A restaurant-quality steak frites you can make at home. Pan seared Angus rump cap, crisp air-fried fries, and a bright chimichurri to finish. Simple steps, consistent results, and an easy path to a perfect medium rare steak.
Ingredients
Serves 2
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500g frozen fries
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Optional for basting: 2 to 3 garlic cloves, gently cracked
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Optional for basting: 1 to 2 tablespoons butter
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Optional for basting: Few sprigs fresh thyme
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Chimichurri, to serve
Method
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Start the fries
Toss the fries with a little olive oil and salt so the seasoning sticks. Air fry at 200°C for about 20 minutes. Shake the basket every 5 minutes for even browning.
Prepare the steaks
Pat the steaks dry. Rub with a little olive oil and season only with salt. Leave pepper until serving to prevent it burning in the pan
Render the fat
Heat a pan to medium-high and add a touch of oil. Place each steak fat-side down for about 1 minute to render.
Sear to perfection
Lay the steaks flat and sear for about 1 minute per side to build colour.
Brief rest
Lift the steaks out of the pan and rest for 3 to 4 minutes. This pause helps keep the meat juicy and controls cooking easier.
Optional butter, garlic and thyme basting
Return steaks to the pan with butter, gently cracked garlic, and thyme if using. Tilt the pan and baste for about 1 minute per side. This adds richness and aroma but is entirely optional.
Temperature guide
Remove the steaks from the heat when the centre reaches around 48°C for medium rare. As they rest, the internal temperature will rise slightly, resulting in a perfect medium-rare finish that’s juicy and tender.
Slice and season
Rest the steaks until the fries are ready, about 4 to 5 minutes. Slice against the grain on the board. Plate and season with a little extra salt and freshly cracked pepper to your liking.
Serve
Tip out the hot fries and plate alongside the sliced steak. Spoon chimichurri over the steak to your liking. Serve immediately.
Tips for success
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When cooking steaks with a fat cap, start by standing them on the fat side for about a minute to fully cook the fat.
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Pre-seasoning and shaking gives crisp air fryer fries without deep frying.
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Rest the steak while the fries finish so the juices settle before slicing.
Don’t Just Read It, Watch It
See exactly how we cook it in our Youtube video.