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+ servings

Béarnaise Sauce (for steaks)

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 medium shallot, minced
  • 1/4 cup champagne vinegar or white wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup white wine, Chardonnay or pinot gris
  • 2 tablespoons fresh tarragon leaves, finely minced (stems reserved)
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • 8 ounces unsalted butter, 2 sticks

Instructions

  1. In a small saucepan combine shallots, vinegar, wine and tarragon stems. Bring to a boil. Reduce over medium heat for about 4-5 minutes or until almost all the liquid has evaporated and just a couple of tablespoons remain.
  2. Remove from the heat and discard the tarragon stems. Cool slightly.
  3. You can place the butter in a glass measuring cup/pitcher and melt it in the microwave in small intervals until hot and foamy or in a saucepan over low heat.
  4. Continue using the traditional method or immerse blender or blender method.

Traditional Method:

  1. Fill a small saucepan with about two inches of water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
  2. In a heat-resistant bowl, combine the cooled shallot mixture, water, egg yolks and salt.
  3. Place the heat-resistant bowl over the saucepan of boiling water and turn the heat down to low. Make sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water.
  4. Whisk the mixture until thick and creamy, about 5 minutes.
  5. Gradually whisk in the melted butter, about a teaspoon at a time until the sauce begins to emulsify, then whisk in the remaining butter in a slow stream whisking until completely incorporated. Remove from the heat.
  6. Stir in the tarragon and season to taste. Serve.
  7. This sauce cannot be reheated, however it can be kept warm in a thermos or in a sous vide bath at 130ºF for about 3-4 hours.

Immersion Blender Method:

  1. Place egg yolks, water, salt and cooled shallot mixture in a jar/container that will fit the immersion blender all the way to the bottom.
  2. Place the head of the immersion blender at the bottom of the jar and turn it on for about 30-45 seconds to combine the mixture.
  3. With the immersion blender running, slowly in a thin stream, pour in the melted butter. A thick sauce will form as the ingredients emulsify. If the mixture seems too thick, add a tablespoon of wine or water.
  4. Stir in the finely minced tarragon and season with salt to taste. Serve.

Regular Blender Method

  1. In the jar of a blender, place the cooled shallot mixture, water, egg yolks and salt. Blend for about 30-45 seconds.
  2. With the blender running, slowly in a thin stream, pour in the melted butter through the opening in the lid. A thick sauce will form as the ingredients emulsify. If the mixture seems too thick, add a tablespoon of wine or water. Stir in the tarragon and season to taste and serve.

Notes

  • Béarnaise sauce is mostly served with steak or fish.
  • For a completely smooth sauce, you can strain the shallot mixture through a fine mesh strainer, pressing on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible.
  • The immersion blender and blender methods make the sauce more stable and foolproof.
  • Consumption of raw or undercooked eggs may increase the risk of foodborne illness. If you are concerned, it’s best to follow the traditional method.
Traditional Method:
  • It’s best to whisk the sauce over hot water, until the sauce coats the back of a spoon.
    Make sure the hot water doesn’t touch the bottom of the mixing bowl.
  • Béarnaise sauce cannot be reheated, however it can be kept warm in a thermos or in a sous vide bath at 130ºF for about 2-3 hours.
Immersion Blender Method:
  • You can use an immersion blender and a glass jar that is just a bit bigger than the immersion blender for best results.
Blender Method:
  • For convenience, instead of stirring the minced tarragon, you can blend it very quickly and only for a few seconds to prevent the sauce from turning greenish.
  • You can make the sauce 1 hour ahead of time. Keep it in the blender and right before serving, add 1 tablespoon of the hottest tap water, and blend for a few seconds. Serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 320 kcal, Carbohydrates: 3 g, Protein: 2 g, Fat: 33 g, Saturated Fat: 20 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9 g, Trans Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 178 mg, Sodium: 109 mg, Potassium: 114 mg, Fiber: 0.3 g, Sugar: 0.5 g, Vitamin A: 1173 IU, Vitamin C: 2 mg, Calcium: 50 mg, Iron: 1 mg
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