๐ฅซ Sauce Vocab
Sauce names can describe the base, fat, heat level, color, or even the cuisine they come from. Tomato sauce is a broad family, while Alfredo is built around butter and cheese, and hollandaise combines eggs and butter. Some sauce names simply tell you that a sauce is spicy or brown. These are the sauces youโll commonly find on menus, in recipes, and on grocery shelves.
๐ฎ๐น๐ Italian & French
๐
Tomato Sauce
savory sauce cooked mainly from tomatoes
Example: A plain tomato sauce can be dinner. Marinara is the simpler, brighter cousin.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce tomate
๐ฉ๐ช German: Tomatensauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Sugo di pomodoro
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho de tomate
๐ก Nuance: Umbrella. Marinara is a specific simple style. Enchilada sauce is a different chile-tomato world.
savory sauce cooked mainly from tomatoes
Example: A plain tomato sauce can be dinner. Marinara is the simpler, brighter cousin.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa de tomate๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce tomate
๐ฉ๐ช German: Tomatensauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Sugo di pomodoro
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho de tomate
๐ก Nuance: Umbrella. Marinara is a specific simple style. Enchilada sauce is a different chile-tomato world.
๐ง Marinara Sauce
simple tomato sauce with garlic, herbs, and olive oil
Example: Marinara is quick and uncreamy. Alfredo is the white opposite.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce marinara
๐ฉ๐ช German: Marinara-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa marinara
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho marinara
๐ก Nuance: No cream, no long meat simmer. The bright red jar name in English kitchens.
simple tomato sauce with garlic, herbs, and olive oil
Example: Marinara is quick and uncreamy. Alfredo is the white opposite.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa marinara๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce marinara
๐ฉ๐ช German: Marinara-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa marinara
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho marinara
๐ก Nuance: No cream, no long meat simmer. The bright red jar name in English kitchens.
๐ง Alfredo Sauce
rich sauce of butter and Parmesan - cream is a later habit
Example: Classic Alfredo is cheese melting into butter. Carbonara uses egg, not a cream jug.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce Alfredo
๐ฉ๐ช German: Alfredo-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa Alfredo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho Alfredo
๐ก Nuance: American jars add cream. Bรฉchamel is the flour-and-milk white sauce, not this.
rich sauce of butter and Parmesan - cream is a later habit
Example: Classic Alfredo is cheese melting into butter. Carbonara uses egg, not a cream jug.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa Alfredo๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce Alfredo
๐ฉ๐ช German: Alfredo-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa Alfredo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho Alfredo
๐ก Nuance: American jars add cream. Bรฉchamel is the flour-and-milk white sauce, not this.
๐ฅ Bรฉchamel Sauce
French white sauce from milk, butter, and flour
Example: Lasagne starts with bรฉchamel. Alfredo starts with cheese and butter.
๐ซ๐ท French: Bรฉchamel
๐ฉ๐ช German: Bรฉchamel
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Besciamella
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Bรฉchamel
๐ก Nuance: Mother sauce. Gravy is drippings plus thickener. Brown sauce starts with browned stock, not milk.
French white sauce from milk, butter, and flour
Example: Lasagne starts with bรฉchamel. Alfredo starts with cheese and butter.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa bechamel๐ซ๐ท French: Bรฉchamel
๐ฉ๐ช German: Bรฉchamel
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Besciamella
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Bรฉchamel
๐ก Nuance: Mother sauce. Gravy is drippings plus thickener. Brown sauce starts with browned stock, not milk.
๐ Hollandaise Sauce
egg yolks, butter, and lemon
Example: Eggs Benedict wear hollandaise. Bรฉarnaise is the tarragon-and-vinegar cousin.
๐ซ๐ท French: Hollandaise
๐ฉ๐ช German: Hollandaise
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa olandese
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho holandรชs
๐ก Nuance: Warm emulsion. Breaks if it gets too hot. Lemon, not vinegar-herb.
egg yolks, butter, and lemon
Example: Eggs Benedict wear hollandaise. Bรฉarnaise is the tarragon-and-vinegar cousin.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa holandesa๐ซ๐ท French: Hollandaise
๐ฉ๐ช German: Hollandaise
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa olandese
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho holandรชs
๐ก Nuance: Warm emulsion. Breaks if it gets too hot. Lemon, not vinegar-herb.
