Chefs are over-reducing pan sauces and losing flavor balance.

Lately, I've seen many chefs reduce pan sauces too far. It makes the sauce too strong and thick. How do you know when to stop reducing?

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3 Comments

martinez.max7mo ago

I used to reduce until the sauce coated a spoon. A chef friend pointed out that leaves no room for the food's own juices on the plate. Now I stop a bit earlier and let it finish with whatever it's served over.

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drew_bennett247mo ago

Man, I definitely learned that the hard way (with a few dried-out chicken breasts as my teachers). I used to reduce until the pan was basically glued shut, but now I aim for just thick enough to barely hold together. It really does make everything else on the plate taste better, not just the sauce.

3

jenkins.reese7mo ago

Totally get that. Learned the same lesson with a few messed-up dishes myself. Letting the sauce finish on the plate makes a huge difference.

3