Hearty Feast: Ina Garten’s Meaty Steak Sandwich Recipe

Sizzling aromas and rich flavors define this incredible steak sandwich by Ina Garten that promises a mouthwatering culinary experience.

Her masterful technique transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet delight.

Tender slices of perfectly seasoned beef nestle between crusty artisan bread, creating a symphony of textures.

Each bite delivers a robust combination of smoky, savory notes that dance across your palate.

Juicy meat paired with carefully selected condiments makes this sandwich a true standout.

Restaurant-quality results await you with just a few simple steps.

Get ready to impress with a lunch that elevates your cooking game and satisfies even the most discerning sandwich lover.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 720 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients Used in Ina Garten Steak Sandwich

• Steak: Choose a well-marbled cut like ribeye for maximum tenderness and rich flavor, ensuring a juicy and delectable sandwich experience.

• Ciabatta Bread: Select a fresh, crusty loaf with soft interior for perfect texture and crisp grilling surface.
• Olive Oil: Opt for high-quality extra virgin olive oil to enhance grilling and add subtle fruity undertones to the bread and meat.

• Mayonnaise, Sour Cream: Blend for a luxurious, tangy base that creates a smooth and creamy sandwich spread.
• Pesto: Adds herbaceous depth and vibrant green color to the sauce, elevating the overall flavor profile.
• Jalapeños, Hot Sauce: Provide a spicy kick and zesty complexity to the sandwich, adjustable to personal heat tolerance.
• Pickled Red Onions: Bring sharp, bright acidity and a beautiful pink color that cuts through the richness of the steak.
• Arugula: Contributes peppery freshness and a crisp texture to balance the hearty components.
• Tomatoes: Add juicy sweetness and a pop of color to the sandwich.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance and balance the natural flavors of the ingredients.

Essentials for Making Ina Garten Steak Sandwich

• Grill or Grill Pan: Essential for getting those perfect char marks and cooking the steak to medium rare.
• Food Processor: Perfect for blending the creamy, spicy mayonnaise mixture smoothly.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for slicing the steak thinly against the grain and cutting the sandwich into servings.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for slicing steak and assembling the sandwich.
• Plate: Used for resting the grilled steak and keeping surfaces clean.
• Brush: Helps evenly coat the steak and bread with oil before grilling.

Assembly Steps for Ina Garten Steak Sandwich

Sizzling Steak Sandwich

• Grill Preparation

Set up your grill or grill pan at medium-high heat, creating the perfect searing surface for a mouth-watering steak experience.

• Creamy Sauce Blend

Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, jalapeños, and pesto in a food processor until silky smooth. Season with hot sauce, salt, and pepper for a zesty kick.

• Steak Seasoning

Coat the steaks with a light layer of oil, then generously sprinkle with salt and pepper to enhance the meat’s natural flavors.

• Steak Cooking

Grill the steaks for 3-4 minutes on each side, aiming for a perfect medium-rare that promises juicy tenderness.

• Bread Toasting

Brush ciabatta bread with oil and grill cut-side down until beautifully charred and crisp, creating a crunchy base for the sandwich.

• Sandwich Assembly

Spread the creamy sauce on grilled bread, layer thinly sliced steak against the grain, then top with peppery arugula, tangy pickled red onions, fresh tomatoes, and optional spicy jalapeños.

• Final Touch

Close the sandwich, slice into 4-6 portions, and get ready to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal right at home.

Personalize Your Ina Garten Steak Sandwich with These Tips

• Choose high-quality, thick-cut steaks like ribeye or New York strip for maximum flavor and tenderness.
• Experiment with different hot sauces or swap pesto for chimichurri to create unique mayonnaise variations that match your taste preferences.
• Always slice steak against the grain to ensure each bite remains juicy and tender, preventing tough or chewy texture.
• Try different artisan bread options like sourdough or focaccia instead of ciabatta to add unexpected flavor dimensions to your sandwich.
• Replace arugula with baby spinach or mix multiple leafy greens for added nutritional value and interesting texture contrast in your sandwich.

