This yummy Bearnaise sauce recipe is rich, fluffy, and tangy. This sauce can be used on a variety of dishes, like steak and seafood.
Interested in more savory sauce recipes? Try out my Steak Diane, Bordelaise Sauce, Lemon Butter Sauce and Homemade BBQ Sauce.
Bearnaise sauce (also spelled Béarnaise sauce) is an extremely versatile classic sauce. It is generally associated with steak or Filet Mignon. Its name is related to the province of Béarn, France.
Bearnaise is a loose derivative of hollandaise sauce. Hollandaise is an egg yolk mixture emulsified with unsalted butter and acid. Hollandaise sauce is also one of the five mother sauces of French cuisine, meaning it can be used to make a range of other sauces.
Bearnaise builds on hollandaise with egg yolks, butter, white wine vinegar, shallots, and tarragon. The mildness of these flavorings make it perfect for chicken and beef as well as seafood. This luscious sauce is especially popular for grilled or broiled meats, such as Broiled Lamb Chops. It’s also incredibly delicious with french fries!
With this easy recipe, you’ll be able to master this delicious sauce the first time.
What is in Bearnaise sauce?
- Minced Shallot
- White Wine Vinegar
- Cracked Black Pepper
- Fresh Tarragon
- Egg Yolks
- Unsalted Butter
- Lemon Juice
- Kosher Salt
How to make Bearnaise sauce:
In a small skillet, add the shallots, vinegar, pepper and 1 TBSP tarragon leaves and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to a simmer over low heat and cook until almost all of the liquid has evaporated. Remove from heat and place in a metal mixing bowl. Allow to cool.
Meanwhile, fill a small saucepan with an inch or two of water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. To the cooled shallot reduction, add the egg yolks and a dash of cold water. Whisk to combine.
Place the metal bowl over the saucepan of simmering water and turn the heat down to low. Keep an eye to be sure the bowl isn’t touching the boiling water.
Whisk the egg-shallot mixture until it begins to thicken, about 5-6 minutes. Gradually whisk in the butter, a splash at a time. Continue whisking until the sauce has emulsified and coats the back of a spoon. Remove from the heat and add the lemon juice and remaining 1 tsp. chopped tarragon leaves. Season with salt, to taste. Serve.
Recipe tips:
- Sauce cannot be reheated. However, it can be held at temperature in a sous vide water bath at 130 degrees for up to 4 hours. Add the sauce to a mason jar and place it in the bath.
- If the sauce gets too hot while whisking, you’ll end up with scrambled eggs.
What to serve with Bearnaise sauce:
- Sous Vide Filet Mignon
- Sheet Pan Salmon
- Easy Roasted Chicken
- Broiled Lamb Chops
- Deviled Eggs or Eggs Benedict
What to serve with steak:
- Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
- Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
- Glazed Carrots
- Roasted Miso Cauliflower
- Easy Arugula Salad
- MORE —> 50+ of the best sides for steak
Wine pairings for steak with Bearnaise sauce
- Full-bodied Chardonnay
- Viognier
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More homemade sauce recipes:
Bearnaise Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp minced shallot (1 small shallot)
- ¼ cup white wine vinegar
- ½ tsp fresh cracked black pepper
- 1 tbsp chopped tarragon leaves (plus 1 teaspoon)
- 2 egg yolks
- 12 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Kosher salt (to taste)
Instructions
- In a small skillet, add the shallots, vinegar, pepper and 1 TBSP tarragon leaves and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until almost all of the liquid has evaporated. Remove from heat and place in a metal mixing bowl. Allow to cool.
- Meanwhile, fill a small saucepan with an inch or two of water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- To the cooled shallot mixture, add the egg yolks and 1 TBSP water. Whisk to combine.
- Place the metal bowl over the saucepan of boiling water and turn the heat down to low. Keep an eye to be sure the bowl isn’t touching the boiling water.
- Whisk the egg-shallot mixture until it begins to thicken, about 5-6 minutes.
- Gradually whisk in the butter, a splash at a time. Continue whisking until the sauce has emulsified.
- Remove from the heat and add the lemon juice and remaining 1 tsp. tarragon leaves. Season with salt, to taste. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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