Steak Frites

A seared strip steak topped with herb butter, served with crisp twice-fried French fries and a garlic aioli. The Paris bistro classic at home. Serves 2.

Sliced seared steak with herb butter beside golden French fries and a dish of aioli
  • Prep 30 min
  • Cook 30 min
  • Total 1 hr
  • Yield 2 servings

Jump to: Ingredients | Instructions | Tips | Questions | Print recipe

Steak frites is the simplest great bistro dinner: a well-seared steak, a pat of herb butter melting over it and a pile of thin, crisp fries. The fries are fried twice, first at a lower temperature to cook them through and then hotter to crisp them.

Serve with a quick garlic aioli for dipping, as they do in Paris.

Ingredients

Fries

  • 1 1/2 pounds russet potatoes, cut into 1/4-inch sticks
  • Vegetable oil, for frying
  • Flaky salt

Steak

  • 2 strip steaks, 1 inch thick
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons herb butter (butter mashed with parsley, chives and garlic)

Aioli

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 small clove garlic, grated
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Soak the potatoes. Soak the cut potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes, then drain and dry very well.
  2. First fry. Heat 2 inches of oil to 325°F. Fry the potatoes in batches 4 to 5 minutes, until soft but pale. Drain on a rack.
  3. Cook the steaks. Season the steaks. Sear in a very hot cast-iron skillet with the oil, 3 to 4 minutes per side, to 130°F for medium-rare. Rest 5 minutes topped with herb butter.
  4. Second fry. Raise the oil to 375°F and fry the potatoes again 2 to 3 minutes, until golden and crisp. Drain and sprinkle with flaky salt.
  5. Serve. Stir the aioli together. Slice the steaks and serve with the fries and aioli.

Tips

  • Drying the potatoes well keeps the oil from spattering and makes crisper fries.
  • A hanger or skirt steak is the traditional French choice; strip steak is easier to find.

Questions about this recipe

Why fry potatoes twice?
The first, cooler fry cooks the inside; the second, hotter fry makes the outside crisp.
Can I bake the fries?
Yes. Toss with oil and bake at 425°F for 30 to 35 minutes, turning once.

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