The 7 BEST Dairy Free Sauces for Steak
Following a dairy free diet doesn’t have to mean that you miss out on your favourite meals.
If you’re planning on making a steak dinner, there are plenty of delicious dairy free sauces you can try.
What are the best homemade dairy free sauces for steak?
Some of the best steak sauces that can be dairy free include vegan peppercorn sauce, easy creamy mushrooms, chimichurri, marsala sauce, vegan Bearnaise sauce, dairy free whisky cream sauce, and salsa verde.
Of course though, you need to be selective about the recipes you choose to ensure that all the ingredients are in fact dairy free.
Let’s take a look at the best recipes for homemade dairy free steak sauces…
1. Vegan peppercorn sauce
A creamy, peppery sauce is always my go to choice when I’m visiting a steak house, and you might be amazed at just how easy it is to make your own dairy free version from the comfort of your own home.
This vegan peppercorn sauce substitutes cream for coconut cream, and is laced with brandy and lots of freshly ground black pepper for big, bold flavour that is an absolute delight with your favourite cut of steak.
Of course, you’ll need to ensure that you use dairy free butter during the cooking process. You’ll find a good selection of plant based butters in most supermarkets these days.
2. Easy creamy mushrooms
These creamy vegan mushrooms are made using oat cream or coconut milk, and you can use mushrooms that are readily available in your area. I like to use a selection of exotic mushrooms to make a steak dinner that extra bit special.
The chunky pieces of mushroom make a really hearty and substantial sauce, and it’s particularly good alongside steak and mashed potatoes.
If you’re hosting guests and you’re short on time, you can make this in advance and just reheat in a pan on the stove when you’re ready to serve. You can even freeze a few portions for next time!
3. Chimichurri
Chimichurri is popular in Argentinian cuisine, and it’s absolutely delicious when served as a sauce with steak.
It’s typically made with a variety of naturally dairy free ingredients, including olive oil, parsley, garlic, oregano, coriander, red pepper flakes, and red wine vinegar.
Its flavour can be best described as bright and bold, and you can alter the spice levels depending on your own personal tastes.
I love chimichurri as a steak sauce alongside home cooked chips or roast potatoes, and a big colourful bowl of salad. It’s a real summertime meal that’s best enjoyed outdoors with friends, and a good bottle of wine.
This chimichurri recipe is my favourite, and it takes just 10 minutes.
4. Marsala sauce
This marsala sauce is a fabulous one to have in your personal recipe book if you’re dairy free, or if you’re regularly cooking for those who are.
It’s delicious poured over pasta, rice, quinoa, and of course steak. It’s even good when served for dipping alongside some crusty bread.
You’ll need just a handful of ingredients including vegan butter, marsala wine, garlic, mushrooms, and coconut milk.
If you don’t like cooking with alcohol, you can substitute the marsala wine with vegetable stock. The alcohol will burn off though during the cooking process, so you don’t have to worry about anyone getting tipsy on your watch!
5. Vegan Bearnaise sauce
Bearnaise is another classic steak house sauce, typically served in French inspired restaurants and high end eateries.
It’s typically laden with butter, though you won’t know any difference when you try this vegan Bearnaise sauce recipe.
You’ll use vegan butter, shallots, silken tofu, and plenty of fresh tarragon, and you’ll be rewarded with a rich and indulgent sauce that’s suitable for any elegant dinner party that you might be planning.
6. Dairy free whisky cream sauce
This vegan whisky cream sauce is 100% plant based, and it’s perfect for serving with steak on Burns Night, or any other time of the year!
It has a creamy cashew base, hints of mustard and lemon, and subtle, sweet notes of whisky, and it’s one that those with a discerning palate will absolutely adore.
This dairy free sauce for steak will ensure that you don’t feel deprived of any creamy, saucy goodness when you’re trying to avoid dairy products.
An interesting fact here is that whisky is indeed vegan friendly. In fact, so are the main distilled spirits such as vodka, gin, and rum.
You can use any whisky that you happen to have in your drinks cabinet, though it’s advisable to swerve using the really good, expensive stuff. You won’t notice the difference once it’s cooked in the sauce, so there’s no shame in using the cheapest bottle you can get hold of!
7. Salsa verde
Our final choice for dairy free sauces for steak is the vibrant salsa verde.
It’s a green sauce that’s served cold, and for this reason, I enjoy serving it on a warm summer evening with grilled steak and salad or oven roasted Mediterranean vegetables.
The addition of anchovies adds a delicious saltiness and depth of flavour, and it’s worth using your best extra virgin olive oil.
The best dairy free sauce recipes for steak
A juicy steak deserves a delicious sauce, and there are plenty of recipes you can try that are dairy free. To recap, the ones that we’ve covered here are:
- Vegan peppercorn sauce
- Easy vegan creamy mushrooms
- Chimichurri
- Vegan marsala sauce
- Vegan Bearnaise sauce
- Dairy free whisky cream sauce
- Salsa verde