If you’re craving a sauce that brings that rich, tangy punch to your perfectly cooked steak, look no further than this Blue Cheese Sauce for Steak Recipe. It’s creamy, bold, and surprisingly simple to whip up, transforming any steak dinner into a gourmet experience that feels both luxurious and lovingly homemade. The balance of sharp blue cheese, fragrant herbs, and silky cream makes this sauce a showstopper that elevates every bite—trust me, once you try it, you’ll be hooked.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Blue Cheese Sauce for Steak Recipe relies on a handful of straightforward ingredients, each playing a crucial role in creating vibrant flavors and luscious textures. From the creamy double cream to the aromatic fresh herbs, everything combines to complement both the sauce and the steak beautifully.
- Steak (2 x 9oz/250g of your favorite cut): Choose a well-marbled steak for juiciness and flavor; ribeye or sirloin work wonderfully.
- Unsalted Butter (1 heaped tbsp): Adds richness and helps baste your steak to perfection during cooking.
- Fresh Thyme (2 sprigs): Provides a woodsy, herbal aroma that lifts the sauce.
- Fresh Rosemary (2 sprigs): Infuses a piney fragrance that complements the blue cheese’s tang.
- Garlic Cloves (2, gently crushed in skins): A subtle garlic undertone without overpowering the dish.
- Vegetable or Olive Oil: For searing steak; vegetable oil handles the heat better but olive oil works fine.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the steak and sauce flavors.
- Heavy/Double Cream (1 cup / 250ml): Creates the rich, smooth base of the sauce.
- Beef Stock (1/2 cup / 125ml): Adds depth and a savory backbone to the sauce.
- Blue Cheese (3.5oz / 100g, crumbled): The star ingredient; brings bold flavor and creamy texture.
- Fresh Chives (1 heaped tbsp, finely diced): Brightens the sauce with a fresh, mild onion flavor.
How to Make Blue Cheese Sauce for Steak Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Steak
Start by bringing your steaks to room temperature—this ensures even cooking and a perfect sear. Pat them dry thoroughly, then generously season both sides with salt and black pepper, rubbing it in gently. Drizzle a little olive oil over each steak to help them crisp up beautifully in the pan.
Step 2: Sear the Steak
Heat a heavy-bottomed pan until it is smoking hot—this is key for that coveted caramelized crust. Lay the steaks in carefully, cooking for about 2 minutes per side for medium-rare if your steaks are roughly 2 to 2.5 centimeters thick. You’ll start to see juices—the telltale sign of a perfect sear—before flipping.
Step 3: Baste with Butter and Herbs
After flipping, add your butter, thyme, rosemary, and crushed garlic cloves directly into the pan. Tilt the pan and use a spoon to baste the steak continuously for another 2 minutes; this adds incredible flavor and helps keep the steak moist. Once done, set the steaks aside to rest—it’s a crucial step that helps retain all those delicious juices.
Step 4: Start the Sauce Base
Reduce the heat to medium and pour the beef stock into the pan, scraping the bottom to loosen all those tasty browned bits left from searing. Then add the cream and stir well to combine. Let this mixture simmer gently for around 5 minutes, allowing it to thicken and develop flavor while the herbs and garlic infuse the sauce.
Step 5: Incorporate Blue Cheese and Chives
Remove the herb sprigs and garlic cloves, then stir in the crumbled blue cheese and fresh chives. Continue to simmer patiently until the cheese melts smoothly into the cream, creating a thick, velvety sauce. Taste at this stage—you’ll likely find it salty enough already thanks to the cheese, stock, and steak juices, but a little freshly cracked black pepper is always welcome for balance.
How to Serve Blue Cheese Sauce for Steak Recipe
Garnishes
To finish, sprinkle a few more fresh chives or a small pinch of crumbled blue cheese over the top for a vibrant and visually enticing garnish. This adds a fresh pop of color and hints at the delicious flavors within the sauce.
Side Dishes
This sauce pairs like a dream with classic steak accompaniments. Crispy roasted potatoes, buttery steamed asparagus, or a peppery rocket salad offer contrasting textures that elevate the meal. The creamy, tangy sauce is bold enough to stand alongside simple, fresh sides without overpowering them.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, serve your steak sliced across the grain and drizzled generously with the blue cheese sauce. You can also offer the sauce in a small gravy boat for guests to add at will. Another fun idea is to spoon the sauce over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes with the steak resting on top, turning every forkful into a harmonious bite of indulgence.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have some leftover Blue Cheese Sauce for Steak Recipe, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will develop even more, making it a perfect quick sauce to revive with steak or roasted vegetables.
Freezing
Freezing creamy sauces with cheese can be tricky as texture may slightly alter, but if needed, freeze the sauce without the chives for up to one month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating gently on low heat. Stir well to re-emulsify, and add fresh chives just before serving to freshen the flavor.
