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Steak Sandwich with Horseradish Sauce

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This Steak Sandwich combines marinated and grilled skirt steak with a zesty horseradish mayo for the ultimate sandwich experience. The steak gets tons of flavor from a marinade packed with garlic, smoked paprika, and herbs, while grilled red onions add sweetness. The creamy horseradish sauce provides just the right kick, and everything comes together on toasted ciabatta with crisp lettuce. Perfect for using leftover grilled steak or as a planned meal, this sandwich delivers restaurant-quality results at home.
A woman in an apron is preparing a meal in a sunny kitchen filled with fresh vegetables and herbs.
Updated on Mon, 20 Jan 2025 15:20:36 GMT
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Steak Sandwich with Creamy Horseradish Sauce | myhomemaderecipe.com

Juicy grilled steak, perfectly seasoned and sliced thin, nestled in crusty ciabatta bread with grilled onions and a creamy horseradish sauce creates the ultimate steak sandwich. Each bite delivers the perfect balance of tender meat, sweet charred onions, and zesty sauce that brings everything together.

I first created this recipe when looking for an easy yet impressive way to serve steak at casual gatherings. The combination of tender skirt steak and zesty horseradish sauce has since become my go-to for everything from game day to quick weeknight dinners.

Essential Ingredients

  • Skirt steak: Its loose grain structure absorbs marinade beautifully and cooks quickly
  • Fresh horseradish: Provides bright heat that cuts through the richness of the meat
  • Ciabatta bread: The sturdy texture holds up to juicy steak without getting soggy
  • Red onions: Their natural sweetness intensifies when grilled
  • Quality mayonnaise: Creates the base for a creamy, rich sauce

Steps Instructions

1. Perfect the Marinade
Begin by combining olive oil with a robust blend of spices - cumin, smoked paprika, and fresh garlic create layers of flavor. Massage this mixture thoroughly into the steak, allowing it to tenderize and season the meat.
2. Master the Grilling
Preheat your grill to high heat, ensuring proper char and caramelization. Grill the steak for just 2-3 minutes per side for medium-rare, letting it rest before slicing against the grain for maximum tenderness.
3. Grill the Onions
While the steak rests, grill thick-cut onion slices until they develop char marks and become tender. Their natural sugars will caramelize, adding sweetness to balance the savory meat.
4. Create the Sauce
Blend mayonnaise with fresh horseradish, adjusting the amount to your preferred level of heat. Add chopped chives for fresh, oniony notes that complement both meat and sauce.
5. Build Your Sandwich
Layer the components thoughtfully - sauce on both sides of toasted ciabatta, followed by lettuce, grilled onions, and thinly sliced steak. The order matters for both stability and flavor distribution.
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Delicious Steak Sandwich with Creamy Horseradish Sauce | myhomemaderecipe.com

One summer evening, while experimenting with different cuts of steak, I discovered that skirt steak's loose grain structure made it perfect for sandwiches. The way it absorbs marinade and cooks quickly has made it my go-to choice for casual entertaining.

Perfect Temperature Guide

For the best results, cook your steak to the desired internal temperature. For a rare steak with a red center, aim for 125°F. A medium-rare steak, featuring a warm pink center, should reach 135°F. If you prefer a slightly pink center, cook your steak to 145°F for a medium finish.

Make-Ahead Success

Prepare the horseradish sauce up to three days ahead and store in an airtight container. The marinade can be made a day in advance, but don't add it to the meat until 20-30 minutes before cooking.

Bread Selection Tips

While ciabatta is my favorite, any sturdy bread works well. Just ensure it's toasted to prevent sogginess from the meat juices. Sourdough and French bread are excellent alternatives.

Customization Options

Create your perfect sandwich by adding grilled mushrooms, melted provolone, or crispy bacon. For extra kick, increase the horseradish or add pickled jalapeños.

From backyard barbecues to quick weeknight dinners, this steak sandwich has become my signature dish. The combination of perfectly grilled meat, sweet charred onions, and zesty horseradish sauce creates something that's both simple and special. Whether you're an experienced griller or just starting out, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results right from your own kitchen.

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Yummy Steak Sandwich with Creamy Horseradish Sauce Recipe | myhomemaderecipe.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use a different cut of steak?
Yes! While skirt steak is ideal, flank steak, sirloin flap, or even leftover grilled steak works great.
→ How spicy is the horseradish sauce?
With 1 tablespoon horseradish to 1¼ cups mayo, it's mild. Add more horseradish gradually to taste if you want more kick.
→ Can I make this ahead?
You can prepare the horseradish sauce up to 2 days ahead. The steak can marinate for up to 8 hours in the refrigerator.
→ What if I don't have a grill?
A cast iron skillet or grill pan works great too. Cook the steak 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare.
→ Why cut against the grain?
Cutting against the grain breaks up the muscle fibers, making each bite more tender and easier to chew.

Grilled Steak & Horseradish Sandwich

Perfectly grilled marinated skirt steak topped with creamy horseradish sauce and grilled onions on toasted ciabatta bread.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Zaho

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings (4 sandwiches)

Dietary: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Marinated Steak

01 3 pounds skirt steak
02 ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 2 tablespoons kosher salt
04 1 tablespoon black pepper
05 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
06 2 teaspoons cumin
07 5 garlic cloves, smashed
08 2 teaspoons dried oregano
09 ½ teaspoon cayenne

→ Horseradish Mayo

10 1¼ cups mayonnaise
11 1 tablespoon horseradish
12 ½ teaspoon kosher salt
13 ½ teaspoon black pepper
14 2 tablespoons chopped chives

→ Assembly

15 1 large red onion, sliced ½ inch thick
16 4 ciabatta buns, toasted
17 4 red leaf lettuce leaves

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat grill to 425°F using indirect heat. Blend ¼ cup olive oil with seasonings in food processor for 30 seconds until smooth. Coat steaks with marinade and rest 20 minutes at room temperature.

Step 02

Toss sliced onions with remaining oil. Grill over direct heat 3-4 minutes until tender, moving to cooler side if cooking too quickly.

Step 03

Grill steak 2 minutes per side, then move to indirect heat and cook covered 5 minutes for medium. Rest 5 minutes before slicing against the grain.

Step 04

While steak rests, mix mayonnaise, horseradish, salt, pepper and chives until smooth.

Step 05

Spread mayo on both sides of toasted buns, layer with grilled onions, lettuce, and sliced steak.

Notes

  1. Always slice steak against the grain for tenderness
  2. Can substitute sirloin flap meat for skirt steak
  3. Start with less horseradish - you can always add more

Tools You'll Need

  • Grill
  • Food processor
  • Mixing bowls
  • Sharp knife

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains eggs (mayonnaise)
  • Contains gluten (ciabatta buns)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 1147
  • Total Fat: 79 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 31 g
  • Protein: 80 g