๐ฅซ Sauce Vocab
Sauce names can tell you what a sauce is made from, how it tastes, how thick it is, how it is prepared, or where it comes from. Tomato sauce is a broad category, while marinara is a more specific tomato-based style. Bรฉchamel is built from milk and a flour-and-butter thickener, while hollandaise is an egg-and-butter emulsion. Other names, such as hot sauce or brown sauce, describe a wider family rather than one exact recipe. Learning these distinctions will help you understand restaurant menus, recipes, grocery labels, and cooking instructions.
๐ฎ๐น๐ Italian & French
๐
Tomato Sauce
savory sauce made mainly from cooked tomatoes
Example: She simmered a simple tomato sauce for pasta.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce tomate
๐ฉ๐ช German: Tomatensauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Sugo di pomodoro
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho de tomate
๐ก Nuance: Tomato sauce is a broad category. Marinara is one particular tomato-based style, while enchilada sauce belongs to a different chile-based cooking tradition.
savory sauce made mainly from cooked tomatoes
Example: She simmered a simple tomato sauce for pasta.
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: Tomato sauce is a broad category. Marinara is one particular tomato-based style, while enchilada sauce belongs to a different chile-based cooking tradition.
๐ง Marinara Sauce
simple tomato sauce commonly flavored with garlic, herbs, and olive oil
Example: We dipped the mozzarella sticks into warm marinara sauce.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce marinara
๐ฉ๐ช German: Marinara-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa marinara
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho marinara
๐ก Nuance: Marinara is typically lighter and simpler than a long-cooked meat sauce. In American English, it is also a common name for the red tomato dipping sauce served with foods such as mozzarella sticks.
simple tomato sauce commonly flavored with garlic, herbs, and olive oil
Example: We dipped the mozzarella sticks into warm marinara sauce.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa marinara๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce marinara
๐ฉ๐ช German: Marinara-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa marinara
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho marinara
๐ก Nuance: Marinara is typically lighter and simpler than a long-cooked meat sauce. In American English, it is also a common name for the red tomato dipping sauce served with foods such as mozzarella sticks.
๐ง Alfredo Sauce
rich pasta sauce associated with butter and Parmesan cheese
Example: The fettuccine Alfredo was rich, buttery, and coated with Parmesan.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce Alfredo
๐ฉ๐ช German: Alfredo-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa Alfredo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho Alfredo
๐ก Nuance: Alfredo is associated with butter and Parmesan. Many American restaurant and jarred versions also contain cream. It is different from bรฉchamel, which is thickened with flour and milk, and from carbonara, which uses eggs.
rich pasta sauce associated with butter and Parmesan cheese
Example: The fettuccine Alfredo was rich, buttery, and coated with Parmesan.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa Alfredo๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce Alfredo
๐ฉ๐ช German: Alfredo-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa Alfredo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho Alfredo
๐ก Nuance: Alfredo is associated with butter and Parmesan. Many American restaurant and jarred versions also contain cream. It is different from bรฉchamel, which is thickened with flour and milk, and from carbonara, which uses eggs.
๐ฅ Bรฉchamel Sauce
French white sauce made from milk thickened with butter and flour
Example: The lasagna had a creamy layer of bรฉchamel between the pasta sheets.
๐ซ๐ท French: Bรฉchamel
๐ฉ๐ช German: Bรฉchamel
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Besciamella
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Bรฉchamel
๐ก Nuance: Bรฉchamel begins with a roux, a cooked mixture of fat and flour, and then milk is added. It is one of the classic French mother sauces.
French white sauce made from milk thickened with butter and flour
Example: The lasagna had a creamy layer of bรฉchamel between the pasta sheets.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa bechamel๐ซ๐ท French: Bรฉchamel
๐ฉ๐ช German: Bรฉchamel
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Besciamella
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Bรฉchamel
๐ก Nuance: Bรฉchamel begins with a roux, a cooked mixture of fat and flour, and then milk is added. It is one of the classic French mother sauces.
๐ Hollandaise Sauce
warm buttery sauce made from egg yolks, butter, and lemon
Example: The eggs Benedict were covered with warm hollandaise sauce.
