
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.

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.

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.