Steak Frites Sandwich

This Steak Frites Sandwich brings together the best of classic steak frites in a handheld form. With crispy, golden fries cooked in beef tallow, tender slices of grilled New York strip steak, and a tangy garlic horseradish beefonnaise, all layered in a toasted ciabatta bread, this sandwich is indulgence at its finest. Perfect for a hearty meal, this dish combines savory flavors and satisfying textures that will have you coming back for more.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the steak:

  • 2-3 New York strip steaks

  • 1½ tbsp kosher salt

  • 1½ tbsp black pepper

  • 1½ tbsp garlic powder

  • South Chicago Packing Beef Tallow Spray

For the fries:

  • 2 russet potatoes, sliced into fries

  • Kosher salt, as needed

  • 1 qt Beef Tallow

For the garlic horseradish beefonnaise:

  • 2-3 egg yolks

  • 3-4 garlic cloves

  • ¼ cup South Chicago Packing Beef Tallow (warmed)

  • 1 tbsp horseradish

  • 1 tbsp white vinegar

  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard

  • 1 tsp lemon juice

For the sandwich:

  • Ciabatta bread

  • Sliced cheese

  • Chimichurri

Directions

  1. Prepare the Fries: Slice the potatoes with a mandolin, then place them in an ice bath to remove excess starch. After soaking, pat them dry with paper towels. Preheat a Dutch oven or deep skillet with enough beef tallow to heat to 350°F. Fry the fries in batches for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Season with kosher salt and keep warm.

  2. Cook the Steak: Spray the steaks with beef tallow and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (375°F). Grill the steaks for 3-4 minutes per side until they reach 120°F. Remove from heat and let rest for 10 minutes.

  3. Make the Beefonnaise: In a bowl, blend egg yolks, garlic, warmed beef tallow, horseradish, vinegar, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice using an immersion blender until smooth. Set aside in the fridge until ready to assemble.

  4. Assemble the Sandwich: Toast the ciabatta bread over the grill. Spread a layer of garlic horseradish beefonnaise on the bottom, then layer with sliced steak, crispy fries, melted cheese, and chimichurri. Add more beefonnaise on the top bun and serve.

Nutrients (Per Serving)

  • Calories: 2535 kcal

  • Carbohydrates: 25g

  • Protein: 28g

  • Fat: 269g

    • Saturated Fat: 202g

  • Cholesterol: 166mg

  • Sodium: 2744mg

  • Potassium: 848mg

  • Fiber: 3g

  • Sugar: 1g

The Fries: Crispy and Golden

The fries are a crucial element of this dish, as they add that familiar, comforting crunch that pairs so well with the tender steak. Russet potatoes are the perfect choice for making fries—they’re starchy and have a firm texture that holds up well during frying. To make the fries, slice the potatoes into even strips using a mandolin, ensuring they cook uniformly. The fries are then soaked in an ice bath to remove excess starch, which helps them crisp up beautifully in the fryer.

Frying the fries in beef tallow gives them an extra richness and flavor that regular vegetable oil can’t match. Beef tallow, with its savory, beefy taste, enhances the fries, making them more flavorful and indulgent. Frying the potatoes in batches ensures that each fry gets crispy and golden brown. After they’re fried, a sprinkling of kosher salt brings out the natural flavors, making these fries the perfect accompaniment to the steak.

The Steak: Tender and Flavorful

The New York strip steaks are the heart of this sandwich, offering a tender and juicy bite with a perfect balance of flavor and texture. Before grilling, the steaks are seasoned with kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, allowing the meat’s natural flavor to shine while adding a savory, aromatic crust. The key to cooking the perfect steak for this sandwich is grilling it to medium-rare or medium, ensuring the meat is tender and juicy but still has a slight char on the outside.

