Beef Steak Tartare Recipe (2024)

Published: by Slow The Cook Down

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This traditional French dish is much easier to make at home than you think! This beef steak tartare recipe is ready to serve in less than 30 minutes and is a real show stopper. Served with pickled shallots and topped with a rich egg yolk for a delicious dinner party appetizer.

Beef Steak Tartare Recipe (1)

This recipe was first published in Nov 2016 and has been updated with more notes, photos and improved recipe.

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So this weekend I decided to get a little bit fancy pants and put together one of my favourite restaurant dishes, steak tartare.Finely diced, seasoned steak that melts in the mouth, I can't resist it!

I'm fully aware that raw steak may not be to everyone's taste, but it is a classic recipe for a reason. The steak is delicately seasoned and when served with egg yolk and pickles, this is an appetizer that packs a punch.

For more fancy appetizers to impress, be sure to check out my Salmon and Caviar Appetiser and Parmesan Crisp Canapes.

Ingredients

For the steak tartare

  • Steak: I used sirloin steak for this beef tartare recipe. You want a nice tender and lean cut of meat. Filet mignonand chateaubriand and wonderful choices if money is not an issue.
  • Worcestershire sauce: Adds savory and sweet flavors with just a touch of spice.
  • Red wine vinegar: To add acidity to the recipe to cut through the creamy yolk egg.
  • Dijon mustard: Adds a complex flavor and really helps to season the steak.
  • Chives: For a mild onion flavor and to add freshness.

For the pickled shallots

These pickled shallots are totally optional, but they contribute a sweetness and acidity to the dish that works so well, and they are super quick to make.

  • Shallots: A more delicate flavor compared to white or yellow onions. Slightly sweet and acidic.
  • Red wine vinegar: For a robust and rich flavor. Also adds a great color to the shallots.
  • Salt and pepper: For seasoning, added to taste.
  • Sugar: To help balance out the acidity of the vinegar.

To serve

Again, these are all optional additions, but highly advised.

  • Capers and cornichons: Briny and sharp, these are great additions to this appetizer.
  • Toasted bread: I like to use a multigrain bread, but you can use whatever you have.
  • Egg yolks: When broken, the egg yolks mix with the beef steak creating. a wonderfully creamy texture.
Beef Steak Tartare Recipe (2)

How to make steak tartare

Be sure to scroll down for the full recipe and tips!

  • Pickle the shallots in a pot on the stovetop and let cool.
  • Slice and dice the steaks as finely as you can.
  • Mix the steak with the seasonings.
  • Place the steak on a plate using a chefs ring or cookie cutter.
  • Make a well in the middle and add the egg yolk.
  • Serve with the garnishes.

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • Freeze the steak for 20 to 30 minutes before cutting them. It makes it so much easier to dice the steak really finely and is definitely worth doing.
  • Use a really sharp knife, like really sharp, to make nice clean cuts. You don't want to be sawing at a nice piece of steak.
  • This recipe makes 4 appetizers and is easily halved or doubled. It serves two for a lunch.
  • Use as fresh as you can eggs for the best flavor. Use organic / free run if possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use ground beef to make tartare?

No. Absolutely not. A million times no. Ground beef is made from several different cuts of beef and it needs to be cooked so that it's safe to eat. The texture would also be really gross, so just don't do it.

Can you make it ahead of time?

This dish is best served as soon as you've made it so that it doesn't dry out. If you want to plan ahead, once you have seasoned the beef, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and you can keep it in the fridge for a couple of hours, but no more, before plating. The pickled shallots can be made several days ahead of time and kept in the fridge.

Can you make it with other meats?

Beef steak is traditionally used for this French classic, but you can easily mix it up with other meats. Veal and bison both work well. You can also make this with Asian beef varieties such as wagu and kobe.

Beef Steak Tartare Recipe (3)

I understand some people may be reluctant to try this one at home, even Mr Slow The Cook Down was a little bit reluctant to taste test this at first, but it was hoovered up super quickly! Take your time, give it some love, and it will be one of your go to dishes!