๐ซ๐ท French: Hollandaise
๐ฉ๐ช German: Hollandaise
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa olandese
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho holandรชs
๐ก Nuance: Hollandaise is an emulsion, meaning two ingredients that normally separate are combined into a smooth sauce. It is closely related to bรฉarnaise but is associated with lemon rather than tarragon and vinegar.
warm buttery sauce made from egg yolks, butter, and lemon
Example: The eggs Benedict were covered with warm hollandaise sauce.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa holandesa๐ซ๐ท French: Hollandaise
๐ฉ๐ช German: Hollandaise
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa olandese
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho holandรชs
๐ก Nuance: Hollandaise is an emulsion, meaning two ingredients that normally separate are combined into a smooth sauce. It is closely related to bรฉarnaise but is associated with lemon rather than tarragon and vinegar.
๐ฟ Bรฉarnaise Sauce
butter-and-egg sauce flavored with vinegar, shallots, and herbs such as tarragon
Example: He ordered steak with bรฉarnaise sauce on the side.
๐ซ๐ท French: Bรฉarnaise
๐ฉ๐ช German: Bรฉarnaise
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa bรฉarnaise
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho bรฉarnaise
๐ก Nuance: Bรฉarnaise belongs to the same general egg-and-butter family as hollandaise. Tarragon and the sharper vinegar flavor are useful clues.
butter-and-egg sauce flavored with vinegar, shallots, and herbs such as tarragon
Example: He ordered steak with bรฉarnaise sauce on the side.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa bearnesa๐ซ๐ท French: Bรฉarnaise
๐ฉ๐ช German: Bรฉarnaise
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa bรฉarnaise
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho bรฉarnaise
๐ก Nuance: Bรฉarnaise belongs to the same general egg-and-butter family as hollandaise. Tarragon and the sharper vinegar flavor are useful clues.
๐ฟ Pesto
uncooked Italian sauce traditionally made from basil, garlic, nuts, cheese, and olive oil
Example: She tossed the hot pasta with basil pesto just before serving.
๐ซ๐ท French: Pesto
๐ฉ๐ช German: Pesto
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Pesto
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pesto
๐ก Nuance: Pesto is traditionally pounded or blended rather than simmered. Compare it with chimichurri, which is also green and herb-based but uses parsley and vinegar instead of basil, nuts, and cheese.
uncooked Italian sauce traditionally made from basil, garlic, nuts, cheese, and olive oil
Example: She tossed the hot pasta with basil pesto just before serving.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Pesto๐ซ๐ท French: Pesto
๐ฉ๐ช German: Pesto
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Pesto
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pesto
๐ก Nuance: Pesto is traditionally pounded or blended rather than simmered. Compare it with chimichurri, which is also green and herb-based but uses parsley and vinegar instead of basil, nuts, and cheese.
๐ฅ Carbonara Sauce
pasta sauce made from eggs, cheese, cured pork, and black pepper
Example: The hot pasta helped turn the egg-and-cheese mixture into a silky carbonara sauce.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce carbonara
๐ฉ๐ช German: Carbonara-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Carbonara
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho carbonara
๐ก Nuance: Carbonara becomes creamy because egg and cheese form an emulsion with the hot pasta and cooking water. In the traditional distinction used here, it is not simply a cream sauce.
pasta sauce made from eggs, cheese, cured pork, and black pepper
Example: The hot pasta helped turn the egg-and-cheese mixture into a silky carbonara sauce.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa carbonara๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce carbonara
๐ฉ๐ช German: Carbonara-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Carbonara
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho carbonara
๐ก Nuance: Carbonara becomes creamy because egg and cheese form an emulsion with the hot pasta and cooking water. In the traditional distinction used here, it is not simply a cream sauce.
๐ถ๏ธ Iberian & Latin American
๐ซ Romesco Sauce
Spanish sauce made with roasted peppers, tomatoes, nuts, and oil
Example: The grilled vegetables were served with a smoky, nutty romesco sauce.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce romesco
๐ฉ๐ช German: Romesco
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Romesco
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho romesco
๐ก Nuance: Romesco is associated with roasted flavors and nuts. That makes it quite different from raw, parsley-based chimichurri.