Reheating
Reheat the sauce slowly in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent it from splitting or curdling. If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of cream or milk to loosen it again and maintain that silky consistency you love.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cheese instead of blue cheese?
While blue cheese is what gives this sauce its signature sharpness and creaminess, you can experiment with other flavorful cheeses like gorgonzola or Roquefort. Just keep in mind each has its own intensity, so adjust the amount accordingly.
What if I don’t have fresh herbs on hand?
Fresh thyme and rosemary add wonderful aroma, but if you’re out, dried herbs will work in a pinch. Use about a third of the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated, and add them early in the sauce-making process to allow time to infuse.
How do I know when my steak is perfectly cooked to medium-rare?
A medium-rare steak should have a warm red center and be slightly springy to the touch. Cooking times can vary by thickness, so the 2 minutes per side guideline works well for steaks around 2 to 2.5 cm in thickness.
Can this sauce be made dairy-free or vegan?
This Blue Cheese Sauce for Steak Recipe relies heavily on cream and blue cheese, so it’s tricky to make dairy-free without compromising texture and flavor. However, plant-based cream and vegan blue cheese substitutes exist, so feel free to experiment if you have dietary restrictions.
Is it necessary to use beef stock in the sauce?
Beef stock deepens the umami flavor of the sauce, but if you don’t have it, a good-quality vegetable stock can work as a substitute. Just keep in mind the final flavor will be slightly lighter.
Final Thoughts
This Blue Cheese Sauce for Steak Recipe is truly a game changer for any steak night, turning simple ingredients into something spectacular with very little effort. It’s rich, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to make, perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself. Give it a try—you’ll love how it takes your steak from delicious to unforgettable.
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Blue Cheese Sauce for Steak Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
Description
This easy Blue Cheese Sauce for Steak recipe pairs a rich, creamy blue cheese sauce with perfectly pan-seared steak for an indulgent meal. The sauce features heavy cream, beef stock, and fresh chives, creating a luscious complement to your favorite cut of meat. Follow simple steps to pan-fry your steak to medium-rare perfection, baste with herb-infused butter, and simmer a flavorful sauce that elevates your dinner effortlessly.
Ingredients
Steak
- 2x 9oz/250g Steaks of choice, at room temperature (see notes)
- 1 heaped tbsp Unsalted Butter
- 2 sprigs Fresh Thyme
- 2 sprigs Fresh Rosemary
- 2 cloves Garlic, left in skins & gently crushed with the palm of your hand
- Oil, as needed (vegetable oil preferred for less smoke, olive oil works fine)
- Salt & Black Pepper
Blue Cheese Sauce
- 1 cup / 250ml Heavy/Double Cream, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup / 125ml Beef Stock
- 3.5oz / 100g Blue Cheese, crumbled (recommended Roquefort, Stilton, or Gorgonzola)
- 1 heaped tbsp finely diced Fresh Chives
Instructions
- Prepare the Steaks: Remove steaks from the fridge at least 30 minutes before cooking to reach room temperature. Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper, rubbing the seasoning into the meat. Drizzle with olive oil and coat evenly.
- Heat the Pan: Use a heavy-bottomed skillet or frying pan and heat it to the highest temperature it can reach until it starts smoking. This ensures a good sear on the steak.
- Cook the Steaks: Lay the steaks in the hot pan and cook for approximately 2 minutes on one side (for steaks about 2-2.5cm thick) until a slight red blood spot appears on the top surface, indicating medium-rare doneness. Flip the steaks over.
- Baste with Butter and Herbs: Add the unsalted butter, rosemary, thyme, and crushed garlic cloves to the pan. Tilt the pan slightly and use a spoon to baste the steaks continuously for another 2 minutes, infusing them with aromatic flavors.
- Rest the Steaks: Remove the steaks from the pan and let them rest on a plate, loosely covered with foil, for several minutes. This step is crucial to retain juices.
- Make the Blue Cheese Sauce: Lower the heat to medium. Pour the beef stock into the pan and scrape the bottom to loosen any browned bits. Add the heavy cream and stir well. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for about 5 minutes until it begins to thicken.
- Finish the Sauce: Remove the rosemary, thyme, and garlic from the pan. Stir in the crumbled blue cheese and diced chives. Continue simmering the sauce until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency. Season with a pinch of black pepper; salt is usually unnecessary due to the salty nature of the cheese and stock. Optionally, add juices from the resting steak for extra flavor.
- Serve: Pour the warm blue cheese sauce over the rested steaks and enjoy immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Allowing steaks to come to room temperature before cooking helps them cook evenly.
- Patting steaks dry ensures a better sear and crust development.
- Use a heavy-bottom pan or cast iron skillet for best heat retention and searing.
- Blue cheese varieties such as Roquefort, Stilton, or Gorgonzola work well in the sauce.
- Adjust cooking times depending on steak thickness and desired doneness.
- Resting the steak after cooking is essential to redistribute juices and avoid dryness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American