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Bacon Butter Sauce: A Decadent Twist for Home-Cooked Meals
If you’re looking to elevate your home-cooked dishes with a rich, savoury touch, bacon butter sauce is a game-changer. This indulgent sauce combines the smoky, salty flavour of bacon with the creamy, velvety texture of butter, making it a versatile addition to a variety of meals. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just starting out in the kitchen, this easy-to-make sauce will transform your everyday recipes into restaurant-quality dishes. In this article, we’ll explore the history of bacon butter sauce, how to make it at home, and the best dishes to pair it with.
The Origins of Bacon Butter Sauce
Bacon and butter are two ingredients that have long been staples in kitchens worldwide, but combining them into a sauce is a relatively modern invention. Bacon’s roots go back to ancient times, with records of pork belly preservation dating as far back as 1500 B.C. in China. In European cuisine, especially in French and Italian kitchens, butter-based sauces have been a fundamental part of creating rich flavours in a variety of dishes.
Bacon butter sauce brings together these two iconic ingredients, taking inspiration from classic French and Italian culinary traditions. The smoky, umami notes of the bacon perfectly complement the rich, creamy base of butter, creating a harmonious blend that enhances everything from pasta and vegetables to grilled meats.
Best Dishes to Pair with Bacon Butter Sauce
One of the best things about bacon butter sauce is its versatility. Whether you’re looking to enhance a simple meal or add depth to a complex dish, this sauce can do it all. Here are some chef-recommended dishes that pair beautifully with bacon butter sauce:
- Pasta Dishes: Toss the sauce with freshly cooked pasta, like fettuccine or penne, for a quick yet indulgent meal. Add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and cracked black pepper for extra flavor.
- Grilled Steaks or Chicken: Use bacon butter sauce as a luxurious topping for grilled steak or chicken. The sauce enhances the natural flavors of the meat, adding a smoky richness that will leave your guests impressed.
- Roasted Vegetables: Drizzle the sauce over roasted vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, asparagus, or green beans. The salty bacon and creamy butter pair perfectly with the earthy flavors of the vegetables.
- Seafood: Try pairing bacon butter sauce with seared scallops or grilled shrimp. The richness of the sauce complements the delicate, sweet flavor of the seafood, creating a perfectly balanced dish.
Bacon butter sauce is a quick and easy way to bring gourmet flavours to your kitchen. Whether you’re serving it over pasta, grilled meats, or roasted vegetables, this rich, smoky sauce will impress even the most discerning palates. With its roots in classic culinary traditions, this sauce is a must-try for anyone looking to add a touch of decadence to their meals.
PrintBacon Butter Sauce
- Author: Fallow
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
- 600g smoked bacon trim, chopped small
- 50ml rapeseed oil
- 3 cloves of garlic, peeled
- 150g sliced white onion
- 100g chopped carrot
- 75g sliced button mushrooms
- 6 stalks thyme
- 125ml dry white wine
- 75g tomato puree
- 12.5g smoked sweet paprika
- 2 tsp whole black peppercorns
- 1500ml water
- 40g unsalted butter
- 200ml whipping cream
- 1tsp lemon juice
- 1tsp Cabernet Sauvignon vinegar
Instructions
- Heat a large pan and add the oil followed by the smoked bacon trim.
- Cook on a medium heat until deep golden brown and the fat has rendered.
- Add the onions, carrots, mushrooms and garlic and sweat until soft and caramelised.
- Stir in the paprika, tomato purée, thyme and the white wine, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze.
- Throw in the peppercorns and reduce by half. Then add the water and simmer for 90 minutes.
- Pass the stock through a fine sieve, pressing to extract as much liquid as possible. Leave this in the fridge overnight or until the fat has solidified on top.
- Lift the fat carefully off the stock with a spoon and reserve. Put the stock in a medium pan and bring to the boil, turn off the heat
- Then add the bacon fat, butter, lemon juice & vinegar, blend with a hand blender until fully emulsified
- Taste for seasoning and adjust, if necessary. Great served with cod.
Notes
- Lasts in the fridge for two weeks.