The Perfect Filet Mignon with Peppercorn Sauce Recipe

Tender beef finds its ultimate expression in this classic filet mignon with peppercorn sauce that promises pure culinary magic.

Passionate cooks understand how simple ingredients can create remarkable dining experiences.

Restaurant-quality meals emerge right in your kitchen with minimal effort.

Professional chefs have long celebrated this elegant dish for its rich, complex flavors.

Juicy meat paired with a bold, creamy sauce creates a symphony of taste sensations.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe delivers restaurant-level deliciousness that will impress anyone seated at your table.

You’ll feel like a culinary star when presenting this stunning plate to eager dinner companions.

Why Filet Mignon With Peppercorn Sauce Feels Luxurious

• Master Gourmet Cooking at Home: Elevate your home cooking game with this restaurant-quality filet mignon recipe that transforms a simple steak into an extraordinary dining experience without needing professional chef skills.
• Quick Luxury Meal in Under 30 Minutes: Impress dinner guests or treat yourself to a fancy meal that comes together surprisingly fast, proving gourmet cooking can be quick and accessible for busy home cooks.
• Restaurant-Style Flavor Explosion: The combination of perfectly seared steak, rich peppercorn sauce, and aromatic herbs creates a flavor profile that rivals high-end steakhouse dishes, making every bite a delightful culinary journey.
• Adaptable Dinner Solution: Easily customizable for different dietary preferences and occasions, from romantic date nights to celebratory dinners, this recipe offers versatility and elegance in one stunning dish.

What You Need For Filet Mignon With Peppercorn Sauce

• Filet Mignon: Tender, high-quality beef cut known for its soft texture and elegant presentation. Best when fresh and at room temperature before cooking.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing the meat's natural flavors. Freshly ground black pepper provides a more robust taste.
• Garlic, Thyme: Aromatic herbs that add depth and complexity to the steak's flavor profile.

• Olive Oil: Helps create a perfect golden-brown sear on the meat's exterior.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps baste the steak for extra flavor and moisture.
• Cognac or Brandy: Provides a sophisticated depth to the peppercorn sauce.
• Beef Broth: Creates a rich base for the sauce with intense meaty flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious creaminess and helps thicken the sauce.

• Crushed Peppercorns: Gives the signature spicy and aromatic character to the sauce.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds a tangy complexity and helps bind the sauce.

How To Prepare Filet Mignon With Peppercorn Sauce

Step 1: Massage Filet Mignon with Flavor

• Kosher salt
• Freshly cracked black pepper

Warm up a heavy cast-iron skillet until it’s screaming hot. Drizzle in olive oil to create a perfect searing environment. Carefully place steaks into the skillet, letting them develop a stunning golden-brown crust. Each side needs about 3-4 minutes of undisturbed cooking magic.

Lower the heat and invite butter, minced garlic, and fresh thyme to the party. Use a spoon to continuously bathe the steaks in this aromatic blend. After 1-2 minutes, transfer steaks to a warm plate and let them relax.

Step 2: Craft Luxurious Peppercorn Sauce

Keep those delicious pan drippings! Drain excess oil but leave behind approximately one tablespoon of liquid gold. Toss in crushed peppercorns and let them dance for half a minute.

• Heavy cream
• Dijon mustard

Continue simmering until the sauce transforms into a velvety consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 3: Plate and Celebrate

Lovingly drape the rich peppercorn sauce over your perfectly cooked filet mignon. Accompany with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted seasonal vegetables, or a crisp green salad. Uncork a bold red wine and toast to an incredible homemade meal!

Cooking Tips For Filet Mignon With Peppercorn Sauce

• Perfectly Pat-Dry Technique: Ensure steaks are completely dry before seasoning to achieve a beautiful golden-brown crust that locks in maximum flavor and creates an irresistible texture.
• Smart Searing Strategy: Use a cast-iron skillet for even heat distribution and develop a rich, caramelized exterior that seals in the steak's natural juices and tenderness.
• Butter Basting Brilliance: Infuse extra flavor by adding butter, garlic, and thyme during the final cooking moments, creating a luxurious coating that elevates the filet mignon's taste profile.
• Sauce Simplification Secret: Utilize the same skillet after cooking the steak to capture all the delicious browned bits, maximizing flavor and reducing cleanup time while creating a rich, creamy peppercorn sauce.
• Wine Pairing Wisdom: Select a full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot to complement the robust flavors of the peppercorn sauce and tender filet mignon.

Storage Instructions For Filet Mignon With Peppercorn Sauce

• Wrap leftover filet mignon tightly in aluminum foil or place in an airtight container.
• Refrigerate cooked steak within two hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• When reheating, use gentle methods to prevent drying out the meat.
• Warm the steak slowly in a preheated oven at 250°F, covering it with foil to retain moisture.
• Add a splash of beef broth or butter to help keep the meat juicy and tender.
• For best results, consume refrigerated steak within 2-3 days and avoid freezing, as this can significantly impact the delicate texture of filet mignon.
• Always check for any signs of spoilage before consuming leftover steak.

