Dinner

Chimichurri-Style Steak Sarnies & Spicy Cajun Fries Recipe

ByEthan Lark November 24, 2025November 24, 2025

Introduction

These chimichurri-style steak sarnies paired with cheat’s spicy fries make for a flavorful and satisfying meal. Juicy rump steak, vibrant herb sauce, and zesty chipotle mayo come together in crusty ciabatta rolls, while crispy Cajun fries add the perfect spicy crunch.

The image shows an open steak sandwich on a white long piece of bread, cut in half horizontally. The bottom layer of the sandwich has a light beige creamy sauce spread evenly, topped with medium-rare sliced steak pieces that have a pink center and browned edges. On top of the steak are vibrant green arugula leaves and dollops of a bright green sauce. Next to the sandwich is the other half of the loaf with a crispy, golden crust and flour dusting. To the left is a bowl full of golden, crispy French fries with light brown seasoning. Above the fries is a small white bowl with a thick bright green sauce and a silver spoon inside. The entire setup is on a rustic brown wooden board placed on a white marbled surface. A knife with a wooden handle lies beside the board. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 x 200g rump steaks, fat removed
2 long ciabatta rolls
2 handfuls of rocket
30ml sunflower oil
270g shop-bought frozen fries
Cajun spice mix
70g mayonnaise
1 tsp chipotle chilli paste
½ lime, zested and juiced
1 banana shallot, peeled and roughly chopped
1 red chilli, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
1½ tbsp sherry vinegar
Small bunch of parsley
Small bunch of coriander
50ml extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to its highest setting. Pour the sunflower oil into a baking tray and place it in the oven for 15 minutes to heat.
Step 2: Reduce the oven temperature to 220°C (200°C fan/gas mark 8). Tip the frozen fries into the hot oil, turning them to coat evenly. Bake for 20 minutes.
Step 3: Sprinkle the Cajun spice mix over the fries, then return to the oven for another 15 minutes until golden and crisp.
Step 4: Meanwhile, mix the mayonnaise, chipotle chilli paste, lime zest and juice, banana shallot, red chilli, and crushed garlic together in a bowl. Set aside.
Step 5: For the chimichurri sauce, blend the parsley, coriander, sherry vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Taste and season as needed, then set aside.
Step 6: Heat a griddle pan over high heat. Rub the steaks with salt (avoid pepper to prevent burning), then cook for 3 minutes on each side for medium doneness.
Step 7: Remove the steaks from the pan, cover with foil, and let them rest for 10 minutes.
Step 8: Slice the ciabatta rolls in half and toast cut-side down in the same griddle pan until golden. Spread one half of each roll with the chipotle mayo.
Step 9: Slice the rested steak into strips, divide evenly between the ciabatta rolls, drizzle over the chimichurri sauce, and add some rocket leaves.
Step 10: Serve the steak sarnies with the spicy fries and any extra chipotle mayo on the side.

Tips & Variations

For extra tender steak, bring it to room temperature before cooking.
Swap rocket for baby spinach or watercress if preferred.
Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice to the chimichurri for a brighter flavor.
Use sweet potato fries as a tasty alternative to regular fries.

Storage

Store leftover steak sarnies and fries in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat the fries in a hot oven to regain crispiness, and warm the steak sarnies in the oven or enjoy cold. The chimichurri sauce can be kept separately for up to 3 days.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of an open steak sandwich on a wooden board. The sandwich has three layers: the bottom layer is a toasted white bread slice with a light spread of creamy sauce, the middle layer consists of medium-rare sliced steak pieces with a rich red inside and browned outside, and the top layer is bright green arugula leaves and dollops of green herb sauce. Next to the sandwich is a whole ciabatta roll with a crusty, golden-brown top. To the left, there is a white plate filled with golden, crispy French fries with some dark seasoning. Above the fries, a small white bowl contains more green sauce with a silver spoon inside. The background is a white marbled surface. A serrated knife with a wooden handle lies below the sandwich. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of steak?

Yes, sirloin or ribeye steaks work well too. Adjust cooking time according to thickness and preferred doneness.

How spicy are the fries and mayo?

The Cajun spice and chipotle paste add a mild to moderate heat. Adjust the amount of chilli paste or omit if you prefer less spice.

Ethan Lark