Vietnamese Sugar Steak Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

Is it good to put sugar on steak? ›

But you don't add sugar for its flavor—you add it for its effect on texture. Some of the most popular cuts of beef (skirt steak, flank steak) are tough and chewy unless exposed to sugar, which is a natural tenderizer.

The Basic Sugar Steak Technique

The idea is to use a mixture of 4 parts sugar to 3 parts salt to season the steaks. The sugar encourages the formation of a crusty caramelized exterior on the meat during grilling. The salt counterbalances the sugar and creates a burst of beefy and meaty flavor in contrast.

In a small bowl, mix four parts sugar to three parts salt. For two steaks, 4 tablespoons of sugar and 3 tablespoons of salt is plenty. Sprinkle each side of the meat with 1 1/2 teaspoons of the sugar-salt mixture.

Another important ingredient in creating a restaurant-worthy steak is salt. Seasoning thoroughly is a crucial step when cooking any meat, and a good coating of salt is perfect for enhancing steak's savory, rich flavors.

The brown sugar in. my Sweet Rub helps build up that crunchy crust and. adds amazing flavor when paired with Beef Rub!

The origins of sugar steak

Bastien's Steakhouse Restaurant in Denver first opened in 1937 and is known as the “home of the sugar steak.” For their signature menu item, chefs coat the steaks with a brown sugar rub while they're on the grill. This gives the meat a crispy, caramelized crust and slightly sweet flavor.

The sugar caramelizes in the heat, easily creating a brown crust that you might otherwise have had to wait twice as long for, during which time you'd risk overcooking the insides. (Do keep an eye on the heat and don't use more than a small pinch, however, because sugar is liable to burn.)

Sugar starts working on your cut of protein long before it hits the pan. It helps to keep the meat tender, especially the longer you let it sit before cooking but even with a much shorter rest time (a few minutes for these chops compared to a couple days for a turkey).

Add a bit of butter

"Monté au beurre means 'mount with butter. ' This process adds richness and a bit of flavor to the finished product." To make an even more delicious steak, Sudak says you can add some crushed garlic cloves, fresh thyme, and fresh rosemary when you add the butter to the pan. "'Voila!'

There are many spices available for seasoning a steak, with salt and pepper topping the list. However, other spices, like thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, and minced onion, are also good options to enhance your steak's flavor. Or, use a one-and-done approach with Chicago Steak Seasoning.