Perfect Pan-Seared Beef Steaks with Classic Hollandaise

Juicy beef steaks pan-seared to perfection, basted with herb butter, and served with a creamy homemade hollandaise sauce.

This recipe brings together two classic elements: a perfectly seared beef steak and a rich, tangy hollandaise sauce. The steaks are cooked in a hot pan, then basted with a fragrant butter infused with garlic, thyme, and rosemary for extra flavor.

The hollandaise is made from scratch using a simple bain-marie method, resulting in a light, fluffy sauce that pairs beautifully with the savory steak. Serve with crispy French fries for a complete, satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Servings 2

    For the steaks

    For the hollandaise sauce

    For serving

    Converted amounts are rounded.

    Method

    1. Place a large skillet over high heat and let it get very hot.
    2. Drizzle the steaks with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
    3. Place the steaks in the hot skillet. When the first side is nicely browned, flip them and reduce the heat to medium-low.
    4. Add the garlic, thyme, rosemary, and 1 tablespoon butter to the pan. Once the butter melts and becomes fragrant, baste the steaks with it using a spoon for 3–4 minutes.
    5. Remove the steaks from the pan and transfer them to a plate. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and let them rest for 5 minutes.
    6. In a heatproof bowl, combine the vinegar, water, mustard, and egg yolks. Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water (bain-marie), making sure the bottom does not touch the water.
    7. In a separate small bowl, place the 100 g butter, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave at 800 Watts for 1 to 1½ minutes until melted.
    8. Whisk the egg mixture continuously over the bain-marie until it becomes thick and fluffy. Remove the bowl from the heat and continue whisking.
    9. Slowly drizzle in the melted butter while whisking constantly. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the hollandaise to a small serving bowl.
    10. On a serving platter, arrange the rested steaks, a generous spoonful of hollandaise sauce, and a portion of French fries. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with fresh thyme.

    💡 Tips

    • For the best sear, pat the steaks dry with paper towels before seasoning.
    • Use a meat thermometer for perfect doneness: 130°F for medium-rare.
    • If the hollandaise becomes too thick, whisk in a teaspoon of warm water.

    Inspired by a recipe from Άκης Πετρετζίκης

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