Elegant Filet Mignon With Peppercorn Sauce Recipe

Sizzling Filet Mignon With Peppercorn Sauce Recipe at Home

Succulent beef transforms an ordinary dinner into a luxurious experience with this elegant filet mignon with peppercorn sauce recipe that promises restaurant-quality dining at home.

Rich, tender cuts of meat await your culinary skills.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike adore this classic French-inspired dish.

The creamy peppercorn sauce brings depth and complexity to each perfectly cooked slice of steak.

Cracked peppercorns create a bold, spicy backdrop against the smooth, velvety sauce.

You will savor every decadent bite of this sophisticated main course.

Prepare to impress and delight with this remarkable steak preparation that elevates your home cooking to gourmet status.

What Goes In Filet Mignon With Peppercorn Sauce

For Meat:
  • Filet Mignon: Tender, premium cut perfect for elegant dining, choose well-marbled steaks with bright red color and firm texture from trusted butcher.
  • Black Pepper: Adds robust seasoning and creates beautiful crust, select freshly ground for maximum flavor intensity.
For Sauce Base and Enhancers:
  • Olive Oil: Creates perfect searing environment with high smoke point, use extra virgin for best quality.
  • Butter: Provides rich, golden color and luxurious flavor, select high-quality unsalted butter.
  • Garlic: Infuses deep aromatic essence, choose fresh cloves with firm, plump appearance.
  • Thyme: Introduces subtle herbal notes, select fresh sprigs with vibrant green color.
  • Crushed Peppercorns: Delivers intense, spicy kick to sauce, use mixed color peppercorns for complex flavor profile.
  • Cognac, Brandy: Adds sophisticated depth and deglazes pan, choose quality cooking spirits.
For Sauce Finishing:
  • Beef Broth: Creates rich liquid base, opt for low-sodium homemade or high-quality store-bought.
  • Heavy Cream: Provides silky, luxurious texture, select fresh, high-fat content cream.
  • Dijon Mustard: Contributes tangy complexity, choose smooth, authentic French-style mustard.
  • Salt: Balances and enhances overall flavor, use kosher or sea salt for best results.

Gear You’ll Use For Filet Mignon With Peppercorn Sauce

  • Cast-iron skillet or heavy pan: Essential for achieving a perfect golden-brown sear on the steaks.
  • Paper towels: Crucial for drying the meat to ensure proper seasoning and crispy exterior.
  • Tongs: Perfect for flipping steaks and handling meat safely during cooking.
  • Measuring spoons: Helpful for accurately measuring salt, pepper, and seasonings.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring sauce and basting steaks with butter.
  • Sharp knife: Needed for cutting steaks and preparing ingredients.

Making Filet Mignon With Peppercorn Sauce Step By Step

  • Prepare Succulent Steaks

Grab your filet mignon and give it a good pat down with a paper towel. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper, creating a delectable flavor foundation. Fire up a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat and drizzle in some olive oil.

  • Sear to Perfection

Carefully place the steaks into the sizzling hot pan. Let them develop a mouthwatering golden-brown crust by cooking 3-4 minutes on each side. Lower the heat and introduce butter, garlic, and thyme. Lovingly baste the steaks, infusing them with rich, aromatic flavors for 1-2 minutes.

  • Craft Luxurious Sauce

Transfer the steaks to a resting plate. In the same skillet, keep a touch of oil and sprinkle in crushed peppercorns. Splash in some cognac and watch it dance and reduce. Pour beef broth, letting it simmer briefly. Swirl in heavy cream and a dollop of Dijon mustard, stirring until the sauce transforms into a velvety, rich coating.

  • Plate and Indulge

Cascade the peppercorn sauce over your perfectly cooked steaks. Pair with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a crisp salad. Pour a glass of robust red wine and savor every incredible bite of your gourmet creation.

Tips And Tricks For Filet Mignon With Peppercorn Sauce

  • Doneness Pro Tips: Use a meat thermometer to achieve perfect doneness – 125°F for rare, 135°F for medium-rare, 145°F for medium, ensuring juicy results every time.
  • Sauce Rescue Hack: If sauce becomes too thick, thin it with additional beef broth or a splash of wine; if too thin, continue simmering to reduce and concentrate flavors.
  • Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace heavy cream with coconut cream or cashew cream for a lactose-free version that maintains the rich, creamy sauce texture.
  • Low-Carb Companion Ideas: Replace traditional sides with cauliflower mash, roasted brussels sprouts, or grilled asparagus to keep the meal low-carbohydrate and diet-friendly.

