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Have you ever tried hanger steak? One of the best things about having a butcher close by who knows a thing or two about meat is that we are often inspired to try cuts that would otherwise be unfamiliar to us.
Hanger steak is one of those cuts.
What is hanger steak?
Also known as a “butcher’s steak”, the hanger steak “hangs” down from a steer’s diaphragm, the plate, between the brisket and the flank (according to the Wikipedia). It’s one of the most flavorful cuts of beef.
Shopping for Hanger Steak
Hanger steak is sold either whole, looking somewhat like a “V”, or trimmed of the center gristle, in which case they resemble a tenderloin. If you get a whole piece, make sure to cut away and discard the center main gristle that connects the two tenderloin-ish pieces.
If hanger steak isn’t available where you are, you might want to try this recipe with a flank or skirt steak.
How to Cook Hanger Steak
Hanger steak is highly flavorful but isn’t perfectly tender, so it responds well to quick cooking with searing heat. Simply heat a skillet with oil over high heat, sear the steaks on all sides, and cook until done to your preference.
Hanger steak is best served sliced thinly across the grain.
What to Serve with Hanger Steak
This recipe calls for a delicious shallot sauce drizzled on top of the sliced steak. We picked up the recipe from our local butcher at Corti Brothers who in turn got it from Chef Daniel Boulud. According to Chef Boulud, French bistros traditionally serve this hanger steak along with pommes frites (French fries).
We passed on the fries and went with broccoli and boiled potatoes. Outstanding! And very easy to make.
More Great Steak Recipes
- Quick and Easy Pan-Fried Flank Steak
- Peppercorn Steak
- How to Grill the Best Steak
- Skirt Steak with Avocado Chimichurri
- Sous Vide Steak
Hanger Steak with Shallots Recipe
If hanger steak isn't available where you are, you might want to try this recipe with a flank or skirt steak.
Hanger steak is sold either whole, looking somewhat like a "V", or trimmed of the center gristle, in which case they resemble a tenderloin. If you get a whole piece, make sure to cut away and discard the center main gristle that connects the 2 tenderloin-ish pieces.
Recipe adapted from Daniel Boulud's Cafe Boulud Cookbook: French-American Recipes for the Home Cook.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon canola oil or extra virgin olive oil
- 4 hanger steaks, 6-8 ounces each (trimmed of main gristle running through center)
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 medium shallots, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped Italian parsley
Method
1 Sear the steaks on all sides: Heat oil in a large heavy-bottomed skillet or sauté pan over high heat. Pat the steaks dry with a paper towel and season them with salt and pepper.
When the pan is hot, place the steaks into the pan, and brown them on all sides. (Do not move the steak pieces until they have browned on one side, if you move them, they won't brown easily.)
2 Cook until done to your preference, remove from pan: Continue to turn them until they are cooked to your preference, 6 minutes total for medium-rare (the steaks will continue to cook as they rest), a few minutes longer for more well done.
Transfer the steaks to a warm dish and cover them with foil and let them rest while you prepare the sauce.
3 Make the sauce: Reduce the heat to medium, add a tablespoon of butter and the shallots. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring frequently until the shallots are softened, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Add the vinegar and cook until it boils away, then add the wine.
Bring the wine to a boil and let reduce to about half. Remove pan from heat, stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter and the chopped parsley.
4 Slice steaks across the grain to serve: To serve, cut each steak across the grain into thin slices. Fan the slices out on a warm dinner plate. Drizzle the warm shallot sauce over the meat and serve immediately.
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Elise Bauer is the founder of Simply Recipes. Elise launched Simply Recipes in 2003 as a way to keep track of her family's recipes, and along the way grew it into one of the most popular cooking websites in the world. Elise is dedicated to helping home cooks be successful in the kitchen. Elise is a graduate of Stanford University, and lives in Sacramento, California.
Hanger Steak with Shallots
OMG! This just reminded me of how much I miss Corti Bros since moving out of California! My absolute favorite specialty store!
great recipe
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I saw this recipe this Saturday, after purchasing a prime hanger from the local butcher. (Also took a prime skirt and brisket.) The directions on cutting the steak into mini-filets were spot on. Thanks so much. The recipe was great.
I made this for my boyfriend last week and it was delicious!!! In addition also made your cucumber-mint salad and blueberry cake and it all turned out so wonderfully. Thank you again for this amazing website!
I made this last night and it was a wonderful. My local whole foods does not carry hanger steak, but the butcher suggested skirt steak as an alternative. The cut of meat was considerably thinner, so 2.5 minutes on each side and the steak came out medium rare (medium in the thinner sections) Also, I realized at the last minute that I already drank the red I thought I had on hand. (oops!) So I was forced to use some white wine as a substitute. The sauce was buttery and flavorful nonetheless.
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