Ways to Serve Ina Garten Steak Sandwich Fresh

• Pair with Crisp Sides: Complement the rich, juicy steak sandwich with light, crunchy sides like a fresh cucumber salad or tangy coleslaw to balance the flavors.
• Beverage Matching: Choose a bold red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or a craft beer with hoppy notes to enhance the sandwich's robust taste profile.
• Picnic-Perfect Plating: Wrap the sandwich in parchment paper, pack some extra pickled jalapeños on the side, and bring along chilled drinks for a delightful outdoor meal experience.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the spicy mayo and slice the steak in advance, storing components separately to assemble quick sandwiches when hunger strikes.

Keep Ina Garten Steak Sandwich from Getting Soggy

• Refrigerate Leftovers: Store unused sandwich components separately in airtight containers. Keep sliced steak, mayonnaise mixture, and bread in different containers to maintain freshness for up to 3 days.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Chop jalapeños, slice onions, and mix sauce mixture up to 2 days before serving. Wrap ingredients individually to prevent flavor mixing and maintain optimal texture.
• Quick Reheating Technique: Warm steak slices gently in a skillet over medium-low heat to prevent overcooking. Toast bread separately to restore crispness before reassembling sandwich.
• Freezing Recommendations: Freeze steak slices and mayonnaise mixture in sealed freezer bags for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat carefully to prevent moisture loss.

Hearty Ina Garten Steak Sandwich Recipe

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4.7 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s steak sandwich delivers robust Mediterranean flavors through carefully selected ingredients and expert preparation techniques. Crisp ciabatta bread, tender grilled steak, and zesty herb spread create a memorable meal for hungry diners.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 large rib-eye steaks
• 4 tbsps olive oil
• 1 large ciabatta loaf, split horizontally
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) mayonnaise
• ¼ cup (60 ml) sour cream
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) pesto
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) pickled jalapeños, or more to taste
• 2 tomatoes
• 2 cups arugula
• ¼ cup (60 ml) jarred pickled red onions
• jalapeño hot sauce, to taste
• kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• potato chips, for serving

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Instructions

1. Preheating: Fire up the grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, creating an optimal surface for cooking steaks and bread.
2. Sauce Crafting: Blend mayonnaise, sour cream, jalapeños, and pesto in a food processor until silky smooth. Incorporate hot sauce, salt, and pepper to elevate the flavor profile. Reserve the sauce for later assembly.
3. Steak Preparation: Massage steaks with oil, then liberally season both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring robust flavor penetration.
4. Grilling Technique: Sear steaks on the preheated grill for 3-4 minutes per side, achieving a perfect medium-rare finish. Transfer to a resting plate to preserve internal juices and tenderness.
5. Bread Transformation: Brush ciabatta’s interior surfaces with oil, then grill cut-side down until charred and heated through, approximately 1-2 minutes.
6. Sandwich Assembly: Lavishly spread the prepared sauce across the grilled bread surfaces, creating a flavor-packed foundation.
7. Protein Placement: Slice the rested steak against the grain into delicate strips. Arrange the meat on the bottom bread half, ensuring even coverage.
8. Final Layering: Crown the steak with crisp arugula, pickled red onions, ripe tomato slices, and optional pickled jalapeños for an extra flavor punch.
9. Serving Finale: Cap the sandwich with the top bread half and slice into 4-6 manageable portions using a sharp knife for elegant presentation.

Notes

• Slice Against the Grain: Cutting steak perpendicular to muscle fibers ensures maximum tenderness and easier chewing.
• Rest the Meat: Allowing steak to rest after grilling helps redistribute juices, preventing dryness and maintaining optimal flavor and texture.
• Grill Temperature Matters: Medium-high heat creates perfect sear marks and locks in steak’s natural moisture without overcooking.
• Sauce Customization: Adjust spice levels by modifying jalapeño quantities or adding hot sauce to match personal heat preferences.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 720
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 50 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg