When it comes to cooking, sauce is king. Just ask an Italian! Sauces add flavor and dimension to starches, vegetables, meats… You name it, it can be smothered in sauce. While we love us some hot sauce recipes and tomato-free alternatives, sometimes you just need a crowd-pleasing, time-tested traditional sauce. That’s where these 12 classic recipes come in. (Spoiler Alert: We’ve also included a handy infographic at the end of this post that you can pin or print to help you make these classic sauces!)
1. Béchamel Sauce: This French favorite is also known simply as white sauce. It’s made primarily from from milk and cheese, with some nutmeg and butter thrown in for extra flavor. (via The Cook’s Pyjamas)
2. Hollandaise Sauce: Hollandaise is a delicious, fatty, low-sugar sauce that’s commonly used atop poached eggs and English muffins. This completely Paleo-friendly version is *super* simple to make for an at-home brunch. (via KetoDiet Blog)
3. Parsley Sauce: Traditional English Parsley sauce is a creamy topping for fish, and this cod recipe totally does the stuff justice. It’s not the trendiest recipe in the book, but it has stood the test of time. Pair it with a cold pint and a handful of chips, DUH. (via Martha Stewart)
4. Tomato Sauce: This Simple Roasted Tomato Sauce recipe will take you back to your childhood. Perfect for rainy days, this traditional tomato sauce is delicious paired with grilled cheese or any other classic sammie. (via Foodie Crush)
5. Béarnaise Sauce: Leave it to the French (the creators of hollandaise and béchamel) to come up with béarnaise sauce, which is traditionally made from clarified butter and egg yolks. PRO TIP: Be sure to blend hot butter in with the egg yolk and vinegar mixture instead of whisking separately. (via Serious Eats)
6. Bread Sauce: Bread sauce — not to be confused with bread pudding — is a classic holiday staple. As a bonus, you can also make it in advance and freeze it for later. (via Delicious)
7. Chimichurri Sauce: Native to Argentina, chimichurri sauce is AMAZING drizzled over a top-notch sirloin or other kind of steak. It’s a parsley-based sauce, but you can add an extra dimension of flavor with the creative addition of cilantro. (via Little Spice Jar)
8. BBQ Sauce: There’s nothing quite like the taste of barbecue smothered over a rack of ribs or some chicken wings. But there’s no need to pick up the store-bought version. Make your own at home and you’ll be amazed at the extra flavor and dimension of this classic American sauce. (via Budget Savvy Diva)
9. Horseradish: When it comes to horseradish, people tend to either love it or hate it. We personally love it, especially when paired with a fantastic prime rib. This creamy sauce utilizes horseradish as well as crème fraîche and chives, making for a perfect addition to your best cut of meat. (via Serious Eats)
10. Espagnole: Espagnole sauce comes from France, and it’s BURSTING with all the flavors European cuisine is known for (we’re talking onion, carrots, tomato, celery, mushrooms and beef stock). It’s no surprise that this delicious sauce goes best with red meats. (via Only Best Cooking)
11. Velouté: Yet another French creation (there’s a reason why French cuisine is known for its sauces!), velouté is a super-simple combination of butter, flour and stock. One of the five French mother sauces (the others include hollandaise, béchamel, tomate and espagnole), velouté is easily prepped ahead of time, so it’s perfect for storing in the freezer until you’re ready to use it. (via Girl Gone Gourmet)
12. Sweet and Sour: Real Chinese sweet and sour sauce is *AH-mazing*, but it tastes nothing like the packaged or bottled creations you’ll find at the supermarket. Go the authentic route and whip up a batch at home. But don’t worry about keeping things light with this recipe… The best pairings for sweet and sour sauce are deep fried or pan fried. (via China Sichuan Food)
As promised, here’s a fun graphic that will help you make the most basic versions of these 12 classic sauces right in the comfort of your home kitchen.
Follow us on Pinterest for more classic sauce + other traditional recipes!
