Pin it
French Steak Frites stands as the ultimate bistro comfort meal - a beautifully seared cut of beef alongside golden, crunchy fries topped with a rich citrus-herb butter. This fancy-looking dish turns your regular dinner into something special you'd brag about making at home.
I've tweaked this meal through many family get-togethers and found that letting your steak sit while giving the fries their last dip in oil makes everything come out hot and ready at just the right time.
Key Components
- Quality beef cuts (ribeye, strip sirloin, or filet mignon) : Go for pieces with good fat marbling at least 1-inch thick for the tastiest results
- Russet potatoes : They've got lots of starch which gives you fries that are crispy outside and soft inside
- Leafy herbs (thyme, rosemary, green onions) : These make a flavorful butter that takes the whole dish up a notch
- Unsalted butter : Lets you decide how salty things get while adding a smooth richness
- Oil with high heat tolerance : Grapeseed or avocado oil won't burn when you're getting that nice crust on your steak
Step-By-Step Guide
- Step 1: Whipping Up Flavored Butter
- Leave butter out for half an hour to soften. Beat it until it's fluffy and light, roughly 5-7 minutes. Mix in chopped herbs, crushed garlic, lemon peel, and some juice. Add sea salt and black pepper to taste. Shape into a log with parchment paper and put in the fridge.
- Step 2: Making Killer Fries
- Slice potatoes into ¼-inch sticks of the same size. Let them sit in cold water for 30 minutes to wash away starch. Dry them completely after draining. Cook first at 300°F for exactly 3 minutes until they're soft but not brown. Set aside while cooking the meat. Fry again at 350°F for 3 minutes until they turn golden and snap when bitten.
- Step 3: Cooking The Perfect Steak
- Let meat sit at room temperature for half an hour. Dry it thoroughly and sprinkle generously with sea salt and pepper. Heat your pan till it's smoking. Cook without moving for 3 minutes. Toss in butter, garlic, and herbs. Turn over and spoon the melted mixture over continuously for another 3 minutes. Place on a warm dish while finishing the fries.
Pin it
Coming from a family that really valued good eating, I learned that flavored butter makes everything better. My grandma always told me her kitchen secret was a tasty herb butter - it's surprising how this one small addition can make your cooking taste like a fancy restaurant.
Getting Heat Just Right
Using a cast iron pan helps get that amazing crust on your steak. It spreads heat evenly for better cooking all around. At the same time, watching your oil temperature for fries is super important - too hot and they'll turn black, too cool and they'll soak up oil and get soggy.
What Goes Well With It
While most French places just throw on a basic green salad, I prefer adding sweet browned shallots for more flavor. Their sweetness really works nicely with the savory meat and crunchy fries.
To wrap up: After making this dish countless times, I've found success comes down to watching your timing and heat levels. There's something wonderful about cutting into a properly cooked steak and using crispy fries to soak up all those tasty juices. This meal has become what my family asks for when we're celebrating something special. I still get excited every time I serve this restaurant-quality food at our dinner table.
Pin it
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Which potatoes work well for frites?
- Russet potatoes are the go-to choice because they fry up crisp outside while staying fluffy inside. Double-frying makes them even better!
- → Why is double-frying important?
- The first fry softens the potatoes inside, and the second fry crisps up the outside to golden perfection. That’s the secret to great fries!
- → Can I make the butter in advance?
- Of course! Prep the butter a few days before and keep it cool in the fridge. You can even freeze it to enjoy for months later.
- → How do I give the steak a great sear?
- Make sure your pan is super hot! Dry the steak, season it, and press it down firmly at the start. Then don’t touch it while it cooks!
- → How long should the steak rest after cooking?
- Let it sit for about 3-4 minutes. This gives the juices time to settle into the meat, making it nice and juicy.