Classic Steak Diane Recipe (2024)

by Erin

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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.

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Why do they call it Steak Diane?

What is Diane sauce made of?

Which kind of steak is used in Steak Diane?

Wine pairings for Steak Diane

More steak sauce recipes

What to serve with Steak Diane

Steak Diane Recipe

Ingredients

Instructions

Equipment

Nutrition

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.

Classic Steak Diane Recipe (3)

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

  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Merlot
Classic Steak Diane Recipe (4)

More steak sauce recipes

  • Chimichurri Sauce
  • Romesco Sauce
  • Steak Diane
  • Red Wine Jus
  • Bearnaise Sauce
  • More →my must trysteak 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 I would appreciate it so much if you would give this recipe a star review! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me onInstagramusing the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

For more great Platings and Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me onInstagram,TikTok,PinterestandFacebook.

Classic Steak Diane Recipe (6)

Steak Diane Recipe

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.

5 from 45 votes

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 2 people

Created by Platings and Pairings

Ingredients

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.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Equipment

Classic Steak Diane Recipe (7)Classic Steak Diane Recipe (8)

Large Skillet

Nutrition

Calories: 339kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 180mg | Potassium: 204mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 761IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1mg

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Classic Steak Diane Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is a Steak Diane sauce made of? ›

"Diane" refers to the pan sauce made with mustard, Worcestershire sauce, cream, and cognac. Make it in under 30 minutes for a delicious date night in. Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.

What can you substitute for cognac in Steak Diane? ›

There is no substitute for cognac other than brandy. You can use wild mushrooms such as maitake, shiitake, or even oyster mushrooms in this recipe if you'd like. It is ok to sub out the beef stock with chicken stock. You may need to sear the beef in batches if your pan is not big enough.

What is the difference between steak au poivre and Steak Diane? ›

What's the difference Between Steak Diane and Steak au Poivre? “Au poivre” is French for pepper and indicates a pan sauce for steak that uses shallots, liquor (Cognac or dry sherry), cream, and copious amounts of coarsely cracked pepper in the sauce. Steak Diane often contains mushrooms and lots less pepper.

What wine pairs well with Steak Diane? ›

A Pomerol, a red wine from the Bordeaux region of France, would be an excellent choice for Steak Diane.

What gives steak sauce its flavor? ›

Overview. Steak sauce is normally brown in color, and often made from tomatoes, spices, vinegar, and raisins, and sometimes anchovies. The taste is either tart or sweet, with a peppery taste similar to Worcestershire sauce.

What is a cheap alternative to cognac? ›

Brandy would be the top choice if Cognac isn't available for use, but Wilson says that white grape juice has been a solid swap for her recipes. “The grape flavor is reminiscent of the grapes that are the foundation of Cognac,” she says.

What to use instead of brandy in Diane sauce? ›

Brandy or Cognac: A key ingredient in Diane sauce is brandy or cognac. If you don't have either on hand, you could substitute dry white wine. If you want to leave the alcohol out altogether, use fruit juice, water, or extra beef broth.

What is the closest thing to cognac? ›

If you're after the most authentic cognac-like flavor possible, go for brandy extract. It's the closest you can get to the flavor of cognac without having to touch the liquor itself. Brandy extract is made from a mix of natural and artificial flavoring agents to replicate the flavor of brandy-type spirits.

What is Lady Mignon steak? ›

It is usually cut in 8- or 10-ounce portions and is considered a “lady's choice.” The cut comes from the tenderloin, the most tender muscle of the animal, which runs along the spine of a steer. Smaller portions cut at the end are called mignon, or “small” in French.

What is Lady steak? ›

Carman Ranch Lady Steaks are small steaks from premium cuts like the tenderloin, ribeye and New York strip. The perfect size, these tender custom-cut steaks are full of flavor and nutrients, quick & easy to prepare and the perfect complement your seasonal vegetable-centric dinner menu.

What steak is the king of steaks? ›

Often referred to as “the king of steaks”, the Porterhouse is actually two steaks in one. One side of the bone yields a succulent and tender tenderloin, while the other side yields a flavourful striploin. Porterhouse steaks are famous for their size.

Why do they call it Steak Diane? ›

Romano's maître d'hôtel, Tony Clerici, said he invented it in London at his Mayfair restaurant Tony's Grill in 1938 and named it in honour of Lady Diana Cooper. Clerici may have learned the dish from Charles Gallo-Selva, who had previously worked at Quaglino's in London.

Can you buy Steak Diane sauce? ›

Diane Steak Sauce (80g) - Order Online - Owton's Butchers.

Is chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc better with steak? ›

Chardonnay is the best white wine to pair with steak. Chardonnay is very versatile with a natural acidity that has a similar effect on the fat in steak as the tannins in red wine.

What does steak diane sauce taste like? ›

Steak diane is a beef dish that is served with a mushroom cognac sauce that is typically flambeed. The sauce has heavy cream, mustard, and broth to give it lots of depth of flavor. There are no flames needed to get a great flavor in this sauce!

What does Diane sauce taste like? ›

Made from over ten ingredients, including spices, anchovies, tamarind and molasses, Worcestershire puts the U in umami! This is then contrasted with sweet tomato sauce and tamed by thickened cream, making it ideal to enhance not only steak but also grilled chicken and pork or simply poured over hot chips.

Why is it called Diane sauce? ›

In the 19th century, sauces made “a la Diane” were dedicated to Diana the Rome goddess and was originally served as an accompaniment to venison. Sauce a la Diane was composed of cream, truffles, and ample amounts of black pepper.

Why do they call it steak diane? ›

Romano's maître d'hôtel, Tony Clerici, said he invented it in London at his Mayfair restaurant Tony's Grill in 1938 and named it in honour of Lady Diana Cooper. Clerici may have learned the dish from Charles Gallo-Selva, who had previously worked at Quaglino's in London.

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