Pan Seared Steak with Mustard Cream Sauce
Eric and I enjoy steak, but it’s not something we cook on a regular basis. After trying this recipe, however, that might change. You know how sometimes you’ll stumble across a recipe that is completely perfect? This was that kind of recipe for us. With minimal ingredients and effort, we had a fancy(ish) steakhouse dinner without leaving home.
This recipe starts with an inexpensive cut of meat, top butt. You may think that, in order to have restaurant-worthy steak, an expensive cut is required. I thought that until trying this recipe. Sure, it’s one thing to use a lesser cut if the steak is being marinated for fajitas. It’s another thing altogether when the steak is being pan seared and topped with pan sauce. I had my doubts that this recipe would result in a tender, flavorful steak, but I should’ve known better than to doubt the people at Cook’s Illustrated. This meal exceeded my expectations, and I foresee my red meat intake increasing in the near future as I try different sauces using this technique. The mustard cream sauce was my favorite part of this recipe, and it dressed up the steak nicely. The shallot and mustard gave the sauce a little kick that was balanced out but not suffocated by the cream. It’s what truly made this feel like a dinner out instead of a quick weeknight dinner.
- YIELD: 2 servings
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 boneless shell sirloin steak (top butt) or whole flap meat steak, about 1 pound and 1¼-inches thick
1 small shallot, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
1½ tablespoons dry white wine
¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth
3 tablespoons heavy cream
1½ tablespoons whole-grain Dijon mustard or coarse brown mustard
Cook’s Illustrated has a wonderful primer on steaks and mentions that this type of steak is also known as boneless shell sirloin, butt steak, top sirloin butt, top sirloin steak and center-cut roast. Additionally, the flap meat steak can also be found as top sirloin tips, beef sirloin tips, sirloin tip steak and sirloin flap meat for tips. Just remember to keep an eye out for various names since they can vary by region and market.
- 1
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season both sides of the steak with salt and pepper, then place in skillet. Cook, without moving, until well browned, about 2 minutes. Using tongs, flip steak. Reduce heat to medium and continue cooking until well browned on the second side. For medium-rare, cook for about 5 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 125º. For medium, cook for about 6 minutes or until steak reaches 130º.
- 2
Remove steak from skillet and place on a large plate or cutting board. Tent loosely with foil and allow to rest until the temperature reaches 130º for medium-rare and 135º for medium, anywhere from 12 to 15 minutes.
- 3
Meanwhile, pour off all but 1 tablespoon of fat from the skillet. Return to low heat and add shallot. Cook, stirring frequently, until the shallot begins to brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Add wine and increase heat to medium-high. Simmer rapidly for about 30 seconds and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits that may have formed on the bottom of the skillet.
Add broth and simmer until reduced to 2 tablespoons, about 3 minutes. Add cream and any juices from the resting steak. Continue cooking for about a minute, then stir in mustard. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- 4
Using a sharp knife, slice steak about ¼-inch thick against the grain on the bias. Arrange on two plates, spoon sauce over the top and serve immediately.
Yum! That sauce looks delicious, I bet it would be great on some pork tenderloin too.
Looks excellent! I recently made a mustard herb encrusted pork… and today I posted a steak with gorgonzola cream sauce… this is like their baby. It sounds wonderful- mustard is such an underrated condiement!
Mmm yummy! I love “for two” recipes because I rarely cook for more than that. Although these days I’ve been cooking for one, because my boyfriend moved out of town for a job. But I am visiting him this weekend, maybe I will cook this!
My mouth just watered and that doesn’t happen often since I’ve built up tolerance to delicious-looking pictures of food. I love steak and the mustard sauce sounds just divine!
As someone who loves mustard, this sounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing.