Red Wine Reduction Sauce
This easy red wine reduction sauce is the perfect way to take your steak from boring to restaurant-style. With just a few ingredients and a good technique, this delicious sauce will instantly add that rich, glossy finish you’d expect from a steakhouse and elevate every bite! See below the recipe card for step-by-step images.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter room temperature, divided
- 1 shallot finely minced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 cup dry red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, or Merlot)
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 dried bay leaf
- ½ tsp granulated sugar
- 1 cup beef stock (see note)
- ¼ tsp coarse salt
- a few turns of freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- In the same medium saucepan you cooked your steak in, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add shallot and sauté until softened and translucent, but not browned. Add in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 20 seconds.
- Pour in the red wine, then add the thyme, bay leaf, and sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 8-10 minutes, until reduced by half.
- Pour in the beef stock and continue simmering until the sauce reduces further by half and thickens a bit, another 10-15 minutes.
- Strain the solids through a fine mesh sieve over a bowl, then return the liquid to the pan.
- Turn off the heat and whisk in the remaining 2 tbsp of butter until incorporated. This will help thicken it further and give it a silky finish.
- Season with salt and pepper and serve.
Video
Notes
- You can substitute the beef broth with chicken or veggie broth if you preferred. Note that the sauce won't be as deep or rich in flavor.
- To make the sauce dairy free, use dairy-free butter.
- Add a splash of balsamic for sweetness or depth.
- For an even thicker sauce, whisk in ½ teaspoon cornstarch slurry.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 141kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 266mg | Potassium: 141mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 288IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 0.3mg