steak tartare: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Culinary
Quick answer
What does “steak tartare” mean?
A dish consisting of finely chopped raw beef steak, typically mixed with ingredients like onion, capers, parsley, and raw egg yolk, and seasoned.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A dish consisting of finely chopped raw beef steak, typically mixed with ingredients like onion, capers, parsley, and raw egg yolk, and seasoned.
The term can also refer more broadly to the preparation method of serving seasoned, uncooked meat, sometimes extended to fish or vegetables prepared in a similar style.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The dish is identically named in both varieties. Minor spelling preference may exist for 'steak tartare' vs. 'steak tartar', though 'tartare' is the dominant culinary form.
Connotations
Conveys a sense of sophisticated or adventurous dining; associated with high-end restaurants and European cuisine in both cultures.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in US culinary contexts, but overall low frequency in general English.
Grammar
How to Use “steak tartare” in a Sentence
NP order ___.NP serve ___ with toast.NP is made from ___.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “steak tartare” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The chef will tartare the beef.
- [No standard verb form]
American English
- [No standard verb form in either variety]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form]
American English
- [No standard adverb form]
adjective
British English
- The tartare preparation is classic.
- A tartare-style salmon dish.
American English
- We offer a tartare appetizer.
- He prefers tartare beef.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; may appear in restaurant or hospitality industry contexts.
Academic
Found in culinary history, food studies, or anthropology texts discussing food preparation.
Everyday
Used in contexts of dining out, discussing menus, or cooking.
Technical
Standard term in professional cookery and gastronomy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “steak tartare”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “steak tartare”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “steak tartare”
- Mispronouncing 'tartare' as 'tartar' (as in dental calculus).
- Confusing it with tartare sauce.
- Using it as an uncountable mass noun (e.g., 'some steak tartare' is fine, but 'a steak tartare' is the standard countable form).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be safe if prepared with fresh, high-quality, food-grade beef and strict hygiene standards, but it carries a higher risk of foodborne illness compared to cooked meat.
The dish is associated with the Tartar peoples of Central Asia, who reportedly tenderized meat under their saddles and ate it raw. Its modern form was refined in early 20th century French cuisine.
Yes, the 'tartare' style is often applied to other proteins like salmon, tuna, or venison, though 'steak tartare' specifically implies beef.
Steak tartare is chopped or minced and mixed with seasonings. Carpaccio is thinly sliced or pounded raw meat, usually served plain or with a light dressing on top.
A dish consisting of finely chopped raw beef steak, typically mixed with ingredients like onion, capers, parsley, and raw egg yolk, and seasoned.
Steak tartare is usually formal/culinary in register.
Steak tartare: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsteɪk tɑːˈtɑː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsteɪk tɑːrˈtɑːr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms directly associated with the term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
'Tartare' sounds like 'Tartar' – imagine a Tartar warrior eating his steak raw and seasoned, straight from his horse.
Conceptual Metaphor
RAW IS DANGEROUS/ADVENTUROUS (as in 'living on the edge'), SOPHISTICATION IS EUROPEAN
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of steak tartare?