This traditional Tuscan strip steak recipe utilizes just a handful of pantry staples to create a dish that any steak-lover is sure to love. Serve this simple dish with a glass of Italian red wine (like Chianti) to be instantly transported to the rolling hills of Tuscany.

Bistecca alla Fiorentina Recipe: How to Make Florentine Steak

A Florentine classic, Bistecca alla Fiorentina is a traditional Italian preparation of [steak](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/steak-recipes) popular in [Tuscan](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tuscany-wine-guide) cuisine. Originating in Florence, Italy, this simple grilled dish consists of a large, thick-cut t-bone steak cooked over a hot charcoal grill to create a crispy browned outer crust and rare, slightly bloody inside. 

The legend surrounding this his type of beef steak (“bistecca” in Italian) says that it was first served to commemorate Festa di San Lorenzo (the Feast of Saint Lawrence) in Florence during the time of the Medici, a wealthy noble family prominent in the area from the fifteenth to eighteenth centuries. Large crowds gathered in the piazzas to be served veal that was roasted in communal bonfires. 

Also known simply as Florentine steak, this minimalist dish calls for just five ingredients: [olive oil](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/complete-olive-oil-guide), [rosemary](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-how-to-cook-with-rosemary-plus-15-rosemary-recipes), salt, [pepper](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cooking-with-black-pepper), and [sirloin](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/perfect-pan-seared-beef-sirloin-steak-recipe) ideally sourced from the Chianina breed of cattle, which are local to Tuscany and prized for their tender meat and superb flavor.
Florentine steak is a flavorful dish that uses a short list of ingredients. With that in mind, the devil is in the details with this very simple recipe. Follow these tips to ensure that your Florentine-style steak turns out as best it can. 

1. __Opt for high-quality ingredients__. It doesn’t get more simple than this five-ingredient dish, which means that the flavor of each ingredient shines through. Use a fresh, high-quality cut of meat and high-quality <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/complete-olive-oil-guide' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/complete-olive-oil-guide","linkCopy":"extra virgin olive oil","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>extra virgin olive oil</a> to make the most of this pared-down recipe. 
2. __Use a grill pan, if a grill isn’t available__. While this dish is traditionally prepared over an open flame, in a pinch it can be replicated on a stovetop using a ripping [hot grill pan or cast iron pan](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/perfect-pan-seared-beef-sirloin-steak-recipe) over high heat. 
3. __Keep the steak rare__. To uphold the Florentine tradition, Bistecca alla Fiorentina should be served between rare and medium-rare (with an internal temperature between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit). Those squeamish of overly red meat may want to opt for a different preparation.
This traditional Tuscan strip steak recipe utilizes just a handful of pantry staples to create a dish that any steak-lover is sure to love. Serve this simple dish with a glass of Italian red wine (like Chianti) to be instantly transported to the rolling hills of Tuscany.

A Florentine classic, Bistecca alla Fiorentina is a traditional Italian preparation of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/steak-recipes' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/steak-recipes","linkCopy":"steak","category":null}'>steak</a> popular in <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tuscany-wine-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tuscany-wine-guide","linkCopy":"Tuscan","category":null}'>Tuscan</a> cuisine. Originating in Florence, Italy, this simple grilled dish consists of a large, thick-cut t-bone steak cooked over a hot charcoal grill to create a crispy browned outer crust and rare, slightly bloody inside. The legend surrounding this his type of beef steak (“bistecca” in Italian) says that it was first served to commemorate Festa di San Lorenzo (the Feast of Saint Lawrence) in Florence during the time of the Medici, a wealthy noble family prominent in the area from the fifteenth to eighteenth centuries. Large crowds gathered in the piazzas to be served veal that was roasted in communal bonfires. Also known simply as Florentine steak, this minimalist dish calls for just five ingredients: <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/complete-olive-oil-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/complete-olive-oil-guide","linkCopy":"olive oil","category":null}'>olive oil</a>, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-how-to-cook-with-rosemary-plus-15-rosemary-recipes' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-how-to-cook-with-rosemary-plus-15-rosemary-recipes","linkCopy":"rosemary","category":null}'>rosemary</a>, salt, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cooking-with-black-pepper' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cooking-with-black-pepper","linkCopy":"pepper","category":null}'>pepper</a>, and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/perfect-pan-seared-beef-sirloin-steak-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/perfect-pan-seared-beef-sirloin-steak-recipe","linkCopy":"sirloin","category":null}'>sirloin</a> ideally sourced from the Chianina breed of cattle, which are local to Tuscany and prized for their tender meat and superb flavor.

What Is Bistecca alla Fiorentina?

Florentine steak is a flavorful dish that uses a short list of ingredients. With that in mind, the devil is in the details with this very simple recipe. Follow these tips to ensure that your Florentine-style steak turns out as best it can. <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Opt for high-quality ingredients. It doesn’t get more simple than this five-ingredient dish, which means that the flavor of each ingredient shines through. Use a fresh, high-quality cut of meat and high-quality <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/complete-olive-oil-guide' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/complete-olive-oil-guide","linkCopy":"extra virgin olive oil","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>extra virgin olive oil</a> to make the most of this pared-down recipe. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Use a grill pan, if a grill isn’t available. While this dish is traditionally prepared over an open flame, in a pinch it can be replicated on a stovetop using a ripping <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/perfect-pan-seared-beef-sirloin-steak-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/perfect-pan-seared-beef-sirloin-steak-recipe","linkCopy":"hot grill pan or cast iron pan","category":null}'>hot grill pan or cast iron pan</a> over high heat. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Keep the steak rare. To uphold the Florentine tradition, Bistecca alla Fiorentina should be served between rare and medium-rare (with an internal temperature between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit). Those squeamish of overly red meat may want to opt for a different preparation. </li></ol>

3 Tips for Bistecca alla Fiorentina

Bistecca alla Fiorentina Recipe

This traditional Tuscan strip steak recipe utilizes just a handful of pantry staples to create a dish that any steak-lover is sure to love. Serve this simple dish with a glass of Italian red wine (like Chianti) to be instantly transported to the rolling hills of Tuscany.

This traditional Tuscan strip steak recipe utilizes just a handful of pantry staples to create a dish that any steak-lover is sure to love. Serve this simple dish with a glass of Italian red wine (like Chianti) to be instantly transported to the rolling hills of Tuscany.
