Satisfying Your Carnivore Cravings with a Habit Steak Sandwich
The carnivore diet has surged in popularity recently, with devotees claiming that only eating meat provides weight loss, disease-fighting, and other health benefits. However, completely eliminating fruits, vegetables, grains, and other plants is an extreme approach that lacks scientific research. A more sensible option is to occasionally indulge your carnivore cravings with a satisfying habit steak sandwich, while still maintaining a balanced diet.
Choosing High-Quality Ingredients
The foundation of any stellar steak sandwich is high-quality ingredients. Splurge on the best cuts of red meat you can find, like ribeye, New York strip, or filet mignon. Look for steaks that are well-marbled for maximum juicy flavor. For the bun, pick a crusty artisan baguette or ciabatta loaf. Pair your steak with melted cheeses like cheddar, Swiss, or provolone for a savory flavor boost.
Seasoning Your Steak Perfectly
Proper seasoning makes all the difference in bringing out the flavor of your steak. For the best crust, coat both sides of the steak generously with coarse salt and black pepper. Let the seasoned meat rest for at least 30 minutes and up to overnight before cooking. The salt will draw out moisture to tenderize the steak while dissolving and reabsorbing into the meat. Other tasty seasoning options include garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, chili powder, or cayenne pepper.
Searing the Steak to Perfection
Get your skillet or grill extremely hot before adding your steak. Use high heat to quickly sear the outside, developing that flavorful, caramelized crust. Flip the steak only once during cooking to avoid losing juices. Use a meat thermometer to check for your desired level of doneness. While many hardcore carnivores prefer rare steak, cooking to medium allows the fat to render for a more tender, juicy interior. Let the steak rest at least 5 minutes before slicing against the grain into strips.
Caramelizing the Onions
For a touch of sweetness, caramelize some onions and peppers to pile on your sandwich. Thinly slice an onion and bell pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and peppers and cook low and slow. Sprinkle with a pinch of sugar to accelerate browning. Continue sautéing 30-40 minutes until deep golden brown, sweet, and soft.
Picking Perfect Cheese Pairings
The right cheese takes your steak sandwich to the next level. Sharp cheddar adds punchy flavor. Nutty Gruyere or Swiss provide rich, melty goodness. Provolone or mozzarella offer mildness to balance the beef. Get creative mixing cheeses too. Layer slices directly on your steak before serving to allow the heat to melt the cheese into ooey-gooey deliciousness.
Toasting the Bread to Perfection
A crispy, toasted bun keeps your habit steak sandwich from getting soggy. Choose a crusty artisan bread like ciabatta or baguette and slice it lengthwise. Drizzle the cut sides with olive oil or butter. Toast the bread in a hot skillet, under the broiler, or on the grill until golden brown. The toast should be sturdy enough to stand up to the juicy steak without falling apart.
Crafting the Perfect Sandwich
Now it’s time to assemble your perfectly crafted habit steak sandwich. Spread the toasted bun halves with tangy mustard or creamy horseradish sauce. Layer the cooked steak strips evenly over the bottom half. Top with the melted cheese, caramelized onions and peppers, tomato slices, and crisp lettuce or arugula. Set the top half of the bun in place. Insert toothpicks around the perimeter to keep the hefty sandwich from sliding apart. Slice in half diagonally and serve immediately.
Choosing Killer Condiments
Take your habit steak sandwich to new heights with zesty condiments. Spicy brown mustard, creamy horseradish, chimichurri, and roasted garlic aioli all complement the rich meatiness. Red wine reduction or balsamic glaze add a touch of sweetness. Tap into your carnivore cravings by dolloping on extra bacon jam or blue cheese crumbles too. The options are limitless for dressing up your sandwich.
Warming Up with a Side Soup
Enjoy your hearty steak sandwich with a steaming bowl of soup for dunking. Rich French onion soup is a classic choice. For lighter options, try tomato bisque, roasted butternut squash soup, or a savory seafood-based chowder. Chili, vegetable barley, or chicken noodle soups also make tasty pairings. Dip your sandwich edges into the soup between bites for added flavor and comfort.
Cooking Your Steak on the Grill
Grilling adds incredible smoky essence to steak. Prepare your grill by heating until very hot. Use tongs to rub the grates with an oiled paper towel. Place the steak over direct heat and let it sear undisturbed to develop grill marks. Flip once and continue cooking to your desired doneness. Move the steak over indirect heat if flare-ups occur. Allow it to rest before slicing and building your habit steak sandwich.
