Italian Grilled Steaks Recipe
Barbecued Steaks with Garlic, Great for T-Bones or Bone-In Rib-Eyes
Throughout Italy, the essence of great grilled steak is epitomized by bistecca alla fiorentina, literally "beefsteak in the style of Florence." In terms of cooking, that translates to utter simplicity.
All you do is pick your favorite bone-in steaks, rub a cut garlic clove against the bone on each side to puree the garlic, and then smear the garlic all over the steak. Anoint each steak with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and it's ready for the hot grill. All that's left to do after that is grill the steaks to your liking and then serve them with cut lemon halves for each person to squeeze liberally over his or her portion.
The result: a great steak, brimming with juice and flavor.
Before you set out to make the recipe, keep these few tips in mind for the best results:
- Use good meat. If you can find it and afford it, start with the best cut, USDA Prime beef or a comparable quality in some other country. Bone-in steaks such as T-bone steak or rib-eye steak work best, because you can rub the garlic against the bone, which not only helps to puree the garlic but also keeps the steak juicier and more flavorful. But you can also make the recipe with boneless steaks if you prefer, and USDA Choice beef will also give you good results.
- Use good olive oil. Choose a good-quality extra-virgin olive oil with an excellent fruity flavor, which will enhance the taste of the finished dish.
- Try sea salt. Rather than regular table salt, season the steaks with sea salt, which has a more complex flavor that complements the meat.
Beef Steaks with Garlic, Olive Oil, and Lemon
Serves 4
Ingredients:
- 4 T-bone steaks or bone-in rib-eye steaks, each about 1 pound
- 2 garlic cloves, cut in halves
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 lemons, cut in halves
Method:
- Preheat the grill.
- Meanwhile, get the steaks ready. Trim off and discard any excess fat from their edges. Rub both sides of each steak all over with the cut side of a garlic clove half, first rubbing it repeatedly and firmly against the bone to puree the garlic, and then spreading the garlic all over the meat. Drizzle the olive oil all over both sides of the steaks and gently rub it into the meat, making sure it is spread evenly. Leave the steaks at room temperature while the fire continues to heat up.
- When the grill is ready, carefully oil the grill rack. Season the steaks generously on both sides with salt and black pepper to taste. Grill the steaks, turning them once, until done to your liking, about 10 minutes for medium.
- Transfer the steaks to individual serving plates and immediately squeeze a lemon half over each steak before eating.
All you need to complete the meal is a mixed green salad dressed with olive oil and lemon juice, and maybe a baked potato or grilled potatoes.
Looking for more grilled steak recipes? Check out Cuban Grilled Steaks or Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Rub!