๐ฟ Bรฉarnaise Sauce
butter sauce with herbs and vinegar, built like hollandaise
Example: Steak and bรฉarnaise. The tarragon is the giveaway.
๐ซ๐ท French: Bรฉarnaise
๐ฉ๐ช German: Bรฉarnaise
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa bรฉarnaise
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho bรฉarnaise
๐ก Nuance: Hollandaise's sharper sibling. Vinegar reduction and tarragon, not lemon brunch.
butter sauce with herbs and vinegar, built like hollandaise
Example: Steak and bรฉarnaise. The tarragon is the giveaway.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa bearnesa๐ซ๐ท French: Bรฉarnaise
๐ฉ๐ช German: Bรฉarnaise
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa bรฉarnaise
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho bรฉarnaise
๐ก Nuance: Hollandaise's sharper sibling. Vinegar reduction and tarragon, not lemon brunch.
๐ฟ Pesto
uncooked Italian sauce of basil, garlic, nuts, cheese, and oil
Example: Pesto is pounded or blended, not simmered. Heat dulls it.
๐ซ๐ท French: Pesto
๐ฉ๐ช German: Pesto
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Pesto
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pesto
๐ก Nuance: Raw green. Chimichurri is the parsley-vinegar cousin from Argentina, not basil-cheese.
uncooked Italian sauce of basil, garlic, nuts, cheese, and oil
Example: Pesto is pounded or blended, not simmered. Heat dulls it.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Pesto๐ซ๐ท French: Pesto
๐ฉ๐ช German: Pesto
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Pesto
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pesto
๐ก Nuance: Raw green. Chimichurri is the parsley-vinegar cousin from Argentina, not basil-cheese.
๐ฅ Carbonara Sauce
eggs, cheese, cured pork, and black pepper - cream is optional in restaurants, not in the old recipe
Example: Carbonara thickens off the heat. Alfredo never needed the egg.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce carbonara
๐ฉ๐ช German: Carbonara-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Carbonara
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho carbonara
๐ก Nuance: Emulsion of egg and cheese. Not bรฉchamel and not a jar of cream.
eggs, cheese, cured pork, and black pepper - cream is optional in restaurants, not in the old recipe
Example: Carbonara thickens off the heat. Alfredo never needed the egg.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa carbonara๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce carbonara
๐ฉ๐ช German: Carbonara-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Carbonara
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho carbonara
๐ก Nuance: Emulsion of egg and cheese. Not bรฉchamel and not a jar of cream.
๐ถ๏ธ Iberian & Latin American
๐ซ Romesco Sauce
Spanish sauce of roasted peppers, tomatoes, nuts, and oil
Example: Romesco on grilled calรงots. Not a fresh salsa.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce romesco
๐ฉ๐ช German: Romesco
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Romesco
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho romesco
๐ก Nuance: Roasted and nutty. Chimichurri stays raw and herbal.
Spanish sauce of roasted peppers, tomatoes, nuts, and oil
Example: Romesco on grilled calรงots. Not a fresh salsa.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa romesco๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce romesco
๐ฉ๐ช German: Romesco
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Romesco
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho romesco
๐ก Nuance: Roasted and nutty. Chimichurri stays raw and herbal.
๐ฆ๐ท Chimichurri
fresh herb sauce - parsley, garlic, oil, vinegar
Example: Chimichurri on steak. Pesto would be the wrong green.
๐ซ๐ท French: Chimichurri
๐ฉ๐ช German: Chimichurri
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Chimichurri
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Chimichurri
๐ก Nuance: Raw and sharp. Not cooked tomato salsa and not basil pesto.
fresh herb sauce - parsley, garlic, oil, vinegar
Example: Chimichurri on steak. Pesto would be the wrong green.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Chimichurri๐ซ๐ท French: Chimichurri
๐ฉ๐ช German: Chimichurri
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Chimichurri
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Chimichurri
๐ก Nuance: Raw and sharp. Not cooked tomato salsa and not basil pesto.
๐ฅ Salsa
Mexican-style sauce of tomatoes, peppers, onion, and friends - often fresh
Example: Salsa on chips can be raw. Mole is a long cooked sauce of another order.
๐ซ๐ท French: Salsa
๐ฉ๐ช German: Salsa
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Salsa
๐ก Nuance: In Spanish, salsa just means sauce. In English it usually means this Mexican family.
Mexican-style sauce of tomatoes, peppers, onion, and friends - often fresh
Example: Salsa on chips can be raw. Mole is a long cooked sauce of another order.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa๐ซ๐ท French: Salsa
๐ฉ๐ช German: Salsa
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Salsa
๐ก Nuance: In Spanish, salsa just means sauce. In English it usually means this Mexican family.
๐ซ Mole Sauce
rich Mexican sauce of chiles, spices, nuts, and sometimes chocolate
Example: Mole takes time. Enchilada sauce is the quicker chile pour.
๐ซ๐ท French: Mole
๐ฉ๐ช German: Mole
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Mole
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Mole
๐ก Nuance: A family, not one recipe. Chocolate is possible, not required. Not a candy sauce.
rich Mexican sauce of chiles, spices, nuts, and sometimes chocolate
Example: Mole takes time. Enchilada sauce is the quicker chile pour.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Mole๐ซ๐ท French: Mole
๐ฉ๐ช German: Mole
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Mole
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Mole
๐ก Nuance: A family, not one recipe. Chocolate is possible, not required. Not a candy sauce.
๐ฏ Enchilada Sauce
spiced Mexican sauce from chiles, tomatoes, or tomatillos
Example: Red enchilada sauce on rolled tortillas. Salsa cruda is the raw bowl on the side.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce enchilada
๐ฉ๐ช German: Enchilada-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa enchilada
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho de enchilada
๐ก Nuance: Cooked chile sauce for coating. Adobo is a related seasoned chile-vinegar paste or sauce.
spiced Mexican sauce from chiles, tomatoes, or tomatillos
Example: Red enchilada sauce on rolled tortillas. Salsa cruda is the raw bowl on the side.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa para enchiladas๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce enchilada
๐ฉ๐ช German: Enchilada-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa enchilada
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho de enchilada
๐ก Nuance: Cooked chile sauce for coating. Adobo is a related seasoned chile-vinegar paste or sauce.
๐ฅซ Adobo Sauce
seasoned chile sauce with vinegar, garlic, and spices
Example: Chipotles in adobo come packed in this sauce. Filipino adobo is a different dish that shares the name.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce adobo
๐ฉ๐ช German: Adobo-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa adobo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho adobo
๐ก Nuance: Adobo means marinade or seasoning in several kitchens. The jar next to chipotles is the Mexican chile version.
seasoned chile sauce with vinegar, garlic, and spices
Example: Chipotles in adobo come packed in this sauce. Filipino adobo is a different dish that shares the name.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa adobo๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce adobo
๐ฉ๐ช German: Adobo-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa adobo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho adobo
๐ก Nuance: Adobo means marinade or seasoning in several kitchens. The jar next to chipotles is the Mexican chile version.
๐ฅข East & Southeast Asian
๐ฏ Teriyaki Sauce
sweet-savory Japanese-style sauce from soy and sugar
Example: Teriyaki glaze on salmon. Ponzu is the thin citrus dip, not this sticky brown.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce teriyaki
๐ฉ๐ช German: Teriyaki-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa teriyaki
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho teriyaki
๐ก Nuance: Shine and sweet soy. Tonkatsu sauce is thicker and tangier, built for fried pork.
sweet-savory Japanese-style sauce from soy and sugar
Example: Teriyaki glaze on salmon. Ponzu is the thin citrus dip, not this sticky brown.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa teriyaki๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce teriyaki
๐ฉ๐ช German: Teriyaki-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa teriyaki
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho teriyaki
๐ก Nuance: Shine and sweet soy. Tonkatsu sauce is thicker and tangier, built for fried pork.
๐ Ponzu Sauce
Japanese citrus sauce - tart and salty
Example: Ponzu with sashimi or a hot pot. It should taste like soy plus lemon, not like barbecue.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce ponzu
๐ฉ๐ช German: Ponzu
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Ponzu
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho ponzu
๐ก Nuance: Thin dipping sauce. Not a glaze. Not teriyaki.
Japanese citrus sauce - tart and salty
Example: Ponzu with sashimi or a hot pot. It should taste like soy plus lemon, not like barbecue.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa ponzu๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce ponzu
๐ฉ๐ช German: Ponzu
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Ponzu
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho ponzu
๐ก Nuance: Thin dipping sauce. Not a glaze. Not teriyaki.
