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    Home » Keto Dinner Ideas » Steak Diane

    Published: Feb 9, 2023 by Carolyn

    Steak Diane

    This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    475 shares
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    Make this classic Steak Diane Recipe for a truly special keto dinner. It’s a perfect meal for date night, Valentine’s Day, or any time you want to wow someone with your gourmet cooking!

    Close up shot of sauce being poured over Steak Diane.

    Running a business while parenting three children means I usually fall back on easy keto dinner recipes. Thank goodness I have a long list of them to choose from!

    And like most people on a keto diet, I relish a good steak. But I usually prepare it more simply, or in family friendly recipes like Air Fryer Steak Bites or Keto Beef and Broccoli.

    But every so often, I get it into my head to try a classic gourmet meal. The kind of meal you might expect from a fancy restaurant. The kind of meal that Julia Child herself might show you how to make.

    And Steak Diane is exactly that. A perfectly pan-seared steak with a toothsome shallot sauce, it is the ideal meal for special occasions.

    Two strip steaks a la Diane in a cast iron skillet over a grey napkin.

    An easy gourmet recipe!

    The thing about steak Diane is that it looks and sounds all fancy-pants, but it’s astonishingly easy to prepare at home. And it has phenomenal flavor.

    It is important to choose the right cut of steak and to sear it properly. But after that, the sauce comes together in about 10 minutes. Then you simply slice the steak, drizzle with sauce, and serve.

    And watch your guests as their eyes roll back in their heads with pleasure. Now that’s what I call a great meal.

    Ingredients you need

    Two whole shallots with a sliced shallot sitting on a small cutting board.
    • Steak: The cut of beef matters quite a bit for this meal. Traditionally, Steak Diane takes beef tenderloin but it’s extremely expensive. I prefer NY Strip Steaks, which are about half the price and do well on the stovetop. I get some fabulous grassfed strip steaks from Wild Pastures.
    • Butter: You can sear the steaks in butter or olive oil.
    • Broth: Use beef bone broth for a richer, deeper flavor.
    • Dijon mustard: A little Dijon mustard is what make it a “sauce Diane” so don’t skip it!
    • Worcestershire sauce: I kept the Worcestershire sauce to a minimum because it does contain a little sugar. Lea & Perrins brand is gluten-free.
    • Shallots: One medium/large shallot (about 40g) is enough to give the sauce wonderful flavor without adding a lot of carbs.
    • Cognac: Cognac is standard in this classic dish and adds to the unique flavor. The alcohol burns off during the cooking process. Read the Expert Tips section for some possible alternatives.
    • Heavy cream: Whisking in heavy cream at the end of the sauce helps it thicken and be extra rich.
    • Garnish: Classi Steak Diane is topped with chopped chives or green onions, or sometimes parsely.
    • Salt and pepper

    Step by Step Directions

    A collage of four images showing how to make Steak Diane.

    1. Even out the steaks: Cover the steaks with parchment paper and press down to an even 1-inch thickness with your hand or a meat mallet (don’t whack it, just press). Season both sides with salt and pepper.

    2. Whisk the sauce ingredients: In a glass measuring cup, whisk together the broth, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce.

    3. Sear the steaks: In a medium pan over medium high heat, melt the butter or heat the oil. Once hot, add the steaks and sear on both sides for about 3 to 4 minutes each (medium rare). Remove to a plate.

    4. Sauté the shallots: Add the shallots to the pan and sauté until tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in the cognac to deglaze the pan, then cook until most of it has evaporated.

    5. Cook the sauce Diane: Add the broth mixture to the pan and cook until slightly thicker, about 3 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream and continue to cook until thickened, 2 to 3 minutes more.

    Top down image of sliced steak Diane on a white plate with a spoonful of sauce on the side.

    Expert tips

    The best cuts of steak: Most recipes call for filet mignon (beef tenderloin steaks), but that’s the most expensive cut of beef. However, you can make Steak Diane with other tender cuts that do well with quick searing. New York strip is the next best option, but top sirloin can work as well. You may want to prick the top sirloin with a fork to help tenderize it a bit more.

    Pressing the steaks: I also recommend pressing the steaks to an even 1-inch thickness. You don’t have to pound at them with a mallet. Just press them lightly until they give a little. This ensures faster, more even cooking, which is ideal for pan searing.

    Make sure you get that pan nice and hot before adding the steaks so that they sear properly. 3 minutes per side will be sufficient for medium rare steaks.

