Mastering Steak Marinating For The Perfect Fondue Experience

Fondue is a fun and tasty way to cook your steak, and the perfect excuse to dust off your fondue pot. The prep work is easy, but it's important to plan ahead as the meat needs to be marinated for several hours before cooking. There are many different ways to marinate steak for fondue, but most recipes involve a combination of sauces and spices. The meat is then added to the marinade and left to soak up the flavours in the refrigerator.

Marinating Steak for Fondue

Marinade ingredients: soy sauce, garlic, ginger, oil

Marinating a steak before fondue is a great way to add flavour and promote browning and crispness. Here is a detailed guide on how to marinate steak for fondue with soy sauce, garlic, ginger and oil.

Firstly, gather your ingredients. You will need soy sauce, garlic, ginger, oil, and steaks. The amount of each ingredient will depend on the number of steaks you are marinating, but a good rule of thumb is to use equal parts soy sauce, garlic and ginger, with a little oil to taste.

Next, prepare your garlic and ginger. Peel and mince the garlic and ginger, aiming for a fine consistency. You will need about half a teaspoon of each ingredient per steak.

Now, create your marinade. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the soy sauce, oil, garlic and ginger. Whisk the ingredients together until they are well incorporated. You can also add other ingredients to taste, such as honey, lime juice or black pepper.

Once your marinade is ready, it's time to add the steaks. Place the steaks in a large bowl or a plastic bag, and pour the marinade over them. Ensure that the steaks are well coated, and let them sit in the marinade for at least two hours in the refrigerator. The longer you leave the steaks to marinate, the more intense the flavour will be.

Finally, cook your steaks to your desired level of doneness. You can grill, broil or pan-fry the steaks, depending on your preference. Once they are cooked, let the steaks rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Enjoy your delicious, flavourful steak fondue!

Meat prep: cut into strips/cubes, remove fat

Preparing the meat for your steak fondue is a straightforward process, but it's important to get it right to ensure the best results. Here's a step-by-step guide to preparing your steak for fondue:

Cut the Meat into Strips or Cubes

Start by choosing a tender cut of beef, such as tenderloin or sirloin. Cut the meat into strips or bite-sized cubes. The size of the cubes can vary depending on your preference, but most recipes suggest 1-inch cubes. This size ensures the meat cooks quickly and evenly in the fondue pot.

Trim the Fat

Before marinating, it's a good idea to trim any excess fat from the meat. Visible fat can be trimmed, but a small amount of fat will add flavour and moisture to the steak. However, too much fat may cause the meat to shrink and become tough during cooking.

Marinating the Meat

Once the meat is cut into the desired size and the fat is trimmed, it's time to prepare the marinade. There are various marinade recipes to choose from, but a common combination includes soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and sometimes olive oil. You can also add spices and herbs like onion powder, black pepper, thyme, and oregano to enhance the flavour. Mix your chosen ingredients in a bowl, then place the meat in a resealable plastic bag or container. Pour the marinade over the meat, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Refrigerate the meat for at least two hours, but preferably four hours or more, turning the bag occasionally to ensure even marination.

Final Preparation

Once the meat has finished marinating, remove it from the marinade and pat it dry with paper towels. At this point, the meat is ready to be cooked in your fondue pot. Heat your chosen cooking oil in the fondue pot to the recommended temperature, usually around 375°F. You can also add some additional ingredients like broth, wine, or green onions to the pot for extra flavour. Use fondue forks to cook the meat to your desired doneness, and don't forget to provide a variety of dips and sauces for your guests to enjoy!

Marinating time: 2-4 hours, turning occasionally

Marinating steak for fondue is a simple process, but it requires some planning ahead as the meat needs to be left to marinate for a few hours. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving the perfect fondue steak marinade:

Firstly, gather your ingredients. Most marinades include soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic, but you can also add ingredients like brown sugar, onion, beef stock, red wine, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, onion powder, garlic powder, steak seasoning, dried thyme, dried oregano, and black pepper. You will also need a tender cut of beef, such as tenderloin, cut into strips or 1-inch cubes.

Once you have your ingredients, it's time to prepare the marinade. Crush and mince the garlic cloves and combine them with the other ingredients in a large bowl or resealable plastic bag. If using a bowl, make sure it is large enough to hold all the meat and marinade. Add the beef to the marinade and coat it well, ensuring all the pieces are evenly covered.

Now, it's time to let the meat soak up all those delicious flavours. Place the bowl or sealed bag of meat in the refrigerator and let it marinate for 2-4 hours, turning the meat occasionally to ensure it absorbs the marinade evenly. This is a crucial step, as it allows the flavours to really penetrate the meat, resulting in juicy and flavourful fondue steak.

Once the meat has finished marinating, remove it from the marinade and pat it dry with paper towels. At this point, you can either cook the steak immediately or store it in the refrigerator overnight until you are ready to use it.

Finally, it's time to cook the steak. Heat up your favourite beef broth or oil in your fondue pot to the desired temperature. Your guests can then use their fondue forks to dip the marinated beef strips or cubes into the broth or oil and cook to their desired doneness. Don't forget to provide a variety of dips and sauces to accompany the fondue steak!

Meat cooking: use fondue forks, cook in broth/oil

Preparation

Before your guests arrive, prepare your sauces and put them in little bowls around the fondue burner, along with the meat, bread and salad. You can also prepare the marinade for the meat.

Meat

For the meat, you can use beef tenderloin or rump steak, cut into 1-inch cubes. If you want to marinate the meat, trim most of the visible fat and put the meat cubes into a plastic bag or container with the marinade. Marinate the meat in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or 4-6 hours depending on the marinade.

Broth

For cooking the meat in broth, heat up your favourite beef broth or stock on the stove. When it starts boiling, transfer it to your fondue pot and light it up. Your guests can then use their fondue forks to dip the meat into the broth.

Oil

If you are cooking the meat in oil, heat the oil in your fondue pot to 375°F. You can use vegetable, canola or peanut oil. Each guest can then add a raw piece of meat to their fondue fork and place it in the hot oil. The meat will take around 25-60 seconds to cook, depending on the desired level of doneness.

Sauces: horseradish, barbecue, mustard-mayo, store-bought

When it comes to sauces, there are a variety of options to choose from when preparing steak fondue. Here are some sauce options and recipes to consider:

Horseradish Sauce

A classic and well-loved sauce for steak fondue, horseradish is a pungent root vegetable that is typically grated and preserved as a condiment. When blended with creamy elements such as sour cream or mayonnaise, it becomes a sensational sauce that complements the meat without overwhelming its flavours. Here is a simple recipe for a delicious horseradish sauce:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped chives
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• Pinch of freshly ground black pepper

Preparation:

• In a small mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, horseradish, mayonnaise, chives, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
• Stir until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
• Transfer the sauce to a small serving bowl and garnish with additional chopped chives, if desired.
• Serve alongside your steak fondue.

Barbecue Sauce

Barbecue sauce is a popular choice for fondue and can easily be store-bought or made at home. A simple barbecue sauce can be made by combining ingredients such as ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and various spices. You can adjust the ingredients to your taste preferences and the desired level of sweetness, tanginess, or spiciness.

Mustard-Mayo Sauce

A mustard-mayo sauce is a simple yet versatile sauce that can be used as a spread or dipping sauce for your steak fondue. This sauce typically only requires two ingredients: mayonnaise and mustard. You can experiment with different types of mustard, such as Dijon, yellow, whole grain, German, or honey mustard, to find the flavour that best suits your taste. Simply combine the mayonnaise and mustard in a bowl and stir until well mixed. You can adjust the proportions to your liking and even add additional ingredients, such as a pinch of garlic powder or a splash of lemon juice, to create your own unique sauce.

Store-Bought Sauces

If you're short on time or simply prefer the convenience, there are numerous store-bought sauces available that can elevate your steak fondue experience. These can include options such as salsa, mango chutney, cornichons, or even a simple dip made by mixing sour cream and A-1 sauce.

Frequently asked questions