๐ฅฉ Tonkatsu Sauce
thick Japanese sauce - sweet, tangy, savory - for fried cutlets
Example: Tonkatsu sauce on a breaded pork cutlet. Think brown sauce with fruit, not soy glaze.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce tonkatsu
๐ฉ๐ช German: Tonkatsu-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa tonkatsu
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho tonkatsu
๐ก Nuance: Closer to a fruity brown sauce than to teriyaki. Built for fried food.
thick Japanese sauce - sweet, tangy, savory - for fried cutlets
Example: Tonkatsu sauce on a breaded pork cutlet. Think brown sauce with fruit, not soy glaze.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa tonkatsu๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce tonkatsu
๐ฉ๐ช German: Tonkatsu-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa tonkatsu
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho tonkatsu
๐ก Nuance: Closer to a fruity brown sauce than to teriyaki. Built for fried food.
๐ค Hoisin Sauce
thick sweet-savory Chinese sauce for meat and stir-fries
Example: Hoisin on Peking duck pancakes. Oyster sauce is saltier and less sweet.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce hoisin
๐ฉ๐ช German: Hoisin-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa hoisin
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho hoisin
๐ก Nuance: Sweet bean-garlic paste. Not fish sauce, which is thin and fermented.
thick sweet-savory Chinese sauce for meat and stir-fries
Example: Hoisin on Peking duck pancakes. Oyster sauce is saltier and less sweet.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa hoisin๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce hoisin
๐ฉ๐ช German: Hoisin-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa hoisin
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho hoisin
๐ก Nuance: Sweet bean-garlic paste. Not fish sauce, which is thin and fermented.
๐ฆช Oyster Sauce
thick dark savory sauce from oyster extracts
Example: A spoon of oyster sauce in stir-fried greens. It should taste meaty, not fishy like fish sauce.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce dโhuรฎtre
๐ฉ๐ช German: Austernsauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa di ostriche
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho de ostra
๐ก Nuance: Thick and glossy. Fish sauce is thin, pungent, and poured by the splash.
thick dark savory sauce from oyster extracts
Example: A spoon of oyster sauce in stir-fried greens. It should taste meaty, not fishy like fish sauce.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa de ostra๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce dโhuรฎtre
๐ฉ๐ช German: Austernsauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa di ostriche
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho de ostra
๐ก Nuance: Thick and glossy. Fish sauce is thin, pungent, and poured by the splash.
๐ถ๏ธ Sweet Chili Sauce
sweet, mildly hot sauce of chiles, sugar, and vinegar
Example: Sweet chili with spring rolls. Hot sauce would be sharper and less candy.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce chili sucrรฉe
๐ฉ๐ช German: Sรผร-scharf-Chili-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa chili dolce
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho de pimenta doce
๐ก Nuance: Dip more than a cooking sauce. Heat is polite. Sugar leads.
sweet, mildly hot sauce of chiles, sugar, and vinegar
Example: Sweet chili with spring rolls. Hot sauce would be sharper and less candy.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa agridulce de chile๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce chili sucrรฉe
๐ฉ๐ช German: Sรผร-scharf-Chili-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa chili dolce
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho de pimenta doce
๐ก Nuance: Dip more than a cooking sauce. Heat is polite. Sugar leads.
๐ Fish Sauce
salty, intense liquid from fish fermented with salt
Example: A splash of fish sauce in a stir-fry. You should not taste fish so much as salt and depth.
๐ซ๐ท French: Nuoc mam / sauce de poisson
๐ฉ๐ช German: Fischsauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa di pesce
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho de peixe
๐ก Nuance: Seasoning, not a coating. Oyster sauce is the thick glossy cousin.
salty, intense liquid from fish fermented with salt
Example: A splash of fish sauce in a stir-fry. You should not taste fish so much as salt and depth.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa de pescado๐ซ๐ท French: Nuoc mam / sauce de poisson
๐ฉ๐ช German: Fischsauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa di pesce
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho de peixe
๐ก Nuance: Seasoning, not a coating. Oyster sauce is the thick glossy cousin.
