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Classic Steak with Fries

Featured in Beef Dishes Worth Making at Home.

This dish delivers a bistro-style meal straight to your home. Juicy New York strip steaks combined with golden, crispy fries and a zesty herb-citrus butter take the spotlight. To get those ultra-crispy fries, the two-stage frying method does the trick, while the versatile herb butter (made with fresh garlic, lemon, and herbs) enhances every bite. The steps are super easy, even if the result looks fancy. A simple way to cook a restaurant-level dish for any occasion.
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Updated on Sun, 30 Mar 2025 00:22:22 GMT
Steak and Fries Dinner Pin it
Steak and Fries Dinner | cookbybook.com

French Steak Frites brings together the best parts of comfort food - a nice seared steak next to golden, crunchy fries topped with a rich lemon-herb butter. This classic dish turns your regular dinner into something special that you can enjoy at home.

I've made this for my family countless times, and I've learned that letting the steak sit while giving the fries their last cook means everything comes out hot and ready at just the right moment.

Key Ingredients

  • Quality steak (ribeye, strip sirloin, or filet mignon) : Go for cuts with good marbling that are at least 1-inch thick for the tastiest results
  • Russet potatoes : They're starchy which means you'll get fries with fluffy insides and crunchy outsides
  • Fresh herbs (green onions, rosemary, thyme) : These create an amazing butter that takes the whole dish up a notch
  • Unsalted butter : Lets you add just the right amount of salt while making everything taste luxurious
  • Oil with high smoke point : Try avocado or grapeseed so you can sear without burning

Step-By-Step Guide

Step 1: Making Herb Butter
Let butter soften outside the fridge for 30 minutes. Beat it until it's airy and light, which takes about 5-7 minutes. Mix in your chopped herbs, some minced garlic, plus lemon zest and juice. Add sea salt and fresh pepper to taste. Form it into a log with parchment paper and put it in the fridge.
Step 2: Perfecting Your Fries
Slice potatoes into ¼-inch sticks of the same size. Let them soak in cold water for 30 minutes to get rid of starch. Drain them well and dry them completely. Cook them first at 300°F for exactly 3 minutes until they're soft but barely golden. Set them aside while you cook the steak. Finish them with a second fry at 350°F for 3 minutes until they turn golden and crunchy.
Step 3: Cooking Your Steak
Take the steak out of the fridge for 30 minutes. Make sure it's completely dry and season it well with sea salt and pepper. Get your pan really hot. Cook without moving it for 3 minutes. Drop in some butter, garlic, and herbs. Turn it over and spoon the butter over it for another 3 minutes. Let it rest on a warm plate while you finish the fries.
French beef with crispy fried potatoes Pin it
French beef with crispy fried potatoes | cookbybook.com

I grew up in a family that loved good food, and I learned that flavored butter can change everything. My grandma always told me her kitchen secret was a tasty herb butter - it's crazy how something so simple can make your meal taste like it came from a fancy restaurant.

Getting The Heat Just Right

A cast iron pan works best for getting that amazing crust on your steak. It spreads heat evenly for better cooking. For the fries, watching your oil temperature is super important - too hot and they'll burn, too cold and they'll soak up too much oil.

What Goes Well With It

French restaurants usually serve this with a basic green salad, but I love throwing in some sweet cooked shallots too. Their sweetness goes really well with the savory meat and crunchy fries.

To wrap up: After making this dish tons of times, I've found that timing and watching the temperature are everything. There's nothing better than cutting into a perfectly cooked steak and using crispy fries to soak up all those tasty juices. This has become our go-to celebration meal, and everyone asks for it on birthdays and special days. I still get excited serving this restaurant-quality food right at my dining table.

Juicy steak with golden fries Pin it
Juicy steak with golden fries | cookbybook.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Which potatoes work best for fries?
Russets are the go-to choice because they’re super starchy. This helps create fries that are crispy outside but fluffy inside.
→ What’s the purpose of frying potatoes twice?
The two-step fry is key. The first round softens them inside, and the second fry crisps up the outside.
→ Can I get the butter ready ahead of time?
Definitely! You can prepare it days beforehand and keep it in the fridge, or freeze it for up to three months.
→ How can I nail a great sear on steak?
Use a super hot pan, dry your steak well, and press it down at the start. Don’t move it around as it cooks to form that crust.
→ How long should steak rest before slicing?
About three or four minutes should do. This lets the meat juices settle, leading to a juicier bite.

Classic Steak with Fries

Bring the French bistro vibe home with this dish—flavorful steak and crispy fries, finished with fresh herb-infused citrus butter.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
12 Minutes
Total Time
27 Minutes
By: Susan

Category: Beef

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: French-American

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary: Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ Zesty Herb Butter

01 1 fresh lemon, juiced and zested
02 2 teaspoons coarse sea salt
03 3 sticks unsalted butter, softened
04 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
05 2 minced fresh thyme leaves
06 2 cloves garlic mashed into a paste
07 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
08 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Golden Fries

09 3 large russet potatoes, cut into thick matchsticks (batonnet)
10 Coarse salt for seasoning

→ Premium Steaks

11 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
12 2 boneless New York strip steaks, about 12 ounces each
13 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin if possible)
14 A handful of crushed garlic cloves (8-10)
15 A few sprigs of fresh thyme (about 8-10)
16 Coarse salt and freshly cracked pepper for flavoring

Instructions

Step 01

Toss your softened butter into a mixer and whip it on high speed for about 5-7 minutes till it gets fluffy and creamy. Stir in the garlic, rosemary, thyme, green onions, lemon juice, and zest. Add some salt and pepper to taste. Set it aside so the flavors can come together.

Step 02

Wash your potato sticks in cold water and swish them around to get rid of starch. Drain and rinse again thoroughly—don't skip this part! Twice-fry them: cook at 300°F for a few minutes (you can freeze them now if prepping for later), then fry again at 350°F until they're beautifully golden and crisp. Salt them while they're still piping hot.

Step 03

Generously season your steaks with salt and pepper. Heat oil in your skillet until it's really hot, then carefully lay in the steaks. Press down for 15-20 seconds, then let them sit untouched for about 2-3 minutes. Flip, add butter, thyme, and garlic, then spoon the melted butter over the steaks for 2-4 minutes. Rest for a few moments before slicing.

Notes

  1. You can make the butter beforehand and freeze it. It'll keep perfectly for your next steak meal.
  2. To get medium doneness, cook each side for an extra minute and rest the steak a little longer.
  3. Rinsing the potatoes really matters—it helps make them super crispy.

Tools You'll Need

  • Mixer with a paddle attachment
  • Cast iron skillet or heavy frying pan
  • Pot or fryer for deep-frying
  • Meat thermometer for best results (optional but useful)

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes dairy (butter)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 528
  • Total Fat: 34 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 33 g
  • Protein: 25 g