Potential Benefits and Drawbacks of an All-Meat Diet
Chowing down on a habit steak sandwich may awaken your inner carnivore. But is following an all-meat diet like the carnivore diet really healthy long-term? Here’s a look at some of the proposed benefits and potential drawbacks according to experts.
Possible Benefits of an All-Meat Diet
Proponents claim there are several benefits to eliminating plants and eating only meat:
- May promote weight loss due to high protein and fat
- Reduces exposure to plant compounds and anti-nutrients
- Provides all essential amino acids for building muscle
- May improve digestive issues for those intolerant to plant foods
- Can reduce inflammation markers for some people
Potential Drawbacks and Health Risks
However, experts warn there are many potential downsides to exclusively eating meat long-term:
- Lacks vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from plants
- May lead to nutritional deficiencies over time
- Higher saturated fat intake raises heart disease risk
- Increases cancer risk from processed and charred meats
- Often unsustainable for normal social life and budgets
- Can exacerbate kidney problems, gout, and osteoporosis
Safer Approach to Occasional Meat-Based Meals
Rather than eliminating all plant foods, a more realistic strategy is to occasionally indulge meat cravings through dishes like a habit steak sandwich while still eating a balanced diet. Load up on antioxidant-rich vegetables at other meals and snack on fruits and nuts for fiber, vitamins, and healthy fats. This allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Tips for Preparing Your Own Habit Steak Sandwich
Ready to sink your teeth into a seriously sensational habit steak sandwich? Follow these tips for steak sandwich success:
Select the Best Steak Cuts
Choose excellently marbled cuts like ribeye, strip steak, or filet mignon for the most flavor and tenderness. Or opt for cheaper steaks like flank, skirt, or hanger steak minimized with proper seasoning and cooking.
Cook the Steak Correctly
Use high heat to sear the exterior then cook to medium or medium rare doneness for a tender, juicy interior. Let the cooked steak rest before slicing against the grain into thin strips.
Caramelize the Onions and Peppers
Slowly caramelize onions and bell peppers in olive oil with a touch of sugar to pile on your sandwich. Their sweetness balances the beef.
Toast the Bread Properly
Choose a crusty artisan loaf and toast the halves until crispy. This prevents your habit steak sandwich from getting soggy.
Use Creative Seasonings and Toppings
Spice up your steak with seasoned salts, peppers, chimichurri, horseradish, and hot sauces. Get creative with cheese choices too. Top with caramelized veggies, tomatoes, lettuce, and condiments.
Pair It With a Hearty Side
Serve your sandwich with fries, house salad, or a dipping soup like French onion or tomato bisque for a satisfying meal.
Alternative Meat Sandwich Ideas to Try
While habit steak sandwiches are a carnivore favorite, you can use other meats to satisfy your sandwich cravings as well. Get inspired by these creative recipes:
Pulled Pork Sandwich
Slow cook a pork shoulder in barbecue sauce then shred and pile onto buns with pickled slaw. Sweet and tangy!
French Dip Sandwich
Sauté sliced roast beef and load into a baguette. Serve au jus for luscious dipping.
Cubano Sandwich
Layer sliced ham, pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard between crusty Cuban bread and press panini-style.
Chicken Parmesan Sandwich
Bread crispy fried chicken cutlets, tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella for Italian flavor.
Meatball Sub
Simmer beef or turkey meatballs in tomato sauce, then spoon into a toasted hoagie roll.
Bánh Mì Sandwich
Fill a Vietnamese baguette with sliced pork, pâté, pickled vegetables, cilantro, and spicy mayo.
Italian Beef Sandwich
Season roasted beef with Italian spices. Slice thinly and pile into bread. Offer au jus and spicy giardiniera peppers.
Safely Incorporating More Meat Into Your Diet
Even without going full carnivore, adding more high-quality meat to your diet offers benefits like better satiety and muscle repair. Follow these tips to healthfully work in more meat-based meals:
- Limit red meat intake to a few times per week at most.
- Choose lean cuts of beef and pork when possible.
- Remove skin and excess fat from poultry before cooking.
- Opt for grass-fed, pasture-raised, and organic meats when you can.
- Use safe handling, cooking, and storage methods to avoid illness.
- Pair meat dishes with plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts and healthy fats.
- Watch your sodium intake to keep blood pressure in check.
With balance and moderation, you can certainly indulge your meat cravings safely. Just don't overdo it! Occasionally enjoying carnivore creations like a habit steak sandwich can be part of a varied, healthy diet.