The Best Beef Tartare Recipe Uses This Secret Smoking Trick (30-Minute Appetizer)

Love raw dishes? This Beef Tartare recipe will bring a touch of French Canadian flair to your kitchen.

I am always on the hunt for the best food experiences, and the tartare at REIGN Restaurant in Toronto is a classic. It is elegant, flavorful and delicious.

Now you can bring a bit of the Fairmont Royal York luxury to your dining table because Executive Chef jW Foster gave me the inside scoop on how to make their signature beef tartare.

Whether you are hosting a dinner party or just want a fancy appetizer, this recipe is sure to impress.

Want more recipes? Try other Toronto Restaurant Signature Recipes or Air Fryer Beef Kofta Kebab.

What is Beef Tartare?

Beef tartare is a classic dish made from raw ground beef, usually served with onions, capers, pepper, Worcestershire sauce and other seasonings.

You will often see it topped with a raw egg yolk and served with toasted bread or crackers.

While eating raw meat might sound intimidating to some, it is a delicacy in many cuisines especially French and French Canadian food culture.

The texture is soft and melts in your mouth when prepared correctly with high quality fresh meat.

Why You’ll Love This Beef Tartare Recipe

“Enjoy this REIGN version of a classic French-Canadian dish. This Beef Tartare recipe is courtesy of Fairmont Royal York’s Executive Chef jW Foster.“

– REIGN Restaurant + Bar + Bakery

I’ve dined at REIGN before and have always had a great time for food and drinks so be sure to check it out at Fairmont Royal York, one of the Michelin Guide Hotels in Toronto.

Here are a few reasons why this will become your new favorite special occasion appetizer.

This isn’t just any tartare recipe because it features a unique smoked onion component that adds incredible depth.

It uses duck egg yolks in the aioli which makes it richer and creamier than standard mayonnaise. The addition of truffle oil gives it that luxurious aroma that fills the room.

It is a high protein appetizer that feels like a special occasion meal but takes only 30 minutes of prep.

You get to use a cast iron pan to smoke wood chips right on your stove or BBQ which makes you feel like a pro chef.

The recipe and image for beef tartare was provided by REIGN Restaurant + Bar + Bakery to be included in the list of Toronto Restaurants Signature Recipes. If you made this Toronto recipe, share you creation on Instagram, and tag @reigntoronto and @travellingfoodie.

What You Need for This Beef Tartare

To make this restaurant quality appetizer, you need the right tools and fresh ingredients.

Equipment

• Sharp Chef’s Knife: This is the most important tool because you need to hand cut the beef into small cubes rather than using a grinder to keep the texture perfect.
• Cast Iron Pan: You will use this to smoke the wood chips and the onion.
• Blender or Food Processor: This is essential for emulsifying the rosemary honey aioli until it is smooth and thick.
• Mixing Bowls: You need a glass or metal bowl to keep the meat chilled over ice while you work.
• Baking Sheet: To toast the walnut bread crostini in the oven.

Ingredients

• Sirloin: This lean cut of beef is perfect for tartare because it has great flavor and texture without being too fatty or gristly.
• Small Red Onion: We smoke this onion over wood chips to give the dish a distinct campfire flavor that sets this recipe apart.
• Capers: These little flower buds add a salty and briny kick that cuts through the richness of the meat.
• Hard Wood Chips: You need these to create the smoke for the onion.
• Duck Egg Yolks: These are larger and creamier than chicken eggs which creates a more luxurious aioli.
• Truffle Oil: A finishing oil that adds an earthy and aromatic punch to the sauce.
• Walnut Bread: The nuttiness of the bread pairs perfectly with the beef and adds a necessary crunch.
• Fresh Rosemary: This herb adds a piney fragrance to the aioli that balances the honey.
• Worcestershire Sauce: A pantry staple that adds umami and savory depth to the beef mixture.
• Tabasco: Just a dash gives the tartare a little heat without overpowering the delicate meat.

How To Make Beef Tartare at REIGN Restaurant in Toronto

This is a summary of the steps to help you visualize the process.

Prep the Beef

Clean all the fat off the sirloin and slice it thin. Cut those slices into strips and then into small cubes. Mince it with your knife until you have a fine texture.

Keep this bowl over ice so the meat stays cold and safe.

Smoke the Onion

Put wood chips in a hot cast iron pan until they smoke. Add the onion, cover it with foil, take it off the heat and let it sit until the smoke is gone.

Once cool, mince the onion and capers and mix them into the chilled beef with Tabasco.

Make the Crostini

Slice your walnut bread thin. Drizzle the slices with olive oil and sea salt. Bake them at 375 degrees until they are toasted and crisp.

Make the Rosemary Honey Aioli

Blend garlic, duck yolks, rosemary, lemon juice, salt and pepper until smooth. While the blender is running, slowly pour in the truffle oil and olive oil until the sauce gets thick.

Assemble

Mix the aioli into the beef mixture until it is creamy enough for you. Spoon the tartare onto the crisp crostini and top with baby cress. Serve it immediately while it is fresh.

Want a different bread? Try our Air Fryer Garlic Bread!

FAQs and Helpful Tips for Beef Tartare for Beginners

Here are some answers to common questions that will help you nail this recipe.

About REIGN in Toronto

REIGN is a a restaurant, bar and bakery located inside the historic Fairmont Royal York, one of the Michelin Guide hotels in Toronto.

This Canadian Brasserie is known for its noble grand dining room and a menu by Executive Chef jW Foster that highlights Canadian ingredients with French techniques.

Also Read: Best Toronto Happy Hour

What Dishes to Serve with Beef Tartare

To turn this appetizer into a full meal or a larger spread, here are some great pairings.

• Air Fryer French Fries: Tartare and frites is a classic French bistro combination because the hot crispy fries contrast perfectly with the cool soft meat.
• Arugula Salad with Lemon Drizzle: A simple peppery salad acts as a palate cleanser and cuts through the richness of the truffle aioli and beef.
• Ninja Speedi Italian Meatball Soup: If you want a warm starter to go with your cold appetizer, this hearty soup is a great follow up for a meat lover’s dinner.
• Ninja Speedi Ribeye Steak: For the ultimate carnivore feast, follow your tartare with a perfectly cooked steak.
• Air Fryer Fried Fish: If you want to keep the fancy appetizer theme going, serve these alongside the tartare for a surf and turf tasting menu at home.

REIGN Restaurant’s Beef Tartare Recipe

Be sure to bookmark/save/pin this post so you know how to make beef tartare from REIGN Restaurant Toronto at home!

I would love to see how this recipe worked for you! Please share your creations with me on social media and tag me so I can check them out: @TravellingFoodie on Instagram & Facebook and @TravellinFoodie on Twitter.

Hope this raw beef recipe gives you an idea on what dish to make for your dinner parties or fancy date nights. This beef tartare is proof that you can make fine dining food at home.

Let me know what other French Canadian dish or appetizer recipes you’d like to see or from which Toronto restaurant.