Beef steakettes are a quick, easy, and delicious way to add beefy flavor to any meal. These seasoned, pan-fried patties pack a tasty punch but can be tricky to cook just right. Undercook them and they’ll be dry and chewy. Overdo it and they’ll be tough.
But have no fear! In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk through everything you need to know to cook juicy, flavorful beef steakettes at home. With a few simple tips on choosing quality beef, proper seasoning and prep, cooking methods, doneness, and serving suggestions, you’ll be a steakette pro in no time. Let’s get cooking!
What Exactly Are Beef Steakettes?
Steakettes go by a few different names, including Salisbury steaks, beef patties, or hamburgers. But they all refer to seasoned ground beef patties, usually made from chuck or round. They contain about 75-85% lean beef blended with fat for moisture.
Steakettes get their flavor from seasonings mixed right into the meat. Onions, garlic Worcestershire sauce eggs, and breadcrumbs are common additions. The seasoning options are endless, and you can get creative with global spices and herbs.
Pre-made steakettes can be purchased, but making them at home lets you control the quality. You also get to customize the flavor profile.
Tips for Choosing the Best Beef for Steakettes
The right beef makes all the difference for juicy beefy tasting steakettes
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Choose 80% lean ground chuck or round: The fat content prevents dryness.
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Look for bright red color: Indicator of freshness.
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Avoid pre-packaged tubes: Lower surface area leads to less browning.
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Opt for coarse grind: Provides better texture and allows patties to hold together.
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Buy in bulk: Lets you portion and freeze extra patties for later.
How to Season and Prep Beef Steakettes for Cooking
Proper seasoning and prep helps steakettes cook evenly and develop that classic crusty exterior:
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Mix seasonings into meat: Onions, garlic, eggs, breadcrumbs, Worcestershire, etc.
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Form into uniform patties: Equal thickness = even cooking. Aim for 1/2 inch.
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Chill thoroughly: At least an hour, or overnight. Prevents patties falling apart.
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Salt exterior right before cooking: For flavorful crust.
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Pat dry with paper towels: Ensures good sear.
Choosing the Best Cooking Method
Steakettes are versatile and do well with several cooking techniques. Pick your favorite or switch it up!
Pan-Frying: The classic method. Cooks up crusty and flavorful. Use a skillet with a little oil over medium-high heat.
Grilling: Imparts delicious char. Cook over direct medium heat, 4-5 minutes per side.
Broiling: Quick and hands-off. Position steaks 4-6 inches under heating element.
Air Frying: Makes them crispy outside and juicy inside. Spray with oil before air frying.
Braising: Simmered in sauce, yields super tender steakettes.
No matter the method, resist the urge to press down with a spatula, which causes juices to escape.
How to Tell When Steakettes Are Properly Cooked
With their thin shape, steakettes cook fast. So pay attention to avoid over or undercooking. Check for doneness a tad before you think they’re ready.
Rare: Cool, bright red center (135°F)
Medium Rare: Warm, reddish-pink inside (145°F)
Medium: Hot, light pink center (160°F)
Well Done: No pink, brown throughout (170°F)
For optimal juiciness, cook just until medium or medium rare. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serving Suggestions and Sauce Pairings
While steakettes taste great on their own, you can also dress them up with tasty sauces and sides:
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Gravy or mushroom sauce
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Mashed potatoes or rice
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Sautéed veggies like onions, peppers, mushrooms
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Bake into a casserole with cream of mushroom soup
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Add to stews, chili, or ramen noodle soup
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Top with sautéed onions and peppers for steak fajitas
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Use in a cheesesteak sandwich with peppers and melted provolone
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Make steak tacos with guacamole, pico de gallo and cotija cheese
The options are endless for serving up flavor-packed steakettes!
Storing and Freezing Tips
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Fresh steakettes keep 3-4 days in the fridge.
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For longer storage, individually wrap patties and freeze for 2-3 months.
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Thaw frozen patties overnight in the fridge before cooking.
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Cook from frozen by increasing cook time by 2-3 minutes per side.
With proper storage, you’ll always have these flavorful patties ready for quick meals.
Putting it All Together
Here’s a quick recap of the steps for cooking perfect beef steakettes every time:
- Choose quality chuck or round, 80% lean
- Mix in desired seasonings
- Form into 1/2 inch thick patties
- Chill thoroughly
- Cook via pan-frying, grilling, broiling or braising
- Cook to medium or medium rare doneness
- Allow to rest before serving
- Serve with favorite sauces and sides
Time to Get Cooking!
Beef steakettes are an easy, budget-friendly way to add hearty beef flavor to all kinds of dishes. With the right preparation, seasoning, and cooking method, you can enjoy restaurant-worthy results at home.
Salisbury Steak Recipe | Easy One Pan Meal!
FAQ
What are steakettes?
How to make a steakette?
How to cook beef steakettes?
Start by selecting your beef steakettes. You can find them at your local grocery store or butcher shop. Make sure to choose steakettes that are fresh and of good quality. Next, season the steakettes with salt and pepper on both sides. You can also add any other seasonings of your choice, such as garlic powder or paprika. Step 2: Heat Up Your Pan
Skirt steak vs Flank steak: Which is healthier?
Both the steak variants have similar amount of energy and proteins as both are cut from a similar animal. Moreover, skirt steak is cut from the lower portion of the animal, just behind the fore limbs. Flank steak is also cut from the lower part but behind the skirt steak or before the hind limbs. Both the meat variants have characteristic flavor but are not very tender. Thus, they can be used for grilling, roasting, sautéing or broiling. However, the steak should not be cut thickly or over cooked to avoid toughness and dryness.
How long do you cook beef steakettes?
Beef steakettes are typically seasoned with salt and pepper, but can also be flavored with other seasonings such as garlic powder or paprika. They are cooked in a large skillet over medium-high heat for about 3-4 minutes on each side, until they are browned and cooked to your desired level of doneness.
What are beef steakettes?
Beef steakettes are a type of burger made from lean ground beef, which is lightly flavored with a blend of seasonings. They are typically made from high-quality beef, such as Black Angus steak mince, and can be found at your local grocery store or butcher shop.