๐ฅ Peanut Sauce
rich sauce from peanuts or peanut butter plus spices
Example: Satay peanut sauce. Tahini would be sesame, not peanut.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce cacahuรจte
๐ฉ๐ช German: Erdnusssauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa di arachidi
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho de amendoim
๐ก Nuance: Satay and gado-gado territory. Thickness varies. Not a nut pesto.
rich sauce from peanuts or peanut butter plus spices
Example: Satay peanut sauce. Tahini would be sesame, not peanut.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa de cacahuete๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce cacahuรจte
๐ฉ๐ช German: Erdnusssauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa di arachidi
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho de amendoim
๐ก Nuance: Satay and gado-gado territory. Thickness varies. Not a nut pesto.
๐ง Cool, Garlic & Table Sauces
๐ฅ Tzatziki
cold Greek sauce of yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and herbs
Example: Tzatziki with grilled meat. Garlic sauce without yogurt is another family.
๐ซ๐ท French: Tzatzรญki
๐ฉ๐ช German: Tzatziki
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Tzatziki
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Tzatziki
๐ก Nuance: Yogurt plus cucumber. Tahini is sesame and lemon, no dairy required.
cold Greek sauce of yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and herbs
Example: Tzatziki with grilled meat. Garlic sauce without yogurt is another family.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Tzatziki๐ซ๐ท French: Tzatzรญki
๐ฉ๐ช German: Tzatziki
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Tzatziki
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Tzatziki
๐ก Nuance: Yogurt plus cucumber. Tahini is sesame and lemon, no dairy required.
โช Tahini Sauce
sesame paste loosened with lemon and garlic
Example: Tahini sauce on falafel. Peanut sauce would be the wrong nut.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce tahini
๐ฉ๐ช German: Tahini-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa tahina
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho de tahine
๐ก Nuance: Tahini is the paste. Tahini sauce is the paste plus liquid and seasoning.
sesame paste loosened with lemon and garlic
Example: Tahini sauce on falafel. Peanut sauce would be the wrong nut.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa de tahini๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce tahini
๐ฉ๐ช German: Tahini-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa tahina
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho de tahine
๐ก Nuance: Tahini is the paste. Tahini sauce is the paste plus liquid and seasoning.
๐ง Garlic Sauce
any sauce where garlic leads - many regional versions
Example: Toum is one garlic sauce. Aioli is another. The menu just said garlic sauce.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce ร lโail
๐ฉ๐ช German: Knoblauchsauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa allโaglio
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho de alho
๐ก Nuance: Category, not one recipe. Could be yogurt, oil emulsion, or vinegar.
any sauce where garlic leads - many regional versions
Example: Toum is one garlic sauce. Aioli is another. The menu just said garlic sauce.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa de ajo๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce ร lโail
๐ฉ๐ช German: Knoblauchsauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa allโaglio
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho de alho
๐ก Nuance: Category, not one recipe. Could be yogurt, oil emulsion, or vinegar.
๐ Barbecue Sauce
sweet, tangy, smoky, or spicy sauce for grilled or smoked food
Example: Kansas City barbecue sauce is thick and sweet. Other regions skip the ketchup base.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce barbecue
๐ฉ๐ช German: Barbecue-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa barbecue
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho barbecue
๐ก Nuance: A family. Hot sauce is chile-and-acid. Gravy is drippings.
sweet, tangy, smoky, or spicy sauce for grilled or smoked food
Example: Kansas City barbecue sauce is thick and sweet. Other regions skip the ketchup base.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa barbacoa๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce barbecue
๐ฉ๐ช German: Barbecue-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa barbecue
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho barbecue
๐ก Nuance: A family. Hot sauce is chile-and-acid. Gravy is drippings.
๐ฅ Hot Sauce
spicy condiment of chiles plus something acidic
Example: A dash of hot sauce. Sweet chili is milder and sugary. Mole is not a table shaker.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce piquante
๐ฉ๐ช German: Scharfe Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa piccante
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho picante
๐ก Nuance: Condiment class. Vinegar or citrus carries the chile. Not a simmered mole.
spicy condiment of chiles plus something acidic
Example: A dash of hot sauce. Sweet chili is milder and sugary. Mole is not a table shaker.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa picante๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce piquante
๐ฉ๐ช German: Scharfe Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa piccante
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho picante
๐ก Nuance: Condiment class. Vinegar or citrus carries the chile. Not a simmered mole.
๐ Gravy
savory sauce from drippings, stock, and a thickener
Example: Roast gravy from the pan. Brown sauce is the more formal stock-and-roux cousin.
