The creamy sauce, sweetened by brandy (or cognac) complements the peppery steak beautifully.

Transfer to a plate.

Sprinkle steaks evenly with salt.

Sliced steak topped with au poivre sauce next to green beans on a white plate

Photo:Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Charlie Worthington

Press the steaks into the crushed pepper until evenly coated.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.

Add the steaks; cook until well browned on the bottom, 3 to 4 minutes.

Two strip steaks on a white plate, one covered with cracked pepper

Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Charlie Worthington

Flip the steaks and add thyme sprigs and garlic to one side of the pan.

Tilt the pan to coat the thyme and garlic in oil.

Using a spoon, baste the steaks with oil.

A spoon spooning oil on strip steaks in a pan

Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Charlie Worthington

Transfer the steaks to a cutting board; let rest for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, remove and discard the thyme and garlic.

Do not wipe the pan clean.

Spoon spooning up au poivre that is bubbling in a pan

Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Charlie Worthington

Add shallot; cook over medium heat, stirring often, until softened, about 1 minute.

Add brandy (or cognac) to the pan; stir until slightly reduced, about 30 seconds.

Return to medium heat and stir in broth and half-and-half; bring to a simmer.

Simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced to 1/2 cup, 6 to 8 minutes.

Slice the steaks against the grain into 1/4-inch-thick slices.

Arrange the sliced steak on a large platter; pour the sauce over the steak.

Garnish with thyme leaves, if desired.

  • Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient.