Chuckwagon Steak is a flavorful and hearty dish that is known for its rich marbling and tenderness. It is prepared by searing it on a hot grill or skillet and then finishing it in the oven to achieve a juicy and succulent texture. It is a popular choice among steak lovers who appreciate robust flavors and a rustic dining experience.
Yields: 4
Prep Time: 5 mins Rest Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Total: 40 mins
What is a chuckwagon steak?
Chuckwagon steak is a dish that harks back to the Wild West era. It gets its name from the chuckwagon, a mobile kitchen used by cowboys on cattle drives. This steak is typically made from a cut called the chuck eye roll, known for its rich marbling and tenderness.
The Chuckwagon Steak recipe is simple. You need to season the steak generously with salt, pepper, and any desired herbs or spices and sear it over high heat whether on a barbecue, grill, or skillet. Then depending on how you love your steak you should transfer to the oven or continue cooking closing the grill. Remember to let the steak rest for a few minutes before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute and ensure maximum tenderness.
Serve with your favorite side dishes like roasted potatoes, grilled vegetables, or a fresh salad for a complete and mouthwatering meal.
Why does this recipe work?
There are several compelling reasons to give the Chuckwagon Steak recipe a try.
- Budget. The chuck eye roll cut used in this recipe is affordable compared to other premium steak cuts, making it a budget-friendly option without compromising on taste.
- Flavor. The marbling in a chuck eye roll ensures a rich and beefy flavor that is further enhanced by the searing and oven cooking method. The result is a juicy and tender steak that will satisfy even the most discerning palates.
- Rustic Charm. The rustic and nostalgic charm associated with chuckwagon-style cooking adds a unique and enjoyable element to the dining experience.
- Comforting. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or simply looking for a comforting and flavorful meal, Chuckwagon Steak is a fantastic choice.
Chuckwagon steak recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Beef chuck eye roll steaks – 2 – 2.5 lbs, 1 1/2 inch thick
TO PREPARE THE STEAKS
- Vegetable oil – 2 tablespoons (optional for marination and/or sealing in skillet)
- Wine vinegar – 1/3 cup (optional for marination)
- Garlic cloves – 2 cloves, chopped
- Worcestershire sauce – 2 teaspoons (optional for marination)
- Salt – 1/2 teaspoon
- Rosemary – 1/2 teaspoon
- Ground pepper – 1/3 teaspoon
TO SERVE
- Unsalted Butter – 2 tablespoons or the compound butter of your choice.
How to cook chuckwagon steak on the grill
STEP 1 – PREPARE THE STEAKS
- Prepare the steaks by seasoning them with garlic cloves, rosemary, salt, pepper, and any other seasoning you like allowing the steaks to rest for 20 minutes. If you want to marinate, drizzle the mixture of oil, vinegar, and Worcester sauce on the steaks and leave preferably for 6-8 hours. In this case, you can set the marinade aside to use when grilling the steaks.
- Preheat your barbecue or grill over high heat.
- Take the meat out of the marinade (if you chose to marinate), but keep the marinade aside.
- Sear the meat for 3 minutes on both sides.
- Close the hood and cook the meat to medium or as you prefer. You can brush the marinade set aside while cooking the steak.
- Serve with sliced butter or composite butter on top.
How to cook chuckwagon steak in the oven
STEP 1 – PREPARE THE STEAKS
- Prepare the steaks by seasoning them with all the spices of your choice e.g. garlic cloves, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Allow the steaks to rest undisturbed with the spices for at least 20 minutes or optionally besides the spices also add the ingredients for the (vegetable oil, vinegar, and Worchester sauce) preferably for 6-8 hours
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
- Take the meat out of the marinade (if you chose to marinate).
- Sear the meat in the skillet for 3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Check the level of doneness by testing the internal temperature and cook in the oven until they’re cooked the way you like them.
- Let the meat rest for 5-7 minutes.
- Slice the butter and serve on top of the steaks.
