This recipe for Vampire Steaks with Garlic Red Wine Reduction uses flank steak marinated in garlic then grilled to perfection. It’s topped with a red wine reduction made with garlic and onions.
Grill these Vampire Steaks up for Halloween or any night you want a delicious flank steak dinner.
Okay, okay, I’m just going to say this right out of the gate. This recipe was so much fun to make. I mean we’ve got wine, halloween and meat!
Honestly, I love my job. The day I made this recipe might have been the best day ever. I literally had a grin from ear to ear the day I made this.
It’s just the right amount of cheesiness for Halloween, while still being grown up enough to serve at any dinner party. Just leave out the bats and vampire cut outs for fine dining.
So, we were having friends over for dinner after a night out with the munchkins. I wanted to use up some flank steak I picked up the day before.
I knew Vampire Steaks were the way to go. Then, I wanted to take it up a notch and make a beautiful garlic red wine reduction to pour over top of the Vampire Steaks.
This tastes heavenly but is definitely a bit on the naughty side which is perfect for Halloween!
I used Cabernet Sauvignon for this recipe. It’s the perfect choice for flank steak. It hits all the right notes and highlights the flavour of the sauce and the beef perfectly.
We ate this Vampire Steak with Garlic Red Wine Reduction with wild abandon. As anyone should when eating Vampire Steaks smothered in a rich, thick, garlic and wine sauce.
I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Happy Halloween. Or “Happy We Feel Like Eating Vampire Steak” day. Whatever works for you!
More Halloween Recipes
- Easy Monster Fudge
- Walker Blood Sangria
- Franken Berry Krispies
- Bloody Guts Dip
- Turtle Apples
- Chocolate Weapons Bark
- Toilet Water
- Peanut Butter and Chocolate Bark with Reese’s Pieces
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Vampire Steaks with Garlic Red Wine Reduction
Ingredients
- 2 lbs flank steak
- 2 tsp minced garlic jarred
- 1 tsp dried minced garlic
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
For the Garlic Red Wine Reduction:
- 2 tbsp good quality olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups sweet onion diced, or roughly chopped
- 4 cloves garlic crushed, more or less to taste
- 2 tbsp good quality balsamic vinegar
- 2 cups red wine
- 2 cups good quality beef stock
- 2 tbsp butter
Instructions
Please Note:
- I make my red wine reduction ahead of time. It takes about an hour, or slightly more to get a beautiful thick sauce. I highly recommend using a cast iron pan. I find the reduction never works correctly in a saucepan. You want a wide, shallow pan to make this kind of sauce. Plan ahead so the sauce is done before you cook the steaks.
- Also make sure to note the instructions for the steak. I marinate mine over night, or a minimum of 4 hours before cooking so make sure you're factoring these things into the timing of your meal prep.
For the Garlic Red Wine Reduction:
- Dice your onions, or slice thin strips if you prefer.
- Place a large cast iron pan or skillet on your stovetop, and turn heat to medium high. Pour olive oil in the pan. Place onions in pan and allow to cook until they start to turn golden brown.
- Add the garlic and continue to cook for about 1 minute, no more than 2 minutes.
- Add the balsamic vinegar and cook for a few more minutes. You want the vinegar to essentially cook off and the mixture to become syrup like in texture.
- Add the wine and cook until it reduces by 2/3. This takes away, so don't feel like you have to rush this step. Just keep checking it until it starts to cook down.
- Add the beef stock to the pan, and bring to a boil. Allow it to come to a full boil, then reduce to a simmer, allow it to cook until it's reduced by 2/3. Again, don't rush it. Check on it and wait for it to fully reduce. It's not a super quick process.
- If you don't want pieces of garlic you can remove them but I like to leave them in. The flavour is amazing when you bite into it.
- Add butter to the pan and turn heat up a little bit. Whisk until the mixture thickens into a nice consistency. It should be thick but still able to drizzle over steaks. Set aside until needed.
For the Vampire Steaks:
- Lay flank steak on a cutting board.
- In a bowl mix the minced garlic, smoked paprika, salt and pepper together.
- Rub the spice mixture all over both sides of the flank steak.
- Put the flank steak in a container and cover tightly. Place in fridge for a minimum of 4 hours, or preferably overnight.
- Take the flank steak out. Discard any juices.
- Preheat your grill to a medium high heat. Allow it to reach the proper temperature, just like preheating an oven.
- Place the steak bottom side down first. Close the grill lid and allow to cook for about 4 to 6 minutes, depending on how you like your steak. If you like it rare flip it sooner, if you like it well done flip it later.
- Lift the grill lid and flip the steak over so the top side is down on the grill grates. Close the grill lid and allow to cook for about 4 to 6 minutes, depending on how you like your steak. If you like it rare flip it sooner, if you like it well done flip it later.
- Remove the steak from the grill and allow to rest on a cutting board for about 5 to 10 minutes.
How to put it all together:
- Slice the steak into diagonal thin strips, pour red wine reduction over top.
- Pour a nice glass of Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon to go with your dinner.
- Enjoy with a big old vampire loving smile!
Notes
Nutrition
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Toodles! xx
Emily @ Life on Food says
This steak looks amazing. I love me a good steak pretty much every week. When I cook with wine I have little samples throughout the cooking process. Soon I find myself finishing the bottle right around the time when the meal is done. Am I the only one?
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
SO FUN! I love this idea. And garlic. and steak. (and vampires :P)–looks delish!
Karly says
My word, now I’m craving steak. This looks absolutely amazing!
Holly N @ Spend With Pennies says
This looks like absolute steak perfection! I’m not familiar with Casillero del Diablo wines but I love a good cab sav so I’m going to give it a try!!
Shawn @ I Wash You Dry says
OMG! You seriously make one amazing looking steak! That red wine reduction looks drool-worthy too!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting says
I am always looking for new ways to make steaks. This sounds amazing!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
I absolutely LOVE the looks of this steak! This is exactly how I want to do Halloween. Wine + meat + friends. Candy is overrated 😉
Nicole says
Jeez Louise! This looks insanely delicious! And I love the vampire photo!
Dee Dee (My Midlife Kitchen) says
I love Casillero del Diablo’s Carmenere. So earthy, and so rich that it feels evil. Also a perfect pairing for a Halloween dinner like this! Fun, and delicious, too!
Kim Beaulieu says
Thanks Dee Dee. I love their wine, and totally dig the way you described it.
Sabrina @ Dinner, then Dessert says
A perfectly-cooked steak in a wine-garlic reduction is my definition of a great meal! Thanks for the recipe!
Kay says
Standard Basque preparation. Sounds good to me.
Kim Beaulieu says
Thanks Kay.