moebius says
These are amazing. They are easy and delicious. My whole family loved them. These will be made on repeat. Thanks for the recipe and great instructions.
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Mrs. Mary Gale-Manuel says
Brought the cube steaks yesterday at Walmart, just have to get the rest, and its on and popping. The pictures above look so yummy, and cant believe this is keto/low carb food. I'm going to buy your cooking book and cook all those yummy dishes you make. Your so young to be able to cook as good as my mother, (GOD rest her soul). xoxo
staysnatched says
YAY! That means so much to me! Thank you.
Deb says
This was very good! I just got through stuffing my face with it. We do keto-for-diabetes eating so I'm not totally strict in that way of cooking but I love to find new ways for using almond flour, And thank you for the tip on putting breaded meat in the fridge before frying--really worked!
staysnatched says
I'm glad that tip worked for you!
Sophie says
So so good!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Lindsay I says
Oh man...this was awesome! Tried for the first time last night, and although I tried my own “cube yourself” steaks 😂 they turned out fabulous!! As usual, just read the recipe and follow the notes and you won’t go wrong! Even the kiddo liked this one...it’s going into the rotation!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! So glad to hear you guys enjoyed it.
Nidia Us says
Do you think this recipe could be made in an air fryer?
Nidia Us says
I found the air fryer instructions. I will be making this tomorrow night. I have tried many of your recipes and none have disappointed. Thanks again you are amazing.
staysnatched says
Thank you so much!
Tracey says
@Nidia Us, Please, where did you find it? I've searched for it and can't find it.
Anonymous says
@Nidia Us, How did the chicken fried steak turn out with air frying?
Gene says
The steaks turned out quite good, just need to cook them less than 3 minutes per side as they were a bit too crisp! My problem was the gravy, in your picture yours is quite white and mine not only was very dark brown, it separated from the oil (I used Avacado oil) and wasn't really a gravy. Any suggestions?
staysnatched says
It sounds like you had a lot of dark residue in the pan when you made the gravy. Remove it, if you don't want that color. You have to use the thickener and method in the recipe in order to make the gravy. Otherwise, it will result in a watery drizzle.
Lori P. says
WOW! Southern comfort food keto style. Flavourful and easy to make. Followed instructions exactly and turned out perfect. My picky husband loved it! Will be a regular in our house. Thank you!!!
staysnatched says
Glad I could impress a picky eater!
Gera says
Wow! This recipe is on point! We just started eating low carb meals and we couldn't even tell the breading was almond flour & Parm. Such a nice surprise. I'm definitely trying your other low carb and keto recipes!! Thanks!
staysnatched says
I hope you enjoy more recipes.
Bill H says
You mentioned using liquid gravy, what is it and where can I find it?
staysnatched says
Read the entire blog post. The gravy recipe is included in the recipe card.
Cindy says
So how many carbs in the gravy and can it be made with bacon grease instead of sausage
staysnatched says
You can use bacon if you want.
Towanda Wilson says
Another great one! Didn’t miss the regular flour and loved the flavor.
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
IHaveAWeirdName says
I'm going to try this tonight, but I'm going to use sirloin steak. I find cubed steaks to be tough. I hope it works. The recipe looks delicious!
margaret smith says
I have made this twice and the steaks were delicious but the gravy was a disaster. It was going good and it had a pretty light brown color then I added the xanthan gum. It coagulated and became dark brown. Did this both times.
Next time I won't add the xanthan gum and I think it will be fine.
staysnatched says
Thanks for sharing. That’s interesting I never have that experience with any recipe I use with it.
Suzanne says
Amazing depth of flavor on these chicken fried steaks. The gravy was amazing (no sausage used) and easy to make. I used a cast iron pan to shallow fry. With a little bit of planning, you could whip this together in about an hour or less. I can't wait to make this again soon. Keeping on Keto is easy when you have a solid recipe like this!
Joan says
Do you think fat free half and half would work? Too many calories for me. Just wondered if the heavy cream could be substituted. Thanks! Also, have you tried carbolose flour? I have used your almond flour recipes and they turned out well, but wondered if you have ever tried carbolose flour in any of your recipes?
staysnatched says
I haven’t tried any of these things. If you do, let me know how it turns out!
Lynne says
@Joan, I used fat free half and half and the xantham gum to thicken. I added sauteed mushrooms to the sauce. I worked well for me as I was trying t o decrease the calories and incorporate some veggies.
Cheri says
So maybe I’m just stupid, but I can’t get the gravy to work. I’m adding my cream to the grease, cooking two minutes, adding the xanthum gum mixed with the gravy mixture. It always separated and doesn’t turn into gravy. Help!
staysnatched says
You have to take some of the mixture and add it to the xanthan gum before you add it to the gravy. It needs to be fully blended. If you dump it in it will just clump and separate.
JacquilinG says
This CFS recipe looks good and I want to try it BUT, the addition of breakfast sausage for gravy is totally unnecessary. I know no southern cooks who do this for cream or white gravy, which is what is served with CFS.
staysnatched says
You not knowing anyone who uses sausage means nothing. Black Southerners use sausage in gravy all of the time. If it’s unnecessary for you, then don’t use it.
Lori says
Made this last night and we loved it!! Definitely use a cast iron pan and allow breaded steaks to settle in the fridge for 1/2 hour before cooking! Even the gravy was delicious and I added some mushrooms to it too!!
This will go in our rotation!
staysnatched says
Yum! Glad to hear it.