9 ways to upgrade your steak

So you know how to cook the perfect steak, but want a little something extra? From chimichurri to rendang, to crying tiger, a pinch of salt and pepper soon won't cut it anymore.

Florentine T-bone Steak

Source: Florentine T-bone Steak

Everyone from to Uncle Joe from down the road has their own thoughts on how to cook the perfect steak. But we all have to admit that the "simple seasoning of just a pinch of salt and pepper" gets a bit boring after a while! Don't worry, though, we are here to help. From chimichurri to rendang to crying tiger, we have all the ways that you too can upgrade your steak!
The greatest steak fajitas are the kind you can hear sizzling. The steak here is couched by peppers and served with a battery of condiments and sides to really make it a whole meal.
Steak fajitas
Steak fajitas Source: It's Suppertime / VICELAND
Sure, true rendang is stewed for hours, but you can still take the flavours and kick your steak game up a notch!
Marinka's rendang
Marinka's rendang Source: Food Network
If you're not one for a cooked steak, we've got a twist on a steak tartare for you. In this recipe, traditional French steak tartare, which is made with minced beef and served raw with egg yolk and seasoning, is given a Vietnamese makeover with the addition of Asian herbs and seasoning and dressed with a signature Vietnamese nuoc mam cham.
Vietnamese steak tartare
Vietnamese steak tartare Source: Alan Benson
Chimichurri is a herbaceous South American sauce that can do double duty as both marinade and condiment! Have it on hand for any barbecue, and use it with any meat you like!
Skirt steak with chimichurri
Skirt steak with chimichurri Source: Peter Kuruvita's Coastal Kitchen
This is steak and three veg with a difference - packed with Vietnamese flavours, this is a great dinner to whip up on a weekday night. Just make sure to make extra sauce - we guarantee you're going to want to enjoy it mixed in with rice after you're done.
Chargrilled sirloin with lemongrass and chilli sauce
Chargrilled sirloin with lemongrass and chilli sauce Source: Alan Benson
There's nothing quite like a slab of Café de Paris butter melting over a hot steak. This Filipino twist substitutes spicy shrimp paste for the usual anchovies.
Sirloin steaks with Cafe de Manilla butter
Sirloin steaks with Cafe De Manilla Butter Source: Derek Swalwell
The Thai name for this dish, "seua rong hai", literally translates to ‘crying tiger’ – the hot dipping sauce is supposed to bring tears to your eyes. Don’t be too scared, however; it’s actually not that hot. The ground toasted rice added to this sauce gives it a wonderful texture. Bonus tip: make more, and serve it as a dressing on your favourite steak salad!
Crying Tiger
Crying Tiger Source: SBS
If you're into a buttery piece of marbled wagyu, then why not try some light Japanese flavours? Where a recipe for creamy or buttery Western sauce might weigh down or overwhelm a good piece of wagyu, the tang of wasabi and the light umami of this Japanese tosa joyu (soy dipping sauce) are a perfect match.
Wagyu-tosa-joyu.jpg
Wagyu steak with wasabi and tosa joyu
Biryani is usually all about the rice, but did you know that the spice mix pairs especially well with meat, too? Use the mix as a dry rub on your steak, and then barbecue as per normal! Our tastebuds are watering just thinking about it!
Onglet steak with biryani spices
Braai time: onglet steak with biryani spices Source: Toufic Charabati
 airs 8:30pm, Wednesdays on SBS Food and later on SBS On Demand. Visit the  for recipes, videos and more.

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SBS Food is a 24/7 foodie channel for all Australians, with a focus on simple, authentic and everyday food inspiration from cultures everywhere. NSW stream only.
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3 min read
Published 27 June 2018 9:18am
Updated 14 July 2020 1:10pm
By SBS Food bite-sized
Source: SBS


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