Serving Ideas For Filet Mignon With Peppercorn Sauce

  • Elegant Date Night Dining: Set the stage for a romantic evening with soft candlelight and your perfectly cooked filet mignon as the star attraction.
  • Wine Pairing Perfection: Choose a bold red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec to complement the rich, peppery flavors of the steak and sauce.
  • Gourmet Side Selection: Accompany the filet with creamy garlic mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus with parmesan, or a light arugula salad with balsamic vinaigrette to balance the robust meat and sauce.
  • Presentation Pro Tip: Drizzle the peppercorn sauce artfully over the steak, garnish with fresh thyme sprigs, and serve on a warm white plate to create a restaurant-quality dining experience at home.

Storing And Planning Filet Mignon With Peppercorn Sauce

  • Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store cooked filet mignon in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Wrap tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent bacterial growth.
  • Optimal Cooling Technique: Allow steak to cool completely before refrigerating. Place in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the back shelf, to extend freshness and preserve texture.
  • Leftover Magic Window: Consume refrigerated filet mignon within 3-4 days for best quality. Reheat gently using low-temperature methods like oven warming or microwave with a damp paper towel to prevent drying.
  • Freezing Performance: Freeze plain cooked filet mignon for up to 3 months. Wrap individually in freezer-safe plastic wrap, then place in a sealed freezer bag. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn and maintain flavor integrity.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 665 kcal

Servings: 3

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Elegant Filet Mignon With Peppercorn Sauce Recipe

Elegant Filet Mignon With Peppercorn Sauce Recipe


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4.8 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 3 1x

Description

Succulent filet mignon with peppercorn sauce delivers French culinary elegance on your dinner plate. Rich cream and brandy complement the perfectly seared beef, creating a luxurious meal you’ll savor with each sophisticated bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 filet mignon steaks (68 oz/170226 g each)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp whole black peppercorns, crushed
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme (or rosemary)
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed
  • ½ cup beef broth
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup cognac or brandy (or sub with extra broth)
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Meticulously pat filet mignon dry, then generously coat with kosher salt and cracked black pepper to elevate natural flavors.
  2. Searing: Heat cast-iron skillet to medium-high, drizzle with olive oil, and strategically place seasoned filets to develop a rich, caramelized crust for 3-4 minutes per side.
  3. Flavor Infusion: Reduce heat to medium-low, introduce butter, minced garlic, and fresh thyme sprigs, gently basting the protein to enhance its aromatic profile.
  4. Sauce Foundation: Remove steaks and let rest while preserving pan drippings; sprinkle crushed multicolored peppercorns to release their intense essence.
  5. Sauce Development: Deglaze skillet with cognac, allowing liquid to reduce, then pour beef broth to capture the skillet’s concentrated flavors.
  6. Sauce Refinement: Whisk in heavy cream and Dijon mustard until the sauce achieves a luxurious, silky consistency; adjust seasoning as needed.
  7. Plating: Dramatically cascade peppercorn sauce over rested filet mignon, creating a visually stunning and flavor-packed dish that pairs exquisitely with mashed potatoes or roasted seasonal vegetables and a robust red wine.

Notes

  • Achieve Perfect Sear: Pat filet mignon completely dry to ensure maximum caramelization and prevent steaming instead of browning.
  • Control Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to guarantee ideal doneness – 125°F for rare, 135°F for medium-rare, preventing overcooking.
  • Optimize Resting Process: Allow steaks to rest 5-7 minutes after cooking, enabling juices to redistribute and ensuring tender, succulent meat.
  • Elevate Sauce Consistency: Whisk cream slowly and steadily to prevent sauce separation, creating smooth, restaurant-quality peppercorn sauce.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Searing
  • Cuisine: French

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 3
  • Calories: 665
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 500 mg
  • Fat: 50 g
  • Saturated Fat: 20 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 42 g
  • Cholesterol: 150 mg
Marcus Foley

Marcus Foley

Food Critic & Kitchen Coach

Expertise

Recipe Testing and Troubleshooting; Time-Saving Kitchen Hacks; Global Flavor Exploration; Engaging Food Writing and Honest Reviews.

Education

Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), New York, NY

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in foundational techniques, flavor development, recipe creation, and kitchen efficiency, with an emphasis on real-world application and storytelling through food.

Marcus Foley, based in Atlanta, GA, is a friendly food expert who makes cooking fun and simple.

With hands-on training from the Institute of Culinary Education and years of tasting everything from street food to fine dining, he shares easy kitchen hacks, global flavor ideas, and step-by-step recipes that turn kitchen mishaps into delicious surprises.

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