What is Bearnaise Sauce?

Written by Lee Wyatt (last updated September 23, 2020)

For some reason, one of the most confusing aspects of French cuisine is all the different sauces that are used. If it's not a Hollandaise sauce, then it is a Bearnaise sauce, or even some other kind of sauce. But what is Bearanaise sauce? Simply put, Bearnaise sauce is a type of cooked sauce that is made from some simple ingredients. Typically those ingredients will include butter, vinegar, wine, egg yolks, a little tarragon, and some shallots.

Bearnaise sauce does allow a lot of flexibility in the ingredients used, though you do need to be careful as you prepare it. Often the biggest mistake that anyone can make when making Bearnaise sauce is that they do not pay enough attention while cooking it, and allow the sauce to overheat. Here is a rather simple recipe that is not only easy to follow, but provides a great tasting sauce that you will love.

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine
  • 1 tablespoon minced shallot
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup hot melted butter

Recipe:

  1. Combine and boil ingredients. Combine the vinegar, wine, shallots, tarragon, salt, and pepper in small saucepan. Boil the ingredients over a medium-high heat until the liquid has reduced to about two tablespoons. Strain the resulting vinegar reduction into a large mixing bowl and set aside.
  2. Boil some water. Using a large saucepan set on high heat, bring several inches of water to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low to maintain a slow simmer. Whisk the egg yolks into the vinegar reduction, and then place the bowl over the simmering water. Continue to whisk the mixture until the yolks have thickened and turned a pale lemon yellow color. This mixture will form ribbons when the whisk is removed from the bowl. Once the yolks have reached this point, remove the bowl from the simmering water.
  3. Add butter. Slowly pour the hot melted butter into the egg yolk mixture. As you do this, make sure that you continue to whisk. Do not stop whisking the mixture until all of the butter has fully incorporated, or you will find your sauce separating. Once you have finished, the sauce will have a thick, creamy texture. Serve the sauce immediately.

Author Bio

Lee Wyatt

Contributor of numerous Tips.Net articles, Lee Wyatt is quickly becoming a regular "Jack of all trades." He is currently an independent contractor specializing in writing and editing. Contact him today for all of your writing and editing needs! Click here to contact. ...

MORE FROM LEE

Removing Food Stains from Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring, while a beautiful addition to the home can be a serious pain in the butt. That being said, they are ...

Discover More

How to Detail Your Car

Why pay someone else to detail your car when you can do it yourself? Save some money, and make your vehicle beautiful at ...

Discover More

Troubleshooting a Problematic Toilet

Have you ever noticed how the toilet is one of the more common reasons to end up calling a plumber? Knowing the right ...

Discover More
More Cooking Tips

What is Chapattis?

Have you ever gone out to eat at a wonderful Indian restaurant and wondered what that tortilla-looking piece of bread ...

Discover More

Apple Mash

Apple mash is a wonderful dish that has long been a favorite in Emerald Isle. Learn a little more about this great dish ...

Discover More

Jewish Cuisine

Foods from Jewish culture have a distinct flavor that should not be overlooked. You can try these foods to add something ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is five minus 3?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)