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Jeff's Take on Bordelaise Sauce

This rich and savory sauce brings a classic French touch to any dish, blending deep flavors of red wine and beef stock with fresh herbs. It’s perfect for adding a deliciously elegant finish to steaks or roasted vegetables.

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TIME35 min
SERVINGS4
RATING5.0 / 5
Jeff's Take on Bordelaise Sauce
01 / WHAT YOU NEED

Ingredients

02 / HOW TO MAKE IT

Let's cook.

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01

Step 1

Start by melting the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once melted, add the onion, carrots, celery, peppercorns, and cloves. Cook everything together until the onions turn a nice golden brown, about 7 to 10 minutes. Next, sprinkle the flour over the veggies and stir it in well, cooking for a minute or two until the flour is fully absorbed.

02

Step 2

Slowly pour in the beef broth while stirring constantly, allowing the mixture to thicken into a gravy over 5 to 10 minutes. If it gets too thick or pasty, add a bit of water to loosen it up. Toss in a tablespoon of parsley and keep the gravy simmering, stirring often, so the flavors meld nicely for another 5 to 10 minutes. When it’s ready, strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean saucepan, discarding the cooked vegetables.

03

Step 3

Turn the heat to low and season the sauce with salt, pepper, and most of the remaining parsley. Pour in the red wine and give it a good stir. Meanwhile, heat some olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the mushrooms until they’re tender, about 5 minutes. Stir those mushrooms into the sauce, then spoon it over your steaks and sprinkle with the rest of the parsley before serving.

03 / EXTRA DETAILS

Good to know.

Cook's tip

- Use a good quality dry red wine for the best flavor.
- Simmer the sauce gently to reduce it slowly and avoid burning.
- Strain the sauce to remove solids for a smooth, refined texture.

Why you’ll love it

This sauce brings deep, rich flavors to any dish with its blend of red wine, shallots, and herbs. It's a classic French favorite that adds elegance without being complicated. The balance of acidity and savory notes makes it a perfect companion for meats.

Serving ideas

It pairs wonderfully with steak, lamb, or roasted chicken. You can also drizzle it over grilled vegetables or mashed potatoes to add a burst of flavor. Serve it warm, right after cooking, for the best taste.

Storage & leftovers

Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on low heat to avoid breaking the sauce. It can also be frozen for up to a month; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

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