Steak Crostini is a savory, bite-sized appetizer that elevates any gathering. The tender steak, complemented by a variety of flavorful toppings—chimichurri sauce, caramelized onions, and garlic butter—sits perfectly on crispy crostini. This dish is an elegant way to serve steak in a fun and shareable format, making it ideal for parties or as a gourmet snack. With the richness of steak and the tangy brightness of chimichurri, each bite is a delightful combination of textures and flavors.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Steak and Crostini:

• 2 filet mignon steaks (about 2 inches thick)

• 1 Italian or French baguette (cut into ½-inch slices)

For the Chimichurri Sauce:

• 1 cup roasted red peppers (chopped)

• ½ cup fresh parsley (chopped)

• ¼ cup red wine vinegar

• 2 tsp smoked paprika

• 5 garlic cloves (peeled)

• ¼ cup lemon juice

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ tsp Korean chili flakes (optional)

• ½ cup olive oil

For the Caramelized Onions:

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter

• 2 large onions (thinly sliced)

• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

• 1 tbsp brown sugar

• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Garlic Butter:

• 8 tbsp butter (room temperature)

• 1 tsp finely minced garlic

• 2 tsp fresh parsley (chopped)

Directions

1. Prepare Chimichurri Sauce:

   • Blend roasted red peppers, parsley, vinegar, smoked paprika, garlic, lemon juice, pepper, and salt until smooth. Slowly incorporate olive oil and mix well. Set aside.

2. Caramelize the Onions:

   • Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions and salt, cooking for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add brown sugar and balsamic vinegar, cook for 2 more minutes, and set aside.

3. Make Garlic Butter:

   • Mix softened butter with minced garlic and chopped parsley. Set aside.

4. Cook the Steak:

   • Preheat grill to 500°F. Season steaks with salt and pepper. Grill for 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare. Rest for 10 minutes before slicing thinly (¼ inch thick).

5. Prepare Crostini:

   • Preheat oven to 400°F. Slice baguette and brush both sides with olive oil. Toast the slices for 1-2 minutes on each side until golden and crispy.

6. Assemble the Crostini:

   • Top each crostini with caramelized onions, a layer of garlic butter, a drizzle of chimichurri, and a slice of steak. Add more chimichurri sauce for extra flavor.

Nutrients (Approximate per serving)

• Calories: 350-400 kcal

• Fat: 25g

  • Saturated Fat: 10g

• Protein: 25g

• Carbohydrates: 15g

  • Fiber: 2g

  • Sugars: 4g

The Perfect Crostini Base

The base of this dish is the crostini, which is made by slicing a fresh Italian or French baguette into ½-inch slices. These slices are brushed with olive oil and toasted in the oven to golden perfection. The crispy, crunchy texture of the crostini is the perfect contrast to the tender steak and creamy toppings, providing a satisfying bite every time. Toasting the bread at 400°F ensures that the crostini is perfectly crispy on both sides without burning, creating an ideal vessel for all the delicious toppings.

Tender, Flavorful Steak

The steak is the star of this dish, and filet mignon is a great choice for its tenderness and rich flavor. The steaks are seasoned simply with salt and pepper, allowing their natural flavor to shine through. They are grilled to medium-rare perfection, which keeps them juicy and tender. Grilling the steaks at a high temperature (500°F) for 4-5 minutes on each side ensures a beautiful sear on the outside while keeping the inside tender and juicy.

Once the steaks are cooked, they are allowed to rest for about 10 minutes to retain their juices before being sliced thinly into ¼-inch pieces. The thin slices make it easy to top the crostini and allow the flavors to meld together beautifully in each bite.

Chimichurri Sauce: Tangy and Flavorful

Chimichurri sauce is a bright, zesty sauce that adds a punch of flavor to the steak crostini. This sauce is made by blending roasted red peppers, fresh parsley, red wine vinegar, smoked paprika, garlic, lemon juice, black pepper, and salt. The roasted red peppers bring a sweet smokiness, while the fresh parsley and garlic add herbaceous notes. The lemon juice and vinegar add tanginess, creating a perfect balance with the richness of the steak.

As the final touch, olive oil is slowly incorporated into the sauce to give it a smooth, velvety texture that coats the steak and crostini beautifully. The chimichurri sauce not only enhances the flavor of the steak but also adds a fresh, bright contrast to the other ingredients, making the crostini feel light and flavorful.

Caramelized Onions: Sweet and Savory

Caramelized onions add a deep, sweet flavor to the crostini that pairs perfectly with the rich steak. To make the caramelized onions, thinly sliced onions are cooked in butter over medium heat for about 20 minutes, allowing them to soften and become golden. Brown sugar and balsamic vinegar are added to the onions, enhancing their sweetness and creating a slight tang. The resulting onions are tender, sweet, and savory, and they provide a perfect balance to the richness of the steak and chimichurri sauce.

Garlic Butter: Creamy and Flavorful

Garlic butter is the final ingredient that ties everything together. The garlic butter is made by mixing softened butter with finely minced garlic and chopped parsley. This mixture is spread over the crostini before the steak and chimichurri are added, providing a creamy, savory layer that enhances the overall flavor of the dish. The garlic butter not only adds richness but also complements the other toppings with its subtle, aromatic garlic flavor.

Assembling the Crostini

To assemble the steak crostini, start by placing the caramelized onions on the crispy crostini, followed by a generous layer of garlic butter. Next, add a slice of the grilled steak and drizzle with the tangy chimichurri sauce. For extra flavor, feel free to add more chimichurri sauce or garnish with fresh parsley. The result is a beautifully layered crostini that is a perfect bite of savory, rich, and tangy goodness.

Serving Suggestions

Steak Crostini makes a stunning appetizer for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a dinner party, celebrating a special event, or enjoying a casual get-together with friends. You can serve these crostinis on a large platter for guests to pick up easily, making them perfect for sharing. For an added touch, you can garnish with fresh basil, parsley, or even a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

For a more complete meal, serve the crostini with a light salad, such as a simple arugula salad or a refreshing cucumber and tomato salad. These sides will help balance the richness of the crostini and provide a refreshing contrast.

Nutritional Information

Each serving of Steak Crostini contains approximately 350-400 calories, making it a satisfying but not overwhelming appetizer. With 25 grams of fat, including 10 grams of saturated fat, this dish is rich and indulgent. The crostini offers a decent amount of protein (25g per serving), thanks to the steak, which is the main source of protein in the dish. It’s a great choice for those looking for a flavorful, protein-packed appetizer.

With 15 grams of carbohydrates and 2 grams of fiber per serving, the crostini is a low-carb option for those following a low-carb or keto diet. The sugar content is relatively low (4g), coming primarily from the caramelized onions and the balsamic vinegar.

Conclusion: An Elegant and Flavorful Appetizer

Steak Crostini is a perfect appetizer that brings together the rich flavors of tender steak, caramelized onions, garlic butter, and chimichurri sauce, all on a crispy crostini base. This dish is simple to make but packed with bold, savory flavors that will impress your guests. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or enjoying a casual meal, these crostinis are a guaranteed hit. The combination of textures and flavors makes each bite a delightful experience, and they are sure to be the star of your next gathering.