Tips & Variations
- Seasoning: Experiment with different seasoning blends and spice rubs to add unique flavors to your Chuckwagon Steak. Try a smoky barbecue rub, a spicy Cajun seasoning, or a savory garlic and herb mixture.
- Marinating: Consider marinating the chuck eye roll steaks for a few hours or overnight before cooking. This can add extra flavor and tenderness to the meat. Choose a marinade that complements the beef, such as a mixture of soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and herbs.
- Resting Time: Allow the steaks to rest at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before cooking. This helps them cook more evenly and results in a juicier final product.
- Temperature Control: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the steaks reach your desired level of doneness. The internal temperature for medium-rare is around 130ยฐF (54ยฐC), medium is around 140ยฐF (60ยฐC), and medium-well is around 150ยฐF (65ยฐC).
- Searing: Use a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet or a preheated grill for optimal searing.
- Smoked Chuckwagon Steak: For a smoky twist, try smoking the Chuckwagon Steak. Use a smoker or a grill with smoking capabilities, following the manufacturer’s instructions. This adds a rich, smoky flavor to the meat that complements its robust nature.
How to Serve Chuckwagon Steak
- Sauce Options: Serve the steak with a delicious sauce on the side. Consider making a homemade chimichurri sauce, a creamy peppercorn sauce, or a tangy barbecue sauce to complement the beef.
- Grilled Vegetables: Add some grilled vegetables alongside the steak for a complete meal. Toss vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and onions with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and grill them until tender and slightly charred.
- Steak Toppings: Elevate your Chuckwagon Steak with delicious toppings. You can substitute the butter with mushroom composite butter, caramelized onions on sautรฉed mushrooms on top of the hot steak for extra flavor.
- Serve with a refreshing beverage like iced tea or a cold beer to complement the robust flavors of the steak.
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Chuckwagon Steak
Ingredients
- 2 Beef chuck eye roll steaks - 2 - 2.5 lbs 1 1/2 inch thick
- TO PREPARE THE STEAKS
- Vegetable oil - 2 tablespoons optional for marination and/or sealing in skillet
- Wine vinegar - 1/3 cup optional for marination
- Garlic cloves - 2 cloves chopped
- Worcestershire sauce - 2 teaspoons optional for marination
- Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
- Rosemary - 1/2 teaspoon
- Ground pepper - 1/3 teaspoon
- TO SERVE
- Unsalted Butter - 2 tablespoons or the compound butter of your choice.
Instructions
- How to cook chuckwagon steak on the grill
- STEP 1 - PREPARE THE STEAKS
- Prepare the steaks by seasoning them with garlic cloves, rosemary, salt, pepper, and any other seasoning you like allowing the steaks to rest for 20 minutes. If you want to marinate, drizzle the mixture of oil, vinegar, and Worcester sauce on the steaks and leave preferably for 6-8 hours. In this case, you can set the marinade aside to use when grilling the steaks.
- Preheat your barbecue or grill over high heat.
- Take the meat out of the marinade (if you chose to marinate), but keep the marinade aside.
- Sear the meat for 3 minutes on both sides.
- Close the hood and cook the meat to medium or as you prefer. You can brush the marinade set aside while cooking the steak.
- Serve with sliced butter or composite butter on top.
- How to cook chuckwagon steak in the oven
- STEP 1 - PREPARE THE STEAKS
- Prepare the steaks by seasoning them with all the spices of your choice e.g. garlic cloves, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Allow the steaks to rest undisturbed with the spices for at least 20 minutes or optionally besides the spices also add the ingredients for the (vegetable oil, vinegar, and Worchester sauce) preferably for 6-8 hours
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
- Take the meat out of the marinade (if you chose to marinate).
- Sear the meat in the skillet for 3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Check the level of doneness by testing the internal temperature and cook in the oven until they're cooked the way you like them.
- Let the meat rest for 5-7 minutes.
- Slice the butter and serve on top of the steaks.