    Cognac substitutes: Don’t keep cognac around the house? Neither do I! I managed to find a small bottle at my liquor store for this recipe. But you can use other liquors, such as bourbon, brandy, or whiskey, instead. It’s not quite the same but it works.

    Non-alcoholic substitutes are harder, as they don’t evaporate as easily during cooking. You could try using 1 tablespoon of tamari (gluten free soy sauce) to add some umami, along with a few more tablespoons of broth.

    A spoon pouring sauce over steak Diane with a glass of wine in the background.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is steak Diane?

    Steak Diane is a classic dish that features steak seared in a very hot pan, and topped with a creamy shallot and cognac sauce. The origins of this famous dish are unclear but it became popular in London in the 1930s. The name Diane refers to Diana, the Roman goddess of hunting.

    Does steak Diane have mushrooms?

    Some recipes do call for thinly sliced mushrooms to be sautéed along with the shallots, but there is no standard. The original recipe did not contain mushrooms.

    How many carbs are in steak Diane?

    Conventional recipes can have a number of carbs from the addition of Worcestershire sauce and shallots. I reduced both of these ingredients without sacrificing flavor. So this Steak Diane recipe has only 3g of carbs per serving.

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    Top down image of sliced steak Diane on a white plate with a spoonful of sauce on the side.

    Classic Steak Diane Recipe

    Make this classic Steak Diane Recipe for a truly special keto dinner. It's a perfect meal for date night, Valentine's Day, or any time you want to wow someone with your gourmet cooking!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: dinner
    Cuisine: Main Course
    Keyword: steak diane
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 450kcal

    Ingredients

    • 2 New York strip steaks about 10 ounces each
    • Salt and pepper
    • 2 tablespoon butter or olive oil
    • ½ cup beef broth
    • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
    • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 1 medium shallot 40g, thinly sliced
    • ⅓ cup cognac
    • ½ cup heavy whipping cream
    • Chives, green onion, or parsley for garnish chopped
    US Customary – Metric

    Instructions

    • Cover the steaks with parchment paper and press down to an even 1-inch thickness with your hand or a meat mallet (don't whack it, just press). Season both sides with salt and pepper.
    • In a glass measuring cup, whisk together the broth, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce.
    • In a medium pan over medium high heat, melt the butter or heat the oil. Once hot, add the steaks and sear on both sides for about 3 to 4 minutes each (medium rare). Remove to a plate.
    • Add the shallots to the pan and sauté until tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in the cognac to deglaze the pan, then cook until most of it has evaporated.
    • Add the broth mixture to the pan and cook until slightly thicker, about 3 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream and continue to cook until thickened, 2 to 3 minutes more.
    • Return the steaks and any accumulated juices back into the pan. Sprinkle with chopped chives or green onion.
    Nutrition Facts
    Classic Steak Diane Recipe
    Amount Per Serving (5 ounces)
    Calories 450 Calories from Fat 284
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 31.6g49%
    Carbohydrates 3g1%
    Fiber 0.5g2%
    Protein 30.2g60%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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    Nutritional Disclaimer

    Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Wendy Shelledy says

      February 25, 2023 at 9:22 pm

      5 stars
      This was perfect for Valentine’s dinner! The sauce is to die for!

      Reply
    2. Melissa says

      February 25, 2023 at 5:14 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely perfect. Practiced on hubby, and will invite guests next time!

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        February 25, 2023 at 7:43 pm

        Great to hear!

        Reply
    3. Anna Wisner says

      February 25, 2023 at 1:57 pm

      5 stars
      If I could give it 10 stars, I woulld. I made this for Valentine’s day, and it was easy and spectacular as an entree, both in taste and presentation. Thank you for a wonderful recipe–my entire family just about licked their plates clean!

      Reply
    4. MsGF says

      February 09, 2023 at 9:53 am

      Looks delish! For your Canadian followers. Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce is NOT Gluten-Free. It’s made with Malt (Barley) Vinegar. Important to know for Celiac’s and those with Gluten Intolerance.

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        February 09, 2023 at 12:09 pm

        Interesting and yikes! It’s a shame that they do it differently. This article has a few other brands but I bet a Google search on GF Worcestershire in Canada would come up with other options. https://www.verywellfit.com/is-worcestershire-sauce-gluten-free-4163123

        Also… people could just sub another 2 tsp tamari maybe?

        Reply

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