What To Serve With Filet Mignon With Peppercorn Sauce

• Sip a Bold Red Wine Companion: Pair this luxurious filet mignon with a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon or Bordeaux blend, whose robust tannins and rich dark fruit notes perfectly complement the peppery sauce and tender beef.
• Match with Elegant Side Dishes: Create a harmonious plate by serving creamy garlic mashed potatoes, which absorb the peppercorn sauce beautifully, and roasted asparagus with a light herb seasoning to balance the meat's intensity.
• Enhance with Aged Cheese Appetizer: Start the meal with a small plate of aged Gruyère or sharp aged cheddar, allowing its nutty and complex flavors to prime the palate for the rich filet mignon and peppercorn sauce.
• Select a Classic Cocktail Pairing: Begin with a well-crafted Manhattan or Old Fashioned, whose whiskey base and subtle sweetness will echo the cognac in the sauce and prepare your taste buds for the decadent main course.

Filet Mignon With Peppercorn Sauce Variations To Explore

• Spicy Southwest Filet: Transform the classic recipe by rubbing the steak with chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika before searing. Replace the traditional peppercorn sauce with a smoky chipotle cream sauce, using adobo sauce and jalapeños for extra heat.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Marinate the filet in rosemary, oregano, and garlic-infused olive oil before cooking. Create a lighter sauce using white wine, fresh herbs, and a touch of lemon zest instead of the traditional cream-based sauce.
• Blue Cheese Elegance: Top the seared filet with crumbled blue cheese during the final moments of cooking. Develop a red wine reduction sauce with caramelized shallots and a hint of blue cheese for an intense, rich flavor profile.
• Mushroom Truffle Dream: Add sautéed wild mushrooms to the peppercorn sauce and finish with a drizzle of truffle oil. Incorporate porcini powder into the steak seasoning for an earthy, luxurious complexity.

FAQs About Filet Mignon With Peppercorn Sauce

• What makes filet mignon so special compared to other cuts of beef?

Filet mignon is prized for its incredible tenderness and lean texture. It comes from the most delicate part of the beef tenderloin, making it the most expensive and luxurious cut with virtually no tough muscle fibers.

• Can I make this recipe if I don't have cognac?

Absolutely! You can substitute cognac with brandy, dry white wine, or even beef broth. Each alternative will bring a slightly different flavor profile to the peppercorn sauce, but will still be delicious.

• How do I know when my filet mignon is cooked to the right temperature?

Use a meat thermometer for precision. For medium-rare, aim for 130-135°F. Let the steak rest after cooking, as the internal temperature will continue to rise slightly, ensuring a perfectly juicy and tender result.

• Is it necessary to use a cast-iron skillet for this recipe?

While a cast-iron skillet provides excellent heat distribution and creates a beautiful crust, you can use any heavy-bottomed pan. The key is to get a high, even heat that helps develop that golden-brown sear on the steak.

Filet Mignon With Peppercorn Sauce Recipe

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4.6 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Succulent filet mignon with peppercorn sauce brings French culinary elegance to your dinner table. Tender beef medallions bathed in rich, creamy sauce create a luxurious dining experience you’ll savor with pure gastronomic delight.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 2 filet mignon steaks (6–8 ounces/170–226 grams each)

Seasonings and Herbs:

• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns, crushed
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme (or rosemary)
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)

Cooking Liquids and Fats:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon 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

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Instructions

1. Tenderly clean the filet mignon surfaces with paper towels, then generously season with kosher salt and cracked black pepper to enhance natural flavors.
2. Ignite a cast-iron skillet over robust medium-high temperature, drizzle with robust olive oil to create an ideal searing environment.
3. Carefully place seasoned filets into the sizzling pan, allowing each side to develop a rich caramelized exterior for approximately 3-4 minutes.
4. Transition heat to medium-low, introduce fragrant butter, minced garlic, and fresh thyme sprigs to gently baste the protein and infuse additional depth.
5. Extract steaks from pan, allowing them to relax and redistribute internal juices while preparing the accompanying sauce.
6. Preserve a thin layer of pan drippings, then introduce crushed multicolored peppercorns to release their aromatic essence.
7. Deglaze the skillet with smooth cognac, watching the liquid dance and reduce slightly to concentrate its complex flavors.
8. Stream rich beef broth into the pan, creating a foundational sauce that captures the skillet’s accumulated flavors.
9. Incorporate velvety heavy cream and tangy Dijon mustard, whisking until the sauce transforms into a luxurious, silky consistency.
10. Taste and calibrate seasoning with additional salt if necessary.
11. Cascade the peppercorn sauce dramatically over rested filet mignon, ensuring complete coverage.
12. Present alongside creamy mashed potatoes or roasted seasonal vegetables, complemented by a robust red wine for an elegant dining experience.

Notes

• Enhance meat tenderness by removing steaks from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking, allowing them to reach room temperature.
• Select high-quality, well-marbled filet mignon cuts for maximum flavor and juiciness.
• Use freshly cracked black peppercorns for a more robust and aromatic sauce.
• Experiment with different spirits like whiskey or brandy to create unique sauce variations.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Searing
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 645
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 634 mg
• Fat: 47 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 27 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 5 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 48 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg