Description
Steak au Poivre is a classic French bistro dish featuring tender beef steaks crusted with cracked black pepper and served with a rich cognac cream sauce. Elegant, flavorful, and surprisingly simple to prepare in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
4 beef tenderloin steaks (about 6 oz each, 1½ inches thick)
Kosher salt, to taste
2 tablespoons whole black peppercorns
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
⅓ cup Cognac
¾ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Let the steaks rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. Pat dry with paper towels and season generously with kosher salt.
- Place peppercorns in a zip-top bag and crush coarsely using a rolling pin or meat mallet. Press the cracked pepper onto both sides of each steak.
- In a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat, heat butter and oil until just smoking.
- Sear the steaks for 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil to rest.
- Carefully pour the Cognac into the skillet off the heat. Return to heat and cook for 1 minute, scraping up browned bits.
- Stir in the heavy cream, bring to a boil, and simmer until slightly thickened, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Return the steaks to the pan and spoon sauce over them. Let them rest in the sauce for 2 minutes before serving.
Notes
Brandy or whiskey can be substituted for Cognac.
Try mixing green peppercorns with black for a different flavor.
Sirloin or New York strip can be used as a budget-friendly alternative.
For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of cream or broth.
Not recommended for freezing as the sauce may separate.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 steak with sauce
- Calories: 530
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
