Since I literally wrote the book on beef, it’s probably no surprise that I absolutely adore a good steak, whether it’s a juicy ribeye, some New York strips, or simple beef tenderloin steaks. But when I really want to take a steak to the next level, I whip up this easy Diane Sauce for steak.
Made in just one pot, this simple sauce comes together in nearly no time but it’s so luxurious no one would ever guess! Creamy, rich, and even a touch tangy, this sauce will turn any dinner — beef-based or otherwise — into a restaurant-quality meal.
What is Diane Sauce?
Popularized in the 19th century, Diane Sauce’s name pays homage to Diana the Roman goddess of hunt. Its common origin story is that it was created as the perfect complement to venison though it later became a staple at some of the most high-end steakhouses in the United States and is now most associated as a complement to beef.
The signature rich and complex flavor of the sauce comes from the inclusion of Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce while the heavy cream is to thank for its velvety consistency. And while it tastes heavenly when drizzled generously over a perfectly cooked steak, it can also nicely complement plenty of other proteins or veggies.
What Makes This Diane Sauce Stand Out?
What’s not to love about a rich and flavorful sauce that tastes great on steaks?
- It’s super simple. There are no fancy techniques or equipment for this one!
- It can elevate nearly any savory meal. Diane sauce complements anything from meats and veggies to starches.
- Cleanup is a breeze. All you need is one pot so there’s no need to spend tons of time in the kitchen cleaning up dishes.
Ingredients
While the ingredient list is a bit long, they are all easily found at your local grocery store.
- Unsalted Butter – We use butter to saute the shallots and garlic and it also helps to make the sauce rich and creamy.
- Olive Oil – We also stir in some olive oil for sauteeing the shallots and garlic which helps to avoid burning the butter.
- Fresh Garlic – Minced fresh garlic cloves add a pleasant pungency to the sauce.
- Shallots – Be sure to finely mince or grate these so that they’re easy to evenly disperse in the sauce.
- Dijon Mustard – This is what gives the sauce its signature flavor with a touch of tangy, earthy flavor.
- Coarse Kosher Salt – Season the sauce with salt so that it can help to bring out all of the flavor of the other ingredients
- Ground Black Pepper – This will give the sauce just a bit of gentle heat.
- Brandy Or Cognac – Brandy or cognac adds a sophisticated flavor to the sauce.
- Heavy Cream – Heavy cream helps to create a silky smooth texture.
- Low Sodium Beef Broth – Using low sodium broth helps you to control the saltiness of the sauce. You could also use beef stock.
- Worcestershire Sauce – Worcestershire sauce brings a complex flavor to the table.
- Cornstarch (Optional) – If the sauce isn’t as thick as you’d like it to be, you can add a cornstarch slurry to thicken it up.
Variations
There are plenty of ways you can jazz this diane sauce up to make it your own!
- Mushrooms – Add sauteed mushrooms to make a creamy mushroom sauce that’s full of earthy flavor.
- Bacon – Stir in crispy bacon bits for a smoky addition to the sauce.
- Sherry – Substitute brandy or cognac with sherry for a different flavor profile.
- Herbs – Incorporate fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley.
- Heat – Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for some spiciness.
- Citrus – Add a splash of fresh lemon juice for a bright finish to the sauce.
- Steak Flavor – Sear your steak in a skillet or frying pan and while it’s resting, compose the sauce in the same pan and incorporate the brown bits left from the steak.
- Garnish – Sprinkle some chopped chives or green onion over top when serving for a pretty presentation with a pop of color.
What To Serve Diane Sauce With
While Diane sauce is absolutely fabulous over steak, you can also use it to dress up other proteins like chicken, pork, or seafood. It’s also perfect for tossing with roasted vegetables or drizzling over sauteed mushrooms or roasted asparagus.
How to Make Diane Sauce
Follow these simple steps to make the best steak sauce you’ve ever had!
- Sauté garlic and shallots. Add the butter and oil to a pan and heat until the butter melts. Briefly sauté the garlic and shallots in the butter and oil mixture.
- Add seasonings. Add the salt, pepper, and Dijon mustard and stir together until it reaches a pasty consistency.
- Add remaining ingredients. Pour in the brandy or cognac and stir to combine before adding the cream, beef broth, and Worcestershire.
- Simmer. Once combined, turn the heat down and allow the sauce to simmer.
- Add cornstarch if needed. If the sauce has not reached the desired consistency after simmering, form a cornstarch slurry with equal parts water and cornstarch and stir it into the sauce.
- Enjoy! Serve warm over steak, other proteins, or vegetables like broccoli and Brussels sprouts or mushrooms like cremini or white button mushrooms.
Storage and Freezing
You can store this in the fridge or freezer — just make sure to let it cool to room temperature first.
This sauce is great for making ahead! Just whip it up and toss it in the fridge until you’re ready to use it!
How to Store Diane Sauce
Transfer the leftover sauce to an airtight container and store for up to three days in the refrigerator.
Can I Freeze Diane Sauce?
Pour the sauce into a freezer bag or freezer-safe container and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 months.
Common Questions About Diane Sauce
While there are similarities between the two sauces like their uses of cognac or brandy and their consistency, peppercorn sauce (which is what is used for steak au poivre) has significantly more pepper.
If you’re looking for another alcohol to use, try reaching for a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc. If you’re searching for a substitute that does not contain alcohol, simple increase the amount of beef broth or add water.
Diane sauce is a simple yet sophisticated sauce that combines broth and sauteed aromatics with Worcestershire, mustard, and heavy cream.
More Savory Sauces
If you know me, you know I love a good sauce. Here are a few of our favorites that we know you’ll love too.
Avocado Crema
Mushroom Sauce
Chimichurri Sauce Recipe
Diane Sauce for Steak
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves fresh garlic minced or grated
- 1/2 cup shallots minced
- 2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons brandy or cognac
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup low sodium beef broth
- 2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch optional
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine the butter and oil over medium heat.
- Add the garlic and shallots, sauteing until starting to soften and fragrant, approximately 2 minutes.
- Stir in the dijon mustard, salt and pepper until it forms a paste.
- Whisk in the brandy/cognac. When combined, whisk in the cream, beef broth and worcestershire sauce.
- Reduce the heat to low for 5 minutes. Mixture will thicken some, but if you prefer a thicker sauce, use the next step to add cornstarch.
- In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch with 1-2 tablespoons of water until it forms a paste, then whisk the paste into the Diane sauce. Continue to heat for 1-2 minutes and then remove from heat when it starts to provide some resistance.
- Serve the Diane sauce over your favorite steak recipe.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.
Nutrition
Simple and delicious sauce recipe. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve never had Diane sauce before. But I will definitely have it again! The recipe is super easy and the sauce is a complete steak night game-changer – especially with some fries to drag through the sauce.
Delicious! I’m going to use it for so many meals this week, it’s very versatile!
Oh wow – this diane sauce has so much depth of flavor! I doubled the brandy for that extra smokey flavor and it was just amazing!
I loved the creamy tanginess of this steak sauce. Soooooo good!
This is my first time trying Diane sauce! It was surprisingly easy to make, and a complete game-changer for our family steak night! Thank you so much for introducing me to this amazing sauce!