Techniques
Sauces
Tip
Beginner
1 min

Build a pan sauce by adding acid and deglazing the browned bits

After browning, add an acid (lemon/vinegar) and deglaze with liquid to pull flavor from the pan into the food.

Once you’ve browned meat and aromatics, add an acid like balsamic, apple cider vinegar, or lemon. Then deglaze with that acid and/or a little water so the browned bits dissolve and coat the food.

The short version

  • Use acid to brighten and help lift fond.
  • Deglaze so the pan flavor goes into the food.

Why it works

Deglazing dissolves flavorful browned fond into the liquid, distributing it as a sauce.

Put it to use

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