Print

Rib Eye Steak Peppercorn Sauce

Perfectly cooked rib eye steak with creamy peppercorn sauce on rustic wood.

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

This recipe transforms a simple seared rib eye into a restaurant-quality meal with a rich, velvety peppercorn sauce. The sauce is built right in the steak pan using the flavorful browned bits for maximum depth. It is an impressive yet straightforward dish perfect for a special dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless ribeye steaks, 1 to 1.5 inches thick
  • 1 tablespoon high-smoke-point oil (avocado or grapeseed)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 large shallots, finely minced (about 1/2 cup)
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons whole black peppercorns, coarsely crushed
  • 1/2 cup brandy or cognac (or substitute with beef broth)
  • 1 cup beef broth, preferably low-sodium
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat steaks completely dry with paper towels. Generously season both sides with kosher salt and black pepper. Let sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes.
  2. Heat a large cast-iron or heavy skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Add oil and swirl to coat. Add steaks and cook without moving for 4-5 minutes to develop a deep crust.
  3. Flip steaks and cook for another 3-4 minutes for medium-rare. In the last minute, add 1 tablespoon of butter to the pan and baste the steaks with the foaming butter. Transfer steaks to a plate, tent loosely with foil, and let rest. Do not wash the pan.
  4. Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add minced shallots and cook until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes.
  5. Add minced garlic and crushed peppercorns. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  6. Carefully pour in the brandy (stand back, it may flame). Use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the browned bits from the pan bottom. Simmer until reduced by half, about 2 minutes.
  7. Pour in the beef broth and bring to a simmer. Let it reduce slightly for 3-4 minutes.
  8. Stir in the heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes. Taste and season with salt as needed.
  9. Slice the rested steaks against the grain. Plate and spoon the warm peppercorn sauce generously over the top.

Notes

Always pat steaks dry before seasoning for the best sear. Letting the steak rest before slicing is crucial for juicy results. If you don’t have brandy, use an extra 1/2 cup of beef broth. The sauce can be made lighter by using half whole milk and half broth, but it will be thinner.

Nutrition