Spanish sauce made with roasted peppers, tomatoes, nuts, and oil
Example: The grilled vegetables were served with a smoky, nutty romesco sauce.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa romesco๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce romesco
๐ฉ๐ช German: Romesco
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Romesco
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho romesco
๐ก Nuance: Romesco is associated with roasted flavors and nuts. That makes it quite different from raw, parsley-based chimichurri.
๐ฆ๐ท Chimichurri
fresh herb sauce commonly made with parsley, garlic, oil, and vinegar
Example: The grilled steak came with bright, garlicky chimichurri.
๐ซ๐ท French: Chimichurri
๐ฉ๐ช German: Chimichurri
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Chimichurri
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Chimichurri
๐ก Nuance: Chimichurri is usually fresh, herbaceous, and acidic. Herbaceous means having a noticeable fresh-herb character.
fresh herb sauce commonly made with parsley, garlic, oil, and vinegar
Example: The grilled steak came with bright, garlicky chimichurri.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Chimichurri๐ซ๐ท French: Chimichurri
๐ฉ๐ช German: Chimichurri
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Chimichurri
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Chimichurri
๐ก Nuance: Chimichurri is usually fresh, herbaceous, and acidic. Herbaceous means having a noticeable fresh-herb character.
๐ฅ Salsa
Mexican-style sauce or condiment commonly made from tomatoes, chiles, onion, and herbs
Example: We ate tortilla chips with fresh tomato salsa.
๐ซ๐ท French: Salsa
๐ฉ๐ช German: Salsa
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Salsa
๐ก Nuance: In Spanish, salsa simply means โsauce.โ In English, the word usually refers more specifically to Mexican and Mexican-style sauces, especially the kinds served with chips or tacos.
Mexican-style sauce or condiment commonly made from tomatoes, chiles, onion, and herbs
Example: We ate tortilla chips with fresh tomato salsa.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa๐ซ๐ท French: Salsa
๐ฉ๐ช German: Salsa
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Salsa
๐ก Nuance: In Spanish, salsa simply means โsauce.โ In English, the word usually refers more specifically to Mexican and Mexican-style sauces, especially the kinds served with chips or tacos.
๐ซ Mole Sauce
complex Mexican sauce family made with chiles, spices, and other ingredients that may include nuts or chocolate
Example: The chicken was covered with a dark, deeply flavored mole sauce.
๐ซ๐ท French: Mole
๐ฉ๐ช German: Mole
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Mole
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Mole
๐ก Nuance: Mole is a family of sauces rather than one single recipe. Chocolate appears in some versions but is not what defines every mole.
complex Mexican sauce family made with chiles, spices, and other ingredients that may include nuts or chocolate
Example: The chicken was covered with a dark, deeply flavored mole sauce.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Mole๐ซ๐ท French: Mole
๐ฉ๐ช German: Mole
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Mole
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Mole
๐ก Nuance: Mole is a family of sauces rather than one single recipe. Chocolate appears in some versions but is not what defines every mole.
๐ฏ Enchilada Sauce
cooked Mexican-style sauce made with chiles and sometimes tomatoes or tomatillos
Example: She poured red enchilada sauce over the filled tortillas before baking them.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce enchilada
๐ฉ๐ช German: Enchilada-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa enchilada
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho de enchilada
๐ก Nuance: Enchilada sauce is usually a cooked sauce used to coat the tortillas. That differs from a fresh salsa served separately at the table.
cooked Mexican-style sauce made with chiles and sometimes tomatoes or tomatillos
Example: She poured red enchilada sauce over the filled tortillas before baking them.
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: Enchilada sauce is usually a cooked sauce used to coat the tortillas. That differs from a fresh salsa served separately at the table.
๐ฅซ Adobo Sauce
seasoned sauce or marinade commonly containing chiles, vinegar, garlic, and spices
Example: The recipe called for one spoonful of the sauce from a can of chipotles in adobo.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce adobo
๐ฉ๐ช German: Adobo-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa adobo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho adobo
๐ก Nuance: Adobo is used in several cuisines and does not always mean exactly the same thing. In the grocery phrase chipotles in adobo, it refers to the seasoned chile sauce packed with the peppers.
seasoned sauce or marinade commonly containing chiles, vinegar, garlic, and spices
Example: The recipe called for one spoonful of the sauce from a can of chipotles in adobo.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa adobo๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce adobo
๐ฉ๐ช German: Adobo-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa adobo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho adobo
๐ก Nuance: Adobo is used in several cuisines and does not always mean exactly the same thing. In the grocery phrase chipotles in adobo, it refers to the seasoned chile sauce packed with the peppers.
๐ฅข East & Southeast Asian
๐ฏ Teriyaki Sauce
sweet-savory Japanese-style sauce or glaze commonly based on soy sauce and sugar
Example: The teriyaki sauce formed a shiny glaze on the grilled salmon.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce teriyaki
๐ฉ๐ช German: Teriyaki-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa teriyaki
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho teriyaki
๐ก Nuance: A glaze is a shiny coating that clings to food. Teriyaki is usually sweeter and more coating-like than thin citrusy ponzu.
sweet-savory Japanese-style sauce or glaze commonly based on soy sauce and sugar
Example: The teriyaki sauce formed a shiny glaze on the grilled salmon.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa teriyaki๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce teriyaki
๐ฉ๐ช German: Teriyaki-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa teriyaki
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho teriyaki
๐ก Nuance: A glaze is a shiny coating that clings to food. Teriyaki is usually sweeter and more coating-like than thin citrusy ponzu.
๐ Ponzu Sauce
thin Japanese citrus-based sauce with a tart, salty flavor
Example: We dipped the dumplings into ponzu sauce.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce ponzu
๐ฉ๐ช German: Ponzu
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Ponzu
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho ponzu
๐ก Nuance: Ponzu is commonly used as a dipping sauce. Its light, acidic character contrasts with the sweeter, thicker effect of teriyaki.
thin Japanese citrus-based sauce with a tart, salty flavor
Example: We dipped the dumplings into ponzu sauce.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa ponzu๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce ponzu
๐ฉ๐ช German: Ponzu
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Ponzu
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho ponzu
๐ก Nuance: Ponzu is commonly used as a dipping sauce. Its light, acidic character contrasts with the sweeter, thicker effect of teriyaki.
๐ฅฉ Tonkatsu Sauce
thick, sweet, tangy Japanese sauce commonly served with breaded fried cutlets
Example: She drizzled tonkatsu sauce over the crispy pork cutlet.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce tonkatsu
๐ฉ๐ช German: Tonkatsu-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa tonkatsu
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho tonkatsu
๐ก Nuance: Tonkatsu sauce is thicker and tangier than teriyaki and is especially associated with fried cutlets. To drizzle means to pour a small amount in a thin stream.
thick, sweet, tangy Japanese sauce commonly served with breaded fried cutlets
Example: She drizzled tonkatsu sauce over the crispy pork cutlet.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa tonkatsu๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce tonkatsu
๐ฉ๐ช German: Tonkatsu-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa tonkatsu
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho tonkatsu
๐ก Nuance: Tonkatsu sauce is thicker and tangier than teriyaki and is especially associated with fried cutlets. To drizzle means to pour a small amount in a thin stream.
๐ค Hoisin Sauce
thick sweet-savory Chinese sauce commonly used with meat, stir-fries, or as a condiment
Example: The restaurant served hoisin sauce with the duck pancakes.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce hoisin
๐ฉ๐ช German: Hoisin-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa hoisin
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho hoisin
๐ก Nuance: Hoisin is thick and noticeably sweet. It is very different from thin, salty fermented fish sauce.
thick sweet-savory Chinese sauce commonly used with meat, stir-fries, or as a condiment
Example: The restaurant served hoisin sauce with the duck pancakes.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa hoisin๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce hoisin
๐ฉ๐ช German: Hoisin-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa hoisin
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho hoisin
๐ก Nuance: Hoisin is thick and noticeably sweet. It is very different from thin, salty fermented fish sauce.