๐ซ๐ท French: Jus liรฉ / gravy
๐ฉ๐ช German: Bratensauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Sugo di arrosto
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho de carne
๐ก Nuance: Sunday roast word. Bรฉchamel is white and milky. Curry sauce is spiced and a different family.
savory sauce from drippings, stock, and a thickener
Example: Roast gravy from the pan. Brown sauce is the more formal stock-and-roux cousin.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa de carne / gravy๐ซ๐ท French: Jus liรฉ / gravy
๐ฉ๐ช German: Bratensauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Sugo di arrosto
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho de carne
๐ก Nuance: Sunday roast word. Bรฉchamel is white and milky. Curry sauce is spiced and a different family.
๐ซ Brown Sauce
dark savory sauce from browned ingredients and stock
Example: French brown sauce starts with a brown roux or brown stock. UK brown sauce in a bottle is a different tangy condiment.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce brune
๐ฉ๐ช German: Braune Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa bruna
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho escuro
๐ก Nuance: Two lives: classic kitchen sauce, or the bottled British condiment. Context tells you which.
dark savory sauce from browned ingredients and stock
Example: French brown sauce starts with a brown roux or brown stock. UK brown sauce in a bottle is a different tangy condiment.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa marrรณn๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce brune
๐ฉ๐ช German: Braune Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa bruna
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho escuro
๐ก Nuance: Two lives: classic kitchen sauce, or the bottled British condiment. Context tells you which.
๐ Curry Sauce
spiced sauce used across South and Southeast Asian dishes - and in many takeaway shops
Example: Curry sauce can mean a home masala or a chip-shop pour. Ask which kitchen.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce curry
๐ฉ๐ช German: Currysauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa curry
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho de caril
๐ก Nuance: Category, not one recipe. Curry leaves are a herb. This is the cooked spiced liquid.
spiced sauce used across South and Southeast Asian dishes - and in many takeaway shops
Example: Curry sauce can mean a home masala or a chip-shop pour. Ask which kitchen.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa curry๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce curry
๐ฉ๐ช German: Currysauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa curry
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho de caril
๐ก Nuance: Category, not one recipe. Curry leaves are a herb. This is the cooked spiced liquid.
๐ง Useful Distinctions
๐
Tomato vs. ๐ง Marinara
Tomato sauce is the umbrella. Marinara is the quick garlic-and-herb version.
Tomato sauce is the umbrella. Marinara is the quick garlic-and-herb version.
๐ง Alfredo vs. ๐ฅ Carbonara vs. ๐ฅ Bรฉchamel
Alfredo is butter and Parmesan. Carbonara is egg, cheese, and pork. Bรฉchamel is milk thickened with flour.
Alfredo is butter and Parmesan. Carbonara is egg, cheese, and pork. Bรฉchamel is milk thickened with flour.
๐ Hollandaise vs. ๐ฟ Bรฉarnaise
Same egg-and-butter idea. Hollandaise is lemon. Bรฉarnaise is vinegar and tarragon.
Same egg-and-butter idea. Hollandaise is lemon. Bรฉarnaise is vinegar and tarragon.
๐ฟ Pesto vs. ๐ฆ๐ท Chimichurri
Pesto is basil, nuts, and cheese. Chimichurri is parsley, garlic, oil, and vinegar.
Pesto is basil, nuts, and cheese. Chimichurri is parsley, garlic, oil, and vinegar.
๐ฅ Salsa vs. ๐ซ Mole vs. ๐ฏ Enchilada sauce
Salsa is often fresh. Mole is long and complex. Enchilada sauce is the cooked chile coat.
Salsa is often fresh. Mole is long and complex. Enchilada sauce is the cooked chile coat.
๐ฏ Teriyaki vs. ๐ Ponzu vs. ๐ฅฉ Tonkatsu
Teriyaki is sweet soy glaze. Ponzu is thin citrus-soy. Tonkatsu is thick and tangy for fried cutlets.
Teriyaki is sweet soy glaze. Ponzu is thin citrus-soy. Tonkatsu is thick and tangy for fried cutlets.
๐ฆช Oyster vs. ๐ Fish sauce
Oyster is thick and glossy. Fish sauce is thin, fermented, and used like salt.
Oyster is thick and glossy. Fish sauce is thin, fermented, and used like salt.
