Whether you enjoy preparing dinner for your family daily or you rely on leftovers a couple of nights a week, there will likely come a time when you need more meal ideas.
Steak could be a delicious option, but it could be a little costly depending on how many people you have to feed and what cut you go for.
Bavette steak is a more affordable option, without losing the tenderness and quality of a high quality beef cut.
Here is everything you need to know about this cut, how to prepare it and some tips for cooking it, so you can enjoy a filling meal that will make you look forward to preparing dinner.
What is Bavette Steak?
'Bavette Steak' is basically the French version of US Flank Steak, which is a cut of beef that is taken from the cow's abdominal region.
Bavette Steak Location
This cut of steak has been very popular but is not as common as it once was, since many people go to the grocery store to get their meat instead of going to a traditional butcher.
However, now that grass-fed and organic meats are more popular with people who want to know where their food comes from, this may be a cut of beef you'll want to try.
How to Season Bavette Steak
To prepare this steak cut for cooking, you won't need much. Basically, you'll need unrefined salt, coarse black pepper, unrefined butter, and tallow or duck fat.
Take the steak out of the refrigerator and allow it to reach room temperature. This will make the meat tender and allow the seasonings to saturate the steak. Once the steak reaches the appropriate temperature, pat it dry with a paper towel.
How to Prepare Bavette Steak for Cooking
Start by seasoning the meat with salt and pepper to taste.
Meanwhile, preheat a cast-iron skillet on the stove and combine the tallow and butter. Make sure the skillet is extremely hot and pour the butter and tallow mixture into the skillet.
When the butter is nearly about the burn (the tallow will keep it from burning), place the steaks in the skillet and cook for about 3 minutes on each side depending on your desired level of doneness.
Another way to season the French bavette steak, is with salt and pepper and cover each piece of meat with the tallow mixture. This will give the steak a delicious outer crust. Place the steak in the hot pan and only turn it once to create the seasoned crust.
How Long to Cook Bavette Steak
If you want the steak to be rare, cook for 3-4 minutes on every side, and about 5 minutes on each side for medium-rare. If you're preparing the meat on the griddle, add a pat of butter once you remove the steak from the heat. It's best not to cook the steak any longer than medium since the meat will continue to cook after you remove it from the heat.
Use a meat thermometer to determine whether the steak is rare, medium, or medium-rare. A rare steak should be about 120°F, medium steak should be 125°F, and medium-rare should be 130°F.
How to Cook Bavette Steak on the Grill
If you don't like using a pan, you can choose to grill Bavette steak. This cut of steak is great if you're having a backyard barbecue or want to add a smoky flavor to the meat for sandwiches or tacos. Grilled steak is also a delicious addition to salads.
If you are going to use the grill for this steak, you'll need to use the two-tone cooking method. This means you'll sear the meat on both sides but allow the middle to continue cooking once you remove the steak from the heat.
To do so, there is usually a thicker side of the steak, so make sure this side of the meat is directly on the grill. Cook the meat until it is tender, and use your meat thermometer to make sure the steak is prepared to your desired doneness.
Serving & Resting
Grilled Bavette Steak
After you have been grilling bavette steak to the desired doneness level, take it from the grill and let it rest for about 10 minutes.
Then, after the resting phase, cut the meat against the grain and at a slight bias to keep the steak pieces tender.
After slicing the steak you can top it with a light sauce that matches the flavor profile of your meal. For instance, if you're having patatas bravas or Spanish tortillas, you can top the steak pieces with chimichurri. If you're having roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes with your steak, a creamy peppercorn sauce is a great choice. Once you know how to properly prepare the meat, you can customize it to coordinate with the flavors of your meal.
To make your meal complete, you can put a few vegetables on the grill with the steak. For instance, you can add corn on the cob, bell peppers, and onions to the grill and use all the ingredients to make a wrap or burrito bowl. Or, you can grill some lettuce, kale, tomatoes, and garlic to make a steak salad.
Marinade Ideas
There are several seasonings and herbs you can use to bring out the flavor of the steaks and tenderize the meat. You can combine herbs like cilantro, oregano, sea salt, white pepper, and paprika in olive oil and marinate the steaks for as little as 15 minutes before you want to cook if you're making tacos or fajitas.
If you're preparing an Asian-inspired meal, use miso and soy sauce to marinate the meat. Of course, the meat will soak up even more of the flavor if you allow the steak to marinate overnight. You can also brush the marinade over the meat while you're grilling it to create a caramelized crust and add more flavor to the steak.
This delicious flank steak is the ideal main course for a great meal, no matter what type of food you're in the mood for.
If your city or town still has a local butcher, you can get your steak from the butter and select the cuts you want.
If you're getting the meat from a grocery store, you may still be able to choose fresh cuts of meat. Be sure to check with the grocer to see that your flank steak is grass-fed beef and/or organic. This will ensure that you're not consuming any harmful ingredients and will make you feel better about serving this tasty cut of meat to your loved ones, no matter how you decide to prepare it.
