Herbed Venison Steak with Spiced Red Wine Reduction
Pan-seared venison steak served with a spiced red wine reduction featuring cinnamon and star anise for a warm, aromatic finish. This french-inspired beef (low carb) ready in about 35 minutes pairs (6 oz each) venison steaks, salt, freshly ground black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 (6 oz each) venison steaks
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp, freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 small, finely chopped shallots
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 star anise
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
Instructions
- Step 1: Season 4 venison steaks (6 oz each) with 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper on both sides. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Sear the steaks for 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare, adding 2 tbsp butter during the last minute and spooning melted butter over the steaks. Remove steaks and let rest.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add 2 finely chopped shallots and sauté for 2 minutes until soft. Pour in 1 cup dry red wine, add 1 cinnamon stick and 1 star anise, and simmer for 5-7 minutes until reduced by half and slightly syrupy.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 tbsp honey and 2 sprigs fresh thyme, simmer for 1 minute more. Remove cinnamon stick and star anise, then spoon the spiced red wine reduction over the rested venison steaks before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herbed Venison Steak with Spiced Red Wine Reduction take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Herbed Venison Steak with Spiced Red Wine Reduction?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (6 oz each) venison steaks from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Herbed Venison Steak with Spiced Red Wine Reduction?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Herbed Venison Steak with Spiced Red Wine Reduction for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Herbed Venison Steak with Spiced Red Wine Reduction low carb?
Yes — this recipe is tagged low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