Maggie McCracken
Maggie is a writer and editor currently based in Chicago. She writes about mindfulness, astrology, nutrition, self-development, and fitness, and has a background in yoga instruction.
FAQs
To help make your country kitchen look aged instead of brand spanking new, add some antique details like an distressed bronze or gold antique faucet, well loved copper pots and English transferware. Modern cabinet hardware can be changed out for vintage or vintage reproduction hardware.
What does a French country kitchen look like? ›
According to Houston-based interior designer Amitha Verma, French country kitchens are defined by weathered stone floors, exposed wood beams, honed marble countertops, aged hardware, and traditional cabinetry with ornate, furniture-like detailing.
What does a minimalist kitchen look like? ›
What are the features of a minimalist kitchen? Per Thompson, one of the best ways to achieve the minimalist look is to prioritize concealed storage within kitchen cabinets or drawers, where you'll keep larger appliances—leaving countertops clear and maximizing your prep space.
What does an Italian kitchen look like? ›
Minimalist design: Contemporary Italian kitchens are simple and uncluttered, with clean lines and minimal ornamentation. High-quality materials: Italian kitchen design emphasizes using high-quality materials, such as marble, wood, and stone, often used for countertops, backsplashes, and flooring.
What does a traditional style kitchen look like? ›
Traditional kitchens typically incorporate painted cabinets with or without glass front doors, simple granite or laminate countertops, and hardwood floors. The best traditional kitchens lean on classic elements, while still allowing room for family fun or guest entertainment.
How to make your kitchen look French? ›
French country kitchens are often neutral spaces that include light, earthy colors that range from shades of white, beige, gray, and brown, or colors such as yellow, red, and blue depending on whether the inspiration is a Provençal farmhouse, a rustic thatched cottage in Normandy, or a provincial chateau.
What does a messy kitchen look like? ›
They can be a cozy space with just a counter and a few shelves or they can feel like a full-sized kitchen, hiding away nearly every convenience of a standard kitchen in a more secluded area. We have seen messy kitchens with full-sized sinks, ideal for washing and prepping vegetables or cleaning large pots and pans.
What is an invisible kitchen? ›
Hidden kitchens have everything you'd expect to see in a kitchen, such as a stove, refrigerator, and sink, but they are hidden in the room, giving it a look that blends with the living room and the rest of the home.
What does a 90s kitchen look like? ›
Oak cabinets with light laminate or tile countertops were a mainstay in kitchens from the 90's. People loved the charming countryside appeal of these designs. And don't forget about the pastel paint and floral wallpaper. Because this was thought to add even more charm through the kitchens of the 90's decade.
What do you put in a lazy Susan cabinet? ›
In terms of what to store, a Lazy Susan is perfect for frequently used supplies like spices, sugars and coffee or tea sweeteners, or other general food stores. Its rotating design allows for easy access, eliminating the need to pore through various containers and create a mess to find a given item.
Pantries are for bulk storage and infrequently used items; cabinets are for daily essentials. Which one is right for you depends on your needs. Kitchens don't have to be just about cooking–they can be spaces where both food and memories are made.
What does an English kitchen look like? ›
When most people think of a traditional English kitchen, what they're most likely envisioning is a traditional Georgian kitchen: built between 1714 and 1830, characterized by thoughtful, understated embellishments, a restrained color palette, and a focus on function.
What makes an English kitchen? ›
The use of traditional and antique materials
'Colors and utilitarian aspects are the benchmarks of classic English kitchens,' says interior designer Shannon Eddings. 'Think pot racks, apron front sinks, some color and a little bit of pattern, and an old stone floor.
What is a New England style kitchen? ›
New England style kitchens will frequently have a white-on-white color scheme with a dark or blue accent cabinet or island. Kitchens with more of a colonial influence can include exposed brick for a more rural look and feel.
Is there an app to see what my kitchen will look like? ›
The RoomSketcher App is an easy-to-use kitchen planner. Design a layout of your dream kitchen and visualize in stunning 3D.
