Description
Whip up juicy sirloin dinner bites bathed in a rich, creamy peppercorn sauce. A simple yet elegant meal for weeknights or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Players:
- 1.5 lbs sirloin steak, 1-inch thick
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Sauce Essentials:
- 2 shallots, minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup beef broth, low-sodium
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp black peppercorns, freshly cracked
- Flavor Boosters:
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Finishing Touches:
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prep Your Sirloin Bites:: First things first, pat those sirloin steaks *really* dry with paper towels. This is where I always get a little impatient, but trust me, it’s crucial for a good sear! Then, slice the sirloin into 1-inch pieces. Season them generously with salt and pepper. I mean, really get in there. You want flavor in every juicy sirloin dinner bite. Set them aside while you get your pan screaming hot – this prevents overcrowding later.
- Sear the Sirloin Dinner Bites:: Heat a large skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium-high heat with a swirl of olive oil until it’s just smoking. Add your sirloin bites in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. This is my cardinal rule! If you add too much, the meat will steam instead of sear, and we want that beautiful, crusty brown exterior. Sear for 1-2 minutes per side until nicely browned. I usually do this in batches. Don’t fuss with them too much; let that crust develop! Remove the seared sirloin bites to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep them warm.
- Build the Creamy Peppercorn Sauce:: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced shallots to the skillet, scraping up any delicious browned bits (that’s called fond, and it’s flavor gold!). Sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened. Toss in the minced garlic and fresh thyme sprigs, cooking for another minute until fragrant. Oh, the smell at this point! It just fills the kitchen with such warmth. Don’t let the garlic burn, that’s a sad, bitter flavor we want to avoid.
- Deglaze and Simmer for Juicy Sirloin Dinner Bites:: Pour in the beef broth, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen any remaining stuck-on bits. Bring it to a gentle simmer and let it reduce by about half, maybe 3-5 minutes. This concentrates all those lovely flavors. Stir in the Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Then, add those freshly cracked black peppercorns – I like a generous amount, but you can adjust to your spice preference. Let it bubble for another minute or so.
- Finish the Creamy Peppercorn Sauce:: Reduce the heat to low, then slowly pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly. This is a delicate step, hon; we don’t want the cream to curdle! Let the sauce gently simmer for 3-5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly. It should coat the back of a spoon. Taste and adjust seasonings – it might need a little more salt or pepper. This is where you can really make it your own. I usually add a tiny pinch more salt than I think it needs, just to make those flavors sing.
- Combine and Serve Your Sirloin Dinner Bites:: Return the seared sirloin bites and any accumulated juices from the plate back into the skillet with the sauce. Stir gently to coat all those tender pieces. Let it warm through for just a minute or two – we don’t want to overcook the steak now! Remove the thyme sprigs. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately. The juicy sirloin dinner bites are now ready to be devoured! The way the sauce clings to each piece? Divine.