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How to Cook Camp’s Buttered Beef Steaks – A Nostalgic Treat From the 70s

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Camp’s buttered beef steaks were a popular frozen dinner staple back in the 1970s and 80s. Their delicious flavor and convenience made them a hit with kids and parents alike. While Camp’s original company is no longer in business these tasty buttered beef patties live on under different brand names.

With just a few simple steps, you can re-create the flavor of this nostalgic freezer aisle favorite right in your own kitchen. Keep reading to learn all about Camp’s steaks and how to cook them!

A Flashback to Camp’s Steaks

Back in the 1970s and 80s, Camp’s Steak Company sold their signature item – buttered beef steak patties. These thin, oval-shaped beef patties came four to a package The top patty had a square of butter nestled right on top.

According to old packaging, these flash-frozen steaks were made from ground beef and “pressed” into patties. The thin, quick-cooking cutlets were convenient and budget-friendly. They were also irresistibly tasty when cooked up in a hot skillet.

Kids and parents loved Camp’s steaks as an easy dinner option. They also made an ideal sandwich filling or after-school snack. Just toast the steaks in a pan until browned and place between slices of bread. Yum!

While the original Camp’s company closed down years ago, their beloved buttered beef steaks live on. Many major grocery store chains in California, Nevada, and beyond sell rebranded versions of this 70s classic.

How to Cook Camp’s Style Buttered Beef Steaks

Cooking up buttered beef steaks at home is super easy. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:

Ingredients:

  • 1 package (4 patties) thin frozen beef steaks
  • 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) butter, cut into squares
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Take the frozen beef patties out of the package. Top each patty with a 1 tablespoon square of butter.

  2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Grease lightly with cooking spray or oil.

  3. Once pan is hot, place steaks butter-side-up in the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes until underside is browned.

  4. Flip steaks and cook 2-3 minutes more until second side is browned.

  5. Remove steaks from pan and season with salt and pepper.

That’s it! For extra flavor, try adding Worcestershire sauce or A1 steak sauce to the steaks while cooking. You can also use unsalted butter or olive oil instead of regular butter.

These quick and easy skillet steaks are delicious on their own, sliced up in tacos or fajitas, added to pasta, or served on buns for buttered beef sandwiches. Get creative and enjoy this retro classic!

Tips for Cooking Up the Perfect Camp-Style Steaks

Follow these helpful tips for getting the best results when cooking Camp’s style buttered beef steaks:

  • Use medium or medium-high heat – Too low and the butter may not brown well. Too high may overcook the exterior before the inside cooks through. Medium heat is just right.

  • Butter first, then season – Adding salt too early draws out moisture and can make steaks dry. Pepper will get bitter if added before cooking. Season at the end instead.

  • Don’t overcrowd the pan – Cook steaks in a single layer with space between for even browning. Work in batches to avoid crowding.

  • Let meat rest 1-2 minutes before slicing or eating. This allows juices to redistribute for moist, tender steaks.

  • Check internal temp with a meat thermometer, especially if concerned about food safety. Steaks should reach 160°F minimum.

Follow these simple tricks for steak success every time!

Get Creative with Recipe Ideas

While Camp’s style steaks are delicious on their own, they’re also extremely versatile for recipes. Here are just a few tasty ways to use up leftover buttered beef patties:

  • Steak sandwiches – Top steaks with cheese, sautéed peppers and onions, barbecue sauce, etc.

  • Fajitas – Slice and sauté with peppers, onions, and taco seasoning. Wrap in tortillas.

  • Steak & eggs – Great for breakfast served with scrambled eggs and hashbrowns.

  • Steak salad – Chill steaks and slice over fresh greens, tomatoes, avocado.

  • Cheesesteak pasta – Toss cubed steaks with pasta, bell peppers, provolone cheese.

  • Steak tacos – Dice steaks and mix with pico de gallo. Stuff in soft tortillas.

  • Steak pizzas – Top pizzas with sliced steaks for a fun twist.

Get creative with spices, sauces, and toppings! These flavorful patties make it easy to add meat into any meal.

Where to Find Camp’s Style Steaks Today

While you may not see the classic Camp’s branding anymore, similar buttered beef steak products are still sold at major grocery chains. Here’s where to find them:

  • Albertsons – Many locations in California, Nevada, Oregon, and beyond carry buttered beef patties in the frozen section.

  • Ralphs – Check the frozen aisle at this SoCal supermarket chain.

  • Vons – Another go-to grocery store for finding these nostalgic frozen steaks.

  • Stater Bros. – This southern California market has buttered beef patties in stock.

  • Smart & Final – Some locations of this warehouse store sell rebranded versions.

Check your local listings to see which major grocery stores in your area offer this reinvented 70s classic. Just look for thin, rectangular frozen beef patties with butter squares on top.

Enjoy a Blast From the Past

Buttered beef steaks are the perfect weeknight dinner, snack, or sandwich filler. With their crispy, browned exterior and juicy, seasoned interior, they live up to nostalgic memories of the original Camp’s product. Keep a bag in the freezer for instant mealtime convenience.

The next time you’re feeling nostalgic, cook up these easy skillet steaks just like you remember them. It’s a tasty dose of 1970s/80s flavor!

how to cook camps buttered beef steaks

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FAQ

Is it better to cook steak in butter or oil?

Go for oil, it has a higher smoke point. You need a hot skillet to properly sear a steak, hot enough that a pat of butter will begin to burn before it melts completely. You don’t want to sear your steak in burnt butter. So reach for some oil when searing steaks.

What is the best method of cooking steak?

The number one spot goes to grilling, the classic method for cooking your steak. While great grilling isn’t quite as precise as sous-vide, it leads to the best, purest-tasting steaks out of non-sous vide methods. This is because grilling uses the steak’s natural fats and juices for flavor.

What happened to camps buttered beef steaks?

Camps Buttered Beef Steaks were made in Van Nuys and went out of business in 2017. There was noise about Scotts foods buying the rights to the product but have seen nothing since. Frozen Buttered Beef Steaks like we all loved are no more and only another memory.

How do you cook a frozen steak at Camp?

Pam:All the package says is “Packed for Camp’s Frozen Steak Products,LLC” It gives no address and the website on the package is a dead link. The USDA # is Establishment 4128, wherever that is. Krystal: Put the pat of butter on top of the steak, over a medium heat in the frying pan. Cook until browned, then flip.

How do you cook a steak in a pan?

To cook a steak in a pan, first pat both sides dry with paper towels. Drizzle with olive oil, then season with salt and pepper, to taste. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the steak for 1 minute on each side, or until a dark crust has formed.

How long do you cook a steak in a skillet?

To cook a steak in a skillet, place it in the middle and cook for about 1 minute on each side to form a dark crust. Then, place the skillet into the oven and cook until desired doneness is reached, which is about 4-5 minutes for medium-rare. Don’t forget to let it rest for 3-5 minutes after cooking.

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