Velvety rich and super delicious is this classic French steak tartare. It’s not only really easy to make but it is the perfect start of your Christmas dinner.

Every year around Christmas I have no trouble coming up with a delicious main dish, but that appetizer is always the pain point. Do I go for something boring like soup? Or do I sweat over painstakingly arranging slices of salmon into a terrine? So I came up with a dish that is easy to prepare, can be made – mostly – up front and looks like it is super complicated! Guaranteed success!

Steak tartare

Steak tartare

I’ve eaten many steak tartare but it has always been in a restaurant. I’ve had ones which made me salivate as soon as the plate was put in front of me, but on several occasions that first bite made me go back to the baby inside of me and want to open my mouth and drop it back on the plate.

baby disgusted by the food
I do not want to eat this!

So when Eva and I where planning our Christmas shoot, steak tartare was definitely one I had to try and make myself. As you can probably guess the quality of the meat in this dish is super important. You eat the meat raw so it is not suitable for pregnant women or elderly people with a fragile health.

Having said that, there is something utterly satisfying about a good steak tartare and this recipe is simple but definitely worth trying out!

You can chop the meat with a machine but it’s much better to cut the meat by hand. The machine will quickly make a puree out of the meat and that is not what you want. It’s nice to have some texture to bite into.

Ingredients for a steak tartare

Taste and add

Once the meat is cut, it is literally a matter of adding the seasoning to the meat and you’re ready to go. The quantities given below are a recommendation. You can add more mustard, tabasco or worcestersauce to taste. Just make sure to taste the meat as you go along so the steak tartare will be nicely balanced. I love serving this with some good toast.

We served the steak tartare with an egg yolk on top. Make sure to clean the shell if you’re using that for serving purposes. Best to do this in boiling water, to make sure the egg shell is clean. You will be able to find all festive recipes here.

Steak tartare

FAQ

What kind of meat can I use for the steak tartare?

It’s best to check with your butcher what is best to use here. A good quality beef steak, beef tenderloin or filet mignon is usually a good bet, but better to ask the butcher and explain what you will be using it for. It’s important they know you will be using the meat raw. So ask them for their best cut.

What are cornichons?

Cornichons are very small gherkins which are often used in a steak tartare. They are pickled with vinegar and not sweet. You cut them very finely and the acidity of the cornichons will work really well with the raw meat.

How do I season the steak tartare?

Use tabasco (about 6 drops or so for 200 gr of meat), worcestershire sauce, pepper, salt, fresh herbs, mustard, onion, lemon zest, lemon juice and any other spices to taste. A bit of cayenne pepper will also do nicely. Most importantly; make sure you taste before serving!

Can I make the steak tartare beforehand?

You can cut the meat a few hours before serving. Keep it in the fridge until you do. You can already season it if you want. The plating of the meat should be done as closely to serving as possible. The egg is the last thing you add.

Do I have to use a raw egg on the steak tartare?

Well you don’t have to use it but it is the traditional way of serving a steak tartare. You can use a poached or softly boiled egg instead, if you prefer.

Can you serve steak tartare to a pregnant woman?

No, it is not recommended to serve this dish to anyone being pregnant.

Steak tartare

Steak tartare

No ratings yet
GangAppetizer
KeukenAmerican

Of course this is the perfect starter for any Christmas or festive dinner, but also delicious any other moment of the year.
Prep time 10 minutes
Cooking time 10 minutes
Total time 20 minutes

2 people

Equipment

  • Serving ring of about 10 cm

Ingredients

  • 200 gr fillet steak good quality
  • 1 tbsp mustard not too sharp
  • 2 tsp worcestersauce
  • 6 drops tabasco or more to taste
  • 4 cornichons finely cut
  • ½ shallot finely sliced
  • 1 tbsp fresh chives finely cut
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley finely cut
  • 2 egg yolks
  • salt and pepper
  • croutons or toast to serve
  • cress to serve

  • Cut the steak with a sharp knife as small as you can. You can do it with a food processor but it’s really best to cut by hand for the best texture. It’s easy to over process in the machine.
  • Mix the steak with the mustard, worcestersauce, tabasco, cornichons, shallot, fresh herbs and add pepper and salt to taste.
  • Prepare the serving by placing half of the steak tartare in a ring. Press down firmly and remove the ring. Serve the steak tartare with an egg yolk on top.
  • To do this make a dent in the top of the steak tartare and add the yolk there. You can also use the shell to place it on top. Make sure you clean the shell thoroughly before placing it on the meat.

Nutrition Information per portion

Calories: 282kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 256mg | Sodium: 310mg | Potassium: 387mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 527IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 3mg

Disclaimer

The nutritional values above are calculated per portion. The details are based on standard nutritional tables and do not constitute a professional nutritional advice.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @insimoneskitchen_ or tag #insimoneskitchen!

More Christmas appetizers

Sharing is caring!

Simone van den Berg

Food blogger from the Netherlands. Loves good food. Likes to create healthy and easy recipes for daily use, but also loves the occasional sweet dish. Lives in the Netherlands with her two cats; Humphrey and Buffy. Profession: Food photographer, food blogger, recipe developer and nutritionist