Easy Steak Tartare Recipe (How to Make Beef Tartare) (2024)

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How to Make Steak Tartare– Classic European steak tartare is made with chopped raw steak, raw egg yolk,capers, and spicy mustard. This no-cook Beef Tartare recipe is easy to prepare, and delicious to enjoy as a summer appetizer or light dinner dish.

Disclaimer: Be sure to use fresh high-quality beef and serve this dish immediately. Do not make it ahead. It is advised that pregnant women should not eat raw meat. Learn more about food safety fromfoodsafety.gov.

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What is Steak Tartare?

Steak Tartare, also known as Beef Tartare, is a lovely dish that’s made with chopped high-quality meat and served raw. The uncooked beef is mixed with eggs and seasonings and enjoyed either at room temperature or slightly chilled.

Most people think of tartare as a standard French recipe, yet it was actually brought to France by Russian and Eastern Europeans.

Another misconception is that Beef Tartare is something that people only eat athigh-end bistros. They don’t realize it is easy to make at home and is no less safe to consume!

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The Best Beef Tartare Recipe

Our classicEuropean-style Steak Tartarerecipe is made with good-quality beef filets, shallots, capers, and egg yolk to create asilky texture. The egg helps to hold the chopped beef and other ingredients altogether.

We also include a generous dollop of spicy whole-grain mustard for a bit ofbold and tangyflavor.

This no-cook dish is ready in only20 minutes. It is basically all simple prep work, and then everything is mixed together. That’s it!

Homemade authentic Beef Tartare is perfect for servingas an appetizeror enjoying a light summer dinner. Pair with your choice of healthy and/or hearty side dishes for a deeplyflavorful and funmeal!

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Ingredients You Need

As fancy and exciting as Steak Tartare may seem, it’s made with a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients. To prepare this French-inspired recipe you need:

  • Beef filetsuse high-quality meat,preferably from the butcher counter
  • Shallotsminced (or sweet onion)
  • Capersminced (or minced cornichons)
  • Egg yolksave the white in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days to cook with
  • Spicy whole grain mustardor a 50/50 combo of whole grain mustard and Dijon mustard
  • Fresh parsleychopped
  • Olive oilor other preferred neutral-tasting oil
  • Lemonzested and juiced
  • Seasoningssalt and pepper
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How to Make the Best Steak Tartare

First, make sure that your steak isnice and cold. You can even put the meat (sealed properly) in the freezer for a few minutes to get chilled.

Then, trim the excess fat chunks off of the steaks andfinely chop the filets with a sharp knifeinto ¼ inch pieces.

Pro Tip:To get just the right minced beef, start by cutting the steaks into fine strips. Cut the thin strips into halves or thirds. Then cut the steak ribbons crosswise.

Here’s a photo of how the steak should look:

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Now mince the shallots and capers. Zest and juice the lemon. In a measuring cup, add the egg yolk, lemon juice, and spicy mustard.

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Stir to combine.

Next, set out a large mixing bowl. Add the chopped steak, minced shallots and capers, egg yolk/mustard/lemon mixture, parsley, olive oil, lemon zest, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper.

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Taste, then add additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice if desired.

Mix well.BUT BE GENTLE.You just want to incorporate the ingredients, not mush them together.

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Serve the Steak Tartare immediately. You canbrieflyrefrigerate to get a slight chill, but only for about 15 minutes before you eat.

For traditional plating, press the Beef Tartare into a ramekin or a small bowl, and then carefully flip it out onto small serving plates in the shape of a disk.

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Garnish the tartare with extra parsley and/or capers, if you like.

You can also rest anextra egg yolk on top, but be aware this will make the tartare textureextra denseand silky.

Get the Complete (Printable) Steak Tartare Recipe Below. Enjoy!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What other ingredients can I add to this Beef Tartare recipe?

There are several delicious variations of our authentic tartare recipe! You can add a generous dash of hot sauce, crushed red pepper, or horseradish for anextra kick of spice. Diced pickle relish is terrific to mix in to give the dish a bit oftangy-sweetness.

Can this dish be made ahead?

No, youshould notmake this recipe in advance. Youcanchop the steak beforehand, and keep tightly wrapped in plastic in the refrigerator until ready to prepare and serve the tartare. Use the chopped beef within a day or so of prepping.

What should I serve with homemade Steak Tartare?

Classic Beef Tartare is often enjoyed with baguette slices, crunchy crostini, plantain chips, or even simple saltypotato chips.

What dishes go well with Beef Tartare?

This light, refreshing, and savory tartare pairs well with any number of summer dishes. Serve with a green salad,French Red Potato Saladfor a fun play of “meat and potatoes,”Bake Turnip Fries, French Fries, or fresh or grilled veggies. You can even use a little tabasco sauce on top to spice it up.

What cut of beef can I use?

I used high-quality raw beef filets (AKA filet mignon), but you could also use top-round filets, sirloin, or whole beef tenderloin, or New York Strip. Still, slice the meat into very small chunks rather than grind it up with a meat grinder.

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Check the printable recipe card for the nutrition information including calories, protein, fat, cholesterol, and sodium percentages.

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Print Recipe

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Ultimate Steak Tartare Recipe (Beef Tartare)

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

This authentic Steak Tartare (Beef Tartare) recipe is made with quality raw chopped meat, egg yolks, capers, and spicy mustard for a deeply flavorful summer dish!

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

  • 1 ½ pounds beef filets
  • ½ cup minced shallot
  • ¼ cup minced capers
  • 1 large egg yolk + extra egg yolks for serving, optional
  • 3 tablespoons spicy whole grain mustard or 2 tb whole grain mustard + 1 tb Dijon
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 lemon zested and juiced
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  • Trim all excess fat chunks off the steaks. Then finely chop the filets into ¼ inch pieces. Do this by cutting the steaks into fine strips. Cut the strips in halves or thirds. Then cut the steak ribbons crosswise.

  • Mince the shallots and capers. Zest and juice the lemon. In a measuring cup, add the egg yolk, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and spicy mustard. Stir to combine.

  • Set out a mixing bowl. Add the chopped steak, minced shallots, capers, egg yolk mixture, parsley, olive oil, lemon zest, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper. Mix well.

  • Taste, then add additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice if desired.

  • Serve immediately. For traditional plating, press the steak tartare into ramekins, then flip it out onto small serving plates in the shape of a disk. Garnish with extra parsley and/or capers. You can also rest an extra egg yolk on top, but be aware this will make the tartare texture extra dense and silky.

Video

Notes

Note: Consuming any raw meat (or egg) does come with certain risks. Be sure to use fresh high-quality beef and serve this dish immediately. Do not make ahead.

Serve with: baguette, crostini, potato chips plantain chips, or salad greens.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25cup, Calories: 291kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 17g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 11g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 84mg, Sodium: 261mg, Potassium: 345mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 132IU, Vitamin C: 10mg, Calcium: 25mg, Iron: 3mg

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine: American, French, Russian

Author: Sommer Collier

Making this recipe?Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!

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Easy Steak Tartare Recipe (How to Make Beef Tartare) (2024)

FAQs

Can you make beef tartare with any beef? ›

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 cut of beef is used for steak tartare? ›

While flank and skirt steak are great for grilling, you want beef tenderloin—home to prized cuts like filet mignon and chateaubriand—for tartare. Why? Because the tenderloin is home to the most tender meat on the animal (it's built right into the name, after all).

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.

How is tartare prepared? ›

In a medium bowl, mix together the beef, mustard, hot pepper sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brandy, salt, pepper and egg until well blended. Arrange the meat in a neat pile on a glass dish, and cover with aluminum foil. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Serve as a spread on crackers or toast.

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 grocery store beef for tartare? ›

Other Tartare Do's and Don'ts

It's critical to note that while the meat in tartare can resemble the texture of ground beef, you should never take a risky steak tartare shortcut and use machine-ground meat, especially the mass-produced kind available at the grocery store.

Can you use supermarket beef for steak tartare? ›

In terms of age/freshness, if you can buy a steak in the grocery store, it's fit for tartare. I never use ground meat for this purpose because that takes all the little bacteria on the surface and redistributes them throughout the meat so they can grow with impunity. So get a whole steak.

What makes a good beef tartare? ›

Beef tartare ingredients

Lean steak – Start with a very good lean steak, like sirloin, beef tenderloin, or top round beef. Ask your butcher for a fresh steak and tell them you'll be eating it raw. Capers – These add a nice acidity to help balance out the flavors. Cornichons – Or small dill pickles.

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.

How is the beef in steak tartare traditionally served? ›

Steak tartare is typically served with fried wheat rye bread in lard or oil, alternatively, it can be toasted, and raw garlic cloves for rubbing on the bread.

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.

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.

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.

Can you use grocery store steak for tartare? ›

In terms of age/freshness, if you can buy a steak in the grocery store, it's fit for tartare. I never use ground meat for this purpose because that takes all the little bacteria on the surface and redistributes them throughout the meat so they can grow with impunity. So get a whole steak.

Does steak tartare have to be raw? ›

Beef tartare is made from raw ground beef, which can potentially contain harmful bacteria such as E. coli or Salmonella. 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.

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