Description

This Easy Steak Sandwich recipe combines tender shaved steak sautéed with caramelized onions, melted Monterey jack cheese, and peppery arugula on lightly toasted ciabatta bread spread with zesty Lemon Basil Aioli. It’s a quick and flavorful sandwich perfect for lunch or a casual dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Steak and Onions

2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 pound shaved steak
1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt (divided)

For the Sandwich

4 slices Monterey jack cheese (or your favorite cheese)
1 ciabatta loaf, cut into 4 pieces or use baguette
¼ cup Lemon Basil Aioli (divided) or mayonnaise as substitute
1 ½ cups arugula (divided)

Instructions

Sauté Onions: Heat a large non-stick pan over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the thinly sliced onions and ½ teaspoon of kosher salt. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning, until onions are slightly caramelized. Remove the onions to a bowl and set aside.
Cook Steak: Increase heat to high in the same pan. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, the shaved steak, and the remaining 1 teaspoon of kosher salt. Sauté the steak for about 5 minutes or until browned.
Combine Steak and Onions: Remove the pan from heat and add the caramelized onions back in with the steak. Stir well to combine the flavors evenly.
Prepare Bread and Assemble: Cut the ciabatta into 4 equal pieces and then each piece in half. Lightly toast the bread pieces. Spread Lemon Basil Aioli on both sides of each bread piece. On one half of the bread, add the steak and onion mixture, then top with a slice of Monterey jack cheese.
Melt Cheese and Final Assembly: Place the assembled sandwich halves in a toaster oven and toast for a few minutes until the cheese melts beautifully. Once melted, remove the sandwich from the oven, top with arugula, cover with the other bread half, and cut the sandwich in half to serve. Enjoy!

Notes

You can substitute Lemon Basil Aioli with regular mayonnaise or garlic aioli for different flavor profiles.
For a spicier variant, add a few dashes of hot sauce or sliced jalapeños.
Use freshly shaved steak from the butcher for best texture, or thinly slice your own from steak cuts like ribeye or sirloin.
Toasting the bread lightly before assembling helps keep the sandwich from becoming soggy.
Serve immediately while the cheese is hot and melted for best enjoyment.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Sandwich
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: steak sandwich, easy steak sandwich, shaved steak recipe, sandwich with caramelized onions, Monterey jack cheese sandwich