Idaho-Style Finger Steaks

4.5
(72)

This Idaho-style finger steak recipe yields yummy, highly seasoned steak nuggets that are deep fried and served with ranch dressing—just like in the fast food joints in Idaho in the 1970s! I missed these so much that I kept playing with the ingredients until I finally developed this perfect re-creation of the real thing. A taste of the old times when we didn't know how bad deep frying was for us! Serve with ranch dressing, or your favorite barbecue sauce, steak sauce, or blue cheese dressing!

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Prep Time:
30 mins
Cook Time:
10 mins
Additional Time:
3 hrs
Total Time:
3 hrs 40 mins
Servings:
4
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour, divided

  • 2 cups buttermilk

  • 2 tablespoons grill seasoning, such as McCormick Montreal Steak Seasoning

  • 1 egg

  • 1 ½ pounds boneless beef sirloin steak, cut into 2 1/2x1/4-inch strips

  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder

  • salt and ground black pepper to taste

  • 3 cups canola oil for deep frying

Directions

Idaho-Style Finger Steaks
  1. Beat 1/2 cup flour, buttermilk, grill seasoning, and egg together in a large bowl until smooth. Add steak strips; toss until well coated. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator, at least 2 hours.

  2. Sift remaining 2 1/2 cups flour, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper into a large bowl. Remove steak strips from buttermilk marinade and allow excess to drip off. Discard remaining marinade. Dredge steak strips in seasoned flour; place on a baking sheet. Freeze until firm, 1 hour to overnight.

  3. Heat oil in a deep fryer or cast-iron skillet to 370 degrees F (185 degrees C) .

  4. Lower frozen steak strips carefully into the hot oil, a few pieces at a time. Fry until golden brown on the outside, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat with remaining steak strips. Do not overcrowd the fryer or skillet, and do not allow the steak strips to thaw before frying.

Editor's Notes:

Nutrition data for this recipe includes the full amount of marinade ingredients. The actual amount consumed will vary.

Nutrition data for this recipe includes the full amount of coating ingredients. The actual amount of coating consumed will vary. We have determined the nutritional value of oil for frying based on a retention value of 10% after cooking. The exact amount will vary depending on cooking time and temperature, ingredient density, and specific type of oil used.

96 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

826 Calories
35g Fat
80g Carbs
44g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 826
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 35g 45%
Saturated Fat 10g 48%
Cholesterol 142mg 47%
Sodium 1588mg 69%
Total Carbohydrate 80g 29%
Dietary Fiber 3g 10%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 44g 87%
Vitamin C 2mg 2%
Calcium 203mg 16%
Iron 8mg 44%
Potassium 717mg 15%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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