Béarnaise Sauce Recipe

Béarnaise sauce is a rich, buttery French classic known for its silky texture and distinctive tarragon flavor. Often served with steak, seafood, vegetables, and potatoes, this elegant sauce transforms simple dishes into restaurant-quality meals. Made with a flavorful reduction of white wine, vinegar, shallots, and fresh herbs, this homemade béarnaise sauce recipe delivers authentic flavor with surprisingly simple preparation. Discover more flavorful recipes like Béarnaise Sauce Recipe right here.

Ingredients

For the Tarragon Reduction

• 1 cup fresh tarragon leaves, coarsely chopped
• ½ cup shallots, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
• ½ cup white wine vinegar
• ½ cup white wine
• ⅓ cup water

For the Compound Butter

• ¼ cup fresh tarragon, chopped
• 1 teaspoon capers, drained
• 1 tablespoon cold unsalted butter

For the Béarnaise Sauce

• 2 large egg yolks
• 3 tablespoons prepared tarragon reduction
• 8 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 1 tablespoon caper-tarragon compound butter
• Salt, to taste
• Cayenne pepper, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Combine the tarragon leaves, shallots, peppercorns, white wine vinegar, white wine, and water in a saucepan.
2. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
3. Reduce the heat and cook until the liquid reduces to approximately 3 tablespoons, about 20 to 30 minutes.
4. Strain the reduction through a fine-mesh sieve and set aside.
5. To make the compound butter, mash chopped tarragon and capers together until finely combined.
6. Add 1 tablespoon cold butter and continue mashing until a smooth herb butter forms. Refrigerate until needed.
7. Place egg yolks and 3 tablespoons of the prepared reduction in a heatproof bowl and whisk together.
8. Add the cold butter cubes.
9. Set the bowl over low heat and whisk continuously until the butter melts and the sauce thickens into a smooth, creamy consistency.
10. Stir in the prepared compound butter and continue whisking until fully incorporated.
11. Remove from heat and season with salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.
12. Serve immediately over steak, grilled seafood, roasted vegetables, or potatoes.

Preparation Details

Detail	Value
Prep Time	15 Minutes
Cook Time	40 Minutes
Total Time	55 Minutes
Servings	8 Servings
Yield	1 Cup Sauce
Calories	Approximately 152 Per Serving