When the chill gets stronger, the most desirable thing is a hot, rich and home-cooked dish. Smothered Steak is such a comfort food with Southern flavor. The tender steak is wrapped in rich gravy, and every bite is like a loving embrace of the taste buds. What’s more, this dish can be served on the table in just 30 minutes, easily satisfying the taste buds in a busy life.
The charm of this dish
- Classic Southern Flavor: The sauce of the smothered steak is thick and fragrant, with authentic Southern home-cooked flavor, warm and satisfying.
- Quick and Easy: It only takes half an hour from preparation to completion, suitable for quick cooking for weekday dinners.
- One-pot: All steps are completed in the same pot, reducing the burden of washing dishes.
- Diverse Matching: It can be paired with mashed potatoes, rice, roasted broccoli or soft bread to enrich the table.
Ingredients
- 4 round steaks (about 1 pound)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup diced onion (about half a medium onion)
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic (about 3 cloves of garlic)
- 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef stock
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
Preparation steps
1. Pre-treat the steak
Sprinkle both sides of the steak with salt and black pepper and set aside.
2. Sear the steak
Heat the butter and olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Carefully add the steak and fry each side for 3 to 5 minutes, turning frequently, to form a golden and crispy crust. Remove the steak from the pan and set aside.
3. Make the sauce base
Use the fat from the steak left in the pan, add the diced onion, and sauté until soft and tender, scraping the bottom of the pan with a spatula during the process. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute to release the aroma.
4. Prepare the thick sauce
Sprinkle the flour evenly into the pan and stir quickly to form a flour paste. Slowly pour in the beef stock, stirring as you pour to avoid lumps. Add Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce to blend the flavors.
5. Simmer the steak
Return the steak to the pan, drizzle with the rich sauce, and simmer on low heat for 3 to 4 minutes to allow the steak to fully absorb the essence of the sauce.
6. Season and serve
Add salt and black pepper to taste, serve hot, and enjoy with your favorite side dishes.
Tips and variations
- Beef choice: If you don’t like round steak, you can substitute other tender steaks and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Add mushrooms: Friends who like mushrooms can fry them with onions to add flavor.
- Pairing recommendation: Mashed potatoes are a classic partner, and the sauce and potatoes blend perfectly, which is endless aftertaste.
- Remaining storage: It is best to eat it within 3 days of refrigeration and sealing. It is not recommended to freeze it to avoid damaging the taste.
Braised steak with thick sauce has become an evergreen tree on the southern family table with its simple and easy to make and rich and fragrant characteristics. It is not only a tribute to traditional taste, but also a warm comfort in modern fast-paced life. Whether it is a cold winter night or an ordinary day, this dish can bring full satisfaction and happiness.
