Balthazar’s Steak Tartare Recipe

By
Kerry Saretsky
a photograph of Kerry Seretsky, a contributing writer at Serious Eats.
Kerry Saretsky

Kerry Saretsky interned at Serious Eats in 2008, and wrote the French in a Flash recipe column. She also writes her own blog on modernized French cuisine called French Revolution Food.

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Updated April 30, 2019

I know; the first ingredient in this recipe is filet mignon, which may sound like punishment for your pocket. But think of it this way: steak tartare is something most of us ONLY eat at restaurants. This dish is an opportunity to turn yourself into a real restaurant chef, as you make two things you have probably never made at home before: mayonnaise, and steak tartare. If your pantry is stocked like a well equipped arsenal, this recipe should be a cinch, without much added expense or time. Plus, there is no cooking. If the filet mignon is prohibitive, ask your butcher for what he recommends—just be sure to tell him you’re eating it raw!

At Balthazar, the small Steak Tartare sells for $15, the large for $21, plus tax and tip, per order. This recipe serves 6-8. Even with the filet, that’s stretching a buck. Plus, you get to feel like you’re in Paris for the night without paying Air France the price of thirty large Balthazar Steak Tartares.

Recipe Details

Balthazar’s Steak Tartare Recipe

Prep 20 mins
Total 20 mins
Serves 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 pound filet mignon, very cold
  • 1/2 medium onion, minced
  • 2 tablespoons capers
  • 8 cornichons, cut into small dice
  • 2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley, chopped
  • 1 anchovy fillet, minced
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove, peeled and minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • White pepper
  • 6 tablespoons Tartare Mayonnaise (recipe follows)
  • 1 baguette, sliced
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon sherry vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup grapeseed oil
  • 1/2 cup olive oil

Directions

  1. Take the beef out of the refrigerator; it should be very cold. Using a very sharp chef’s knife, cut the steak into thin 1/4-inch slices. Stack 3 of the slices and slice lengthwise, every 1/2 inch, holding the stack in place. Then cut across the stack, again every 1⁄2 inch, cutting the steak into 1⁄2-inch dice. Hold the chopped steak in a bowl set over crushed ice in a larger bowl.

  2. When all of the beef has been chopped, add in the onion, capers, cornichons, parsley, anchovy, oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Gently mix with a fork until just combined. Add the Tartare Mayonnaise and again mix gently until just combined.

  3. Serve on individual plates with baguette slices alongside.

  4. Tartare Mayonnaise

  5. Put all the ingredients except for the oils in the bowl of food processor. Blend for 30 seconds. With the blade still spinning, drizzle the grapeseed oil in a very slow stream, followed by the olive oil. This should take about 2 minutes. As the mayonnaise forms, the noise from the food processor will become louder, making a slapping sound, as it does with cake batter. Process until the mayonnaise is thick, with a creamy body. Refrigerate, covered, for up to 1 week.

  6. To serve with Steak Tartare, add the following ingredients to the prepared Mayonnaise and whisk to smoothly combine:

  7. 1/2 cup ketchup

  8. 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard

  9. 1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce

  10. 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

  11. 1/2 teaspoon salt

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