To cook the steaks, preheat the grill to medium-high heat (around 375°F). The steaks are grilled for 3-4 minutes per side until they reach an internal temperature of 120°F, ensuring a perfectly cooked, juicy steak. After grilling, it’s important to let the steaks rest for 10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute and maintain the meat’s tenderness. Once rested, the steaks are thinly sliced, ready to be layered on the sandwich.

The Garlic Horseradish Beefonnaise: Creamy and Tangy

What sets this sandwich apart from other steak sandwiches is the addition of garlic horseradish beefonnaise. This creamy, tangy sauce is made by blending egg yolks, garlic, warmed beef tallow, horseradish, vinegar, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice. The result is a smooth, velvety sauce with a balanced combination of flavors—creamy, tangy, and a little spicy from the horseradish.

The beef tallow adds a rich, savory element that pairs perfectly with the steak and fries, while the horseradish gives the sauce a kick of heat. The Dijon mustard and lemon juice contribute acidity, brightening the overall flavor. This beefonnaise sauce is spread on the bottom of the ciabatta bread to complement the other ingredients, adding creaminess and tang that cuts through the richness of the steak and fries.

The Chimichurri: A Fresh Herbal Kick

Chimichurri is a traditional Argentinian sauce made with fresh herbs, garlic, vinegar, and oil, and it adds a fresh, zesty flavor that balances the richness of the sandwich. The chimichurri sauce is made by combining fresh parsley, garlic, vinegar, olive oil, and a touch of red pepper flakes. Its vibrant green color and herbaceous taste provide the perfect contrast to the savory flavors of the crispy bacon, melted cheese, and beefy steak.

The fresh, herbal flavor of chimichurri brightens up the richness of the other ingredients, creating a lively, refreshing element in the sandwich. The chimichurri is generously drizzled on top of the sliced steak and fries, adding an extra layer of flavor that enhances the entire sandwich.

Assembling the Sandwich: A Hearty, Flavorful Stack

Once all the components are prepared, it’s time to assemble the sandwich. Start by toasting the ciabatta bread over the grill, ensuring it has a crispy, golden exterior while maintaining a soft, airy interior. Spread a generous layer of the garlic horseradish beefonnaise on the bottom half of the ciabatta bread. This sauce will help to bind the fries, steak, and other ingredients together while adding richness and flavor.

Next, layer the sliced steak on top of the beefonnaise, followed by the crispy fries. The fries, which have already been seasoned with kosher salt, provide a crispy, crunchy texture that contrasts with the tender steak. Add slices of melted cheese, such as cheddar or Swiss, to the sandwich for extra creaminess and flavor. Finally, drizzle the chimichurri over the steak and fries, adding a burst of freshness and acidity.

Top the sandwich with the other half of the ciabatta bread, press down slightly, and serve immediately. The result is a sandwich that’s bursting with flavor—crispy, savory, creamy, and a little spicy from the horseradish.

Serving Suggestions: Enjoying the Sandwich

This Steak Frites Sandwich is a meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a side of pickled vegetables, a simple salad, or even some roasted vegetables to balance out the richness. A cold beer, a glass of red wine, or an ice-cold soda would complement the flavors perfectly, making for an indulgent yet balanced meal.

For an extra touch, serve the sandwich with a side of dipping sauce, such as extra beefonnaise or a spicy ketchup, for added flavor and fun. The sandwich is best enjoyed warm, with all the ingredients still fresh and the cheese melty. It’s perfect for a hearty lunch or dinner that’s sure to satisfy any appetite.

Conclusion

The Steak Frites Sandwich is the perfect combination of crispy fries, tender steak, creamy cheese, and rich sauces, all piled high on toasted ciabatta bread. The tangy garlic horseradish beefonnaise, fresh chimichurri, and the crispy, golden fries elevate this dish to something truly special. Whether you’re serving it for a family dinner or a casual gathering, this sandwich is bound to impress with its rich flavors, satisfying textures, and bold combinations. This indulgent dish is a must-try for anyone looking to enjoy steak frites in a whole new way, combining the best of both worlds in one delicious handheld meal.

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