Steak Frites with Mâitre d’Hôtel Butter

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My Steak Frites with Mâitre d’Hôtel Butter recipe is grilled ribeye steaks and crispy, twice cooked fries, topped with a classic compound butter. Feel like you’re dining in the finest hotel restaurant without leaving your backyard.

Sliced steak on serving platter with French fries. Text reads "Steak Frites with Mâitre d'Hôtel Butter".
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Steak Frites with Mâitre d’Hôtel Butter

Imagine the intoxicating aroma of sizzling steak and crispy frites from a classic French bistro, except it’s the smoke coming off your own grill. With my Steak Frites recipe, you can bring a taste of Paris to your backyard, and wow your family and friends. This simple but impressive recipe combines the juiciest, most tender steak, with crispy, twice-fried frites. And to really make your meal feel authentic, top the whole thing off with some herby, homemade Mâitre d’Hôtel butter.

Whether you’ve got a special occasion to celebrate, or you just want a substantial meal without a lot of fuss, my Steak Frites is the perfect dish. This savory steakhouse classic might be hard to say, but it’s simple to make, and even easier to devour. Let’s learn a little more about it.

Ingredients in glass bowls on cutting board.

What is steak frites?

Steak frites is a beloved French dish consisting of a grilled or pan-seared steak served alongside crispy, golden fries. This classic combination originated in Belgium and France, and it’s been a mainstay in brasseries and bistros for decades. The simple dish allows the quality of the minimal ingredients to shine, making it a staple at steak restaurants everywhere.

The Best Steak for Frites

Traditionally, steak frites is made using a tender cut of beef such as filet mignon, hanger steak, or New York strip steak. For this recipe, I’m using a ribeye steak because of its rich, beefy flavor and beautiful marbling. The well-marbled ribeye is an ideal cut for grilling, as the fat renders during cooking, resulting in a juicy, flavorful steak. However, feel free to use your preferred cut of steak. Just make sure it’s at least 1 inch thick for the best results.

Ribeye steaks on baking sheet being seasoned with Beef Rub.

Mâitre d’Hôtel Butter

The mâitre d’hôtel butter is the secret weapon in this steak frites recipe, elevating the dish with its bright, garlicky flavor. While this ingredient is difficult to pronounce, it’s made with simple ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh thyme

Frites vs French Fries

Frites and French fries are pretty much the same thing. Both are potatoes sliced julienne, and then deep-fried until crispy and golden brown. The key to achieving the perfect frites is to fry them twice, which results in a crispy exterior and a fluffy, tender interior. For this recipe, you’ll need:

  • 2 whole russet potatoes
  • 6 cups peanut oil
  • fine sea salt to taste

To make the frites, slice the potatoes into thin matchsticks, rinse them in cold water, and then pat them completely dry with paper towels. Fry the potatoes in small batches, first at a lower temperature to cook them through, and then at a higher temperature to crisp them up.

French fries and twice fried fires on drying rack.

Doneness Temperature Guide

If you want a complete breakdown on all the things to look for when getting steaks to the perfect temperature, check out my Steak Temperature and Doneness Guide. Here’s a quick guide to use while making your steak frites. Remember, food safety is the most important thing, so always use a good food thermometer, like my Thermapen ONE.

  • Rare: 125 degrees F
  • Medium Rare: 135 degrees F
  • Medium: 145 degrees F 
  • Medium Well: 155 degrees F
  • Well Done: 160 degrees F
Ribeyes on grill grates over indirect heat.

How to Make Steak Frites

Now that you’ve got all the basics down, let’s go over just how easy it is to make this class French steak dish. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll be enjoying steak frites in no time:

