Published February 12, 2021.This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Impress your friends and family with this simple to prepare classic steak au poivre recipe with a delicious cognac peppercorn cream sauce.
We aren’t huge beef eaters, but when we do eat it, we do it up big time. If you are like us and seldom cook meat, then definitely check out my Kofta or Bulgogi.
Steak Au Poivre
Steak au poivre, pronounce “oh-pwav,” simply means with pepper in French. This traditional recipe did not feature a sauce as we know it today. In fact, all it was, was a steak rolled in cracked peppercorns and pan-roasted. The sauce wasn’t made popular until the early 20th century, and that did not have peppercorns in it. It was a simple brandy cream sauce.
For me, I don’t like an over-peppered steak, so I prefer the pepper in the sauce, but if you want to keep it traditional, then definitely coat the steak up in it. I will definitely say this, almost every chef I know has a different version of this recipe.
What Kind of Steak to Use
Traditionally you will see filet mignon or a strip steak when making this classic recipe. However, you can use a myriad of steaks. Here are some great options for you:
- New York Strip Steak
- Filet Mignon
- Ribeye
- Sirloin
- Flank Steak
- Skirt Steak
How to Make It
Follow along with these simple instructions for how to make steak au poivre:
Season the steak well on both sides with salt and pepper. If wanting to make peppered steak, simply coat the steak in the peppercorns after seasoning it with salt.
Next, sear the steak to the desired internal temperature is achieved.
Rest the steak on a plate while making the sauce.
Sauté the shallots, garlic, and peppercorns in the pan until lightly browned.
Deglaze with cognac and cook until it is completely absorbed or au sec.
Add in the cream and cook until it becomes very thick. Finish with salt and parsley.
Serve the steak alongside the cream sauce.
Make-Ahead and Storage
Make-Ahead: This recipe is meant to be served as soon as it is finished cooking.
How to Reheat: This recipe does not reheat well, but if you do need to reheat it, then re-sear it in a hot pan with lightly smoked oil until warmed.
How to Store: Cover and keep in the refrigerator for 3 days. This recipe will not freeze well.
chef notes + tips
- If you want to make this recipe where the steak is coated in peppercorns, simply encrust the steak after seasoning it with salt in the peppercorns that were broken down with the pan, and then obviously, the cream sauce will not have any peppercorns. This part is up to you.
- Cognac is the better option to use over brandy, but brandy can be used.
More Steak Recipes
- Cheesesteak
- Steak Frites
- Pizzaiola
- T-Bone
- Chopped Steak
Be sure to follow me onFacebook,YouTube,Instagram,andPinterest,and if you’ve had a chance to make this, then definitely drop me a comment and a rating below!
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Steak Au Poivre Recipe
5 from 13 votes
Impress your friends and family with this simple to prepare classic steak au poivre recipe with a delicious cognac peppercorn cream sauce.
Servings: 2
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Ingredients
For the Steak:
- 2 12- ounce New York Strip Steaks
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 5 garlic cloves
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- sea salt and cracked pepper to taste
For the Sauce:
- 2 teaspoons unsalted butter
- 1 peeled and finely minced shallot
- 2 finely minced cloves of garlic
- 1 ½ tablespoons crushed peppercorns
- ¼ cup cognac
- 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- sea salt to taste
Instructions
Season the steaks well with salt and pepper. If wanting to encrust the steak with peppercorns, see chef notes.
Add the oil to a large frying pan over high heat and heat up until it begins to smoke lightly.
Place in the steaks, turn the heat down to medium-high, add in the butter, garlic, and thyme and cook for 2-3 minutes per side for a medium-rare internal temperature.
Remove the steaks and let rest on a plate. Drain the oil from the pan.
Sauce: Add the butter to the pan over low to medium heat and lightly sauté the shallots, garlic, and peppercorns for a few minutes or until lightly browned.
Deglaze with the cognac and cook until it is almost gone.
Pour in the cream and cook over low to medium heat until it becomes very thick or nappe.
Season with salt and parsley, and serve the sauce with the steaks.
Notes
Make-Ahead: This recipe is meant to be served as soon as it is finished cooking.
How to Reheat: This recipe does not reheat well, but if you do need to reheat it, then re-sear it in a hot pan with lightly smoked oil until warmed.
How to Store: Cover and keep in the refrigerator for 3 days. This recipe will not freeze well.
