Beef Tartare
Rebecca Blumer
Chilled, hand-diced top sirloin folded with a rich egg yolk dressing, sharp shallots, and briny capers. A classic French dish made simple with clean cuts and proper chilling.
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Chill Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine French
Servings 4 servings
Calories 285 kcal
3 3/4-inch pastry ring
Food processor
- 16 ounces top sirloin cleaned and trimmed
- 2 teaspoons sherry vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1/4 cup light olive oil
- 6 tablespoons shallots finely diced
- 1/4 cup celery leaves finely chopped and divided
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley finely chopped, divided
- 2 tablespoons small, brined capers drained and unrinsed
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Slice the trimmed sirloin into 1-inch pieces and chill it in the freezer for 10 minutes. The meat should feel semi-firm at the edges, which keeps the knife from sliding and helps the fat stay neat.
Whisk the sherry vinegar, dry mustard, and egg yolks in a small bowl, then slowly drizzle in the light olive oil while whisking constantly. Continue until the dressing looks thick, smooth, and glossy, with no separated oil around the edges.
Stir the shallots, capers, kosher salt, and about two-thirds of the celery leaves and parsley into the emulsified dressing. The capers and herbs should be evenly suspended through the creamy binder.
Finely hand-chop the chilled beef, or pulse it in four separate batches 3 to 4 times in a food processor fitted with an S-blade. Stop when the beef has distinct small pieces rather than a sticky, paste-like texture.
Use clean hands to fold the beef and dressing together quickly, then shape it with a 3 3/4-inch pastry ring and finish with the reserved herbs and lemon zest. The finished tartare should look bright crimson with a light, even sheen over each piece.
Chilling tip: Placing the beef in the freezer for 10 minutes firms the edges, preventing the blade from slipping and ensuring neat, clean cubes rather than mashed meat.
Color tip: Keep the chopped beef and acidic dressing separate until right before plating to prevent the vinegar from turning the meat a dull grey color.
Make-ahead: Prepare the dressing and dice the meat in advance, keeping both tightly covered in the refrigerator. Fold together just minutes before serving to preserve optimal texture and vibrant color.
Nutrition information is an estimate based on common ingredients and serving sizes. Values may vary depending on brands, portions, and substitutions.
Keyword beef tartare, classic beef tartare, steak tartare