The BEST Steak Frites

Hear me out: This recipe is going to look a bit involved, but it is EASY and it is DELICIOUS

There’s nothing quite like a perfectly cooked steak paired with crispy, golden fries and a rich, herbaceous L’Entrecôte sauce. This recipe delivers restaurant-quality results at home using air-fried fries and a pan-seared steak basted in butter, garlic, and thyme. Let’s dive in!

Ingredients

Air-Fry/Oven Fries

• 1.5 lb (680g) russet potatoes

• Ice water bath

• 2 teaspoons (10g) baking powder or cornstarch

• Salt & seasoning of choice

• Avocado oil, for air-frying/coating the fries

• Kosher salt, to taste

Steak

• 2 large (1.5-2 inch thick) New York Strip Steaks, room temperature

• Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 4 cloves garlic, lightly crushed and left whole

• 10 sprigs thyme

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, for basting

• 2 tablespoons fresh chives, thinly sliced for garnish

• Flaky salt, for finishing

L’Entrecôte Steak Sauce

• 1 medium shallot, thinly sliced

• 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

• 1 cup unsalted butter

• 2 teaspoons capers

• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

• 1 tablespoon shirodashi

• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

• 1 teaspoon white vinegar

• 5 sage leaves

• 7 basil leaves

• 1 egg yolk

• 6 anchovy filets

• ¼ cup fresh parsley or chervil leaves, finely chopped

• ¼ cup fresh tarragon leaves, finely chopped

• Kosher salt and pepper, to taste

• 1 tablespoon chives, thinly sliced

Instructions

Step 1: Prep & Cook the Fries

1. Soak the Fries: Peel and cut potatoes into fries. In a large pot, create an ice bath and let fries soak for at least 30 minutes, remove and pat dry

2. Dredge & Air-Fry: Toss cooled fries in a bit of avocado oil, then your seasoning of choice, and a bit of cornstarch or baking powder (helps them get crispy). Preheat air fryer to 375°F (200°C). Air-fry in batches for 15 minutes, shaking halfway through. Turn up the temperature to 425°F and roast for another 15 minutes or until cooked and crispy. Season with kosher salt.

Step 2: Cook the Steak

1. Season & Sear: Pat steaks dry and generously season with salt and black pepper. Heat oil in a heavy skillet over high heat. Sear steaks for 2-3 minutes per side until deeply browned.

2. Baste in Butter: Reduce heat to medium-low, add butter, garlic, and thyme. Tilt the pan and continuously spoon melted butter over the steaks for 2-3 minutes until cooked to desired doneness (125°F for medium-rare). Rest steaks for 5 minutes.

Step 3: Make the L’Entrecôte Sauce

1. Sauté Aromatics: In a saucepan, melt only 1/4 of the butter over medium heat. Add shallots, garlic, sage, and basil, cooking until fragrant.

2. Blend & Finish: Transfer mixture to a blender. Add capers, Dijon, shirodashi, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, egg yolk, anchovies, parsley, and tarragon. Blend until smooth while slowly adding in the remaining melted butter (you may not need all of it). Season with salt and pepper. Stir in chives.

Step 4: Serve & Enjoy

1. Slice the steak against the grain and garnish with flaky salt and chives.

2. Serve alongside the crispy air-fried fries.

3. Drizzle the L’Entrecôte sauce over the steak or serve on the side for dipping.

1 Cup of the fries = approx. 40 g of carbs

Final Thoughts

This Steak Frites recipe elevates the classic pairing with air-fried potatoes and a luxurious butter-based sauce. Whether it’s a date night, special occasion, or just a gourmet meal at home, this dish is sure to impress. Enjoy your perfectly cooked steak and fries with an irresistible French-inspired sauce!