Description
Steak au Poivre is a classic French dish featuring succulent filet mignons coated in cracked black peppercorns and served with a rich, creamy Cognac sauce. This elegant recipe combines simple ingredients to create a flavorful and sophisticated meal that’s perfect for special occasions or a refined weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 filet mignons (6–8 oz each)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp whole peppercorns
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup chopped shallots
- ½ cup Cognac or brandy
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Prepare the Steaks:
- Pat the filet mignons dry with paper towels. Season both sides with kosher salt.
- Press down on the steaks to flatten them to about 1½ inches thick.
- Crush the peppercorns using a mortar and pestle or the side of a knife. Press the crushed peppercorns into both sides of each steak.
- Cook the Steaks:
- Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the steaks to the skillet and cook for about 4 minutes per side for medium-rare, or adjust to your preferred doneness.
- Transfer the cooked steaks to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
- Prepare the Sauce:
- Lower the heat to medium and add the unsalted butter and chopped shallots to the same skillet.
- Cook the shallots until they are golden brown, about 2 minutes.
- Pour in the Cognac or brandy and let it reduce until mostly absorbed, about 2 minutes.
- Stir in the heavy cream and Dijon mustard. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
- Serve:
- Place the steaks on serving plates and spoon the creamy sauce over the top.
Notes
- Make-Ahead: The sauce can be made ahead and reheated gently. For the best results, cook the steaks fresh.
- Substitutes: If Cognac or brandy is unavailable, dry white wine or beef broth can be used as a substitute.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-searing, Sauce-making
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 steak with sauce
- Calories: 487
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 33g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg