Hungry for Steak?
You've done it: you've seasoned your steak and seared it to charred perfection. But wait—it's not ready to eat just yet. Though it already smells tantalizing enough, adding a topping will make the experience even better. Whether you want to stick with traditional sauces like peppercorn and béarnaise, or you want to branch out and pair your slab with bacon jam and caramelized onions, this list of 20 steak toppings has it all.
1. Blue Cheese
The sharp tang of melted blue cheese paired with juicy, tender meat... If that doesn't sound divine, we don't know what does. There's something about the creaminess and pungency of blue cheese that balances out each velvet bite of meat. But if you're not too fond of this blue-speckled block, parmesan is also a great pick.
2. Garlic Butter
Butter on steak is mouthwatering enough, but add garlic to that and the whole dish gets 10 times better. Rich, nutty, and slightly sweet, this drool-worthy spread is the perfect topping for all cuts of meat. Feeling daring or just want to kick the flavors up a notch? Squeeze some lemon into the mix for a tangier taste.
3. Mashed Potatoes
Great as a side or as a topper, mashed potatoes can add another creamy, starchy layer to your plate. Drizzle a spoon (or more) of gravy to make it even better, then slather it all over your sizzling steak.
4. Fried Egg
Sometimes, a simple fried egg can make your steak dinner go from good to great. You can cook your egg any way you'd like, but we say the best way is to fry it sunny side up so you can pierce the yolk and let it soak into the meat.
5. Caramelized Onions
If you're craving something a little sweet but still savory, pair your steak with caramelized onions. Cooking onions low and slow is the key to drawing out their natural sugars, but you're welcome to sprinkle some brown sugar to really draw out that sweetness.
6. Hollandaise
Made from egg yolks, butter, and lemon juice, then seasoned with salt and cayenne pepper, Hollandaise is a relatively easy-to-make sauce that's great for spooning onto steak. Or, if you'd prefer to dunk your whole hunk of meat into it, that's understandable, too.
cyclonebill from Copenhagen, Denmark on Wikimedia
7. Bacon Jam
What's better than a juicy cut of steak? Well, adding more meat to it, of course! Fragrant, sweet, and salty, bacon jam is almost like an upscaled version of caramelized onions, only stickier and with extra bits of bacon in every bite.
8. Creamed Spinach
For something a touch healthier but still tastes equally indulgent, creamed spinach is your pick. The earthiness of spinach mixed with the creaminess of cheese and butter makes this topping unforgettable. You'll probably end up wanting to scoop the whole thing into your mouth before it even gets on your steak.
9. Caviar
Feeling fancy? Add some caviar to your steak! These tiny beads give a soft, luxurious bite to your dish in addition to briny pops of flavor. Paired with tender meat, this is the kind of combination that will leave you craving more.
10. Pesto
You might think pesto is only traditionally paired with pasta, but this vibrant sauce can add a herbaceous and nutty punch to any dish. In particular with steak, the sharp, aromatic texture of pesto cuts through the meaty flavor to create a delicious balance.
11. Mushrooms
Depending on how you like to sautée your mushrooms, they can bring a smoky, umami flavor that elevates your favorite cut of beef. Cook a little or a lot, toss the rest into a side dish, and make sure to include these caramelized buttons in every bite of your steak.
12. Chimichurri
This South American sauce combines fresh herbs—like parsley, oregano, and cilantro—with garlic, olive oil, and vinegar to give a little zing to any plate. Paired with steak, it adds an earthy depth and a touch of heat (if you dust in some spice), creating the perfect mouthfeel.
13. Guacamole
Avocados on their own go well with steak, but mash them up and throw in some tomatoes and onions, and you have an even better topping. It might not sound traditional to spread guacamole onto meat, but if you've never tried it, it's an absolute must.
14. Kimchi
This Korean side dish might be another unlikely pairing, but the spicy, tangy crunch of kimchi is not to be overlooked. Eaten together with your favorite strip of steak, you might realize a kick of sourness does complement tender meat.
Nagyman, a flickr user on Wikimedia
15. Shrimp
No matter what sauce you toss your shrimp with, sweet, spicy, and tangy notes all go well with steak. To get the maximum flavor, cook the shrimp in their shells, then peel right before you set them over your meat.
16. Peppercorn
The classic steak sauce. It might seem unoriginal to some, but if something is called a classic, there's a valid reason for it. The subtle spice and smokiness of peppercorn complements any juicy piece of steak. Though delicious, make sure you don't go overboard pouring it all over your meat.
17. Béarnaise
Another French sauce similar to Hollandaise, béarnaise is creamy, rich, and buttery. Like Hollandaise, it's made with egg yolks, white wine vinegar, and butter, but it's seasoned with tarragon to add earthy notes, which helps bring everything together.
18. Red Wine Reduction
Red wine and red meat—a perfect pairing. But why exactly does making a red wine reduction go so well with meat? The scientific answer is that the tannins in the wine soak into meat to create a much more tender mouthfeel. But the simple answer is: well, it just does.
19. Spiced Yogurt
Yogurt itself makes a great combination with steak, as the thickness and acidity help to further soften and bring out the juices of the meat. Better yet, take inspiration from Indian cuisine and add some spices like turmeric, cumin, and cayenne to your yogurt.
20. Salsa Verde
Just like you can never have too many creamy sauces in a list of steak toppings, there are never too many green sauces, either. Pairing salsa verde with your cut of steak will add a fresh and zesty zing to it, making your whole dish pop.
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