If you want to make this recipe where the steak is coated in peppercorns, simply encrust the steak after seasoning it with salt in the peppercorns that were broken down with the pan, and then obviously, the cream sauce will not have any peppercorns. This part is up to you.
Cognac is the better option to use over brandy, but brandy can be used.
Nutrition
Calories: 1051kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 45gFat: 88gSaturated Fat: 44gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 340mgSodium: 156mgPotassium: 916mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 2244IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 191mgIron: 4mg
Course: Main
Cuisine: French
Author: Chef Billy Parisi
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25 comments
- Judith Roff
Just made steak au poivre for the first time, and I used this recipe. It was very tasty and the directions were easy to follow. Will definitely make this again. Just read Julia Child’s memoir, and wanted to make something French. Billy Parisi’s site and recipes are excellent!
- Reply
- sue 😁
Oh thank you Yes ChefBilly👋😋😁🤩
- Reply
- sue
Thank you fabulous ChefBilly 😁👋😋🤩
- Reply
- Chef Billy Parisi
Appreciate you trying this as well!
- Reply
- sue
🤩😁thank you ChefBilly 👋😋
- Reply
- Chef Billy Parisi
Thanks!
- Reply
- Howard joham
What can one say? I usually like my steak just salt, pepper and garlic but I made this for my wife one night and it was special, all of it. The sauce complimented the steak like a good wine. Don’t plan on staying on your diet but it’s worth the extra few calories. Thanks chef.
- Reply
- Chef Billy Parisi
You’re welcome!
- Reply
- Cindy Aardema
I have served this several times. So good!
- Reply
- Laura Rice Sutherland
This is just one of your many fabulous recipes, Chef! I encourage everyone to always watch the incredible accompanying videos for valuable techniques and tips.
Thank you so much for sharing your brilliant talent!- Reply
many thanks!
- Reply
- Will Spyrison
Awesome Delicious Recipe
What’s For Dinner Cooked For For My Friend, Magret de Canard et sa Sauce au Vin ( BBQ Roasted Duck Breast With Roasted Potatoes With Duck Roasted Skin With 2021 Deep Sea Winnery Rose So Deliciously Delightful And Amazing. Bon Appetite 😜
- Reply
- Cheryl D.
This was not difficult at all to make, and the results were amazing, the crispness of the seared steak combined with the juices from the meat then the bam of the cream sauce – it was really delicious.,
- Reply
nice!
- Reply
- Debbie Brander
I’ve made this Steak au Poivre a couple times now. It’s always a hit!
- Reply
Awesome
- Reply
- Patricia
Amazingly delicious! My husband loved this steak recipe, it really is easy to make, I followed the instriction steps exactly as written, and it came out perfect. Thank you chef!
- Reply
thanks for giving it a shot!!
- Reply
Perfect!
- Reply
- Michelle Rouillard
This recipe is over the top! I made this for Valentines Day for my husband and so impressed him and myself. I crave this sauce. I used filets and served it with scalloped potatoes and grilled asparagus.
- Reply
- Cathy Allen
I made this recipe last night using filet mignon. I didn’t have cognac so I used sherry. Served with twice baked potatoes, a sliced tomato, mozzarella, basil salad with reduced balsamic drizzled on top, and for dessert I made your Blueberry Crustada with a scoop of ice cream. My son and his wife were very impressed! My hubby thought I was overcooking the steaks but they turned out perfectly. Billy Parisi, you make us home cooks shine! Thank you for your incredible recipes and cooking techniques!
- Reply
- Mary
OK. So, I’m in the COVID dulldroms. No where to go, no one wants to get together. I happened upon Chef Parisi while searching the net for how to make gnocchi. My 95 year old Italian aunt, whom I adore, would love to spend an hour breaking it down for me. No time for that. Chef Parisi’s video was great, then theArrabbiata sauce, to die for. I’ve been making gnocchi, fettuccine and all manner of sauces with homemade Italian bread to boot! Big Italian family coming for Rosary night and Food Friday! Doesn’t get any better. I’m a Parisi fan!
- Reply
Thanks for the support!
- Reply
- Catrina Watkins
I can’t wait to make this. Thank you
- Reply
- Nanette
I’m one of your biggest fans, Chef. You’re so easy to listen to. I actual look forward to receiving your recipes. Instructions always complete and easy to follow. You took my cooking, which I love to do, up a notch or two. Thanks and don’t change a thing.
- Reply
