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Peppercorn Sauce

published about 1 hour ago

Credit: Tara Holland

Peppercorn sauce is a creamy, spicy, and lightly smoky pan sauce made from beef stock, peppercorns, shallots, brandy, and cream. Originating from the French dish Steak au Poivre , it’s traditionally created from the fond (the brown bits and residue) left behind from the seared steaks , which are packed with flavor.

Peppercorn sauce is a delicious accompaniment to a variety of proteins and vegetables, not just steak. To make it more versatile, this recipe doesn’t doesn’t rely on fond. An extra tablespoon of butter added at the end makes up for the richness lost.

What to Serve with Peppercorn sauce

• Beef tenderloin , strip, or rib-eye steak
• Grilled chicken breast
• Seared pork chop
• Sautéed mushrooms, or seared mushroom ‘steaks’
• Tagliatelle with fresh basil
• Roasted cauliflower
• Steamed broccoli

How to Thicken Peppercorn Sauce

As with any pan sauce with a fairly quick cooking time, this sauce doesn’t get very thick. If you prefer a slightly thicker sauce with a bit more substance, you can add a slurry (cornstarch mixed with a little water) at the end, which is given as an optional extra in this recipe.

Which Peppercorns Should You Use?

Green peppercorns are commonly used in peppercorn sauce as they are much milder, with an almost floral, aromatic flavor compared to whole black peppercorns, which are strongly spiced. Green peppercorns, although available in dried form, are commonly brined or pickled and sold in cans or jars, which yield a softer texture that works well with the sauce.

If you wish to use dried whole peppercorns in your recipe, toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat before coarsely crushing them to enhance the peppery flavor. It is not advisable to serve whole dried peppercorns in peppercorn sauce. They should be coarsely crushed or ground first.

If you are using exclusively dried peppercorns in this recipe, omit the brined green peppercorns and increase the whole black peppercorns to 2 teaspoons. Once coarsely crushed, add 1 1/2 teaspoons of coarsely crushed pepper (in step 4), instead of 1/4 teaspoon. Spice tolerance is personal, so it’s a sauce you should taste at the end and amend the dried pepper level accordingly.

You could also use a mix of dried peppercorns, which bring different layers of flavor or even add a 1/4 teaspoon of Sichuan or Aleppo peppercorns to level up your sauce.

Credit: Tara Holland

Can I Make Peppercorn Sauce Without Brandy?

Traditionally, brandy or Cognac is added to the sauce. Bourbon makes a slightly left-field yet satisfying substitute, as the smokiness works well with the pepper.  For a booze-free version, use a non-alcoholic brandy, or replace brandy with a splash of pear, peach, or apple juice.

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Peppercorn Sauce Recipe

This spicy, slightly smoky, cream pan sauce is made from beef stock, peppercorns, shallots, brandy, and cream.

Yield Serves 2 to 4 , Makes about 1 cup

Prep time 10 minutes

Cook time 15 minutes

• wheat-free
• kidney-friendly
• fish-free
• peanut-free
• shellfish-free
• pork-free
• sugar-conscious
• gluten-free
• tree-nut-free
• soy-free
• egg-free

Per serving, based on 4 servings. (% daily value)

• Calories 213
• Fat 13.2 g (20.3%)
• Saturated 8.2 g (41.2%)
• Carbs 6.3 g (2.1%)
• Fiber 0.8 g (3.4%)
• Sugars 2.6 g
• Protein 2.3 g (4.5%)
• Sodium 329.3 mg (13.7%)

Ingredients

• 1

  large shallot

• 1/2 bunch

  fresh chives

• 1/2 teaspoon

  whole black peppercorns

• 1 1/2 tablespoons

  whole green peppercorns in brine

• 2 tablespoons

  unsalted butter, divided

• 1/2 teaspoon

  kosher salt, divided

• 1/2 cup

  brandy or cognac

• 1 cup

  beef stock or broth

• 1/3 cup

  heavy cream

• 2 teaspoons

  cornstarch (optional)

Instructions

1. Mince 1 large shallot. Finely chop 1/2 bunch fresh chives until you have about 3 tablespoons. Place 1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns in a mortar and pestle or spice grinder and coarsely crush. Drain and rinse 1 1/2 tablespoons green peppercorns in brine.

2. Place the shallot, 1 tablespoon of the unsalted butter, and 1/4 of the teaspoon kosher salt in a medium skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until shallots have softened and are lightly browned at the edges, 2 to 3 minutes.

3. Remove the skillet from the heat. Carefully add 1/2 cup brandy or Cognac. Return to medium-high heat and cook until reduced by half, about 1 minute.

4. Whisk in 1 cup beef stock, green peppercorns, and 1/4 teaspoon of the black peppercorns. Bring to a rapid simmer. Simmer until reduced by half, about 3 minutes.

5. Add 1/3 cup heavy cream and the remaining 1 tablespoon unsalted butter and whisk to combine. Bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until slightly thickened, 4 to 5 minutes. If you would like an even thicker sauce, mix 2 teaspoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water and add to sauce, whisking continuously. Cook for 1 minute more.

6. Add the remaining 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Taste and add season with more kosher salt and crushed black pepper as needed. Serve sauce spooned over steak, chicken, or grilled mushrooms. Garnish with the chives.

Recipe Notes

Substitutions: You can omit the green peppercorns in brine and use dried whole black (or mixed) peppercorns. Increase the black peppercorns to 2 teaspoons. In Step 4, add 1 1/2 teaspoons coarsely crushed pepper, then taste and season with more coarsely crushed pepper if needed.

Storage: Leftover sauce can be refrgerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Tara Holland

Contributor

Tara Holland is a British mom of two teenage girls residing in Brooklyn. She changed her successful career midlife from the financial corporate world to follow her culinary dream and graduated with honors at the Institute of Culinary Education in 2017. She went on to become an Assistant Food Editor at Rachael Ray Every Day magazine, and is now a freelance recipe developer, writer, and recipe tester.

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Source : food