Description
This easy Steak Au Poivre Dinner is a French bistro classic made simple. Tender filet mignon is pan-seared to perfection, then smothered in a creamy green peppercorn sauce with a splash of cognac. It’s bold, elegant, and ready in just 30 minutes—perfect for serving 4 people on a gourmet steak night at home.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 4 filet mignon, tall cuts - The more tender, the better.
- 2 tablespoons butter - Unsalted is best.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil - Helps with the sear.
- 1 clove garlic, minced - Just a whisper of flavor.
- 1 cup beef broth - Good quality stock = good sauce.
- 1/2 cup heavy cream - For that luscious finish.
- 1 tablespoon green peppercorns in brine, drained - Easy to find, adds bright peppery flavor. You can also find it on Amazon.com.
- 1 cálice cognac - A small glass, about 2 oz.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper - To taste.
Instructions
- Season the stars – Pat the filet mignons dry and season generously with salt and black pepper.
- Sear with confidence – Heat olive oil in a skillet until shimmering. Add the steaks (in batches if needed), and sear 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Don’t crowd the pan—this isn’t a steak party.
- Rest and reset – Remove the steaks and let them rest. Pour in the cognac, scraping up all those flavorful browned bits. If you’re feeling dramatic, this is your flambé moment—but we kept it chill.
- Build the sauce – Add the beef broth and let it reduce slightly. Stir in the green peppercorns in brine, drained, and cook for about a minute.
- Creamy finale – Lower the heat, add the heavy cream, stir until silky.
- Reunite and serve – Return the steaks to the pan for a minute or two, basting them with the sauce. Plate, spoon over extra sauce, and serve with your favorite sides.
Notes
- Batch searing matters – Too many steaks at once and you’ll steam instead of sear. Give them room.
- The green peppercorn glow-up – Canned green peppercorns bring brightness without overpowering the steak. Don’t skip them.
- Sauce control – Want it thicker? Let it simmer a touch longer. Prefer it lighter? Add a splash more broth.
- Wine pairing tip – A bold red (think Bordeaux or Syrah) makes the peppercorns sing.
- Curious about calories or carbs? You’ll find a rough nutrition estimate in the recipe card below. Just keep in mind, it’s a ballpark figure based on common ingredients — not a medical guide. For anything more specific, it’s always best to check with a registered nutritionist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 filet
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 gr
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 44 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg