Who doesn’t love juicy steak sandwiches?! With caramelised onions, toasted bread buns, and melted brie… so dreamy. Slather some garlicky aioli and nutty pesto on there too! These are always a hit, and made with just a few key ingredients.
Quick and easy, these make the perfect dinner, lunch, or snack. This steak sandwich is guaranteed to satisfy a craving.
The star ingredients of these steak sandwiches are
- Steak: because this is going in a sandwich, it doesn’t have to be the highest of quality cuts. I used a scotch fillet. Just make sure it isn’t going to be tough when biting into the sandwich. How you cook it is down to your personal preference, I like mine on the more rare-medium side which helps the sandwich be so juicy.
- Bread buns: you could opt for burger buns, but even a classic bread roll if perfect for this. After having it a few times with a cheesy bread roll and ciabatta bun both were equally as good. Sourdough would also be a great alternative.
- Onion: this is what takes the most time when making this steak sandwich. The onion is sliced and caramelised to give the sandwich a delicious light sweetness. They also add a great texture to the sandwich.
- Garlic: sautéed in with the onion, this enhances the base flavour of the sandwich. It ties in well with the aioli that is spread on the bun as well. Garlic and steak… what a pairing.
- Butter: and all rounder used for caramelising the onions, toasting the bread, and basting the steak. Using butter adds a delectable richness.
- Aioli: my choice of sauce to go with this scrumptious steak sandwich! It is like mayonnaise, but with garlic. This smooth creamy sauce compliments the flavour of the steak and onions so well.
- Pesto: this balances out the creaminess of the aioli and brie, whilst adding a delicious herb flavour. It compliments flavours of the sandwich, with the basil, parmesan, and pine nuts that gives it depth.
- Brie: this is optional… but also not really if you want the best steak sandwich. The brie melts under the hot steak and adds a delicious cheesy goodness.
- Seasonings: garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika are used in the butter that the steak is basted with. You may think why onion and garlic powder, when there’s already actual onion and garlic in the steak sandwich? These seasonings do not taste the same as the real aromatics, but they do act as great flavour enhancers. The paprika adds a nice subtle smokey flavour to the steak as well.
How to make the steak sandwiches
Caramelise the onion.
Start by peeling the outer layer of the onion, and thinly sliced it into strips. Bring a pan to medium heat. Add a knob of butter and let it melt. Then add slivered onion. Once onions start to turn translucent, crush in the garlic. Continue sauteing on low-medium heat until onion has a caramelised colour. Remove caramelised onions and set aside, cover with tinfoil to keep warmth.
Sear the steak.
To the same pan the caramelised onions were in, pour in some oil. Turn the heat up to a high temperature, and allow the oil to warm up as well. Place the steak in the hot oil to sear, leave about 2 minutes on each side for medium rare.
Make seasoned butter.
Whilst the steak is searing, combine partially melted butter and the seasonings (paprika, onion powder, garlic powder). I typically measure with my heart but 1 tablespoon is a good estimate for how much of each seasoning.
Baste the steak.
Once steak has finished searing, baste with the seasoned butter. Do this by using a heat resistant spoon or brush to scoop up the butter and repeatedly drizzle it over the steak. You can also tilt the pan if that makes it easier. Doing this helps to enhance the flavour and moisture of the steak. After basting, remove the steak and set aside to rest.
Assemble the steak sandwiches.
Leave the pan on a medium heat. Slice the bread in half, place the buns in the pan with the leftover basting butter. Leave the bread buns to soak up the butter and lightly toast. Remove the bread from the pan once toasted. Slather one side with pesto, and the other with aioli. Slice the brie and place it onto the hot bread. Cut the rested steak into strips, and lay out on the sandwich. Let the cheese melt for a moment, then eat!
What do I serve with it?
Coleslaw would be great to add some freshness alongside the juicy steak sandwich. For some greens sautéed green beans or broccolini. If you feel like something starchy too, hot chips would be nice too!
Storage
This is a meal that is best eaten fresh, I would not recommend pre making this. However, one thing you could make in advance would be the steak. If you cook the steak and have leftovers, you can keep it in the fridge in an airtight container for a couple days. Keep in mind, when reheating the steak it will be cooking more.
More easy recipes:
Alrighty, ready to indulge in a juicy and delicious steak sandwich?! Time to get together your steak, aromatics, pesto, aioli, and oh so dreamy brie… let’s make this scrumptious sandwich.
Steak Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 1 brown onion
- 3 garlic cloves
- 2 scotch fillet steaks
- 2 bread buns
- Brie cheese
- Butter
- Paprika
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Italian herbs
- Aioli
- Pesto
Instructions
- In a pan on medium heat, melt a knob of butter, then add slivered onion.
- Once onions start to turn translucent, crush in the garlic. Continue sauteing on low-medium heat until onion has a caramelised colour.
- Remove onions and set aside, cover with tinfoil to keep warmth.
- Add oil to the pan, and start to sear the steak.
- Whilst steak is searing, combine melted butter and the seasonings.
- Once steak has finished searing, baste with the seasoned butter.
- Remove the steak and set aside to rest.
- Cut the bread in half, then toast in the pan with the remaining butter.
- Slice the brie, then assemble the sandwich – with pesto and aioli slathered on each bun half.
