Steak Marsala

Steak Marsala is a delicious pan-fried steak with a rich and creamy mushroom sauce. It’s great for Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, or special occasion dinner.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Marsala Steak

This steak marsala recipe is actually a combination of steak Diane and steak Marsala. I had planned to make steak Diane but found I didn’t have the right alcohol for Diane. So, I used Marsala instead of brandy which most steak Diane recipes require. This Marsala recipe is the happy accident that resulted!

To make either steak recipe, you quickly sear the steak in butter before adding shallots. For steak Marsala, you then create a rich, creamy sauce made with Marsala wine and finished with Dijon mustard. Marsala sauce is a classic Italian sauce that is rich, luxurious, creamy, bursting with savory mushrooms, and infused with pungent shallots and fresh parsley. 

Why This Is the Steak Marsala Recipe You Should Try

If you already love Chicken Marsala, don’t just limit Marsala sauce to chicken. It’s great on steak too! This recipe gives you a wonderful mushroom marsala sauce for steak. Steak Marsala is loaded with complex flavors and textures.

Marsala sauce is one of those things that will make you sit back and say aah! as your tastebuds savor the moment. Steak Marsala with a buttery mushroom Marsala sauce will be a show-stopper for your next dinner party. This steak Marsala recipe is easy enough for busy weeknights but dressed up enough for entertaining! 

Easy Steak Marsala Recipe Ingredients

• Steak
• Shallots
• White mushroom caps 
• Dry Marsala
• Dijon mustard
• Worcestershire sauce
• Heavy cream
• Unsalted butter
• Salt
• Parsley leaves 

What Is the Best Steak to Use

You want a tender cut of meat for this easy steak marsala recipe, such as filet mignon (aka tenderloin), sirloin, or ribeye. Sirloin steak is an option but it isn’t as tender as the others. Check out this guide to 17 types of steak.

How to Choose the Right Marsala for This Recipe

Marsala is a wine fortified with brandy. It is produced in Marsala, Sicily, and gets its unique flavor from grapes that are only grown there. Marsala can be either dry or sweet. For more info, read this comprehensive article on Marsala wine.

Dry Marsala is deep in color with an unmistakable flavor. Dry Marsala is used in this steak Marsala recipe because thick, juicy steaks stand up nicely to a robust dry Marsala sauce.

How to Make Steak Marsala

This is an easy steak Marsala recipe. Here are the steps in brief:

1. Season a steak with salt and black pepper and let it rest for about 20 minutes.
2. Melt butter or olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Place the steak in the skillet. Sear and cook it to your preferred doneness. Medium rare is recommended.
4. While the steak is cooking, add the shallots and cook until translucent.

5. Remove the steak and keep warm.
6. Cook the mushrooms until soft. 

7. Add the Marsala and ignite.
8. After burnout, add the mustard, cream, butter, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir or whisk to combine.

9. Serve the mushroom marsala sauce over the steak and garnish with fresh parsley or fresh thyme.

Recipe Notes

• This recipe will give you a medium-rare steak. However, note that the thickness of the steaks determines the cooking time, not the weight. 
• It’s a good idea to pull your steaks when they are a little under your desired doneness; they will continue to cook while resting.
• Be careful not to overcook the sauce by letting it reduce for too long.

Skillet Cooking Steak Guide

1. Thaw steaks in the refrigerator overnight.
2. One hour prior to cooking place on a platter at room temperature. This allows the meat to cook more evenly.
3. Preheat a cast iron skillet, griddle pan, or skillet to medium-high. Season steaks liberally and place in skillet. Follow the cooking times below.
4. Remove steaks from heat when they are 5 to 10 degrees from your ideal done temperature. The residual heat will cause the temperature of your steak to rise while resting. Remove the steaks from the pan and allow them to rest for 5 to 10 minutes.

This guide is courtesy of Omaha Steaks:

	Thickness	1/2″	3/4″	1″	1 1/4″	1 1/2″	1 3/4″	2″
Rare 120°- 130°F	First Side After Turning	2 2	4 2	5 3	5 4	6 4	7 5	8 6
Medium Rare 130°-140°F	First Side After Turning	3 2	4 3	5 4	6 5	7 5	8 6	9 7
Medium 140°-150°F	First Side After Turning	5 3	5 3	6 4	7 5	7 6	8 7	10 8

Recipe Variations

• Chicken Marsala: This marsala sauce goes perfectly with chicken breasts. However, if you use chicken, be sure to cook it thoroughly. 
• Veal Marsala or Pork Marsala: This mushroom Marsala sauce for steak recipe also shines over veal or pork cutlets.
• Marsala: Sweet Marsala is often used for chicken, veal, or pork versions of this dish because the protein is more delicate than that of beef.
• Mushrooms: You can use any variety of mushrooms in this recipe! Try a combination of mushrooms for layers of different flavors. 
• Leeks: If you like a slightly sweeter onion flavor? Substitute leeks for the shallots.
• Cheese: If you must have cheese, finish your sauce with a generous sprinkling of freshly grated parmesan, asiago, or pecorino. 
• Wine: If you don’t have Marsala wine but you happen to have Madeira, it can be substituted for Marsala. While Madeira won’t taste exactly the same, it will taste similar.

What to Serve With Steak Marsala

• Be sure to serve this steak with something that will soak up the extra mushroom Marsala sauce. Some mashed potatoes, buttered rice, buttery noodles, crusty bread, or buttery dinner rolls would be great sides.
• Marsala sauce is also great to generously smother and cover pasta of your choice or pillowy gnocchi.
• You can also transform baked potatoes by bathing them in creamy Marsala sauce!
• If you want a veggie side dish, roast potatoes or roasted cauliflower would be good.

How to Store Leftovers

Store: Keep leftovers in a covered container for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator. 

Freeze: Wrap the steak in two layers of plastic wrap and foil, then place it in a plastic zip-top freezer bag. It will be good in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw the steak in the refrigerator and then follow reheating directions below.

Reheat: Place the steak on a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet. Cook in a 250-degree Fahrenheit oven for about 20 to 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 100 to 110°F.

Love Beef and Steak? Try These Recipes

• Beef Tenderloin Roast
• Best Hamburger Steak Recipe
• Boneless Ribeye Roast
• Country Fried Steak
• Instant Pot Tri Tip
• Olive Garden Steak
• Smoked Eye of Round
• Smoked Steaks
• Stove Top Pot Roast
• Strip Loin Roast

Favorite Main Dish Recipes

• Fried Pork Chops and Gravy
• Pan Seared Lamb Chops
• Shish Kabobs

Find more delicious main dish recipes and the best beef recipes on CopyKat!