Peter Luger Steakhouse, a legendary name in the steak world, is synonymous with quality and flavor. While a trip to this iconic New York establishment might not always be on the cards, bringing the essence of their famous steak to your own kitchen is absolutely achievable. This Peter Luger Steakhouse Style Steak recipe guides you through creating a juicy, flavorful steak, reminiscent of the unforgettable experience at Peter Luger’s. We’ll focus on simple techniques and quality ingredients to deliver a steak that’s sure to impress.
Recreating Peter Luger’s Steak at Home
The secret to a truly exceptional steak, Peter Luger style or otherwise, lies in a few key steps: quality meat, proper seasoning, and precise cooking. This recipe emphasizes these fundamentals, ensuring you can achieve steakhouse-level results with readily available equipment and ingredients. Forget complicated methods; we’re focusing on techniques that enhance the natural flavors of the beef, culminating in a tender, juicy steak with a perfectly crisp crust.
The Brine: The Foundation of Flavor
Before we even think about cooking, we start with a dry brine. This simple step is crucial for drawing out moisture and then allowing the steak to reabsorb it, seasoned from the inside out. Generously salting your chosen cut of steak—whether it’s a ribeye, porterhouse, or New York strip—with coarse sea salt is the first step towards Peter Luger perfection.
For the best results, plan ahead and let your salted steak dry brine in the refrigerator overnight. If time is short, even a minimum of 40 minutes will make a noticeable difference in the steak’s tenderness and flavor. This brining process is what sets the stage for a truly juicy and flavorful Peter Luger Steakhouse style experience.
Garlic Butter: Peter Luger’s Flavor Enhancer
Peter Luger Steakhouse is famed for its simple yet impactful garlic butter, generously drizzled over their sizzling steaks. Our homemade version captures that same essence with just a handful of ingredients. Melted clarified butter forms the base, infused with the pungent aroma of garlic paste, the savory depth of Worcestershire sauce, and a touch of kosher salt to balance the flavors.
This garlic butter is more than just a finishing touch; it’s an integral part of the Peter Luger Steakhouse experience. It adds richness, moisture, and a signature savory note that elevates the steak to another level.
Cooking Your Peter Luger Style Steak to Perfection
Now for the exciting part: cooking the steak! To replicate the high-heat sear of Peter Luger Steakhouse, we aim for intense temperatures. A pizza oven, preheated to a scorching 850ºF for direct cooking, is ideal. If you don’t have a pizza oven, a broiler or salamander grill will also deliver excellent results, mimicking the intense top-down heat needed for a perfect crust.
High Heat is Key: Pizza Oven, Broiler, or Salamander
The high heat is crucial for achieving that signature Peter Luger Steakhouse crust—a deeply browned exterior that seals in the juices and provides a delightful textural contrast to the tender interior. Before cooking, allow your brined steak to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes. This helps ensure more even cooking throughout.
Place the steaks on a wire baking sheet and slide them into your preheated pizza oven, broiler, or salamander. Cook for 2 minutes, rotating the steaks after 1 minute to ensure even searing. Flip the steaks and cook for another 2 minutes on the other side, creating a beautiful crust on both sides.
Slicing and Butter Bath: The Signature Finish
The final flourish in creating a Peter Luger Steakhouse style steak is the slicing and butter bath. After the initial high-heat sear, remove the steaks and slice them into generous, finger-sized pieces.
Transfer these slices to a cast iron skillet, a high-heat ceramic dish, or even a fajita skillet. Arrange the slices snugly together, minimizing any exposed red meat. This helps retain moisture and ensures the butter bath fully coats the steak.
Generously drizzle the prepared garlic butter over the sliced steak, ensuring every piece is thoroughly coated. This “butter bath” is what truly infuses the steak with that signature Peter Luger flavor and keeps it incredibly moist.
Return the skillet to the pizza oven (or broiler/salamander) to finish cooking the steak to your desired level of doneness. Remember, the oven is still extremely hot, so the final cooking time will be brief.
Temperature Guide for Your Ideal Doneness
Achieving the perfect level of doneness is crucial. Use this timetable as a guide, keeping in mind that these are estimates due to the intense heat.
- Rare: 45 seconds to 1.5 minutes
- Medium Rare: 1.5-2 minutes
- Medium: 2-2.5 minutes
- Medium Well: 2.5-3 minutes
- Well Done: 3+ minutes
These times are approximate, so monitor your steak closely to ensure it reaches your preferred level of doneness.
Once cooked to your liking, remove the Peter Luger Steakhouse style steak from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful steak. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley for a touch of freshness and visual appeal.
Bringing the iconic taste of Peter Luger Steakhouse to your home kitchen is easier than you might think. With quality steak, a simple brine, flavorful garlic butter, and high-heat cooking, you can recreate this legendary steakhouse experience and savor a truly exceptional meal.
