Tamarind Date Hanger Steak with Crispy Shallots finished and ready to serve

Tamarind Date Hanger Steak with Crispy Shallots

Save, rate, and make it yours

Optional account features. You can still read every recipe without logging in.

Your rating
Quick Answer

Tamarind Date Hanger Steak sears hanger steak and pairs it with a sweet-tart tamarind-date pan sauce and a pile of crispy fried shallots.

Jump to Recipe

Hanger steak is the butcher's secret — intensely beefy, wildly tender when cooked right, and built to stand up to a bold sauce. This one leans on tamarind for tang and dates for a deep caramel sweetness, mashed together into a glossy sauce that clings to every slice.

Fry the shallots first so they're crisp and waiting, then use that same pan to sear the steak and build the sauce. The crunchy shallots on top aren't optional — they're the textural payoff that makes the whole plate sing.

Prep20 minutes
Cook20 minutes
Total40 minutes
Serves4 servings
DifficultyMedium

Ingredients

  • 1½ pounds hanger steak, center membrane removed
  • 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • ¾ teaspoon ground coriander
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil
  • ⅓ cup pitted Medjool dates, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons tamarind concentrate
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • ½ cup beef stock
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 2 large shallots, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup neutral oil, for frying

Instructions

  1. 1Season the hanger steak with salt, coriander, and pepper.
  2. 2Heat ½ cup oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Fry the shallots for 4–6 minutes until crisp. Drain and season lightly with salt.
  3. 3Heat a heavy skillet over high heat with 1 tablespoon oil. Sear the steak for 4–5 minutes per side, until 125–130°F. Rest for 8 minutes.
  4. 4Add the dates, tamarind, fish sauce, lime juice, stock, and brown sugar to the skillet. Simmer for 4–5 minutes, mashing the dates into the sauce.
  5. 5Slice the steak across the grain. Spoon over the sauce and finish with crispy shallots.

Pro Tips

  • Remove the tough center membrane from the hanger before cooking, or ask your butcher to. Left in, it's chewy and keeps the steak from cooking evenly.
  • Fry the shallots low and slow until golden, then pull them the second they color — they go from crisp to burnt in seconds.
  • Mash the dates into the sauce as it simmers. They melt down into a natural thickener and give the sauce its body.

Substitutions

tamarind concentrate → 1 tablespoon lime juice plus 1 tablespoon Worcestershire You approximate the sweet-sour tang; add it gradually and taste.
Medjool dates → dried figs or 2 tablespoons date syrup Figs bring seeds and sweetness; date syrup melts in instantly.
hanger steak → flat iron or sirloin steak Both are tender and beefy; adjust the sear time to thickness.

Storage Instructions

Store leftover steak and sauce in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; keep the crispy shallots separate at room temperature so they stay crunchy. Reheat the steak gently.

Make Ahead

Fry the shallots a day ahead and store them airtight at room temperature. The date-tamarind sauce can be made a day ahead and rewarmed with a splash of stock. Sear the steak fresh.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Tamarind Date Hanger Steak with Crispy Shallots ahead of time?

Fry the shallots a day ahead and store them airtight at room temperature. The date-tamarind sauce can be made a day ahead and rewarmed with a splash of stock. Sear the steak fresh.

How do I store leftover Tamarind Date Hanger Steak with Crispy Shallots?

Store leftover steak and sauce in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; keep the crispy shallots separate at room temperature so they stay crunchy. Reheat the steak gently.

Can I freeze Tamarind Date Hanger Steak with Crispy Shallots?

The sauce freezes well for up to 2 months. Cooked hanger steak can be frozen but is best fresh, and crispy shallots don't freeze — make those fresh.

What should I serve with Tamarind Date Hanger Steak with Crispy Shallots?

Jasmine rice or coconut rice soaks up the sauce, and a crisp herb salad with mint and cilantro balances the richness. Lime wedges brighten every bite.

Can I adjust Tamarind Date Hanger Steak with Crispy Shallots for the ingredients I actually have?

Yes. The Substitutions section on this page covers the swaps that actually hold up. Keep the sear-and-rest order the same and you have room to adjust the flavors around it.

What is the most common mistake when making Tamarind Date Hanger Steak with Crispy Shallots?

Remove the tough center membrane from the hanger before cooking, or ask your butcher to. Left in, it's chewy and keeps the steak from cooking evenly.

How long does Tamarind Date Hanger Steak with Crispy Shallots take?

About 40 minutes from start to finish, including 20 minutes of active cooking. Most of it is hands-on, so plan to stay near the stove.

You Might Also Like

Yuzu Kosho Filet Mignon with Brown Butter Yuzu Kosho Filet Mignon with Brown Butter Coffee Ancho Sirloin with Cherry Pan Sauce Coffee Ancho Sirloin with Cherry Pan Sauce Vietnamese Caramel Skirt Steak Vietnamese Caramel Skirt Steak Charred Scallion Chimichurri Denver Steak Charred Scallion Chimichurri Denver Steak Kimchi Blue Cheese Strip Steak Kimchi Blue Cheese Strip Steak Blood Orange Mojo Skirt Steak Blood Orange Mojo Skirt Steak

Finish With Dessert

Brownies Recipe: Fudgy From Scratch, No Apologies

Try this next

Brownies Recipe: Fudgy From Scratch, No Apologies

View recipe →