Amish Wedding Steak is a hearty and comforting dish featuring tender, breaded beef steak simmered in a rich, flavorful gravy. This classic dish is often served at Amish gatherings, including weddings, where wholesome, crowd-pleasing recipes shine. Pair it with mashed potatoes and vegetables for a homestyle meal everyone will love.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Tender, flavorful steak with a crispy coating.
- Rich, savory gravy perfect for drizzling over sides.
- Classic comfort food with simple, pantry-friendly ingredients.
- Great for family dinners, gatherings, or special occasions.
- Easy to prepare yet feels like a restaurant-quality dish.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Beef cube steak or round steak
- All-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Eggs
- Milk
- Breadcrumbs (optional, for extra crispiness)
- Butter or vegetable oil (for frying)
- Beef broth
- Heavy cream or milk
- Cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
Directions
- Prepare the steak: Pat the steaks dry with paper towels. In a shallow dish, mix flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. In another bowl, whisk eggs with a splash of milk. If using breadcrumbs, place them in a third dish.
- Bread the steak: Dredge each steak in the flour mixture, dip it in the egg wash, then coat it again with either flour or breadcrumbs for a crispier crust.
- Fry the steak: Heat butter or oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the steaks until golden brown and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- Make the gravy: In the same skillet, add a few tablespoons of the remaining flour mixture (or fresh flour) to the drippings. Cook for 1-2 minutes, then slowly whisk in beef broth. Add heavy cream or milk and stir until the gravy thickens. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Simmer the steaks: Return the fried steaks to the skillet, spooning gravy over them. Cover and simmer on low heat for 10-15 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Serve: Plate the steaks with a generous drizzle of gravy. Serve hot with mashed potatoes, vegetables, or buttered noodles.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4-6
- Preparation time: 15 minutes
- Cooking time: 30 minutes
Variations
- Chicken-fried steak: Use buttermilk in the egg wash and add a dash of hot sauce for Southern flair.
- Mushroom gravy: Add sautéed mushrooms to the gravy for extra depth of flavor.
- Onion gravy: Cook thinly sliced onions in the skillet before making the gravy.
- Herb-crusted steak: Mix dried parsley, thyme, or rosemary into the breading for added flavor.
- Dairy-free option: Use plant-based milk and skip the heavy cream in the gravy.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze cooked steaks and gravy separately in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm the steak and gravy in a covered skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth or milk to loosen the gravy if needed.
FAQs
1. What cut of beef is best for Amish Wedding Steak?
Cube steak or tenderized round steak is ideal for its tenderness and ability to hold breading.
2. Can I use pork instead of beef?
Yes, pork steaks or chops work wonderfully in this recipe.
3. How do I keep the breading from falling off?
Pat the steak dry, dredge thoroughly, and let the breaded steaks rest for a few minutes before frying.
4. Can I bake instead of frying?
Yes, bake breaded steaks on a greased baking sheet at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
5. How do I thicken the gravy?
If the gravy is too thin, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water and whisk it into the gravy.
6. Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, prepare the steaks and gravy separately, then reheat and combine just before serving.
7. What side dishes pair well with Amish Wedding Steak?
Mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, buttered noodles, or green beans make excellent accompaniments.
8. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs for the breading and thicken the gravy with cornstarch.
9. How do I make the steak extra tender?
Pound the steak with a meat mallet before breading, or marinate in buttermilk for a few hours.
10. Can I use store-bought gravy?
Yes, but homemade gravy adds a rich, authentic flavor that elevates the dish.
Conclusion
Amish Wedding Steak is the epitome of comfort food, delivering tender, flavorful steak smothered in a rich, savory gravy. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this dish is sure to become a favorite. Pair it with classic sides for a hearty and satisfying meal that’s steeped in tradition.
Print
Amish Wedding Steak Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Amish, American
Description
Amish Wedding Steak is a traditional dish often served at Amish weddings and gatherings, known for its simplicity and hearty flavors. This recipe typically features tenderized round steak or ground beef combined with basic ingredients to create a comforting meal.
Ingredients
- Main Protein:
- 2 pounds of round steak, tenderized, or ground beef.
- Binding and Coating:
- 2 cups soda cracker crumbs.
- 2 cups milk.
- 1 small onion, chopped.
- 2 teaspoons salt.
- 1 teaspoon pepper.
- All-purpose flour (for dredging).
- For the Gravy:
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup.
- 1 soup can of water.
- 1 can mushrooms (optional; fresh or canned).
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat Mixture:
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef (if using), cracker crumbs, milk, chopped onion, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
- Shape and Chill:
- Press the meat mixture firmly into a square cake pan, ensuring it’s evenly distributed. Cover and refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the mixture to firm up.
- Portion and Dredge:
- After chilling, cut the meat mixture into serving-sized squares. Dredge each piece in all-purpose flour, coating all sides.
- Sear the Meat:
- In a skillet, melt butter or margarine over medium heat. Sear the floured meat pieces on both sides until golden brown. Once browned, transfer them to a baking dish.
- Prepare the Gravy:
- In a bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, one soup can of water, and mushrooms (if using). Mix until smooth.
- Bake:
- Pour the gravy mixture over the browned meat in the baking dish, ensuring all pieces are well covered.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 1.5 hours, or until the meat is tender and cooked through.
- Serve:
- Once done, remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Serve hot, ideally over mashed potatoes or alongside buttered noodles, allowing the creamy gravy to complement the sides.
Notes
- Tenderizing the Meat: Ensure the round steak is well tenderized to achieve a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Mushroom Options: Fresh mushrooms can be used instead of canned for enhanced flavor.
- Make-Ahead: This dish can be prepared a day in advance and reheated before serving, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.