๐ฆช Oyster Sauce
thick dark savory sauce made with oyster-derived flavoring
Example: A spoonful of oyster sauce gave the stir-fried vegetables a glossy finish and deeper flavor.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce dโhuรฎtre
๐ฉ๐ช German: Austernsauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa di ostriche
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho de ostra
๐ก Nuance: Glossy means smooth and shiny. Oyster sauce is thick enough to coat food, while fish sauce is a thin liquid used more like a seasoning.
thick dark savory sauce made with oyster-derived flavoring
Example: A spoonful of oyster sauce gave the stir-fried vegetables a glossy finish and deeper flavor.
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: Glossy means smooth and shiny. Oyster sauce is thick enough to coat food, while fish sauce is a thin liquid used more like a seasoning.
๐ถ๏ธ Sweet Chili Sauce
sweet, mildly spicy sauce made with chiles, sugar, and vinegar
Example: We dipped the spring rolls into sweet chili sauce.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce chili sucrรฉe
๐ฉ๐ช German: Sรผร-scharf-Chili-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa chili dolce
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho de pimenta doce
๐ก Nuance: Sweet chili sauce is usually much sweeter and milder than a typical hot sauce. It is especially common as a dipping sauce.
sweet, mildly spicy sauce made with chiles, sugar, and vinegar
Example: We dipped the spring rolls into sweet chili sauce.
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: Sweet chili sauce is usually much sweeter and milder than a typical hot sauce. It is especially common as a dipping sauce.
๐ Fish Sauce
thin salty fermented liquid made from fish and salt
Example: The recipe added a small splash of fish sauce for saltiness and depth.
๐ซ๐ท French: Nuoc mam / sauce de poisson
๐ฉ๐ช German: Fischsauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa di pesce
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho de peixe
๐ก Nuance: Fish sauce is often used in small amounts as a seasoning rather than as a thick coating. A splash means a small amount of liquid added quickly.
thin salty fermented liquid made from fish and salt
Example: The recipe added a small splash of fish sauce for saltiness 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: Fish sauce is often used in small amounts as a seasoning rather than as a thick coating. A splash means a small amount of liquid added quickly.
๐ฅ Peanut Sauce
rich savory sauce made from peanuts or peanut butter with seasonings
Example: The grilled satay skewers came with a rich peanut sauce.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce cacahuรจte
๐ฉ๐ช German: Erdnusssauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa di arachidi
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho de amendoim
๐ก Nuance: Peanut sauce can vary from thick and creamy to thinner and pourable. Do not confuse it with tahini sauce, which is made from sesame rather than peanuts.
rich savory sauce made from peanuts or peanut butter with seasonings
Example: The grilled satay skewers came with a rich peanut sauce.
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: Peanut sauce can vary from thick and creamy to thinner and pourable. Do not confuse it with tahini sauce, which is made from sesame rather than peanuts.
๐ง Cool, Garlic & Table Sauces
๐ฅ Tzatziki
cold Greek sauce made from yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and herbs
Example: The grilled lamb was served with cool cucumber tzatziki.
๐ซ๐ท French: Tzatzรญki
๐ฉ๐ช German: Tzatziki
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Tzatziki
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Tzatziki
๐ก Nuance: Yogurt and cucumber are the strongest clues. Tahini sauce is sesame-based and does not require dairy.
cold Greek sauce made from yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and herbs
Example: The grilled lamb was served with cool cucumber tzatziki.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Tzatziki๐ซ๐ท French: Tzatzรญki
๐ฉ๐ช German: Tzatziki
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Tzatziki
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Tzatziki
๐ก Nuance: Yogurt and cucumber are the strongest clues. Tahini sauce is sesame-based and does not require dairy.
โช Tahini Sauce
sauce made by thinning sesame paste with ingredients such as lemon, water, and garlic
Example: She drizzled tahini sauce over the falafel and salad.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce tahini
๐ฉ๐ช German: Tahini-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa tahina
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho de tahine
๐ก Nuance: Tahini itself is sesame paste. Tahini sauce usually means that paste has been mixed with liquid and seasonings to make it easier to pour or drizzle.
sauce made by thinning sesame paste with ingredients such as lemon, water, and garlic
Example: She drizzled tahini sauce over the falafel and salad.
