🥩 Pan-Seared Beef Medallions with Creamy Peppercorn Sauce
Serves: 2–4
Total Time: ~45 minutes
✅ Ingredients
For the Beef Medallions:
- 1 lb (450g) beef tenderloin or sirloin medallions (about 1.5–2 inches thick)
- Salt and black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic (smashed)
- 1 sprig fresh thyme or rosemary (optional)
For the Creamy Peppercorn Sauce:
- 2 tsp whole black peppercorns (crushed, not ground)
- ½ cup beef broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional but adds depth)
- 1 tbsp brandy or cognac (optional, but traditional)
- Salt to taste
For the Mashed Potatoes:
- 1½ lbs (680g) Yukon gold or russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- ¼ cup butter
- ½ cup milk or heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Green Beans:
- 8 oz (225g) green beans, trimmed
- 1 tbsp butter or olive oil
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- Salt and pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
🔹 Step 1: Make the Mashed Potatoes
- Boil potatoes in salted water until fork-tender (about 15–20 min).
- Drain and return to pot.
- Add butter and warm milk/cream. Mash until smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper. Cover and keep warm.
🔹 Step 2: Sear the Beef Medallions
- Pat medallions dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add medallions and sear 3–4 min per side (for medium-rare; adjust to your liking).
- In the last minute, add butter, garlic, and thyme. Spoon butter over meat.
- Transfer medallions to a plate and tent with foil to rest.
🔹 Step 3: Make the Creamy Peppercorn Sauce
- In the same skillet, lower heat slightly and add crushed peppercorns.
- Carefully deglaze with brandy (if using)—let it bubble for 30 seconds.
- Add beef broth, scraping up bits from the pan.
- Simmer until reduced by half.
- Stir in cream and Dijon mustard. Simmer until thickened (3–5 min).
- Season with salt to taste.
🔹 Step 4: Cook the Green Beans
- Steam or blanch green beans for 2–3 minutes until bright green and just tender.
- Drain and sauté in butter/oil with garlic for 1–2 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper.
🍽️ To Serve:
- Spoon mashed potatoes onto plates.
- Add green beans on the side.
- Top potatoes or plate with beef medallions.
- Drizzle peppercorn sauce over beef.
