EASY Bearnaise Sauce Recipe (2024)

by Erin

Jump to Recipe

This easy Bearnaise sauce recipe is rich, fluffy, and tangy. This sauce can be used on a variety of dishes, like steak and seafood.

EASY Bearnaise Sauce Recipe (1)

Jump To

What is in Bearnaise sauce?

How to make it

Recipe tips

FAQs

What does Bearnaise sauce go with?

Wine pairings for steak with Bearnaise sauce

More homemade sauce recipes

Easy Bearnaise Sauce Recipe

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition

Interested in more savory sauce recipes? Try out my Steak Diane, Steak with Red Wine Sauce, 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 orFilet Mignon. Its name is related to the province of Béarn, France.

EASY Bearnaise Sauce Recipe (2)

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, meaningit 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 asBroiled 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?

  • Shallot
  • White Wine Vinegar – Gives this sauce its tangy flavor.
  • Fresh Tarragon – Tarragon has an amazing flavor that’s slightly like black licorice. Can’t find fresh tarragon? Try one of these tarragon substitutes.
  • Egg Yolks – This is what gives the sauce its creamy, fluffy texture.
  • Unsalted Butter – Using unsalted butter guarantees that you can control the salt level of your finished sauce.
  • Lemon Juice – Fresh squeezed is best here!
  • Salt + Pepper
EASY Bearnaise Sauce Recipe (3)

How to make it

  • In a small skillet, add the shallots, vinegar, pepper and 1 tablespoon of 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.
  • Melt butter in the microwave or on the stove, then gradually whisk it in, a splash at a time. Continue whisking until the sauce has emulsified and coats the back of a spoon.
  • Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice and remaining 1 tsp. chopped tarragon leaves.
  • Season with salt, to taste. Enjoy!
EASY Bearnaise Sauce Recipe (4)

Recipe tips

  • Unfortunately, this 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.

FAQs

What does Bearnaise sauce taste like?

Béarnaise sauce has a rich, creamy, and tangy flavor with a slight herbal, licorice-like note from the tarragon. The sauce is known for its velvety texture and buttery taste, and it pairs well with a variety of dishes, including steak, fish, and vegetables. Overall, Béarnaise sauce is a flavorful and indulgent addition to any meal.

What’s the difference between Bearnaise and Hollandaise sauce?

Béarnaise sauce and hollandaise sauce are both classic French sauces made with butter, egg yolks, and acid (typically vinegar or lemon juice), but they differ in a few key ways. The main difference between the two sauces is the addition of tarragon and shallots in béarnaise sauce, which gives it a distinct flavor and aroma. Béarnaise sauce also typically includes white wine in its ingredient list, while hollandaise sauce does not.
In terms of texture, béarnaise sauce is often thicker and more velvety than hollandaise sauce, due to the reduction of the shallots and the addition of tarragon. Hollandaise sauce, on the other hand, is known for its smooth, silky texture.

Can I substitute hollandaise sauce for Bearnaise sauce?

Yes. Overall, while both sauces are similar in composition and are often used interchangeably. However, it’s the addition of tarragon and shallots in béarnaise sauce that gives it a unique flavor profile and texture.

EASY Bearnaise Sauce Recipe (5)

What does Bearnaise sauce go with?

  • Sous Vide Filet Mignon
  • Air Fryer Filet Mignon
  • Sheet Pan Salmon
  • Traeger Steak
  • Easy Roasted Chicken
  • Broiled Lamb Chops
  • Deviled Eggs or Eggs Benedict
  • Roasted Vegetables

What to serve on the side

  • 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
EASY Bearnaise Sauce Recipe (6)

Wine pairings for steak with Bearnaise sauce

  • Full-bodied Chardonnay
  • Viognier

More homemade sauce recipes

  • Romesco Sauce
  • Mustard Sauce for Steak
  • Creamy Peppercorn Sauce
  • Beef Gravy
  • Red Wine Jus
  • Creamy Mushroom Sauce
  • Bordelaise Sauce
  • Red Wine Sauce
  • Lebanese Garlic Sauce
  • Mojo Sauce
  • Chimichurri Sauce
  • MORE → my must try steak sauces

Did you try this Bearnaise sauce recipe?

If you loved this bernaise sauce I would appreciate it so much if you would give this recipe a star review! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me onInstagramusing the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

For more great Platings and Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me onInstagram,TikTok,PinterestandFacebook.

EASY Bearnaise Sauce Recipe (7)

Easy Bearnaise Sauce Recipe

Perfect to be paired with steak, this Bearnaise Sauce Recipe is flavored with fresh cracked blacked pepper and tarragon leaves.

4.95 from 19 votes

Print Pin

Servings: 4

Created by Platings and Pairings

Ingredients

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

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.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Nutrition

Calories: 32kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 98mg | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 17mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 130IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg

Watch the web story here.

This post was originally published in 2021. It was updated in 2023 to add new content. The bearnaise sauce recipe remains the same. Enjoy!

EASY Bearnaise Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients in bearnaise sauce? ›

Ingredients
  • ¼cup white-wine vinegar.
  • 1small shallot, peeled and minced.
  • ½teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper.
  • 1tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon chopped tarragon leaves.
  • 2egg yolks.
  • 12tablespoons unsalted butter, melted.
  • Kosher salt, to taste.
  • Splash of lemon juice, optional.

What is the difference between hollandaise and bearnaise sauce? ›

It is regarded as a "child" of hollandaise sauce. The difference is only in the flavoring: béarnaise uses shallot, black pepper, and tarragon, while hollandaise uses white pepper or a pinch of cayenne. The sauce's name derives from the province of Béarn, France.

What is a substitute for bearnaise sauce? ›

If you use mayonnaise instead, however, you don't have to worry about the egg and butter separating and can use just a regular saucepan. As NPR explains, tumeric colors the sauce so it looks like the real thing, and the mayo substitute tastes like a real béarnaise as well—just with less effort.

What are the key flavor components of a sauce béarnaise? ›

Irresistibly creamy, buttery, and rich, béarnaise combines an herby, slightly acidic reduction of white wine, vinegar, shallots, fresh tarragon, and lemon juice with hollandaise to make a luscious sauce for spooning over grilled steak, chicken, fish, or vegetables.

Does Ruth's Chris serve bearnaise sauce? ›

Entrée Complements SHRIMP Six additional large shrimp dusted with blackening seasoning and broiled. LOBSTER TAIL Cold water lobster tail, lightly seasoned with Cajun spices, sea salt and butter. OSCAR STYLE Jumbo lump crab cake, asparagus and homemade béarnaise sauce.

Is hollandaise or béarnaise better for steak? ›

Béarnaise Sauce is considered by many to be one of the finest sauces to serve with steaks. A variation of Hollandaise sauce, one of the 5 “mother sauces” in classical French cookery, it's notoriously difficult to make by hand.

What are the 5 French sauces? ›

The five French mother sauces are béchamel, velouté, espagnole, hollandaise, and tomato. Developed in the 19th century by French chef Auguste Escoffier, mother sauces serve as a starting point for a variety of delicious sauces used to complement countless dishes, including veggies, fish, meat, casseroles, and pastas.

Does eggs Benedict have hollandaise or béarnaise? ›

Hollandaise is the classic sauce for the American dish Eggs Benedict. It is one of the five mother sauces and is terrific in the dish mentioned, over asparagus, and its brother, Béarnaise sauce, is great on steak.

What is bearnaise sauce good for? ›

Béarnaise sauce is a delicious and creamy classic French sauce that is often made from a reduction of vinegar and wine mixed with shallots, tarragon, and (sometimes) chervil and thickened with egg yolks and butter. It's typically served with meat, fish, eggs, or vegetables.

How do you thicken bearnaise sauce? ›

– If the sauce won`t thicken, mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1/2 tablespoon of the sauce in a clean bowl over heat. Beat until they come together, then add the rest of the thin sauce 1/2 tablespoon at a time. – If the sauce starts to separate, add an ice cube or a tablespoon of cold water and whisk briskly.

What makes bearnaise sauce break? ›

Heat can cook the egg yolk and break the emulsion as could mixing the ingredients in the wrong order. We can call this “breaking” curdling. Straining and whisking in a little warm egg yolk might re-emulsify. Whisking or blending alone may help for sauces that have been sitting for awhile.

Can I make bearnaise sauce the day before? ›

However, Speedy Béarnaise Sauce can be made 1 day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. To reheat, place bowl over simmering water, and cook, whisking constantly, until mixture is warm.

Can you use dried tarragon instead of fresh for bearnaise sauce? ›

It's also an herb which can be used in the same dish both dry and fresh as BOTH uses take on their own unique flavor properties and truly complement each other in the recipe. Such as is the case with sauce Bearnaise.

What does bearnaise sauce mean in English? ›

(ˌbeɪəˈneɪz ) noun. (sometimes without capital) a rich sauce made from egg yolks, lemon juice or wine vinegar, butter, shallots, herbs, and seasoning.

What does bearnaise sauce taste like? ›

Buttery, silky with the enigmatic flavour of tarragon and a sharp kick of vinegar, bearnaise is arguably the most elegant sauce to have emerged from the French kitchen.

Does bearnaise sauce contain dairy? ›

Ingredients: Water, butter 12%, cream, white wine vinegar, reconstituted egg yolk (water, powdered egg yolk)7.4%, shallot 6.9%, thickener: modified starch, tarragon 1.8%, salt, natural flavors, pepper, thickener: xanthan gum, tarragon essential oil. Allergens: Contains Milk and Eggs.

What is hollandaise vs béarnaise vs mayonnaise? ›

If you're feeling a bit fancy, there are two mayonnaise alternatives to add to your saucy arsenal: béarnaise and hollandaise. While mayo is egg yolks plus oil (usually olive oil, sometimes sunflower), béarnaise and hollandaise feature egg yolks plus clarified butter.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Geoffrey Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 6526

Rating: 5 / 5 (80 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Geoffrey Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1997-03-23

Address: 74183 Thomas Course, Port Micheal, OK 55446-1529

Phone: +13408645881558

Job: Global Representative

Hobby: Sailing, Vehicle restoration, Rowing, Ghost hunting, Scrapbooking, Rugby, Board sports

Introduction: My name is Geoffrey Lueilwitz, I am a zealous, encouraging, sparkling, enchanting, graceful, faithful, nice person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.