Copycat Perkins Country Fried Steak & Eggs Recipe
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| Bring diner comfort home with crispy country fried steak, creamy peppered gravy, golden hash browns, and rich yolks made for slow weekend breakfasts. |
If you love a big, comforting diner-style breakfast, this copycat Perkins Country Fried Steak & Eggs recipe is for you. It has crispy, golden steak, creamy peppered gravy, and perfectly cooked eggs on the side. Add hash browns or toast, and you’ve got the kind of breakfast that feels like a weekend treat.
This recipe is made for the home kitchen. That means simple steps, everyday grocery store ingredients, and no fancy equipment. If you’ve ever wanted to recreate that classic American breakfast platter at home, you’re in the right place.
Why People Love Perkins Country Fried Steak & Eggs
Perkins American Food Co. is known for hearty breakfasts, diner comfort food, and big plates that feel familiar and filling. For a lot of people across the USA, Perkins is tied to road trips, family breakfasts, late brunches, and cozy meals that hit the spot.
Country fried steak and eggs is one of those classic dishes that keeps people coming back. It’s easy to see why. You get tender beef steak that’s pounded thin, coated in seasoned flour, and fried until the outside is crisp and craggy. Then it’s covered in rich country gravy with black pepper running through every bite. Add soft or sunny eggs, and the creamy yolk mixes with the gravy in the best way.
It’s crunchy, creamy, savory, and warm all at once. That contrast is what makes it so iconic. Think of it like the breakfast version of comfort in a blanket.
Important note: This is a copycat recipe inspired by Perkins Country Fried Steak & Eggs. It is not the restaurant’s original recipe, and we are not affiliated with Perkins American Food Co.
What You’ll Need for This Copycat Perkins Country Fried Steak & Eggs Recipe
This recipe makes 4 servings.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: About 45 minutes
Ingredients
For the country fried steak:
- 4 cube steaks, about 4 to 6 ounces each
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup buttermilk, optional but recommended
- Vegetable oil, for frying
For the country gravy:
- 3 tablespoons oil or pan drippings
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
- Pinch of garlic powder, optional
For the eggs:
- 8 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional for serving:
- Hash browns
- Buttered toast or biscuits
- Hot sauce
- Fresh chopped parsley
Approximate Nutrition Per Serving
This is an estimate for 1 steak, gravy, and 2 eggs, not including side dishes.
- Calories: 690
- Protein: 37g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fat: 44g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 980mg
How to Make Copycat Perkins Country Fried Steak & Eggs
If you’re new to making country fried steak, don’t worry. We’ll take it one step at a time.
Step 1: Set up your dredging station
Grab two shallow bowls or pie plates.
In the first bowl, mix the flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
In the second bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, and buttermilk.
This setup makes breading easier and less messy. One dry bowl. One wet bowl. That’s the system.
Step 2: Prep the steaks
Pat the cube steaks dry with paper towels. If any pieces are extra thick, place them between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound them with a meat mallet or rolling pin until they are evenly thin, about 1/4 inch thick.
This helps them cook quickly and stay tender.
Step 3: Bread the steaks
Dredge each steak in the seasoned flour first. Press lightly so the flour sticks.
Next, dip it into the egg mixture.
Then return it to the flour for a second coating. Press again to create that thick, craggy crust that makes country fried steak so good.
Set the breaded steaks on a wire rack or plate and let them rest for 5 to 10 minutes. This small step helps the coating stay on during frying.
Step 4: Heat the oil
Pour about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil into a large heavy skillet. Heat it over medium to medium-high heat until it reaches about 350°F.
If you don’t have a thermometer, sprinkle in a tiny bit of flour. If it sizzles right away, the oil is ready. If it smokes, it’s too hot.
Step 5: Fry the steaks
Carefully place 2 steaks in the skillet. Don’t crowd the pan. Fry for about 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crisp. Adjust the heat as needed so the crust browns without burning.
Transfer the cooked steaks to a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate. Repeat with the rest.
Food safety note: Beef should be cooked to a safe internal temperature of at least 145°F, followed by a 3-minute rest. Because cube steak is tenderized, many home cooks prefer to cook it a bit beyond that for texture and peace of mind. Use an instant-read thermometer if possible.
Step 6: Make the gravy
Carefully pour off most of the oil, leaving about 3 tablespoons in the skillet, along with any browned bits. Those little bits carry a lot of flavor.
Whisk in 3 tablespoons flour and cook for about 1 minute over medium heat. This forms a roux, which thickens the gravy.
Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly. Keep whisking so lumps don’t form.
Add the salt, black pepper, and a pinch of garlic powder if using. Let the gravy simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until thick and creamy.
If it gets too thick, add a splash more milk. If it seems too thin, let it simmer another minute or two. Gravy thickens a little more as it sits.
Step 7: Cook the eggs
In a separate skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat.
Crack in the eggs and cook them your favorite way. Sunny-side up and over-easy are especially good here because the yolks blend into the gravy. But scrambled works too if that’s what your family likes.
Food safety note: Eggs should be cooked until the whites and yolks are firm, or to an internal temperature of 160°F, if serving to young children, older adults, pregnant people, or anyone with a weakened immune system.
Step 8: Assemble and serve
Place one fried steak on each plate. Spoon warm pepper gravy over the top. Add 2 eggs per serving.