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 itself is sesame paste. Tahini sauce usually means that paste has been mixed with liquid and seasonings to make it easier to pour or drizzle.
๐ง Garlic Sauce
broad name for any sauce in which garlic is a leading flavor
Example: The menu offered garlic sauce with the grilled chicken.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce ร lโail
๐ฉ๐ช German: Knoblauchsauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa allโaglio
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho de alho
๐ก Nuance: Garlic sauce is a category, not one fixed recipe. Depending on the cuisine, it might be yogurt-based, mayonnaise-like, oil-based, or made as a strong garlic emulsion.
broad name for any sauce in which garlic is a leading flavor
Example: The menu offered garlic sauce with the grilled chicken.
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: Garlic sauce is a category, not one fixed recipe. Depending on the cuisine, it might be yogurt-based, mayonnaise-like, oil-based, or made as a strong garlic emulsion.
๐ Barbecue Sauce
family of sauces for grilled or smoked foods, often sweet, tangy, smoky, or spicy
Example: He brushed barbecue sauce onto the ribs near the end of cooking.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce barbecue
๐ฉ๐ช German: Barbecue-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa barbecue
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho barbecue
๐ก Nuance: Barbecue sauce is a broad family with strong regional differences. Some versions are thick and sweet, while others may be thinner, sharper, or mustard-based.
family of sauces for grilled or smoked foods, often sweet, tangy, smoky, or spicy
Example: He brushed barbecue sauce onto the ribs near the end of cooking.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa barbacoa๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce barbecue
๐ฉ๐ช German: Barbecue-Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa barbecue
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho barbecue
๐ก Nuance: Barbecue sauce is a broad family with strong regional differences. Some versions are thick and sweet, while others may be thinner, sharper, or mustard-based.
๐ฅ Hot Sauce
spicy condiment made mainly from chiles and an acidic ingredient such as vinegar
Example: She added a few drops of hot sauce to the eggs.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce piquante
๐ฉ๐ช German: Scharfe Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa piccante
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho picante
๐ก Nuance: Hot sauce is another broad category. It is usually used as a condiment in small amounts. Sweet chili sauce is typically sweeter and milder.
spicy condiment made mainly from chiles and an acidic ingredient such as vinegar
Example: She added a few drops of hot sauce to the eggs.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa picante๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce piquante
๐ฉ๐ช German: Scharfe Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa piccante
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho picante
๐ก Nuance: Hot sauce is another broad category. It is usually used as a condiment in small amounts. Sweet chili sauce is typically sweeter and milder.
๐ Gravy
savory sauce commonly made from meat drippings, stock, and a thickener
Example: She poured turkey gravy over the mashed potatoes.
๐ซ๐ท French: Jus liรฉ / gravy
๐ฉ๐ช German: Bratensauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Sugo di arrosto
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho de carne
๐ก Nuance: Drippings are the flavorful juices and fat left in a roasting pan. In everyday American and British English, gravy is strongly associated with roast meats, mashed potatoes, and similar dishes.
savory sauce commonly made from meat drippings, stock, and a thickener
Example: She poured turkey gravy over the mashed potatoes.
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: Drippings are the flavorful juices and fat left in a roasting pan. In everyday American and British English, gravy is strongly associated with roast meats, mashed potatoes, and similar dishes.
๐ซ Brown Sauce
dark savory sauce made from browned ingredients and stock, or a bottled British condiment depending on context
Example: In a French cooking lesson, brown sauce meant a stock-based sauce, but at the British cafรฉ it meant the bottled condiment.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce brune
๐ฉ๐ช German: Braune Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa bruna
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho escuro
๐ก Nuance: This expression has two common meanings. In classical cooking it can refer to a dark stock-based sauce; in Britain, brown sauce may mean a tangy bottled table condiment. Context is essential.
dark savory sauce made from browned ingredients and stock, or a bottled British condiment depending on context
Example: In a French cooking lesson, brown sauce meant a stock-based sauce, but at the British cafรฉ it meant the bottled condiment.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa marrรณn๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce brune
๐ฉ๐ช German: Braune Sauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa bruna
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho escuro
๐ก Nuance: This expression has two common meanings. In classical cooking it can refer to a dark stock-based sauce; in Britain, brown sauce may mean a tangy bottled table condiment. Context is essential.
