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Do you ever have a great memory that makes a recipe special? This one is it for us.  This steak sandwich came about on a trip to visit our brother in Chile.  He and my sister in-law (A & W) made this delicious sandwich using the cut of steak local to there, which I likened to either a flank or skirt steak.  It turns out, in Chile, the cut of meat is called entraña (actually like skirt or hanger steak).  This steak sandwich is so flavorful, complimented by a savory garlic aioli sauce, that it is unforgettable.  Try it, you will see!

steak sandwich ingredients laid out on a wood board: grilled flank steak, toasted buns, an avocado cut in half, and a small bowl of pesto aioli

The Steak Sandwich Ingredients

Once I tried to replicate this at home,  I decided flank steak is the best alternative to entraña here in the States.  I find skirt steak can be unpredictable, which can affect how tender it is.  Since this is a sandwich with slices of meat, I like to use flank so I know it will be super tender and easy to chew.  If you have a reliable skirt steak, go for it!  I think the outcome could be similar if it’s of good quality.

My local grocery store butcher will tenderize this meat for me, which I find to also be very helpful for a sandwich like this.  You might check if yours can do the same or you can also tenderize it yourself to make it easier to absorb the flavor and easier to eat on a sandwich.

In addition to your cut of preferred tender steak, you will need sea salt, ground pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. For serving, you will also need an onion, Brioche buns, garlic salt, butter, and finally avocado slices.

How to Make this Steak Sandwich

Since the meat is tenderized, I don’t have to spend as much time marinating this meat as I do for other meals.  At the same time, it doesn’t hurt to marinate it for up to 24 hours in advance.  It can only help!

If the meat is in the full size flank steak, I think it’s best to cut it in half so it will be roughly the sandwich size when it is grilled.

tenderized flank steak marinating in a flat dish

First, make the marinade.  This is a simple marinade as we don’t want to compete with the pesto aioli.  Mix olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, freshly ground salt and pepper together in a dish.  Next, spread the marinade evenly over the meat on both sides in a glass pyrex dish.   Marinate in the fridge up until one our before grilling.  If you are grilling within an hour, let it rest outside the fridge at room temperature.  It’s best to grill meat at room temperature.  See grilling tips as needed.

While the meat is resting, you can prepare the pesto aioli and sautéed onions.

The Pesto Aioli Sauce

In a small bowl or glass measuring cup, combine 1/2 cup mayo, 1 – 2 cloves pressed garlic, and 2 – 3 tBS pre made pesto, salt and pepper to taste.  Mix and then be sure to taste, checking for ample salt, pepper, and garlic.

Sauteed onions in a pan

Sautéed Onions

Cut onion into thin slices. Then, sauté in 2 TBS olive oil until browned over medium high heat.

Finally, the Buns

Turn oven to broil.  Then, lay buns face up on a baking sheet.  Next, spread butter over the inside of each bun & sprinkle with a little bit of garlic salt.  Now, broil until lightly browned.

Assembling your Steak Sandwich

Cut avocados into thin slices. Then, make the sandwich!

Spread the pesto aioli on the bottom of each bun.  Then,  layer the steak, avocado, and sautéed onions on top.  Lastly, top with other side of the bun and SERVE!

A prepared steak sandwich, toasted bun with grilled steak slices, avocado slices, and sauteed onions

Serve this Steak Sandwich With…

So many side dishes work with this steak sandwich.  Something simple like roasted mini potatoes or roasted broccoli work beautifully.  Also, any favorite salad would provide a great compliment to this steak sandwich.  Try it with our favorite summer spinach salad, the kale bacon avocado salad, or the grilled corn salad.

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steak sandwich ingredients laid out on a wood board: grilled flank steak, toasted buns, an avocado cut in half, and a small bowl of pesto aioli

A & W Flank Steak Sandwich


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  • Author: Gnarly Roots
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

This tender steak sandwich is so flavorful, complimented by a savory garlic aoli sauce, that it is unforgettable.


Ingredients

Scale

Steak:

  • 1 lb flank steak or good quality skirt steak
  • freshly ground sea salt
  • freshly ground pepper
  • 4 TBS Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 TBS olive oil
  • 1 onion
  • 46 brioche burger buns or fresh bakery buns (meat should be enough for 6)
  • butter
  • garlic salt
  • 1 avocado

Pesto Sauce:

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 23 TBS favorite pre-made or homemade pesto
  • 12 garlic cloves
  • fresh salt & pepper

Instructions

Steak Marinade

  1. First make the marinade.  Mix olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, freshly ground salt and pepper together in a dish.
  2. Then spread marinade evenly over the meat on both sides in a glass pyrex dish.
  3. Marinate in the fridge up until one our before grilling.  If you are grilling within an hour, let it rest outside the fridge at room temperature. ***It’s best to grill meat at room temperature.  See grilling tips as needed.
  4. While the meat is resting, prepare the pesto aioli and sautéed onions.

Pesto Aioli Sauce

  1. Combine 1/2 cup mayo, 1 – 2 cloves pressed garlic, and 2 – 3 tBS pre made pesto, salt and pepper.
  2. Mix and taste to check for ample salt, pepper, and garlic.

Sautéed Onions

  1. Cut onion into thin slices
  2. Sauté the sliced onions in 2 TBS olive oil until browned over medium high heat.

Buns

  1. Turn oven to broil.
  2. Then, lay buns face up on a baking sheet.
  3. Next, spread butter over the inside of each bun & sprinkle with a little bit of garlic salt.
  4. Finally, broil until lightly browned.

Assembling the Sandwich

  1. Slice avocados into thin slices.
  2. Spread the pesto aioli on the bottom of each bun.
  3. Layer the steak, avocado, and sautéed onions on top, and the other side of the bun and SERVE!
  • Prep Time: 20
  • Cook Time: 15

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