How to Make Perfect Pan Sauce Every Time

Written By Unknown on Saturday, July 2, 2016 | 11:26 AM

A seared piece of meat might sound boring. but when it’s drizzled with a silky reduction? always exciting. these are the keys to pulling off a pro-grade pan sauce. our best pro tip: skip the nonstick pan and opt for stainless steel instead. to get those delicious browned bits, you need food to, well, stick.

Step 1: Sear the meat
our favorites include pork chops and hanger steak, but most quick-cooking meats will work. heat 1–2 tbsp. neutral oil, such as grapeseed or vegetable, in a large stainless-steel skillet over medium-high until almost smoking. a hot pan means a good sear, which is crucial to creating that crust. and avoid nonstick at all costs: you’ll need those browned bits as the flavor base of your pan sauce. cook until the meat is deeply browned and cooked through, then let rest.

Step 2: Add the Aromatics
Pour off any fat from the skillet, while keeping all those bits you worked so hard for. No need to wipe out the skillet—a little fat is a good thing. Turn the heat down to medium and add aromatics (think one chopped shallot, a couple cloves of garlic) and a teaspoon or so of spices (such as yellow mustard seeds or crushed black peppercorns). Cook, stirring to keep things moving, until the vegetables are softened and the spices have bloomed, about 4 minutes.

Step 3: Deglaze!
now’s the time to add liquid. we love using red or white wine for the acidity it lends, but broth is another great option if you don’t already have a bottle open. you don’t need to add much; about ½ cup will do for a sauce to serve 4. while you’re at it, throw in a few sprigs of thyme or rosemary, maybe a little lemon zest if you’ve got lemons lying around. then simmer, using a wooden spoon to scrape up anything stuck to the pan (also known as fond), until the liquid is thickened and reduced by about half, 5 or so minutes

Step 4: Bring back the fat
when the liquid is reduced, remove from the heat and swirl in a knob of butter. this makes the sauce smooth, creamy, and restaurant-worthy. season it with salt and pepper, and, if you’d like, a squeeze of lemon juice. slice the meat and drizzle the pan sauce over or serve it alongside.