๐ Gravy vs. ๐ซ Brown sauce
Gravy is pan drippings. Brown sauce is stock-and-roux in a classic kitchen - or a bottled British condiment.
Gravy is pan drippings. Brown sauce is stock-and-roux in a classic kitchen - or a bottled British condiment.
๐ฌ Everyday Sauce Phrases
๐ฅ Carbonara is egg and cheese. Alfredo is butter and cheese.
two white pasta sauces
๐ซ๐ท La carbonara, cโest lโลuf et le fromage. LโAlfredo, le beurre et le fromage.
๐ฉ๐ช Carbonara ist Ei und Kรคse. Alfredo ist Butter und Kรคse.
๐ฎ๐น La carbonara รจ uovo e formaggio. LโAlfredo รจ burro e formaggio.
๐ต๐น Carbonara รฉ ovo e queijo. Alfredo รฉ manteiga e queijo.
two white pasta sauces
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ La carbonara es huevo y queso. La Alfredo es mantequilla y queso.๐ซ๐ท La carbonara, cโest lโลuf et le fromage. LโAlfredo, le beurre et le fromage.
๐ฉ๐ช Carbonara ist Ei und Kรคse. Alfredo ist Butter und Kรคse.
๐ฎ๐น La carbonara รจ uovo e formaggio. LโAlfredo รจ burro e formaggio.
๐ต๐น Carbonara รฉ ovo e queijo. Alfredo รฉ manteiga e queijo.
๐ง Ponzu is a dip. Teriyaki is a glaze.
thin citrus vs. sticky soy
๐ซ๐ท Le ponzu est une trempette. Le teriyaki est un glaรงage.
๐ฉ๐ช Ponzu ist ein Dip. Teriyaki ist eine Glasur.
๐ฎ๐น Il ponzu รจ una salsa per inzuppare. Il teriyaki รจ una glassa.
๐ต๐น Ponzu รฉ um dip. Teriyaki รฉ um glaze.
thin citrus vs. sticky soy
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ El ponzu es un dip. El teriyaki es un glaseado.๐ซ๐ท Le ponzu est une trempette. Le teriyaki est un glaรงage.
๐ฉ๐ช Ponzu ist ein Dip. Teriyaki ist eine Glasur.
๐ฎ๐น Il ponzu รจ una salsa per inzuppare. Il teriyaki รจ una glassa.
๐ต๐น Ponzu รฉ um dip. Teriyaki รฉ um glaze.
๐ซ Mole is not just chocolate sauce.
chile complex, chocolate optional
๐ซ๐ท Le mole nโest pas juste une sauce au chocolat.
๐ฉ๐ช Mole ist nicht nur Schokoladensauce.
๐ฎ๐น Il mole non รจ solo salsa al cioccolato.
๐ต๐น Mole nรฃo รฉ sรณ molho de chocolate.
chile complex, chocolate optional
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ El mole no es solo salsa de chocolate.๐ซ๐ท Le mole nโest pas juste une sauce au chocolat.
๐ฉ๐ช Mole ist nicht nur Schokoladensauce.
๐ฎ๐น Il mole non รจ solo salsa al cioccolato.
๐ต๐น Mole nรฃo รฉ sรณ molho de chocolate.
๐ Fish sauce is salt. Oyster sauce is gloss.
thin vs. thick
๐ซ๐ท La sauce poisson, cโest le sel. La sauce dโhuรฎtre, cโest le brillant.
๐ฉ๐ช Fischsauce ist Salz. Austernsauce ist Glanz.
๐ฎ๐น La salsa di pesce รจ sale. Quella di ostriche รจ lucentezza.
๐ต๐น Molho de peixe รฉ sal. Molho de ostra รฉ brilho.
thin vs. thick
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ La salsa de pescado es sal. La de ostra es brillo.๐ซ๐ท La sauce poisson, cโest le sel. La sauce dโhuรฎtre, cโest le brillant.
๐ฉ๐ช Fischsauce ist Salz. Austernsauce ist Glanz.
๐ฎ๐น La salsa di pesce รจ sale. Quella di ostriche รจ lucentezza.
๐ต๐น Molho de peixe รฉ sal. Molho de ostra รฉ brilho.
๐ Final Practice
English in the Real World:
Read the situation. Choose the more precise sauce word.
Read the situation. Choose the more precise sauce word.
Question 1 of 8
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Correct: 0
โ Questions: 0
๐ฏ Accuracy: 0%