Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I believe a great steak doesn’t need much: good beef, a hot grill, and a sauce with a little attitude. The creamy dill-horseradish mayo is the star here. It’s cool, tangy, and just spicy enough to cut through the richness of the meat. Here’s why I think you’ll love it:
- Steakhouse results at home. A hot grill and a short rest give you a deep crust and a juicy center.
- A sauce worth bragging about. The mayo takes five minutes and can be made ahead.
- Two cuts in one. The T-bone gives you tender filet on one side and beefy strip on the other.
- Simple and fast. Minimal ingredients, minimal fuss.
Ingredients
For the steaks:
- 2 T-bone steaks, 1¼ to 1½ inches thick (about 1 to 1¼ lbs / 450 to 570 g each)
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
- 2 tbsp butter (optional, for finishing)
- 2 cloves garlic, smashed (optional)
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme (optional)
For the dill-horseradish mayo:
- ½ cup (120 g) mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp prepared horseradish, drained
- 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh dill
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 small garlic clove, grated
- Pinch of salt and pepper
For serving:
- Grilled corn, baked potatoes, or roasted potatoes
- Green salad or grilled asparagus
- Lemon wedges
Directions
- Bring the steaks to room temperature. Take the steaks out of the fridge 30 to 45 minutes before grilling. This helps them cook evenly.
- Make the mayo. In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, horseradish, dill, lemon juice, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust, then refrigerate while you cook so the flavors meld.
- Season the steaks. Pat them dry with paper towels, rub with the oil, and season generously on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Preheat the grill. Heat a gas or charcoal grill to high, around 450 to 500°F (230 to 260°C), with one side hotter than the other. Clean and oil the grates.
- Sear. Place the steaks over the hottest part of the grill and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, without moving them, until they have deep grill marks.
- Flip and finish. Flip the steaks and cook another 3 to 5 minutes. I move them to the cooler side if they’re browning too fast. Cook until an instant-read thermometer reads 125°F (52°C) for rare, 130°F (54°C) for medium-rare, or 140°F (60°C) for medium, inserted away from the bone.
- Add the butter. In the last minute, top each steak with a pat of butter, a smashed garlic clove, and a thyme sprig, if using.
- Rest. Transfer the steaks to a cutting board and rest for 5 to 10 minutes. The temperature will rise another 5°F as they rest.
- Serve. Spoon the dill-horseradish mayo over the steaks or serve it on the side, with lemon wedges for squeezing.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 2 generous servings (or 3 to 4 if sliced and shared)
- Prep time: 15 minutes (plus 30 to 45 minutes to temper the steaks)
- Cook time: 10 to 12 minutes
- Rest time: 5 to 10 minutes
- Total time: about 30 minutes of active time, or about 1 hour 15 minutes with tempering
Variations
- Cast-iron skillet: Sear the steaks in a smoking-hot cast-iron pan for 4 minutes per side, then baste with butter.
- Reverse sear: Cook in a 250°F (120°C) oven until 115°F (46°C) inside, then sear on the hot grill for 1 to 2 minutes per side.
- Greek yogurt mayo: Swap half the mayonnaise for Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier sauce.
- Extra herby: Add chopped chives or parsley to the mayo.
- Spice rub: Add smoked paprika and garlic powder to the salt and pepper.
- Other cuts: Use porterhouse, ribeye, or New York strip steaks, adjusting the cook time for thickness.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store leftover steak in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The mayo keeps in a sealed jar for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: I don’t recommend freezing cooked steak, since it can turn dry and tough. The mayo doesn’t freeze well either.
- Reheating: Gently warm slices in a skillet over low heat with a little butter, just until warmed through. I try not to overheat them, since steak dries out quickly.
- Leftover idea: I love cold sliced steak on sandwiches or salads with a smear of the mayo.
FAQs
What’s the difference between a T-bone and a porterhouse?
Both have a T-shaped bone with strip steak on one side and tenderloin on the other. The porterhouse has a larger tenderloin portion, while the T-bone’s is smaller.
Why let the steak rest?
Resting lets the juices redistribute through the meat. If you slice right away, they run out onto the board.