  1. Preheat oil. Preheat your grill to 400 degrees F, then place a large cast iron pan on the grill and add the peanut oil to start heating. If you want to use a different oil for frying, that’s totally fine.
  2. Make butter. Combine all the ingredients for the mâitre d’hôtel butter in a small bowl, mix gently with a wooden spoon, and set aside at room temperature.
  3. Prep steaks and potatoes. Season the steaks on all sides with my signature Beef Rub, or equal parts salt and pepper. Slice the russet potatoes into thin matchsticks, and rinse. I like to leave the skin on for texture, but that’s up to you.
  4. Fry potatoes. Once your oil reaches a temperature of 325 degrees F, fry the potatoes in small batches for 3-4 minutes. Remove them to a baking sheet lined with a wire rack to drain. Then, increase the oil temperature to 425 degrees F.
  5. Grill steaks. Place steaks on grill for 4-5 minutes per side, until medium-rare or your desired doneness. Remove the steak to a cutting board, top with a dollop of the mâitre d’hôtel butter, and allow rest while you finish frying the potatoes.
  6. Twice fry potatoes. Return the partially cooked potatoes to the fryer in batches and fry for 3-4 minutes, until golden brown and crispy. Remove to the wire rack and season with sea salt. These also go great with some perfect burgers.
  7. Slice, serve, and enjoy. Slice the steak, allowing the melted butter to drip through the slices. Plate and serve with the hot frites and additional butter on the side for dipping.
Steak frites on serving platter topped with mâitre d'hôtel butter, with a side of fries.

More Teeth-Sinking Steak Recipes

Steak frites is a timeless classic, but there are countless other delicious ways to enjoy a perfectly grilled steak. I’ve got a wide variety of savory steak recipes for every cut and occasion in the Hey Grill Hey app. Here are a few of my favorites for you to try for your next steak cookout:

Steak Frites with Mâitre d’Hôtel Butter Recipe

Savor every last bite of this irresistible Steak Frites recipe, and don’t forget to give it a 5-star rating if you loved making it. We always enjoy hearing about your cooking experiences, so share your experience in the comments.

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Steak Frites with Mâitre d’Hôtel Butter

By: Susie Bulloch
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My Steak Frites with Mâitre d'Hôtel Butter recipe is grilled ribeye steaks and crispy, twice cooked fries, topped with mâitre d'hôtel butter.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Servings2 people

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Ingredients
 

  • 1 8 ounce ribeye steak or your preferred cut
  • 2 teaspoons Hey Grill Hey Beef Rub or equal parts salt and pepper

Frites

  • 2 whole russet potatoes julienned
  • 6 cups peanut oil or other frying oil
  • fine sea salt to taste

Mâitre d'Hôtel Butter

  • 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter softened
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 lemon zest and juice
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh thyme
  • Hey Grill Hey Beef Rub to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oil. Preheat your grill to 400°F. Place a large, deep pot on the grill and add peanut oil to start heating.
    6 cups peanut oil
  • Make Mâitre d'Hôtel Butter. In a small bowl, combine softened unsalted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced fresh thyme, and beef rub to taste. Set aside at room temperature.
    4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, 2 cloves garlic, 1 lemon, 1 Tablespoon fresh thyme, Hey Grill Hey Beef Rub
  • Prep steaks and potatoes. Season the ribeye steak on all sides with beef rub. Peel (if desired) and slice russet potatoes into thin matchsticks. Rinse with cool water and pat completely dry with paper towels. Cut potatoes into thin, even strips with a sharp knife or fry cutter.
    1 8 ounce ribeye steak, 2 teaspoons Hey Grill Hey Beef Rub, 2 whole russet potatoes
  • Fry potatoes. Once the oil reaches 325°F, fry the sliced and dried potatoes in small batches for 3-4 minutes. Remove to a baking sheet with a wire rack to drain excess oil. Increase the oil temperature to 425°F.
  • Grill steaks. Place steak on grill for 4-5 minutes per side, until medium-rare or desired doneness. Remove to a cutting board, top with a dollop of the mâitre d'hôtel butter, and let rest while finishing the fries.
  • Twice fry potatoes. Return the partially cooked potatoes to the fryer in batches. Fry for 3-4 minutes, until golden brown and crispy. Remove to the cooling rack and season with sea salt.
    fine sea salt
  • Slice, serve, and enjoy. Slice the steak, allowing the mâitre d'hôtel butter to drip through the slices. Plate and serve with the hot frites and additional butter on the side for dipping.

Nutrition

Calories: 461kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 129mg | Sodium: 2389mg | Potassium: 423mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 895IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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About

FOUNDER/BBQ BOSS LADY

Susie is the BBQ Brain behind the Hey Grill Hey website. Her passion for smoked meats and developing fun, new recipes have landed her on the Food Network, cooking turkeys with Shaq, and on a couple of Guinness World Records. When she’s not grilling, she is hanging out with Todd and their three kids, preferably outdoors!

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