Au poivre

Au poivre is a French cooking technique in which meat or poultry is pan-seared with crushed peppercorns. The dish is usually made with a sauce made from the pan drippings, cream, and cognac or brandy.

The history of au poivre recipes is unclear, but the dish is likely to have originated in the 18th century. It was popularized in the 19th century by French chef Auguste Escoffier, who included it in his influential cookbook, Le Guide Culinaire.

Au poivre recipes were introduced to the United States in the early 20th century by James Beard and Julia Child. They have since become a staple of American cuisine, appearing on restaurant menus and in home cooking magazines.

Advice

If you are looking to make a classic French dish, Au Poivre is an excellent choice. The key to success is to use fresh ingredients and take your time. Start by heating a pan with oil and then adding a generous amount of freshly cracked pepper. Once the pepper begins to sizzle, add your steak, making sure it is well-seasoned with salt and pepper. Sear the steak on both sides and then reduce the heat to medium-low. Allow the steak to cook until it is desired doneness. Once the steak is cooked, add a few tablespoons of butter and then deglaze the pan with a splash of brandy or cognac. Finally, add a few tablespoons of cream and reduce the sauce to desired thickness. Serve your Au Poivre with a side of roasted potatoes or steamed vegetables. Bon Appétit!

Jump to: Ingredient Breakdown Insights

Recipes

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Simple Steak au Poivre

  • salt
  • black pepper
  • cognac
  • sichuan pepper
  • watercress
  • beef
  • crème fraîche
  • butter
  • shallot
  • beef tenderloin steak
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Strip Steak au Poivre

  • salt
  • salt
  • black peppercorn
  • shallot
  • heavy cream
  • cognac
  • vegetable oil
  • new york steak
  • butter
  • thyme
  • garlic
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Swordfish au Poivre

  • salt
  • parsley
  • butter
  • shallot
  • black peppercorn
  • cognac
  • olive oil
  • heavy cream
  • swordfish
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Lamb Chops au Poivre

  • salt
  • cognac
  • butter
  • black peppercorn
  • brown mustard seed
  • parsley
  • shallot
  • coriander seed
  • fennel seed
  • grapeseed oil
  • crème fraîche
  • loin lamb chop
  • beef stock
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Blueberry Bacon Blue Cheese Burger au Poivre

  • arugula
  • canola oil
  • salt
  • mayonnaise
  • basil aioli
  • canola oil
  • sugar
  • water
  • bacon
  • lemon juice
  • lemon juice
  • black pepper
  • chuck
  • cornstarch
  • basil
  • blueberry
  • garlic
  • brioche burger bun
  • blue cheese
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Steak au Poivre

  • salt
  • heavy cream
  • green peppercorn
  • shallot
  • cognac
  • black pepper
  • rib eye
  • butter
  • garlic
  • rosemary
  • vegetable oil
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Steak au Poivre

  • black peppercorn
  • vegetable oil
  • garlic
  • heavy cream
  • salt
  • shallot
  • cognac
  • beef stock
  • butter
  • beef top loin steak
  • salt
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Steak au Poivre

  • salt
  • heavy cream
  • cognac
  • beef stock
  • vegetable oil
  • butter
  • black peppercorn
  • beef
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Steak au Poivre

  • black peppercorn
  • salt
  • rib eye steak
  • brandy
  • heavy cream
  • olive oil
  • shallot
  • chicken stock
  • butter

Ingredient Breakdown

 
salt
butter
shallot
cognac
black peppercorn
heavy cream
garlic
olive oil
black pepper
vegetable oil
beef stock
beef
crème fraîche
coriander seed
fennel seed
parsley
canola oil
lemon juice
sichuan pepper
watercress
beef tenderloin steak
tuna
red wine
chicken broth
dijon mustard
another brandy
portobello mushroom
new york steak
thyme
swordfish
brown mustard seed
grapeseed oil
loin lamb chop
steak
arugula
mayonnaise
basil aioli
sugar
water
bacon
chuck
cornstarch
basil
blueberry
brioche burger bun
blue cheese
green peppercorn
rib eye
rosemary
beef top loin steak
rib eye steak
brandy
chicken stock

Insights

Staple Ingredients

  • salt 83%
  • butter 75%

Common Ingredients

  • shallot 67%

Usual Ingredients

  • cognac 58%
  • black peppercorn 50%
  • garlic 50%
  • heavy cream 50%