More Steak Recipes

  • Coffee Marinated Steak (Reversed Seared)
  • Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Shells
  • Steak Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe
  • Marinated Flank Steak (Carne Asada) Tacos
  • Red Wine Risotto with Steak
  • The Ultimate Steak Melt

I love hearing from you!! If you have tried this beef steak tartare recipe, be sure to scroll down, give them a star rating and let me know what you thought!

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Beef Steak Tartare Recipe (4)

Steak Tartare

This traditional French dish is much easier to make at home than you think! This beef steak tartare recipe is ready to serve in less than 30 minutes and is a real show stopper. Served with pickled shallots and topped with a rich egg yolk for a delicious dinner party appetizer.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: French

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 301kcal

Author: Slow The Cook Down

Ingredients

For the steak tartare

For the pickled shallots

  • 3.5 ounces shallots - 2 or 3 (100g)
  • 5 ounces red wine vinegar (150ml)
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 tbsp sugar

To Serve

Instructions

  • First off, put your steaks in the freezer, this will make them easier to dice.

  • Finely slice the shallots and place into a small saucepan with the red wine vinegar, a pinch of salt and pepper and the caster sugar. Bring to the boil and then let simmer. Keep cooking until all of the liquid has evaporated. Take off the heat and let cool.

  • Take one steak out of the freezer. as thin as you can, slice the steak in to strips, discarding any fat or sinew. Slice each strip, again, as thin as you can, and then dice these strips. Repeat with the other steak.

  • Put the steak pieces into a bowl and add the Worcester sauce, red wine vinegar, mustard, gin, chives and a good couple of pinches of salt and pepper. Mix well. Taste a piece of steak to check the seasoning and add more salt and pepper if needed. Place into the fridge until ready to plate up - don't leave for more than 30mins.

  • Roughly chop the capers.

  • Use a chefs ring, or cookie cutter to place the steak tartare on to the plates. Don't compact the steak down. Using a teaspoon, make a small dip in the middle of the meat and carefully place in an egg yolk. Remove the ring and place the capers, onions and cornichons around the steak, along with the toast.

  • Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Freeze the steak for 20 to 30 minutes before cutting them. It makes it so much easier to dice the steak really finely and is definitely worth doing.
  • Use a really sharp knife, like really sharp, to make nice clean cuts. You don't want to be sawing at a nice piece of steak.
  • This recipe makes 4 appetizers and is easily halved or doubled. It serves two for a lunch.
  • Use as fresh as you can eggs for the best flavor. Use organic / free run if possible.
  • Nutritional values are based on one of four servings.

Nutrition

Calories: 301kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 264mg | Sodium: 639mg | Potassium: 636mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1359IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 116mg | Iron: 4mg

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Beef Steak Tartare Recipe (5)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dona Musitano says

    Made it and it was better than I expected. Will make again regularly. I also created a few variations. One was an Asian flavor, a little teriyaki, sushi ginger minced, touch of red pepper flakes. Kept the shallots and spices, dropped capers and mustard. Wow.

    Reply

    • Slow The Cook Down says

      So glad you enjoyed it Dona! Love the idea of adding Asian ingredients, must try that out!

      Reply

  2. Marlee says

    Beef Steak Tartare Recipe (6)
    Steak tartare is my favorite! And I love eating pickled shallots with it!

    Reply

  3. Minnie Scott says

    Wow ! What a fabulous recipe !!!
    Your photos just make my mouth watering haha
    Thanks for sharing this recipe Betty, i saved it and gonna try it this holiday for sure !

    Reply

    • [emailprotected] says

      Hi Minnie, thanks for visiting and for the lovely comments!

      Reply

  4. patrick @alldayieat.com says

    i had this for the first time when i went to Paris last month. it was the bomb!!

    Reply

    • [emailprotected] says

      I've only had tartare when I've been to mainland Europe, I think lots of places are a bit scared of making it elsewhere in the world! It's super delicious, I had to give it a go myself!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Beef Steak Tartare Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What kind of steak do you use for beef tartare? ›

Tartare calls for the best-quality meat; you'll eat it raw, so go for the good stuff — rib eye or flatiron is a nice way to go. To get a perfectly diced steak for tartare, freeze the beef until it is just firm, about 15 minutes, before slicing.

What kills the bacteria in steak tartare? ›

For those worried about bacteria, chefs know how to kill them off, typically in a process that includes submerging the beef in boiling salt water for ten seconds, then dropping it into a bucket of ice water for 10 more.

How do I make sure my steak tartare is safe? ›

Buy whole beef tenderloin and NEVER ground beef. Refrigerate your beef IMMEDIATELY when you get home. Wash all surfaces your beef tartare could possibly touch while preparing. Wash your hands with soap before and use gloves while preparing your steak tartare.

Does beef tartare use raw egg? ›

Steak tartare or tartar steak is a French dish of raw ground (minced) beef. It is usually served with onions, capers, mushrooms, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and other seasonings, often presented separately, to be added to taste. It is often served topped with a raw egg yolk.

Can you use grocery store beef for tartare? ›

Instead, head to a trusted local butcher, or find a meat shop that specializes in high-quality cuts. It's best to let the person behind the counter know that you plan to make tartare and let them guide you. A good butcher will ensure that your cut of meat is handled with care to avoid cross-contamination.

Can you use supermarket beef for steak tartare? ›

Two rules of thumb: Don't use steak from a supermarket. Use a butcher, preferably one you know and trust. Tell your butcher you intend to eat it raw.

How do people not get sick from steak tartare? ›

First, chefs dunk the beef into the boiling water for ten seconds, which kills off the vast majority of bacteria on the surface that can make diners sick. They then place it in the ice water, immediately halting any cooking to preserve the raw texture and character of the beef.

Why don t people get sick from beef tartare? ›

Eating raw meat is a risky business, but poisoning from steak tartare is rare because the dish is usually served only in high-end restaurants where hygiene is the rule and the meat is supplied by reliable butchers.

How do you make tartare safe to eat? ›

Is Steak Tartare Safe to Eat?
  1. Wear gloves. Wear gloves when handling the raw beef.
  2. Use high-quality, fresh beef. Ask the butcher which available steak would be best raw.
  3. Keep the beef cold. Make sure to keep the meat chilled at all times.
  4. Eat the steak tartare immediately.
Apr 5, 2024

How fresh does beef have to be for tartare? ›

You want the meat to be fresh, so don't stick it in the freezer or refrigerator for too long, but just enough to make it easier to chop. This dish is also best served cold, so chill it in advance. Sharpen your knife as much as possible for a clean, quick cut.

Can you use frozen beef for tartare? ›

The reason why this step is a must, is simple. Placing a filet somewhere cold like the freezer helps the meat become firmer, making it significantly easier to work with. Whether the filet is hand-minced or placed through a grinder, a colder and stiffer cut will maintain its shape better.

Can I keep tartare in the fridge? ›

Yes, it is safe. Just be sure to refrigerate as soon as you have it ready to go. The next day remove it from the fridge about 15 minutes before serving to get to room temperature.

Is beef tartare legal in the US? ›

In order to reduce the risk of foodborne illness, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends that all beef be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that raw beef dishes like beef tartare are not considered safe to eat in the United States.

What is the parasite in beef tartare? ›

Toxoplasmosis is caused by a cellular parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. The cat is the primary host in the parasitic life cycle, and the illness is spread by contact with infected cat feces or ingestion of raw infected meat (such as 'steak tartare') or water.

How do you buy meat for beef tartare? ›

Choose a cut that has a little fat for flavor but is still lean. Fresher meat will also be a good choice, as aged meat tends to become more tough. And never use ground beef for this dish, as ground beef has a higher chance of contamination if not cooked.

Is filet mignon good for steak tartare? ›

Filet mignon is renowned for its tenderness and subtly rich flavor, making it a prime choice for beef tartare.

Can you use flank steak for tartare? ›

The natural grain of a flank or skirt lends itself perfectly to the meat being chopped into tartare. With a very sharp chopping knife, slice the meat into very thin strips along the grain of the meat, and then chop it again as finely as possible. Mix all of the ingredients together and season to taste.

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