Description
This French Seared Steak with Cognac Cream Sauce is the ultimate romantic dinner or dinner-party centerpiece. Juicy steak seared to perfection and draped in a luxurious, creamy Cognac sauce—it’s elegant, bold, and surprisingly easy to make at home.
Ingredients
2 steaks filet mignon, ribeye, or NY strip (about 1–1.5 inches thick)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 shallots finely chopped
2 garlic cloves minced
1/3 cup Cognac or good-quality brandy
1/2 cup beef stock
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 sprigs fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoon crushed peppercorns optional
Instructions
1. Let the steak sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes to ensure even cooking.
2. Pat steaks dry with paper towel and season generously with salt and cracked pepper.
3. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil and 1 tbsp butter, then sear steaks for 3–4 minutes per side. Add thyme sprigs. Remove steaks and rest under foil.
4. Reduce heat to medium. In the same skillet, sauté shallots and garlic in remaining butter until soft.
5. Pour in Cognac and flambé if desired. Allow flames to subside or simmer to cook off alcohol.
6. Add beef stock and simmer to reduce slightly. Stir in heavy cream and crushed peppercorns. Simmer until sauce thickens.
7. Slice rested steak and serve over the Cognac cream sauce. Garnish with fresh thyme.
Notes
For the best sear, make sure the skillet is smoking hot before adding the steak.
If you’re not comfortable flambéing, just simmer the Cognac for 1–2 minutes to cook off alcohol.
Letting the steak rest after cooking locks in the juices and prevents dryness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 steak with sauce
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 45
- Saturated Fat: 20
- Unsaturated Fat: 22
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 42
- Cholesterol: 160
Keywords: steak, cognac, cream sauce, French dinner, romantic meal