How do I know when it’s done without a thermometer?
I strongly recommend a thermometer, but a rough guide is that the steak feels soft with some spring for medium-rare, and firmer for medium.
Can I use fresh horseradish?
Yes. Use about 1 tablespoon of finely grated fresh horseradish, which is stronger than the prepared kind, so start small and taste.
Can I make the mayo ahead?
Absolutely. I often make it a day ahead, because the flavors deepen as it sits.
What if I don’t have a grill?
A cast-iron skillet or a broiler works well. Just make sure the pan is very hot before the steaks go in.
Conclusion
Grilled T-Bone Steaks with Dill-Horseradish Mayo prove that great steak doesn’t need to be complicated. A hot grill, a good rest, and a punchy, creamy sauce are all it takes to turn an ordinary evening into something special. I hope this recipe earns a place in your grilling rotation. If you make it, I’d love to hear how it turned out!
PrintThese grilled T-bone steaks are seared over high heat until the outside is deeply charred and the inside is juicy and rosy. A simple salt-and-pepper crust lets the beef shine, while the cool, creamy dill-horseradish mayo adds a tangy, zesty kick to every bite. It’s an easy steakhouse-style dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: undefined
- Category: undefined
- Method: Grilled
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 T-bone steaks, 1 1/2 inches thick, about 1 1/2 lbs (680 g) each
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon butter, for finishing (optional)
- For the dill-horseradish mayo: 1/2 cup (115 g) mayonnaise
- For the dill-horseradish mayo: 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish, drained
- For the dill-horseradish mayo: 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- For the dill-horseradish mayo: 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- For the dill-horseradish mayo: 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- For the dill-horseradish mayo: 1 small clove garlic, finely grated
- For the dill-horseradish mayo: 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- Lemon wedges and extra fresh dill, for serving
Instructions
- Take the steaks out of the refrigerator 30 to 45 minutes before grilling so they cook evenly. Pat them very dry with paper towels.
- Make the mayo: in a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, horseradish, dill, lemon juice, Dijon, garlic, and salt. Taste and add more horseradish for extra heat. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Preheat a grill to high heat, around 450 to 500°F (230 to 260°C), with one side set up for direct heat and one side for indirect heat. Clean and lightly oil the grates.
- Brush the steaks on both sides with olive oil, then season generously with the salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Place the steaks over direct heat and grill for 4 to 5 minutes without moving them, until well-marked and charred.
- Flip and grill another 4 to 5 minutes. For medium-rare, cook to an internal temperature of 130 to 135°F (54 to 57°C) in the thickest part of the strip side, away from the bone. If the steaks flare up or brown too quickly, move them to the indirect side to finish.
- Top each steak with a pat of butter, if using, and transfer to a cutting board.
- Rest the steaks, loosely tented with foil, for 5 to 10 minutes. The temperature will rise about 5 degrees while resting.
- Slice the strip and tenderloin off the bone, then cut into slices against the grain, or serve the steaks whole. Serve with a generous dollop of dill-horseradish mayo, lemon wedges, and a sprinkle of fresh dill.
Notes
- A T-bone has two cuts in one: the larger strip and the smaller, more tender filet. The filet cooks faster, so position it toward the cooler side of the grill.
- Pat the steaks completely dry for a better sear and deeper crust.
- Cooking temperatures: 120 to 125°F (49 to 52°C) rare, 130 to 135°F (54 to 57°C) medium-rare, 140 to 145°F (60 to 63°C) medium. Remove steaks 5 degrees below your target.
- Do not skip the rest. It keeps the juices in the meat instead of on the cutting board.
- Make ahead: the dill-horseradish mayo tastes best after chilling for at least 30 minutes and keeps for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
- Storage: refrigerate leftover steak in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently or slice cold over salads.
- Pan-sear option: cook in a very hot cast iron skillet for 4 to 5 minutes per side, then finish in a 400°F (200°C) oven if needed.
- Serving idea: pair with grilled corn, baked potatoes, or a crisp green salad.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 6 oz steak with 2 tbsp mayo)
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: undefined
- Trans Fat: undefined
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 48 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg