Whether they’re super aged pieces of steak-y art or supermarket 2-packs, these weeknight steak sauce recipes will take your steak dinners to the next level. Life is too short not to eat steak!
If you’re looking for an easy yet impressive home cooked meal for date night, the answer is – and forever will – be steak. There’s just something about making steak at home that is so incredibly impressive. I love it when Mike makes me steak and I know that he’s equally happy when I make it for him. It just seems extra luxe to be making steak at home. It probably has something to do with the fact that steakhouses tend to be high end fancy affairs. But the secret to steak is: you can make it at home just as good or even better for a fraction of the cost.
Once you’re done making your steak (I suggest reverse searing), all you need to take it over the top is the special sauce. These are our best steak sauce recipes: super easy steak sauces that have 6 ingredients or less and are easy to whip up while your steaks are reverse searing the oven. Never pay extra for sauce at a steakhouse again!
Peppercorn
If you’re looking for a classic steak sauce, you can’t go wrong with peppercorn. It’s a classic for a reason: a hint of complexity from the brandy, a hit of creaminess from heavy cream, and a huge amount of freshly crushed peppercorns for a light floral spiciness.
Classic Peppercorn Steak Sauce Recipe
Classic creamy peppercorn steak sauce
Serves 2
Prep Time 1 minute minCook Time 4 minutes minsTotal Time 5 minutes mins
1/4 cup brandy or cognac1/2 cup no sodium beef broth1/3 cup heavy cream1-2 tsp crushed whole black peppercornssalt to taste
In the same pan that you browned the steak, deglaze with the brandy/cognac over medium heat, scraping up any brown bits in the pan. When the brandy/cognac has reduced a bit, stir in the beef broth and cream. Add the peppercorns and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened to your liking. Season with salt to taste.
Nutrition Facts
Classic Peppercorn Steak Sauce Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 109
Calories from Fat 67
% Daily Value*
Fat 7.4g11%Saturated Fat 4.6g29%Cholesterol 27mg9%Sodium 23mg1%Carbohydrates 0.6g0%Fiber 0.01g0%Sugar 0.01g0% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Mustard Cream
If you love the spicy bite of mustard to cut through the richness of steak, this is the sauce for you. Fool around with different types of mustard – whole grain is particularly good, as well as dijon. The heavy cream adds a bit of body and thickness.
Creamy Mustard Steak Sauce Recipe
A creamy tart sauce is the perfect compliment to steak.
Serves 2
Prep Time 1 minute minCook Time 5 minutes minsTotal Time 5 minutes mins
1/4 cup white wine3/4 cup heavy cream2 tbsp whole grain mustard or mustard of choicesalt and freshly cracked black pepper to tastechopped chives if desired
In the same pan that you browned the steak, deglaze with wine over medium heat, scraping up any brown bits in the pan. When the wine has reduced a bit, stir in the mustard and cream. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened to your liking. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper and stir in chopped chives if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Creamy Mustard Steak Sauce Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 190
Calories from Fat 155
% Daily Value*
Fat 17.2g26%Saturated Fat 10.4g65%Cholesterol 62mg21%Sodium 86mg4%Carbohydrates 3.1g1%Fiber 0.01g0%Sugar 0.3g0% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Garlic Mushroom
What’s not to love about pan caramelized mushrooms with garlic, especially when you stir in a bunch of parmesan and little bit of cream. This is one of those sauces that you’ll want a lot of, so maybe do yourself a favor and double up. It tastes great on pretty much anything.
Creamy Parmesan Garlic Mushroom Steak Sauce Recipe
A creamy garlic pan seared mushroom sauce for steak
Serves 2
Prep Time 1 minute minCook Time 9 minutes minsTotal Time 10 minutes mins
2 tbsp butter1/2 lb mushrooms thinly sliced2 cloves garlic minced1/4 cup white wine1/2 cup heavy cream1/4 cup finely grated parmesansalt and freshly ground pepper to taste
In the same pan that you browned the steak, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and cook, without disturbing, until golden and brown. Flip and continue to cook. Stir in the garlic and cook just until soft. Deglaze with the wine, scraping up any brown bits in the pan. When the wine has reduced a bit, stir in the cream and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened to your liking. Turn off the heat and stir in the parmesan. Taste and season with salt and freshly ground pepper.
