What Is a Steak Sandwich?

The steak sandwich is a hugely popular food item in North America. It is eaten in other countries, yet its spiritual home is America. Eaten as a main meal, this sandwich consists of a beef steak seasoned and cooked to perfection then laid onto some form of bread. Often eaten with a variety of toppings and sides, the steak sandwich is a favorite at both restaurants and homes.

Nearly any cut of steak can be used in a steak sandwich. For an open version, the steak often remains unsliced, and rump is a commonly used cut, along with strip, rib eye, and filet. For sandwiches where there is also bread on top, thin slices of flank steak or roast is piled on high. The steak can be cooked in a variety of ways, including grilling, broiling, and frying. Roasting large pieces of beef before slicing is also popular, cooking the beef in its own juices.

Different breads can construct the sandwich. If it is an open sandwich, thick-cut, toasted bread provides a typical base. This can range from ordinary white bread to aromatic foccacia. If the sandwich is going to have a lid, then baguettes, crusty rolls, and ciabatta are popular. Generally, any bread available can be used.

This anything-goes attitude can also extend to the seasoning. Steak seasonings can include a steak spice blend, rub, or marinade that can contain virtually any flavor but commonly counts salt, pepper, and garlic among their ingredients. Barbecue sauce, Cajun, and chili seasonings are also popular. Many establishments serving steak sandwiches tend to have their own secret house blends.

The topping and sides that are included with a steak sandwich are also varied. From no toppings to many, popular choices include crispy or carmalized onions, cheese, and peppers. Sauces are also often included, either poured over the sandwich or on the side, and can include mushroom, pepper, and garlic sauces. As with seasonings, many restaurants have their own signature sauces. Sides tend to be some form of potato dish, such as fries, or a variety of salads.

There are a number of variations on the steak sandwich both in America and abroad. In America, the Philly cheesesteak places thinly sliced steak onto a long bun and smothers it in onions, peppers, and cheese. The beef dip piles thin roast beef slices onto a baguette, which is dipped as desired into a hot au jus. The Italian beef places thinly sliced roast onto a roll, which is dipped either once or twice into the rich meat juices from the roasting tin. This juicy creation is then covered with toppings such as peppers.

The Vietnamese version of the steak sandwich uses thinly sliced steak that is marinated in a mixture of sugar, fish sauce, and lime juice. Placed onto a bun, it is topped with fresh vegetables including carrot, cucumber, and daikon radish before being garnished with coriander. In Australia, where the steak sandwich is apparently considered the poor cousin of the hamburger, thin beef slices or minute steak is placed on a bun and topped like a burger with lettuce, tomato, and onion. The sandwich is then completed with the addition of Australian barbecue sauce and beets — yes, beets.