One Pan Backstrap with Mushroom Gravy Recipe
Quick and easy, this venison backstrap with mushroom gravy is perfect for a weeknight or a weeknight dinner with company.
Pan-seared backstrap steaks are one of my favorite foods. Add a creamy mushroom gravy to the mix and it only gets better. This quick-and-easy recipe is perfect for a casual weeknight dinner but fancy enough for company.
Serve the steaks over egg noodles and spoon more sauce over the dish before serving.
We slice the backstrap into medallions, around 1.5-inches thick, so that they can sear nicely without overcooking in the center. The mushroom gravy is made in the same pan the steaks were seared in. Simply add beef broth to deglaze the pan after the mushrooms cook a bit. Finish the gravy with heavy cream for a rich flavor.
Cook the mushrooms in the stock until soft and tender.
We often serve the dish over egg noodles with a bit of extra sauce spooned over for flavor. Choose whatever wild mushrooms are in season where you are, or your favorite commercially grown varieties. We used locally grown shitakes for this one.
INGREDIENTS
2 pounds backstrap, sliced into 1.5” medallions
4 tablespoons butter, divided
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 shallot, diced
2 cloves garlic, sliced
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 cup beef broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon flour
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon rosemary
½ teaspoon dried thyme
Salt
Freshly cracked black pepper
COOKING INSTRUCTIONS
Season the backstraps well on both sides with salt and cracked black pepper. Heat two tablespoons butter and one tablespoon vegetable oil in a heavy cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
Add butter to a heavy cast iron pan and sear the steaks on all sides.
Sear backstraps on each side for 3 to 4 minutes per side. Flip up and sear the sides, rotating to sear all surfaces. Move the steaks to a warm platter.
Season the thick backstrap medallions well on both sides before searing.
Melt the remaining two tablespoons of butter to the pan. Add the diced shallot, garlic and mushrooms. Sauté for 3 to 5 minutes or until the mushrooms begin to soften. Add the beef broth and scrape the pan to loosen any stuck-on bits. Add the flour and stir well to dissolve. Continue simmering until the sauce begins to thicken. Add the oregano, thyme and a pinch of salt.
After searing the steaks, saute the shallots and deglaze the pan with stock.
Pour in the heavy cream and stir until the sauce begins to boil. When the sauce thickens, return the backstrap medallions to the pan until they are heated through. Spoon the sauce over just before serving.