Irresistible Steak Bourbon Garlic Cream

Category: Satisfying Main Dishes for Every Occasion

First, let your steak soak up flavor from lots of herbs and butter. Sear it so it gets that crave-worthy crust. The silky sauce features bourbon, garlic, and loads of parmesan for a punch of flavor. Let the steak chill while you finish the sauce, then pour it over. Top with parsley, and pair up with something like roasted veggies or mashed potatoes. This is a total winner if you're having a cozy dinner or want to impress someone.

Barbara Chef
Updated on Tue, 30 Sep 2025 18:22:14 GMT
A platter of steak topped with sauce and herbs. Highlight
A platter of steak topped with sauce and herbs. | cookwithcarla.com

This steak with smoky Bourbon garlic cream sauce brings bold bourbon flavor and garlicky cream right to your plate. It's a comforting dish that's awesome for something special like Halloween night or a fancy Sunday meal. Creamy sauce wraps each tender bite in rich deliciousness and makes every dinner feel like a treat.

I whipped this up for our spooky dinner the first time, and it's become a family favorite. The creamy garlic and hint of bourbon are just too good to resist.

Ingredients

  • Petersilie: brings a pop of freshness that's perfect for finishing everything off
  • Freshly grated parmesan: melts in for an even creamier kick that's super tasty
  • Cayenne pepper: adds a sneaky bit of heat—look for organic if you want max flavor
  • Worcestershire sauce: packs an extra layer of savory depth you’ll taste in every bite
  • Dijon mustard: gives the sauce a tiny tang—try to find real Dijon for the best flavor
  • Heavy cream: makes it rich and silky, so get a really good one if you can
  • Minced garlic from fresh bulbs: more punch than anything dried
  • Bourbon: gives that smoky-sweet taste—good bourbon makes it shine
  • Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary: make the melted butter ultra aromatic, go for fresh
  • Garlic: stands out in the sauce, use fresh cloves for that big flavor
  • Butter: bumps up flavor in both the sauce and steak, and gives a rich texture
  • Salt and black pepper: brings out all those beefy flavors—fresh cracked pepper and flaky salt are awesome
  • Olive oil: helps get a perfect sear—spring for a good extra-virgin one
  • Ribeye or New York strip steak: gets juicy and tender if you pick one with nice marbling

Step-by-step instructions

Serving:
Put each steak on a plate, pour over plenty of sauce, and toss on chopped parsley. Dive in while it's piping hot.
Melt parmesan in and tweak seasonings:
Stir that parmesan right in for extra silky sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning just how you like it.
Add cream and spices:
Pour in the cream, Dijon, Worcestershire, cayenne, and salt and pepper. Stir everything up and let it bubble until it thickens.
Start bourbon garlic sauce:
With your pan still over medium, add a chunk of butter, then toss in your minced garlic until it smells amazing. Splash in bourbon, let it boil so the booze cooks off a bit.
Let the steaks rest:
Transfer the steaks to a plate and loosely cover with foil. Letting them chill keeps the juices in.
Add flavor and sear:
Heat up a heavy pan or cast iron on medium-high, pour in olive oil, and throw steaks in when it's sizzling. Sear for about 3–4 minutes each side. For the last minute, add butter, smashed garlic, and herbs—spoon the melted butter all over your steaks repeatedly.
Prep your steaks:
Pat your steaks nice and dry, then hit them all over with salt and pepper. It soaks in and helps you get a killer crust.
A platter stacked with six steaks drenched in sauce and topped with fresh herbs. Highlight
A platter stacked with six steaks drenched in sauce and topped with fresh herbs. | cookwithcarla.com

Good to know

Lots of protein and packed with flavor. You can prep the sauce ahead and gently reheat. Turns basic steaks into something special. The garlicky cream totally elevates everything. That first spooky dinner? Plates were spotless and we ended up chatting for ages about how awesome the sauce was.

Storage tips

Steaks taste best fresh but you can keep the sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for a couple days. To reheat, warm it slowly over low heat and stir now and then so it doesn’t stick.

