Steak Diane is a classic recipe that tops your favorite steak with a sauce made with cream, cognac, shallots, beef stock, dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. It’s perfect for special occasions but also quick & easy enough for weeknight dinners.
I’m all about a great steak dinner – give me sous vide filet mignon, ribeye steak, steak with red wine Sauce or even these steak bites and I’m a very happy girl.
But how do you take your steak dinner to the next level?
Top it with a delicious steak sauce. Rick’s favorite is this classic Bearnaise sauce. And I’ve always loved Bordelaise sauce. But lately, I’ve become more and more hooked on “Diane” sauce.
It’s a creamy, lick your plate clean kind of sauce and it’s insanely good. It’s one of those classic recipes that you’d find at a fancy restaurant, but it’s actually super simple to make! This recipe is perfect for an at home date night.
Why do they call it Steak Diane?
- Although it’s not for certain, most likely the name Steak “Diane” came to be named from Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt. In the past, “a la Diane” sauces were typically served with game meats like venison.
What is Diane sauce made of?
- Diane pan sauce is typically made with cream, cognac, shallots, beef stock, dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Occasionally, mushrooms are also added.
How to make it
- Heat a tablespoon of butter and oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook steak about 4-5 minutes per side, until browned and cooked to desired doneness. Transfer steaks to a plate and tent with foil.
- Saute shallots.
- Add cognac and cook until almost evaporated.
- Add broth and cook until thickened, 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in heavy cream.
- Add dijon and Worcestershire sauce.
- Spoon sauce over the steak.
What can you substitute for cognac?
If you don’t have cognac on hand, brandy, red wine, sherry or marsala would all work in its place.
Can you make it without alcohol?
You can definitely skip the cognac in this recipe. Simply skip over that step and go straight to adding in the broth.
Which kind of steak is used in Steak Diane?
Normally, thin cut tenderloin steaks or beef tenderloin medallions are used. However, you can use any beef steak you prefer in this recipe. NY strip steaks, flank steak, ribeye and top sirloin all work well in this recipe. Just keep in mind that the cook time may increase the thicker your steaks are.
You could also serve this steak with prime rib. It’s amazing for the holidays!
Wine pairings for Steak Diane
More steak sauce recipes
- Chimichurri Sauce
- Romesco Sauce
- Steak Diane
- Red Wine Jus
- Bearnaise Sauce
- More → my must try steak sauces
What to serve with Steak Diane
- Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
- Sauteed Spinach
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Easy Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Reduction
- Glazed Carrots
- Kale Caesar Salad
- Sous Vide Asparagus
- More → 50+ sides for steak!
Did you try this Steak Diane sauce recipe?
If you loved this steak diane recipe, I would appreciate it so much if you would leave a star review! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.
For more great Platings and Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and Facebook.
Steak Diane
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 2 8-ounce top sirloin steaks ((or other favorite cut) )
- 1 small shallot (minced)
- 1/4 cup cognac ( or brandy)
- ½ cup beef stock
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tablespoon minced parsley
- 1 Tablespoon minced chives
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Heat butter and oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly season steaks with salt and pepper, and add to skillet; cook, about 4-5 minutes per side, until browned and cooked to desired doneness. When the steaks are done, move to a plate and tent with foil.
- Return the skillet to medium-high heat and sauté the shallots for 1-2 minutes, until softened.
- Add the cognac and cook until the cognac is almost evaporated, about 2 minutes, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Stir in the broth and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook until thickened, about 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the cream and cook for 2 minutes.
- Stir in dijon mustard and Worcestershire, and then return steaks and any accumulated juices to skillet; cook, turning in sauce, until warmed through, about 3 minutes.
- Transfer steak to serving plates and stir parsley and chives into sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Pour sauce over steaks and serve.
Equipment
Nutrition
Check out the web story.
This sauce is amazing!!!! We basically licked the platter clean🥰 and so easy to make.
I’m so glad you liked it Brenda!
Fabulous sauce, cooked my steak only 3 min. And it was perfect. This recipe really is a special dinner. Thank you. Have made it twice now since I discovered it,❤️
Thank you Carol – I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Perfect sauce, made a good steak a great steak.
I’m so glad you liked it Mike!
Made this for New Year’s Eve. Everyone loved it!!! I made NY strips. Sauce is perfect.
I’m so glad you liked it Holly!
I made this with two Prime Beef Delmonico steaks. Used a Thermapen and grabbed them from the pan at 120 F. Made the Sauce. It was fabulous. We ended up simply using those wonderful steaks as implements to bring that sauce to our lips! Happy Valentine’s Day it was! Thank you.
I kind of cooked the steaks a little hot and the searing developed some dark crusts that spotted the sauce. Any tips?
Turned out excellent. Many thanks
Thanks Gabi!
Amazing. Beyond restaurant worthy!
Thank you Lorena!