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Juicy Steak Sandwich Horseradish

Featured in Sandwiches: Simple to Gourmet.

Grilled skirt steak full of bold flavor teams up with zesty horseradish mayo and sweet grilled onions. Served on toasted ciabatta with crisp lettuce, this sandwich’s layers of taste feel just like dining out. Ideal for leftover steak or a dinner plan, it’s tender, flavorful, and super satisfying.
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Updated on Tue, 18 Mar 2025 22:39:14 GMT
Juicy Steak Sandwich with Tangy Horseradish Pin it
Juicy Steak Sandwich with Tangy Horseradish | linacooks.com

Tender steak strips char-grilled to perfection, tucked into crispy ciabatta with sweet caramelized onions and tangy horseradish cream. Every mouthful combines melt-in-your-mouth beef, flame-kissed onions, and that zingy sauce that ties all the flavors together.

I whipped up this sandwich when I needed something impressive but easy for friends dropping by. Now that combo of juicy skirt steak and kick-your-tastebuds horseradish has become what everyone asks for, whether it's watching football or grabbing a fast dinner.

Key Ingredients

  • Skirt steak: The open texture helps marinade sink in deep and it cooks up fast
  • Fresh horseradish: Adds a spicy kick that balances the fatty meat
  • Ciabatta bread: Stays firm and won't turn mushy from the meat juices
  • Red onions: Get super sweet once they hit the grill
  • Quality mayonnaise: Forms the backbone of your smooth, rich topping

Steps Instructions

1. Mix Up Your Marinade
Stir olive oil with a tasty spice mix - think cumin, smoky paprika, and crushed garlic for depth. Rub it all over your steak so it softens and flavors the meat completely.
2. Nail the Grill Time
Get your grill screaming hot for those tasty brown bits. Cook that steak just 2-3 minutes each side for medium-rare, then let it chill out before cutting across the grain for super tender bites.
3. Cook Those Onions
While your steak's resting, throw thick onion rounds on the grill until they're soft with nice grill marks. They'll get all sweet and caramelized, making a nice contrast to the savory meat.
4. Whip Up Your Spread
Mix mayo with fresh horseradish, adding more or less depending on how spicy you want it. Throw in some snipped chives for a fresh pop that works with both the meat and sauce.
5. Stack It All Together
Put it all together carefully - spread sauce on both bread halves, then add lettuce, your grilled onions, and those thin steak slices. How you stack it matters for the best taste in every bite.
Mouthwatering Steak Sandwich with Spicy Horseradish Cream Pin it
Mouthwatering Steak Sandwich with Spicy Horseradish Cream | linacooks.com

During a cookout last summer, I tried different steak cuts and found that skirt steak's loose texture made it fantastic for sandwiches. I love how quickly it soaks up flavors and cooks, making it my top pick when friends come over.

Cooking Temperature Guide

Cook your steak just right by watching the inside temp. If you want it rare with a red middle, shoot for 125°F. For that warm pink center most folks love, aim for 135°F. If you're more of a medium fan with just a hint of pink, go for 145°F.

Prep-Ahead Tricks

Mix up that horseradish sauce as far as three days before and keep it sealed tight in the fridge. You can get the marinade ready a day early, but don't put it on your meat until about 20-30 minutes before cooking time.

Bread Picking Advice

Ciabatta's my go-to, but any hearty bread works great. Just make sure you toast it so it doesn't get soggy from all those meat juices. Sourdough or French loaves make awesome substitutes too.

Ways To Switch It Up

Build your dream sandwich by adding grilled mushrooms, melty provolone, or crispy bacon pieces. Want more heat? Go heavier on the horseradish or toss in some pickled jalapeños.

This steak sandwich has turned into my signature crowd-pleaser, from backyard parties to rushed weeknight meals. Something magical happens when you combine that perfectly grilled beef, sweet charred onions, and zingy horseradish sauce. It's both fancy and down-to-earth. Even if you're new to grilling, you'll turn out restaurant-worthy sandwiches right in your own kitchen.

Stunning Steak Sandwich with Zesty Horseradish Cream Pin it
Stunning Steak Sandwich with Zesty Horseradish Cream | linacooks.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Want to swap the cut of beef?
Absolutely! Skirt steak works wonderfully, but you can try flank, sirloin flap, or any leftover grilled steak.
→ Is the horseradish mayo too spicy?
Not really. With 1 tablespoon for over a cup of mayo, it’s mellow. If you like heat, add more bit by bit.
→ Can I prep parts of this early?
Sure thing! Make the horseradish sauce up to 2 days ahead, and marinate the steak in the fridge for up to 8 hours.
→ Don’t have a grill handy?
No problem! Use a grill pan or a cast iron skillet. Cook on each side for 3-4 minutes to get medium-rare.
→ Why slice the meat against the grain?
It helps the steak stay tender by cutting through the muscle fibers, making every bite softer and easier to chew.

Steak Sandwich Horseradish

Marinated and grilled skirt steak paired with smooth horseradish sauce and sweet charred onions on warm ciabatta bread.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Paolina

Category: Sandwiches

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings (4 sandwiches)

Dietary: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Steak Marinade

01 3 lbs of skirt steak
02 2 tbsp + ¼ cup olive oil
03 1 tbsp cracked black pepper
04 2 tbsp kosher salt
05 2 tsp paprika (smoked)
06 ½ tsp cayenne powder
07 5 crushed garlic cloves
08 2 tsp ground cumin
09 2 tsp dried oregano

→ Creamy Horseradish Sauce

10 1 tbsp of prepared horseradish
11 1¼ cups creamy mayo
12 2 tbsp finely cut chives
13 ½ tsp ground black pepper
14 ½ tsp kosher salt

→ Sandwich Components

15 4 toasted ciabatta rolls
16 4 leaves of red lettuce
17 1 big red onion, cut into ½ inch rings

Instructions

Step 01

Fire up your grill to 425°F with indirect heat. Toss ¼ cup of olive oil and seasoning into a food processor, blend until it's smooth, about 30 seconds. Make sure to cover your steak with this mixture and let it sit at room temp for 20 minutes.

Step 02

Coat onion slices with the leftover olive oil. Place them over direct heat and cook for 3-4 minutes, flipping as needed. Move to a cooler area on the grill if they cook too much too fast.

Step 03

Cook steak directly on grill grates for about 2 minutes per side. Shift it to the cooler side, cover, and let it cook another 5 minutes for medium. Set it aside for 5 minutes to rest before cutting thinly across the grain.

Step 04

While steak is cooling off, mix mayo, horseradish, chives, black pepper, and salt together until creamy.

Step 05

Spread horseradish mayo on both bun halves, then add onions, lettuce, and slices of steak for stacking.

Notes

  1. To make it tender, slice steak against the direction of the grain.
  2. You could use sirloin flap as an alternative to skirt steak.
  3. Start light with horseradish and add more if needed.

Tools You'll Need

  • Outdoor grill
  • Processor for food
  • Bowls for mixing
  • A well-sharpened knife

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Eggs are in the mayo.
  • Ciabatta rolls include gluten.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 1147
  • Total Fat: 79 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 31 g
  • Protein: 80 g