Steak Au Poivre literally means steak with pepper. Venison steak pairs perfectly with this creamy black pepper sauce in this French dish!

When we have steaks in the freezer (which we currently have a freezer full of venison, thanks to Jared!). There is nothing better than a perfectly cooked venison steak, nothing fancy, just simple and delicious. There are so many ways to serve up a venison steak such as my Ultimate Steak Salad, my Mediterranean Steak Bowls, or the best ever Venison Steak Sandwich. Recently, we have been hooked on this Venison Stean Au Poivre, and it is the perfect way to switch things up when we are looking for something new.
Elevate your holiday cooking game with Venison Steak Au Poivre! This dish translates a French classic to “steak with pepper,” and it’s every bit as delicious as it sounds. Tender deer steak is seared to perfection and paired with a rich, creamy black pepper pan sauce that’s bold, and holds a sophisticated flavor with will wow a crowd. Whether you’re planning an intimate dinner, hosting a festive gathering, or serving up a weeknight dinner, this dish is sure to impress.
I highly recommend serving this Venison Steak Au Poivre over my silky smooth mashed potatoes. The combination of the steak, creamy potatoes, and creamy sauce makes for an excellent meal. If you prefer crispy potatoes, you have to try these! This classic french dish is perfect for holiday dinners or any special occasion, it’s the perfect balance of elegance and comfort. Get ready to wow your guests with a meal they’ll be talking about for weeks!
INGREDIENTS AND KITCHEN TOOLS

- Venison steaks, room temperature
- Sea salt
- Whole black peppercorns, roughly crushed/cracked
- Tallow, lard or high heat tolerant cooking fat
- Unsalted butter
- Onion or large shallot (shallot is classic, sometimes I just can’t find them/am out)
- Garlic cloves
- Fresh thyme sprigs
- Dijon mustard
- Brandy (sherry is a good direct substitute, use 1-2 tsp. sherry vinegar for a non-alcoholic sub)
- Chicken stock
- Heavy cream
Kitchen tools
Here is what you’ll need to successfully prepare this dish:
- Cast iron or large skillet, or non-stick frying pan (oven safe)
- Tongs
- Wooden spoon or favorite kitchen utensils
- Instant-read thermometer
STEP BY STEP



Step 1: Remove the steaks from the fridge 30-60 minutes before cooking so they can come to room temperature. Remove them from any packaging, cover each steak with the salt, and set them on a towel-lined plate while they come to room temp.
Step 2: Preheat the oven to 450F.
Step 3: Roughly crush the peppercorns. I like to do this with the back of a skillet. You can also smash them in a bag.
Step 4: Cover the steaks on each side with the peppercorns.
Step 5: Preheat a cast iron or oven-safe stainless steel skillet over medium/medium-high heat.
Step 6: Once hot, add the cooking fat. Let the fat heat for 30-60 seconds and add the steaks to the pan.
Step 7: Allow the steaks to sear well for 3-4 minutes until a nice crust forms. If the steak is sticking to the pan, a crust has not formed and you need to wait until it releases easily.
Step 8: Flip the steaks, add 1 tablespoon of butter, one smashed garlic clove and a few thyme sprigs to the pan and baste the venison.
Step 9: Pop the steaks into the preheated oven to finish cooking for 2-5 minutes.
Step 10: Remove the steaks from the oven when they reach the desired temperature about 120F internally for a medium rare steak.
Step 11: Transfer steaks from the pan and allow them to rest on a cutting board for 10-15 minutes while you make the au poivre sauce.
Au Poivre Sauce:
Step 1: Pour most of the fat out of the pan but don’t scrape any of the browned bits from it (it’s important for flavor).
Step 2: Return it to the stove over medium heat and add the remaining butter.
Step 3: When the butter melts add the onion and remaining minced garlic. Cook for about 2-3 minutes, add the Dijon mustard and deglaze with the brandy.
Step 4: Add the chicken stock, heavy cream and any remaining peppercorns that didn’t get used on the steak.
Step 5: Allow the sauce to cook down until it coats the back of a spoon well and it thickens. This takes about 3-5 minutes. Stir frequently.
Step 6: When you’re ready to serve, slice the venison steak into strips and pour over the sauce. Enjoy!


Cooking Tip
Removing your steaks from the package and letting them come to room temperature before cooking is key. I also recommend allowing your steaks to rest before serving for best results.
HOW TO SERVE
This dish is perfect as is, but we love serving this over my perfectly mashed potatoes or with some crispy potatoes. Serve with a simple side salad or some roasted veggies for a perfectly balanced meal.

STORING AND REHEATING
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. When ready to eat, reheat in the microwave until heated through.
OTHER RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
- Venison Steaks
- Perfect Mashed Potatoes
- Venison Steak Salad
- Best Ever Venison Steak Sandwich: Balsamic, Shaved Parmesan & Arugula
- Crispy Scored Potatoes


Venison Steak Au Poivre
Steak Au Poivre literally means steak with pepper. Venison steak pairs perfectly with this creamy black pepper sauce in this French dish!
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 30
- Total Time: 40
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: stove top & oven
- Cuisine: american
Ingredients
- 4 venison steaks, room temperature
- 1 tsp. sea salt
- 1 Tbsp. whole black peppercorns, roughly crushed/cracked
- 2 Tbsp. tallow, lard or high heat tolerant cooking fat
- 2 Tbsp. butter, divided
- ¼ cup finely minced onion or shallot (shallot is classic, sometimes I just can’t find them/am out)
- 2 garlic cloves, divided (one can be smashed, one is minced)
- a few fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
- 2 Tbsp. brandy (sherry is a good direct substitute, use 1-2 tsp. sherry vinegar for a non-alcoholic sub)
- ½ cup chicken stock
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Remove the steaks from the fridge 30-60 minutes before cooking so they can come to room temperature. Remove them from any packaging, cover each steak with the salt and set them on a towel lined plate while they come to room temp.
- Preheat the oven to 450F.
- Roughly crush the peppercorns. I like to do this with the back of a skillet. You can also smash them in a bag.
- Cover the steaks on each side with the peppercorns.
- Preheat a cast iron or oven safe stainless steel skillet over medium/medium-high heat.
- Once hot, add the cooking fat. Let the fat heat for 30-60 seconds and add the steaks to the pan.
- Allow the steaks to sear well for 2-4 minutes until a nice crust forms. If the steak is sticking to the pan, a crust has not formed and you need to wait until it releases easily.
- Flip the steaks, add 1 tablespoon of the butter, one smashed garlic clove and a few thyme sprigs to the pan and baste the venison.
- Pop the steaks into the preheated oven to finish cooking for 2-5 minutes.
- Remove the steaks from the oven when they reach about 120F internally for a medium rare steak.
- Remove the steaks from the pan and allow them to rest on a cutting board for 10-15 minutes while you make the au poivre sauce.
Au Poivre Sauce:
- Pour most of the fat out of the pan but don’t scrape any of the browned bits from it.
- Return it to the stove over medium heat and add the remaining butter.
- When the butter melts add the onion and remaining minced garlic. Cook for about 2-3 minutes, add the Dijon mustard and deglaze with the brandy.
- Add the chicken stock, heavy cream and any remaining peppercorns that didn’t get used on the steak.
- Allow the sauce to cook down until it coats the back of a spoon well and it thickens. This takes about 3-5 minutes. Stir frequently.
- When you’re ready to serve, slice the venison steak into strips and pour over the sauce. Enjoy!