Easy creamy pepper sauce is the perfect accompaniment for a juicy grilled steak, chicken or pork chops and takes only a few minutes to knock together.
How do I like my steak, you ask (ok maybe you didn’t but just humour me..)? Rare to medium rare and covered with sauce, is the answer. I LOVE steak. Juicy, a little charred and *just* cooked. But if there’s not a sauce on my steak, forget about it. I need a little lick of seasoned butter, a reduction of sorts or a creamy sauce to pull it all together for me. And this pepper sauce recipe for steak is just perfect.
The joy about this easy pepper sauce is that it literally takes no more than 20 minutes to make. I don’t add any flour/corn starch to the sauce and allow the sauce to reduce to thicken simply because it’s less faff and makes it gluten free/low carb as well.
How to make pepper sauce:
The key to getting the most “pepperiness” from your peppercorn sauce is to toast the pepper gently with the onion and garlic before adding the cream. Just don’t take a deep whiff because you will sneeze for days (believe me, I learned the hard way).
Fresh thyme, bay and a squeeze of lemon add all the right flavours and you’re done. It’s the kind of sauce I could eat by the spoon, and I do. Often. It’s just SO good!
What to serve this easy creamy pepper sauce with:
- Chargrilled or pan-fried steak (especially Rib-eye) is fantastic with this sauce.
- Grilled chicken breasts. Add a little more lemon for added zing.
- Tossed through cooked pasta for a quick weeknight meal.
- Drizzled over grilled asparagus for an easy side dish.
- Spoon generously over pan-seared pork chops.
Have you tried this black pepper sauce recipe? Rate and comment below.
Easy creamy pepper sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 red onion finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh cracked black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 cups whipping/heavy cream
- juice of ½ lemon
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a frying pan then add the onion and saute until soft.
- Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds before adding the pepper and herbs.
- Gently toast the pepper until fragrant then pour in the cream.
- Season with lemon juice and salt and allow to simmer gently for 10-15 minutes until the sauce has reduced and thickened to your preference.
- Serve.
Easy creamy mushroom sauce
I usually use a recipe with a little Brandy in it, but needed one without alcohol and this was absolutely delicious!! It is my new go to Sauce. thank you.
can i add beef stock to this recipe?
You could, it will just thin out the recipe so you will need to let it reduce a little longer or add a thickener.
Had no double cream so added some sour cream and natural yoghurt, a splash of mushroom ketchup and some water to thin. Great recipe
Love your additions!
Tho was just what I was looking for. I didn’t have fresh thyme and I added a dash of Worcestershire sauce just for fun. My 13-year ole cracked all the proper with a mortar and pestle. We served it on home grilled burgers with sautéed onions, mushrooms and bacon, with a side of Cajun-spiced oven fries and my so’s signature cucumber salad. A big hit at the family birthday BBQ! Best news: plenty left over to try on chicken or pork chops 🙂
Most delicios peppercorn sauce ever and so so easy to make.
I am so happy to hear that Toni!
Can I cook the sauce a few hours before serving and keep it in the refrigerator until serving?
Yes, just heat it gently over medium-low heat.
Thank You so much. The sauce is AMAZING. Everyone liked it!
So happy to hear that Charlie.
Can you freeze this sauce?
I haven’t tried freezing it so I can’t say with certainty whether it freezes well. I try not to freeze cream sauces has cream has a tendency to split once thawed.
I love black pepper! This sauce sounds amazing!
It is totally delicious! 🙂
These photos are stunning! And that sounds sounds amazing. I’m tempted to try it with salmon <3
Thanks Dana! This sauce would be killer on salmon!
Your pictures are making me hungry. This looks SO tasty!
Thanks Allison!
I love a good pepper sauce on both meat, potatoes, and veggies! This looks superb!
Thanks so much Jenni!
omg this looks mouthwatering! i’ve been wondering how to make a pepper sauce for a while! guess I have a recipe now 🙂 i am starving right now and these pics aren’t helping!
You MUST try this! 🙂
I’m sorry, but an earlier reviewer asked about the 2nd T of butter and when to add. You indicated that the recipe had been amended … am I just totally missing it?
My apologies, I thought I updated it. The butter gets used all in one at the beginning of cooking. It shouldn’t have stated for the tablespoons to be separated.
Thank you so much – I appreciate it and look forward to trying this luscious-looking sauce.
Excellent!!! My daughter asked for a creamy sauce for her steak tonight and I found yours. Delicious!!!
I hope you loved it!
When do I add the 2nd tbsp of butter?
My apologies, I’ve amended the recipe!
I love that this recipe is gluten free. All the good recipes for steak sauce always include flour to thicken. Can’t wait to try yours.
I’m so glad you approve Jenni. 🙂
We made this sauce for Braai day today and all of our guests loved it. So much pepper flavour and such an easy recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Oh yay! I’m so glad you and your guests loved it.
We LOVE pepper sauce over our steak but my usual sauce takes so much longer. Love your shorter version Alida.
You will LOVE it Sam!
My husband Tom could eat this sauce right out of the pan by the spoonful Alida! It looks delicious!
Thanks Mary Ann. As always, if Tom approves, I know I’m on the right track. 😉
Thank you so very much. Pinning. So great photos ! Will be back for more !
Thanks!