Steak sandwiches hit the spot every time and are a surefire way to impress your family and friends. The tender meat, melty cheese, and crispy toasted bun come together in a symphony of incredible flavors. The best part of making a steak sandwich at home? It’s surprisingly easy! You can make a steak sandwich from start to finish in under thirty minutes.
Whether I’m hosting a dinner party or throwing together a quick meal, a steak sandwich is always a delicious way to spice things up. In this guide, we’ll go through all of the most important components of a steak sandwich so you can enjoy an amazing steak sandwich without ever having to leave your house.
What is the Best Cut of Meat for Steak Sandwiches?
There are several cuts that could work well in a steak sandwich, but my personal favorite is the flat iron cut. This cut comes from the shoulder area, has impressive marbling, and is much more budget-friendly than other well-marbled cuts like the ribeye. The flat iron is incredibly tender, pairs fantastically with the other flavors, and works great in a sandwich. While this one is my favorite, there are several other cuts that would also work well in a steak sandwich.
Here are the runner ups:
- Ribeye. This is a delicious and remarkably marbled cut, but it tends to be much pricier than others. If you’re looking to really impress, this is the way to go.
- Skirt Steak. This cut makes a great value choice for dinner parties. You’ll need to marinate it first to get it nice and tender, but it’s typically sold in higher quantities at a lower rate.
- New York Strip. This classic cut isn’t quite as marbled as a ribeye or as tender as a flat iron, but it’s still a fantastic cut and is great for slicing.
What Goes Well With a Steak Sandwich?
Now that you’re on your way to making the perfect steak sandwich, you need the perfect side dish! There are several dishes that would pair wonderfully with a steak sandwich, but these are some of my favorites:
- Homemade fries. All you need are potatoes, salt, oil, and an oven or air fryer to make delicious, crispy fries from home. Fries are a classic steak sandwich pairing for the ultimate meal. Sometimes I even put fries inside of my steak sandwich, don’t knock it ‘til you try it!
- Coleslaw. This tangy salad makes a great complement to a savory steak sandwich because it balances out all the heavy, rich flavors of the sandwich. It’s also incredibly easy to make from home!
- Homemade potato chips. There’s nothing like the classic, crunchy potato chip to go with your steak sandwich. Ditch the store-bought chips and make your own from home with Yukon gold potatoes and a mandoline.
What Are the Best Toppings For a Steak Sandwich?
Everyone has their own twists that they like to add to a steak sandwich, but I love sticking to the classics. These are the all-time best toppings for a steak sandwich:
- Caramelized onions and peppers. The classic combination of caramelized yellow onions and green bell peppers has been a longstanding top choice for steak sandwiches. It’s beyond simple to make and perfectly rounds out the delicious sandwich.
- Melted provolone. There are plenty of cheeses you could use for a steak sandwich, but my choice is always the traditional provolone. I find that it pairs the best for a classic steak sandwich.
- Melted havarti. If provolone isn’t your jam, this semi-soft cheese is another great option for your steak sandwich. It’s perfect for melting and brings a creamy, mild taste to the dish.
- Herb butter. This is a great way to add some subtle, bright flavors to your steak sandwich. An herb butter with herbs like dill or parsley would pair brilliantly with this dish and is a guaranteed way to take it to the next level.
Sauces to Consider on Your Steak Sandwich
This is where things get interesting. When it comes to the sauce for your steak sandwich, you can keep it simple or get a little creative. Traditionally, mayonnaise is used for steak sandwiches, but people are constantly getting innovative and finding ways to put a spin on it. These are some of the best sauces to consider on your steak sandwich:
- Mayonnaise. You can keep it simple with this classic condiment and let the flavors of the steak, cheese, and onions shine through all on their own. If you’re a fan of the simplicity of a classic steak sandwich, then a simple mayonnaise is the way to go.
- Worcestershire Mayonnaise. Worcestershire is a fermented condiment known for its strong flavor. By mixing it into mayonnaise, you balance out that sharp flavor and end up with a savory, smoky spread for your steak sandwich.
- Horseradish Mayonnaise. Horseradish is pungent and sharp, but when mixed in with mayonnaise the result is a delicious, zesty steak sandwich spread. The sharp flavors of the horseradish do a brilliant job of balancing out the rich flavors of the sandwich without being too sharp, thanks to the mayonnaise.
- Garlic Aioli. Aioli is basically a fancy word for saying mayonnaise with other ingredients added in. As mayonnaise makes a great steak sandwich topping, spicing it up by turning it into a garlic aioli is perfect for all the garlic lovers out there.
Tools and ingredients you’ll need
- Crock-Pot 7-Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker | Stainless Steel
- Cuisinart 5-in-1 Griddler sandwich grill
- Woeber’s Sandwich Pal 4 Flavor Variety Bundle
- Chipotle & Garlic Aioli w/ Real Chipotle Peppers/Roasted Garlic Spread
- Homtiem Wasabi Mayonnaise
When to Eat a Steak Sandwich
Okay, this one is a trick question. It is ALWAYS a good time for a steak sandwich! Whether you’re throwing a dinner party for twelve with a ‘build your own’ steak sandwich bar as the main event or simply making a Saturday afternoon lunch for the family, there is really never a bad time for a steak sandwich. It’s a meal that everyone can enjoy and it doesn’t take a whole lot of effort. So, grab your sandwich ingredients, get cooking, and eat up!