These Open Faced Steak Sandwiches are a hearty and delicious meal that’s perfect for any night of the week. Using tender strips of steak combined with melted cheese, fresh veggies, and crispy bread, you can create a satisfying dish in no time. This recipe is designed for home cooks of all experience levels, bringing flavor and comfort to your dinner table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe is great for families and busy home cooks who want a filling meal without a lot of fuss. The combination of juicy steak, sautéed peppers, and cheese makes every bite irresistible. It works reliably because it’s simple, quick, and can be adjusted to fit everyone’s taste preferences. You’ll likely find yourself going back for seconds!
Table of Contents
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need a few fresh ingredients and a delicious baguette to bring these sandwiches to life.
- 1 sourdough or French baguette
- 12 ounces grass-fed sirloin steak, cut into 1/4 inch strips
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 3 tablespoons avocado or olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 small sweet onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
Ingredient Notes, Variations & Simple Swaps
This recipe allows for some flexibility depending on what you have on hand. You can easily swap out the bell pepper for any color or even use mushrooms or zucchini. If you’re looking for a lower-fat option, try using chicken instead of steak, which also cooks faster. Feel free to mix the cheeses too, perhaps adding some cheddar for extra flavor.
Equipment Needed
- Cast iron skillet
- Baking sheet
- Oven broiler
How to Make This Recipe
Step 1 – Prepare the Steak
In a medium bowl, combine the strips of steak with salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Toss everything together until the steak is well-coated. This adds great flavor from the start.
Step 2 – Cook the Vegetables
Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of avocado oil. Once hot, add the sliced onions and peppers. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften. Season lightly with a pinch of salt.
Step 3 – Sear the Steak
Push the onions and peppers to one side of the skillet. Increase the heat to high and add the marinated steak. Sear the steak for about 1-2 minutes on each side until browned but still tender. Toss the steak with the veggies and remove from heat.
Step 4 – Prepare the Bread
Preheat your broiler on high and adjust the oven rack so it’s about 6 inches from the heating element. Cut the baguette in half lengthwise and brush 1 tablespoon of oil on each cut side. Scatter one garlic clove on each side and top with 1/4 cup grated Parmesan. Place on a baking sheet and broil until the cheese starts to melt, about 1-2 minutes.
Step 5 – Assemble the Sandwiches
Take the bread out of the oven and layer the steak, onions, and peppers evenly on top. Sprinkle the remaining cheeses over everything. Return the baking sheet to the oven and broil until the cheese is melted and gooey, about another 2-3 minutes.
Step 6 – Finish and Serve
Once done, take the sandwiches out of the oven and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley. Cut into pieces if desired and serve warm.
Tips for Perfect Results
Follow these helpful tips to ensure your sandwiches turn out great:
- Use a good quality steak for the best flavor.
- Don’t overcrowd the skillet when cooking the steak; this helps it to sear properly.
- Keep an eye on the broiler, as it can quickly go from perfectly melted to burnt.
- For a kick, add some red pepper flakes or your favorite spices while cooking the vegetables.
- Experiment with different toppings; arugula or sliced tomatoes can add a fresh twist.
Flavor Variations
Feel free to get creative with your Open Faced Steak Sandwiches! Here are a few ideas:
- Add some sautéed mushrooms for an earthy flavor.
- Swap in different cheeses like provolone or gouda for a unique taste.
- Use pesto instead of garlic on the bread for a fresh herby twist.
- Try caramelizing the onions for a sweeter kick.
- Add a touch of hot sauce or barbecue sauce for extra flavor.
What to Serve With This Recipe
These sandwiches make a wonderful meal on their own, but pairing them with sides adds to the experience. Consider serving:
- A fresh garden salad
- Sweet potato fries
- Steamed broccoli or green beans
- A warm bowl of vegetable soup
- Potato chips for some crunch
Storage, Make-Ahead & Leftovers
You can keep leftovers of your Open Faced Steak Sandwiches in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to make them ahead, prep the steak and veggies in advance, storing them separately. Just assemble and broil when you’re ready to eat. For freezing, you can keep the cooked steak and veggies together in a container for up to a month, then reheat thoroughly before serving.
Open Faced Steak Sandwiches
Ingredients
For the Sandwiches
- 1 unit sourdough or French baguette Cut in half lengthwise.
- 12 ounces grass-fed sirloin steak, cut into 1/4 inch strips You can use chicken as a substitute.
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 3 tablespoons avocado or olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced Use one for each side of the bread.
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese Divided use.
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella Divided use.
- 1 unit green bell pepper, thinly sliced Can be substituted with any color pepper.
- 1 small sweet onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley For garnish.
Instructions
Preparation
- In a medium bowl, combine the strips of steak with salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Toss everything together until the steak is well-coated.
- Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of avocado oil. Once hot, add the sliced onions and peppers. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften.
Cooking
- Push the onions and peppers to one side of the skillet, increase the heat to high, and add the marinated steak. Sear the steak for about 1-2 minutes on each side until browned but still tender.
- Toss the steak with the veggies and remove from heat.
- Preheat your broiler on high and adjust the oven rack so it’s about 6 inches from the heating element.
- Cut the baguette in half lengthwise and brush 1 tablespoon of oil on each cut side. Scatter one garlic clove on each side and top with 1/4 cup grated Parmesan. Place on a baking sheet and broil until the cheese starts to melt, about 1-2 minutes.
- Take the bread out of the oven and layer the steak, onions, and peppers evenly on top. Sprinkle the remaining cheeses over everything.
- Return the baking sheet to the oven and broil until the cheese is melted and gooey, about another 2-3 minutes.
Finishing Touch
- Once done, take the sandwiches out of the oven and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley. Cut into pieces if desired and serve warm.
Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken instead of steak?
Absolutely! Chicken is a great substitute and cooks faster. Just adjust your cooking time accordingly.
How do I know when the steak is done?
Searing the steak for 1-2 minutes per side should keep it tender. If you prefer it more well-done, you can cook it slightly longer, but be careful not to overcook.
What if I don’t have a broiler?
You can achieve a similar result by baking the sandwiches in a preheated oven at 400°F until the cheese is melted and bubbling, usually around 10-15 minutes.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free bread instead of a baguette to cater to gluten-free diets.
How can I make it vegetarian?
For a vegetarian version, skip the steak and use hearty veggies like portobello mushrooms or eggplant, and load it up with your favorite cheeses.
