If you’re looking for a classic steak and chips recipe that feels restaurant-quality but is easy to make at home, this is the perfect dish. A perfectly seared medium-rare steak paired with my crispy baked homemade French fries is one of the most satisfying meals you can cook. The steak is pan-seared and basted with butter, garlic and thyme for rich flavour, while the fries are baked until golden, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Because they’re oven-baked rather than deep-fried, they’re also a lighter alternative to traditional fries.
Ingredients for my Steak and Chips
For the Steak
- 2 steaka (1–1.5 cm thick)
- Salt
- Black pepper
- 1 tablespoon oil (high smoke point)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
For the Baked Homemade French Fries
- Large potatoes (such as Maris Piper)
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt
- Black pepper
How to Make Crispy Baked Homemade French Fries
1. Wash the potatoes
Begin by washing the potatoes thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt. Keeping the skin on adds flavour and helps the fries crisp up during baking.
2. Cut the fries
Transfer the washed potatoes to a chopping board and cut them lengthways into slices. Stack the slices on top of each other with the cut side facing down, then slice them into ¼-inch thick French fries.
3. Soak the fries
Place the chopped fries into a bowl filled with ice-cold water and allow them to soak for at least 30 minutes. This step removes excess starch and helps the fries become crispier when baked.
4. Dry the potatoes
Once soaked, remove the fries from the water and thoroughly pat them dry with a tea towel. Removing all moisture is important so the fries roast instead of steaming in the oven.
5. Season the fries
Place the dried fries into a large bowl and add the olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, dried oregano, salt and pepper. Toss everything together until the fries are evenly coated in the seasoning.
6. Bake the fries
Line an oven tray with parchment paper and spread the fries out in a single even layer. Bake them in a preheated oven at 180°C for 30 minutes.
7. Flip halfway through
Halfway through cooking, remove the tray from the oven and flip the fries so that they crisp up evenly on both sides.
8. Final crisp
Increase the oven temperature to 250°C for the final 10 minutes of cooking. This high heat helps the fries turn extra golden and crispy.
How to Cook the Perfect Medium-Rare Steak
1. Prepare the steak
Pat the steak dry with paper towels and allow it to come to room temperature before cooking. Season both sides generously with salt and a little black pepper.
2. Heat the pan
Place a heavy frying pan or cast-iron skillet over high heat and add the oil. Allow the pan to become very hot so the steak develops a proper sear.
3. Sear the steak
Place the steak into the hot pan and cook it for about 1½ minutes on the first side without moving it so a golden crust forms.
4. Flip and baste
Flip the steak and add the butter, crushed garlic and thyme to the pan. Tilt the pan slightly and use a spoon to baste the steak repeatedly with the melted butter.
5. Finish cooking
Continue cooking the steak for another 1–1½ minutes while basting to achieve a perfect medium-rare result for a thin steak.
6. Rest the steak
Remove the steak from the pan and allow it to rest for 2–3 minutes before slicing so the juices redistribute through the meat.
Top Tips for the Best Steak and Chips
- Use large potatoes like Maris Piper so you get long authentic fries.
- Soaking the fries in cold water removes starch and helps them crisp up beautifully in the oven.
- Make sure the fries are completely dry before baking, otherwise they may become soft.
- Put the steak out 45 minutes before cooking to allow it to come to room temperature!
- Always cook steak in a very hot pan so it develops a proper crust.
- Let the steak rest before slicing to keep it juicy and tender.
Why You’ll Love This Steak and Chips Recipe
- Perfect medium-rare steak every time
- Crispy oven-baked fries with fluffy centres
- Ready in 30 minutes or less
- Simple ingredients with big flavour
- A classic comfort meal made at home
FAQs
How long should I cook a thin steak?
For a steak 1–1.5 cm thick, cook it for about 1½ minutes per side in a very hot pan for medium-rare.
Why soak potatoes before making fries?
Soaking removes excess starch from the potatoes, which helps them become crispy rather than soft when baked.
Can I make these fries in an air fryer?
Yes. Cook them at 200°C for about 18–22 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
Why should steak rest before slicing?
Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, which keeps the steak juicy and flavourful.
What Cut of Steak Is Best for Steak and Chips?
The best cuts for steak and chips are ribeye, sirloin or rump steak. These cuts cook quickly in a hot pan and develop a rich crust while staying juicy inside.
If you love the look of my Medium Rare Steak with chips then make sure you check out the recipes below for some dinner inspo!
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Steak and Chips Recipe (Medium Rare Steak with Crispy Fries)
Ingredients
For the Steak
- 2 steaka 1–1.5 cm thick
- Salt
- Black pepper
- 1 tablespoon oil high smoke point
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
For the Baked Homemade French Fries
- Large potatoes such as Maris Piper
- 1 –2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
Wash the potatoes
- Begin by washing the potatoes thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt. Keeping the skin on adds flavour and helps the fries crisp up during baking.
Cut the fries
- Transfer the washed potatoes to a chopping board and cut them lengthways into slices. Stack the slices on top of each other with the cut side facing down, then slice them into ¼-inch thick French fries.
Soak the fries
- Place the chopped fries into a bowl filled with ice-cold water and allow them to soak for at least 30 minutes. This step removes excess starch and helps the fries become crispier when baked.
Dry the potatoes
- Once soaked, remove the fries from the water and thoroughly pat them dry with a tea towel. Removing all moisture is important so the fries roast instead of steaming in the oven.
Season the fries
- Place the dried fries into a large bowl and add the olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, dried oregano, salt and pepper. Toss everything together until the fries are evenly coated in the seasoning.
Bake the fries
- Line an oven tray with parchment paper and spread the fries out in a single even layer. Bake them in a preheated oven at 180°C for 30 minutes.
Flip halfway through
- Halfway through cooking, remove the tray from the oven and flip the fries so that they crisp up evenly on both sides.
Final crisp
- Increase the oven temperature to 250°C for the final 10 minutes of cooking. This high heat helps the fries turn extra golden and crispy.
How to Cook the Perfect Medium-Rare Steak
Prepare the steak
- Pat the steak dry with paper towels and allow it to come to room temperature before cooking. Season both sides generously with salt and a little black pepper.
Heat the pan
- Place a heavy frying pan or cast-iron skillet over high heat and add the oil. Allow the pan to become very hot so the steak develops a proper sear.
Sear the steak
- Place the steak into the hot pan, sear the fat cap for 1 minute first and then cook it for about 1½ minutes on the first side without moving it so a golden crust forms.
Flip and baste
- Flip the steak and add the butter, crushed garlic and thyme to the pan. Tilt the pan slightly and use a spoon to baste the steak repeatedly with the melted butter.
Finish cooking
- Continue cooking the steak for another 1–1½ minutes while basting to achieve a perfect medium-rare result for a thin steak.
Rest the steak
- Remove the steak from the pan and allow it to rest for 2–3 minutes before slicing so the juices redistribute through the meat.
Video
Notes
Top Tips for the Best Steak and Chips
- Use large potatoes like Maris Piper so you get long authentic fries.
- Soaking the fries in cold water removes starch and helps them crisp up beautifully in the oven.
- Make sure the fries are completely dry before baking, otherwise they may become soft.
- Put the steak out 45 minutes before cooking to allow it to come to room temperature!
- Always cook steak in a very hot pan so it develops a proper crust. Sear the fta cap first, this is the white portion of the steak for 1 minute.
- Let the steak rest before slicing to keep it juicy and tender.
