Pan-Seared Lamb Steaks with Anchovy Butter

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When I'm looking to put on the Ritz for a fancy dinner party, I often center the menu around a majestic lamb roast, either a whole bone-in leg of lamb or a rolled-and-stuffed shoulder. But when I crave lamb on a weeknight, it's lamb steaks all the way. Depending on where you shop, lamb steaks can be harder to find than other cuts, but their tender meatiness makes them worth seeking out. The best cuts for quick-cooking are sirloin and leg steaks (the sirloin, basically the upper leg or hip portion, will be boneless, while leg steaks contain a single round bone).The ideal thickness for lamb steaks is 3/4 to 1 inch, but thicker steaks are no problem, especially boneless sirloin ones. Just butterfly them by cutting the steaks almost in half horizontally and folding the meat open like a book to make thinner, quicker-cooking steaks. If the steaks have a thick cushion of fat around the edges, trim it down to a modest 1/4 inch, and, to keep leg steaks from curling during cooking, make shallow incisions every couple of inches around the perimeter to break up the membrane that will shrink and buckle in a hot skillet.Much of the excellence of lamb steaks comes from their natural tenderness, but if there's time, pre-seasoning the meat (anywhere from 1 to 8 hours ahead) will further enhance the texture and flavor. I keep the seasoning simple to allow the sweetness of the lamb shine through, but I do kick things up at the finish by slathering the hot steaks with a lusty anchovy butter. The flavored butter takes advantage of two things I learned about lamb long ago: lamb loves butter, and lamb loves anchovies. There's some magical alchemy that happens when the meaty lamb juices blend with the richness of the butter and the funky brine of the anchovy. A bit of fresh lemon zest and parsley provides the perfect counterpoint.Lamb steaks are best cooked to medium-rare, or medium, if you prefer; the most effective way to get it right is to brush the surface with olive oil and sear the steaks in a hot skillet or grill pan (cast iron works well). Once the surface develops a handsome crust, lower the heat and continue cooking until they reach the desired internal temperature (125°F to 130°F for medium-rare and 135°F to 140°F for medium). Transfer the steaks to plates or a carving board and immediately smear the tops with the flavored butter (the heat of the steaks melts the butter into an instant sauce), and let the steaks rest for 3 to 5 minutes before cutting into them. Of course, if it's grilling weather (or you’re one of those intrepid cooks who likes to grill no matter the forecast), by all means, cook them outdoors. A slight kiss of smoke will only make them better.

By

Molly Stevens

Updated on August 2, 2023

Tested by

Food & Wine Test Kitchen

Lamb Steaks with Anchovy Butter Recipe — Photo: Victor Protasio

Active Time:

25 mins

Total Time:

30 mins

Yield:

4

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Ingredients

4 (6- to 8-ounce) boneless lamb sirloin steaks (3/4 inch to 1 inch thick)
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
6 to 8 oil-packed anchovy fillets, drained
1 medium garlic clove, finely chopped
1/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, divided
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon pimentón or paprika
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

Sprinkle steaks evenly with salt and pepper. (Season up to 8 hours ahead. If seasoning more than 1 hour ahead, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. If refrigerated, remove steaks from refrigerator.) Let steaks stand, uncovered, 30 minutes.
Place anchovies in a small bowl, cover with cold water, and let stand 5 minutes. Drain and pat dry with paper towels.
In a small mortar, pound anchovies and garlic to a paste. Alternatively, finely chop anchovies; using flat side of a large knife, drag knife back and forth over chopped anchovies and garlic to form a paste. Transfer to a small bowl, and stir in butter, 1 1/2 tablespoons parsley, lemon zest, and pimentón until combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside at room temperature. (The anchovy butter can be chilled in an airtight container up to 3 days. Leave at room temperature about 1 hour before serving.)
Heat oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Add steaks to skillet. Cook until browned on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Lower heat to medium, and cook, flipping once or twice, to cooked to desired doneness, about 6 minutes for medium. Transfer steaks to plates, and immediately top with anchovy butter. Sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons parsley. Let rest 3 to 5 minutes before serving.

Pan-Seared Lamb Steaks with Anchovy Butter

Ingredients

Directions

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