Italian Florentine Steak Recipe

The Queen of Tuscan cooking: Bistecca alla Fiorentina! This Italian Florentine Steak recipe follows scrupulously the standards set in Tuscany. Read on to learn what makes a steak a Florentine Steak, how to select the right cut of meat and how to cook it to perfection.

Our Bistecca alla Fiorentina —grilled in a fireplace in Italy!

Watch the Video Recipe!

Discover the Italian Florentine Steak in our video recipe, filmed in Italy:


Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

More video recipes? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel (it’s FREE) and click the bell to get notifications when we release a new video recipe!


How to Cook a Florentine Steak: Tips

The Italian Florentine steak can be as thick as two big porterhouse steaks stacked together and weight as much as 6 pounds! This classic T bone steak is famous everywhere in Italy. It originated in Florence (Tuscany) centuries ago, and it has conquered meat grilling lovers not just for its size but mostly for its unique tenderness and taste. 

What Makes a Steak a Florentine Steak?

A Florentine steak purchased from a famous Tuscan butcher!

The Florentine Steak’s unique flavor is derived from the Chianina cow breed—the largest and one of the oldest breeds of cattle in the world. The tenderness of this big porterhouse steak is unmatched due to the way the cows are raised and also the long aging time of the meat, typically 4-6 weeks. So here’s the cut of meat you’ll want to look for:

  • breed: chianina or angus
  • cut: t-bone steak, bone in
  • age: butchered at 12-24 months
  • weight: at least 4 pounds
  • dry-aged: 4-6 weeks
  • thickness: about 2 inches

Can’t find chianina steak?

Try angus.

Red, but not bloody.

Florentine steak cooked as is recommended: rare!

A Florentine Steak typically won’t pour blood when it is cut after cooking. This is a great indication that the meat is of good quality and has been properly aged.


Discover More Italian Main Courses!


As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This means at no extra cost to you, PIATTO may earn a small commission if you click the links and make a qualifying purchase.


Print

Italian Florentine Steak Recipe

The incomparable Florentine Steak. This steak can be as thick as two big porterhouse steaks stacked together and weight as much as 6 pounds! This classic T bone steak is famous everywhere in Italy. It originated in Florence (Tuscany) centuries ago, and it has conquered meat grilling lovers not just for its size but mostly for its unique tenderness and taste. 
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian, Mediterranean
Keyword meat lover
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 1007kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 lb t-bone steak or heavier, bone in – check out notes for the characteristics of the steak
  • fine salt to taste
  • coarse salt to taste

Instructions

  • Burn down a hard wood like oak until you have red hot coals.
  • Place a large grill about 4 inches above a bed of coals. Warm the grill for a few minutes. Cook the steak in 3 phases: 
  • Side A – add fine salt, coarse salt and cook for about 4 minutes.
    fine salt, coarse salt, 4 lb t-bone steak
  • Side B- add fine salt, coarse salt and cook for about 4 minutes.
  • Vertical (sitting on the bone) – Cook for about 4 minutes.
  • Add a drizzle of olive oil, a bit more salt and serve!

Video

Notes

This is the preparation for serving the steak ‘rare’ as it is traditionally served in Italy. We recommend using a fireplace if you’ve got one!
Choosing the Steak
  • breed: chianina (or angus)
  • age: butchered at 12-24 months
  • weight: at least 4 pounds
  • aged: 4-6 weeks
  • thickness: about 2″ (5 cm)
Wood for Fireplace?
Use a hard wood like oak.
Salt Flakes
Salt flakes are perfect for this steak. We recommend flakes over coarse salt if you can find it.

Nutrition

Sodium: 245mg | Calcium: 27mg | Potassium: 1402mg | Cholesterol: 254mg | Calories: 1007kcal | Saturated Fat: 27g | Fat: 67g | Protein: 94g | Iron: 9mg
About the author

Classic recipes from Italy and beyond. Traditional Italian Cooking and Mediterranean Diet recipes!

PIATTO™ Recipes bring traditional Italian food recipes to your table with our tested, step-by-step recipes and videos. You'll find the best Italian recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. Always tested, always delicious.

4 thoughts on “Italian Florentine Steak Recipe”

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




Exit mobile version