A platter stacked with six steaks drenched in sauce and topped with fresh herbs. Highlight
A platter stacked with six steaks drenched in sauce and topped with fresh herbs. | cookwithcarla.com

Ingredient swaps

Swap ribeye for sirloin or rump if you want. If you're skipping bourbon, go with a splash of mild whiskey or even apple juice for a booze-free twist. Not into parmesan? Melt in some sharp mountain cheese instead.

Serving ideas

Fluffy mashed potatoes or crispy roasted potato wedges are perfect sides. Try green beans or pan-seared mushrooms too. Want a Halloween vibe? Go for some buttery roasted pumpkin slices.

Story and background

Bourbon sauces are a classic in Southern American kitchens. They bring in French touches like cream and Dijon. Pairing it with steak has wowed folks for ages, and this version gets extra fun with garlic and cayenne.

Recipe FAQs

→ What's the best cut for this?

Go for ribeye or New York strip if you love super juicy steak. Sirloin works too if you're after something leaner.

→ Can I skip the bourbon?

If you're not into bourbon, use a splash of broth instead, but you'll miss out on that smoky kick.

→ How do I make the sauce extra velvety?

Plenty of fresh cream and parmesan make the sauce rich and silky smooth, with deep flavor.

→ Do the herbs have to be fresh?

Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary pop the flavor even more, but dried ones do the trick if that's all you've got.

→ What goes well on the side?

Mashed potatoes, crispy potato cakes, or roast veggies all go great with this steak's hearty flavor.

steak bourbon garlic cream

Tender steak paired with smoky bourbon garlic cream sauce. Packed with flavor and perfect when you're celebrating.

Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
20 min
Total Time
30 min

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 2 Servings

Dietary Preferences: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ For the Steak

01 Fresh thyme or rosemary, if you want
02 2 cloves garlic, smashed
03 2 tablespoons butter
04 Black pepper, to taste
05 Salt, to taste
06 2 tablespoons olive oil
07 2 steaks, Ribeye or New York Strip, about 1 inch thick

→ For the Bourbon Garlic Creamy Sauce

08 Fresh parsley, for topping
09 25 g Parmesan, shredded
10 Black pepper, to taste
11 Salt, to taste
12 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
13 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
14 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
15 240 ml heavy cream
16 1 tablespoon butter
17 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
18 60 ml bourbon

Steps

Step 01

Lay the steaks on plates, spoon over the hot Bourbon garlic cream sauce, then toss on some fresh parsley. Dig in right away.

Step 02

Add the shredded Parmesan and give it a taste, add more salt or pepper if you need to.

Step 03

Mix in cream, mustard, Worcestershire, cayenne, salt and pepper. Let that go for 3–4 minutes, stirring every once in a while till it gets nicely thick.

Step 04

Carefully pour the bourbon into your pan. Let it bubble for a minute or two until the strong alcohol smell is gone.

Step 05

Drop the heat to medium in the same pan. Melt a tablespoon of butter, then toss in the chopped garlic. Cook for a couple of minutes till it smells awesome.

Step 06

Move your steaks from the pan onto a plate, just lay some foil over them. Let them chill for 5 minutes.

Step 07

On the last minute of searing, throw in the butter, smashed garlic, and if you're using, the fresh herbs. Keep scooping that bubbling butter over the steaks.

Step 08

Heat a cast iron pan over medium-high heat, pour in the olive oil. Sear steaks for around 3–4 minutes each side for medium-rare, or till they're as done as you like.

Step 09

Pat steaks dry with some paper towel, then sprinkle on salt and pepper all over.

Notes

  1. For smokier flavor, go with a smoky bourbon. Swap ribeye for sirloin if you want. Mashed potatoes or roasted veggies go great on the side.

Required Equipment

  • Cast iron pan
  • Paper towel
  • Measuring cup
  • Cooking spoon

Allergen Information

Double-check every ingredient for potential allergens and consult a healthcare professional if unsure.
  • Contains dairy (butter, cream, Parmesan).

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

This data is for informational purposes only and doesn’t replace medical advice.
  • Calories: 700
  • Fat: 55 g
  • Carbs: 6 g
  • Protein: 40 g