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Classic Steak Frites

Featured in Ultimate Comfort Food Dishes.

Bring French dining to your table with Steak Frites! Juicy New York strip steak pairs with ultra-crispy fries, thanks to a double-fry trick. Add a swirl of herb-citrus butter that melts perfectly on the hot steak. With step-by-step guidance, it's both fancy and easy to make at home.
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Un'immagine di una donna con i capelli raccolti in una borsa.
Updated on Wed, 02 Apr 2025 00:49:34 GMT
Steak and Fries Dish Pin it
Steak and Fries Dish | kyliecook.com

French Steak Frites stands out as the ultimate bistro comfort food from France - juicy seared steak served with golden crunchy frites and topped with a rich lemon-herb butter blend. This fancy yet simple dish turns your regular dinner into something special you can enjoy at home.

I've tweaked this dish many times during family meals and found that letting your steak sit while giving the frites one last fry means everything hits the table hot and ready at just the right moment.

Key Ingredients

  • Top-quality beef (ribeye, strip sirloin, or filet mignon) - Go for cuts with good fat marbling that are at least 1-inch thick for the tastiest results
  • Russet potatoes - These starchy spuds give you that fluffy inside and crispy outside we're after
  • Garden herbs (thyme, rosemary, green onions) - These make our butter mixture smell and taste amazing, lifting the whole dish
  • Unsalted butter - Lets you adjust the salt yourself while creating that smooth, rich finish
  • Oil with high smoke point - Something like grapeseed or avocado oil won't burn when you're searing at high heat

Step-By-Step Cooking Guide

1. Making Your Flavored Butter
Leave butter out for half an hour to soften
Beat it until it's fluffy and light, about 5-7 minutes
Mix in your chopped herbs, garlic, lemon zest, and juice
Add some sea salt and fresh pepper to taste
Form into a log with parchment paper and stick it in the fridge
2. Getting Perfect Frites
Slice potatoes into even ¼-inch sticks
Let them sit in cold water for 30 minutes to wash away extra starch
Make sure they're completely dry after draining
Do your first fry at 300°F for exactly 3 minutes until they're soft but barely golden
Set them aside while you cook the steak
Finish with a second fry at 350°F for 3 minutes until they're golden and super crispy
3. Cooking Your Steak
Let steak sit out for 30 minutes to reach room temperature
Dry it completely and sprinkle plenty of sea salt and pepper
Get your pan really hot - it should be smoking
Don't touch the steak for 3 minutes while it sears
Toss in some butter, garlic, and herbs
Flip it over and spoon the butter over it for another 3 minutes
Let it rest on a warm plate while you finish your frites
Classic French Steak frites recipe Pin it
Classic French Steak frites recipe | kyliecook.com

I grew up in a family that really valued good cooking, and I learned early on that flavored butter makes everything better. My grandma always told me her kitchen secret was a good herb butter - it's crazy how such a simple thing can make food taste like it came from a fancy restaurant.

Getting The Heat Just Right

A cast iron pan works best for getting that amazing crust on your steak. It spreads heat evenly for better cooking. For your frites, watching the oil temperature is super important - too hot and they'll burn, too cool and they'll soak up oil and get soggy.

What Goes Well With This

Traditional French places usually serve this with a basic green salad, but I love adding sweet caramelized shallots. Their sweetness really works with both the meaty steak and the crunchy frites.

Final thoughts: After making this dish countless times, I've learned that getting the timing and temperature right makes all the difference. There's nothing better than cutting into a perfectly cooked steak and using crispy frites to soak up all those flavorful juices. This has become our go-to meal for celebrations - everyone asks for it on birthdays and special days. I still get excited every time I serve this restaurant-quality meal at our dining table.

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Crispy Steak French Fries | kyliecook.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Which type of potatoes make the crispiest fries?
Russets are the way to go! Their starchiness helps give you fries with fluffy insides and crispy outsides.
→ Why fry the potatoes twice?
The first fry cooks the inside to soft perfection. The second fry crisps them up and gives that golden look.
→ Can I prep the butter early?
Totally! Keep it in the fridge for days or freeze it for up to three months. It’s super handy.
→ How do I get the best crust on my steak?
Use a really hot pan and pat the steak dry first. Press down briefly, then leave it alone to cook perfectly.
→ Should I let the steak rest after cooking?
Yep! Give it 3-4 minutes so the juices spread evenly. This makes every bite super juicy.

Steak Frites with Butter

Recreate this French classic at home. A perfect steak and crispy fries topped with zesty herb butter is easier than you'd think.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
12 Minutes
Total Time
27 Minutes
By: Kylie

Category: Cozy & Classic

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: French-American

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary: Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ Zesty Butter Blend

01 3 sticks of unsalted butter, softened at room temp
02 Juice and zest from 1 fresh lemon
03 1 tablespoon finely chopped rosemary
04 2 tablespoons minced thyme leaves
05 2 teaspoons flaky sea salt
06 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
07 2 minced garlic cloves (a smooth paste works best)
08 1/4 cup thin green onion slices

→ Golden Homemade Fries

09 3 big russet potatoes, cut into thick matchstick-like shapes
10 A sprinkle of coarse salt for flavor

→ Juicy Steak Cuts

11 Two 12-ounce New York strip steaks
12 8-10 lightly crushed whole garlic cloves
13 8-10 sprigs of fresh thyme
14 4 tablespoons butter (unsalted)
15 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra-virgin for best results)
16 Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 01

Pop your butter into a stand mixer and whip it up on high for 5-7 minutes until it’s super fluffy. Toss in your rosemary, thyme, green onions, garlic, and lemon juice with the zest. Sprinkle in some salt and pepper to taste. Stir it all together and leave it to chill so the flavors can come together.

Step 02

Rinse the cut-up potatoes twice in cold water to wash off extra starch—don’t skip this part if you want that crispy finish! Pat them dry, then fry them two times: first for 3 minutes at 300°F, and then again for 3-5 minutes at 350°F till golden and crunchy. Sprinkle with salt as soon as they come out of the oil.

Step 03

Generously season your steaks with salt and pepper, then heat up your skillet with olive oil until it’s super hot. Place the steaks in and press down for 15-20 seconds. Don’t disturb them for about 2-3 minutes. Flip them, throw in thyme, garlic, and butter, and start basting for 2-4 minutes. Let the steaks rest for a few minutes before you cut into them.

Notes

  1. You can prep the flavored butter in advance and freeze it—it’s great for future meals.
  2. For a steak cooked to medium, add an extra minute per side and wait a minute longer before slicing.
  3. Don’t skip rinsing those potatoes twice—this trick is key for getting that crunchy outside.

Tools You'll Need

  • Mixer with paddle attachment
  • Heavy-bottomed skillet or cast iron pan
  • A deep fryer or a large pot for frying
  • Optional: A thermometer for checking meat doneness

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Has dairy (from butter)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 528
  • Total Fat: 34 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 33 g
  • Protein: 25 g