Nutrition Facts
Creamy Parmesan Garlic Mushroom Steak Sauce Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 299
Calories from Fat 234
% Daily Value*
Fat 26g40%Saturated Fat 16.2g101%Cholesterol 80mg27%Sodium 162mg7%Carbohydrates 6.4g2%Fiber 1.2g5%Sugar 2.2g2%Protein 8.5g17% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Coconut Curry
If you haven’t had a coconut curry steak sauce before, please try it! It’s kind of reminiscent of that mysterious green steak sauce that they have at that famous French steak frites chain Le Relais de L’Entrecote. Theirs is more of a butter based green sauce, but I swear there’s a hint of curry in it? Maybe not, but this coconut curry sauce is amazing: warm and deep from the spices and shallot with a hit of umami from the fish sauce. Try it, you’ll love it!
Coconut Curry Steak Sauce Recipe
Coconut and curry belong together, especially over steak
Serves 2
Prep Time 1 minute minCook Time 9 minutes minsTotal Time 10 minutes mins
1/4 cup diced shallots1.5 tbsp curry powder1 tsp garlic powder1 tsp sugar1 cup coconut milk1 tsp fish sauce
In the same pan that you browned the steak, heat up a touch of oil over medium heat. Add the shallots and sauté, until soft and brown, stirring often, about 2-5 minutes. Stir in the curry, garlic powder, and sugar, frying lightly. Add the coconut milk and fish sauce and bring to a gently simmer to thicken slightly. Taste and adjust seasonings.
Nutrition Facts
Coconut Curry Steak Sauce Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 319
Calories from Fat 264
% Daily Value*
Fat 29.3g45%Saturated Fat 25.5g159%Cholesterol 0.01mg0%Sodium 255mg11%Carbohydrates 15.9g5%Fiber 4.4g18%Sugar 6.6g7%Protein 4.2g8% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Japanese Chimichurri
This is a delicious take on chimichurri that Mike came up with that I cannot get enough of. Classic chimichurri is parsley, garlic, olive oil, oregano and red wine vinegar. Mike switched it up for cilantro, garlic, toasted sesame oil, soy, and rice vinegar. Super savory and completely moreish. It’s probably the easiest of the steak sauces to make and the prettiest too because of all the green.
Japanese Chimichurri Steak Sauce Recipe
A Japanese take on chimichurri: cilantro, garlic, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, and soy
Serves 2
Prep Time 1 minute minCook Time 4 minutes minsTotal Time 5 minutes mins
1/4 cup chopped cilantro2 cloves garlic crushed2 tbsp toasted sesame oil2 tbsp rice vinegar1 tsp soy sauce
Nutrition Facts
Japanese Chimichurri Steak Sauce Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 137
Calories from Fat 122
% Daily Value*
Fat 13.6g21%Saturated Fat 1.9g12%Cholesterol 0.01mg0%Sodium 151mg7%Carbohydrates 1.3g0%Fiber 0.1g0%Sugar 0.1g0%Protein 0.4g1% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Bonus steak sauce recipes
These sauces have a few ingredients more than five, but they are SO worth it. Once you’ve made your way through the classic 5, up your steak sauce game by trying these out. You won’t regret it and soon you’ll be sitting down to steak and sauce that will rival your favorite steak house.
Steak Diane Sauce
Retro steakhouse sauce at it’s best: a combo of mushroom sauce and peppercorn sauce that is full of flavor and creaminess. There are no subtle flavors here. It’s smoky, mushroom-y, and deeply meaty. It’s just over the top everything, in a good way.
Weeknight Steak Diane Steak Sauce Recipe
Retro steakhouse sauce at it’s best.
Serves 2
Prep Time 1 minute minCook Time 5 minutes minsTotal Time 6 minutes mins
1 tbsp butter1/2 shallot finely minced2 cloves garlic crushed2.5 oz mushrooms cleaned and sliced1/4 cup cognac2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce1 tbsp dijon mustard1/4 cup beef stock1/2 cup heavy cream
Add the butter, shallot, garlic, and mushrooms to the same pan that you browned the steak, and stir, cooking until the shallot and garlic are soft and the mushrooms are brown. Deglaze with the cognac over medium heat, scraping up any brown bits in the pan. When the cognac has reduced a bit, add the Worcestershire, dijon, beef broth, and cream. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened to your liking. Season with salt to taste.
Nutrition Facts
Weeknight Steak Diane Steak Sauce Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 279
Calories from Fat 157
% Daily Value*
Fat 17.4g27%Saturated Fat 10.6g66%Cholesterol 56mg19%Sodium 407mg18%Potassium 209mg6%Carbohydrates 8.1g3%Fiber 0.7g3%Sugar 3.7g4%Protein 2.9g6% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Cajun Butter Peppercorn Steak Sauce
Do you love dry rub cajun steaks but often think to yourself, this is good, but with sauce would be better? This is the sauce for you. It’s a riff off of a classic peppercorn, but with cajun spices, spicy and full of flavor. It brings the heat and has a rich creamy finish.
Weeknight Cajun Butter Peppercorn Steak Sauce
A riff of a classic peppercorn but with cajun spices, spicy and full of flavor
Serves 2
Prep Time 1 minute minCook Time 5 minutes minsTotal Time 6 minutes mins
1/4 cup cognac2 tbsp butter1/2 cup beef stock no sodium preferred1/3 cup heavy cream1-2 tsp crushed whole black peppercorns1/2 tsp ground cayenne pepper1/2 tsp chili powder1/2 tsp garlic powder1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper1/2 tsp ground white pepper1/2 tsp onion powder1/2 tsp smoked paprika1 pinch ground cumin
In the same pan that you browned the steak, deglaze with the cognac over medium heat, scraping up any brown bits in the pan. When the cognac has reduced a bit, melt the butter, then stir in the beef broth and cream. Add the peppercorns and other spices and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened to your liking. Season with salt to taste.
Nutrition Facts
Weeknight Cajun Butter Peppercorn Steak Sauce
Amount Per Serving
Calories 275
Calories from Fat 174
% Daily Value*
Fat 19.3g30%Saturated Fat 12g75%Cholesterol 58mg19%Sodium 298mg13%Potassium 88mg3%Carbohydrates 4.1g1%Fiber 1.1g5%Sugar 0.6g1%Protein 2.1g4% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Soy Butter Steak Sauce
This has got to be my ultimate steak sauce when I feel like big umami flavors for little to no effort. Something magic happens when you combine butter and soy: the richness of the butter and the straight up sweet-salty-maltiness of soy pair perfectly with steak.
Soy Butter Steak Sauce
Magic happens when you combine butter and soy: the richness of the butter and the straight up sweet-salty-maltiness of soy pairs perfectly with steak.
Serves 2
Prep Time 1 minute minCook Time 5 minutes minsTotal Time 6 minutes mins
2 tbsp butter1/4 cup heavy cream1/4 cup beef stock2 tbsp soy sauce1 tbsp mirin2 tsp instant dashigreen onions sliced, to serve
In the same pan that you browned the steak, melt the butter. Stir in the cream, beef stock, soy sauce, mirin, and dashi powder. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened to your liking. Serve with sliced scallions.
Nutrition Facts
Soy Butter Steak Sauce
Amount Per Serving
Calories 144
Calories from Fat 120
% Daily Value*
Fat 13.3g20%Saturated Fat 8.4g53%Cholesterol 36mg12%Sodium 1336mg58%Potassium 65mg2%Carbohydrates 5.7g2%Fiber 0.1g0%Sugar 2.9g3%Protein 1.7g3% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Dashi power or instant dashi is a straight up gem that adds flavor to anything and everything. You can find it at your friendly local Asian grocery store or on amazon.
FAQ
How to make steak sauce with no alcohol
This is probably one of the most asked questions in regards to steak sauce: no alcohol steak sauce. You’re in luck because if you’re alcohol adverse you can simply swap out the alcohol for stock, either chicken or beef. You won’t the the robust flavors of reduced wine or brandy, but it will be just as delicious. If you have access to alcohol free wine, you can try that too but a stock works just as well. Try adding in a teaspoon of soy sauce or Worcestershire for an extra bump of umami!
How to make steak sauce with no cream
If you’re dairy free, you can absolutely make steak sauce without heavy cream. Try substituting coconut cream – it’ll add a nice creaminess with a touch of coconut flavor and thicken your sauce. You can also just go for a steak sauce that has no cream: the chimichurri is absolutely delicious. Or, if you just don’t have any heavy cream on hand but you have milk, you can make quick heavy cream substitute by melting 1/4 cup butter and stirring it into 3/4 cups milk.
Can I make steak sauce in advance?
Yes! The best steak sauces to make in advance are ones that don’t absolutely need the same pan that you cooked the steak in. Try the mustard cream, garlic mushroom steak sauce, the coconut curry, the chimmichuri, or the Cajun butter. You can make these the day before and heat them up gently in a pan before serving warm over your steak.
What to serve with steak
If you’re looking for some delicious sides to eat with your steak, here are some suggestions:
Happy steak saucing!