Serve with hash browns, biscuits, or toast if you like. A little parsley on top makes it look extra nice, but it’s optional.
And that’s it. A homemade country fried steak and eggs breakfast that tastes like something you’d order at your favorite diner.
Helpful Tips for the Best Country Fried Steak
- Let the breading rest before frying so it sticks better.
- Use a wire rack after frying to help keep the crust crisp.
- Season every layer for the best flavor. That means flour, gravy, and eggs.
- Don’t rush the gravy. Whisk slowly and steadily for a smooth finish.
- Keep the oil steady around 350°F so the coating cooks evenly.
Easy Home Kitchen Shortcuts
Want to make this easier on a busy morning? I get it. This is the kind of breakfast that feels special, but a few shortcuts can help.
- Use store-bought cube steak: No need to tenderize your own round steak.
- Mix the dry ingredients the night before: One less thing to do in the morning.
- Make the gravy ahead: Store it in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheat gently with a splash of milk.
- Cook eggs separately for each person’s taste: Much easier than trying to please everyone with one batch.
Air fryer note: You can air fry the breaded steaks at 400°F for about 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway and spraying lightly with oil. The texture will not be exactly like pan-fried country fried steak, but it can still be very tasty and a little lighter.
Allergy-Friendly and Diet Preference Swaps
This section matters because not every kitchen or every eater is the same. The good news is that this copycat Perkins breakfast recipe can be adjusted in several ways.
Gluten-free option
- Use gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in the breading and gravy.
- Double-check that your cube steak and seasonings are gluten-free.
- Serve with gluten-free toast or breakfast potatoes.
Tip: Gluten-free flour can brown a little differently, so keep an eye on the skillet heat.
Dairy-free option
- Replace the milk with unsweetened plain almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk.
- Use dairy-free butter for the eggs.
- If using non-dairy milk in gravy, choose one without added sugar or strong vanilla flavor.
Oat milk often gives the gravy the creamiest texture in a dairy-free version.
Egg-free option
- For the breading, try a mixture of unsweetened plant milk and a little cornstarch.
- For serving, skip the eggs or use a plant-based egg substitute.
Lower-sodium option
- Reduce the added salt in the flour and gravy.
- Use unsalted butter.
- Add more black pepper, garlic powder, or paprika to keep the flavor strong.
Vegetarian idea
- Swap the cube steak for breaded cauliflower steaks, a vegetarian cutlet, or even large portobello mushrooms.
- Make the same country gravy and serve with eggs or plant-based eggs.
Will it taste exactly the same? No. But it still gives you that crispy-plus-creamy comfort-food feel.
Vegan version
- Use a vegan steak substitute, seitan cutlet, or thick slices of cauliflower.
- Use plant milk in both the breading and gravy.
- Use a vegan egg product or skip the egg element and add breakfast potatoes.
- Use vegan butter or oil as needed.
Paleo-inspired idea
- Use thin pounded beef steak instead of cube steak if preferred.
- Coat with almond flour and tapioca starch instead of all-purpose flour.
- Use unsweetened almond milk for a simple gravy alternative, though it will be less traditional.
- Serve with fried eggs and skillet potatoes or sweet potatoes, if your plan allows them.
Nut-free option
- If making dairy-free gravy, choose oat or soy milk instead of almond milk.
- Always check labels on substitutes and seasonings.
What to Serve with Country Fried Steak & Eggs
Want the full diner experience? Here are a few easy side ideas:
- Crispy hash browns
- Home fries with onions
- Buttermilk biscuits
- White toast or sourdough toast
- Fresh fruit for balance
- Orange juice or hot coffee
Honestly, it’s one of those meals that can carry the whole table by itself. But a crispy potato on the side never hurts.
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store leftover steak and gravy separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days.
- Reheat steak: Warm in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes or until heated through.
- Reheat gravy: Heat gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring in a splash of milk to loosen it.
- Eggs: Eggs are best made fresh, especially if you like runny yolks.
Food safety reminder: Reheat leftovers to 165°F before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is country fried steak the same as chicken fried steak?
People often use the names interchangeably. In many places, they’re very similar. Usually, both are breaded and fried beef steaks served with gravy, especially white pepper gravy.
What cut of meat works best?
Cube steak is the easiest and most common choice for a home-style country fried steak recipe. It’s already tenderized, which saves time.
Can I make the gravy without pan drippings?
Yes. Just use butter or neutral oil. Pan drippings add more flavor, but the gravy will still be good without them.
Why did my breading fall off?
This usually happens if the steaks were too wet, the oil was not hot enough, or the breading didn’t get a short rest before frying. That little resting step really helps.
Make This Breakfast and Tell Me How It Went
If you make this copycat Perkins Country Fried Steak & Eggs recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Did you go with sunny-side up eggs? Biscuits instead of toast? Maybe spicy gravy?
Leave a comment and share your version. And if this recipe brought a little diner comfort to your kitchen, please share it with friends and family too.
Disclaimer
This recipe is a copycat recipe inspired by a restaurant favorite. It is not the original recipe, and no knowledge of the actual Perkins American Food Co. recipe is implied. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representing Perkins American Food Co.
Simply Copycat Recipes is also an Amazon affiliate. This means we may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through links, at no extra cost to you.
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