๐ Curry Sauce
broad name for a cooked, seasoned sauce associated with curry dishes or takeaway food
Example: The takeaway served curry sauce over the chips.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce curry
๐ฉ๐ช German: Currysauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa curry
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho de caril
๐ก Nuance: Curry sauce is a category rather than one universal recipe. The exact ingredients and flavor depend heavily on the cuisine and context.
broad name for a cooked, seasoned sauce associated with curry dishes or takeaway food
Example: The takeaway served curry sauce over the chips.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salsa curry๐ซ๐ท French: Sauce curry
๐ฉ๐ช German: Currysauce
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salsa curry
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Molho de caril
๐ก Nuance: Curry sauce is a category rather than one universal recipe. The exact ingredients and flavor depend heavily on the cuisine and context.
๐ง Useful Distinctions
๐
Tomato Sauce vs. ๐ง Marinara
Tomato sauce is the broad category. Marinara is a particular simple tomato-based style commonly associated with garlic, herbs, and olive oil.
Tomato sauce is the broad category. Marinara is a particular simple tomato-based style commonly associated with garlic, herbs, and olive oil.
๐ง Alfredo vs. ๐ฅ Carbonara vs. ๐ฅ Bรฉchamel
Alfredo is associated with butter and Parmesan. Carbonara uses eggs, cheese, cured pork, and black pepper. Bรฉchamel is milk thickened with a butter-and-flour roux.
Alfredo is associated with butter and Parmesan. Carbonara uses eggs, cheese, cured pork, and black pepper. Bรฉchamel is milk thickened with a butter-and-flour roux.
๐ Hollandaise vs. ๐ฟ Bรฉarnaise
Both are buttery egg-based emulsions. Hollandaise is associated with lemon, while bรฉarnaise gets a sharper herb flavor from ingredients such as vinegar and tarragon.
Both are buttery egg-based emulsions. Hollandaise is associated with lemon, while bรฉarnaise gets a sharper herb flavor from ingredients such as vinegar and tarragon.
๐ฟ Pesto vs. ๐ฆ๐ท Chimichurri
Pesto traditionally combines basil, nuts, cheese, garlic, and oil. Chimichurri commonly combines parsley, garlic, oil, and vinegar. Both may be green, but their ingredients and flavor profiles are very different.
Pesto traditionally combines basil, nuts, cheese, garlic, and oil. Chimichurri commonly combines parsley, garlic, oil, and vinegar. Both may be green, but their ingredients and flavor profiles are very different.
๐ฅ Salsa vs. ๐ซ Mole vs. ๐ฏ Enchilada Sauce
Salsa in English often refers to a Mexican-style table sauce and may be fresh. Mole is a complex cooked sauce family. Enchilada sauce is a cooked chile-based sauce used to coat enchiladas.
Salsa in English often refers to a Mexican-style table sauce and may be fresh. Mole is a complex cooked sauce family. Enchilada sauce is a cooked chile-based sauce used to coat enchiladas.
๐ฏ Teriyaki vs. ๐ Ponzu vs. ๐ฅฉ Tonkatsu
Teriyaki is sweet-savory and often forms a glaze. Ponzu is thinner, saltier, and citrusy. Tonkatsu sauce is thick, tangy, and strongly associated with breaded fried cutlets.
Teriyaki is sweet-savory and often forms a glaze. Ponzu is thinner, saltier, and citrusy. Tonkatsu sauce is thick, tangy, and strongly associated with breaded fried cutlets.
๐ฆช Oyster Sauce vs. ๐ Fish Sauce
Oyster sauce is thick, dark, and glossy. Fish sauce is thin, salty, fermented, and usually added in small amounts as a seasoning.
Oyster sauce is thick, dark, and glossy. Fish sauce is thin, salty, fermented, and usually added in small amounts as a seasoning.
๐ Gravy vs. ๐ซ Brown Sauce
Gravy is commonly made from roast drippings, stock, and a thickener. Brown sauce may refer to a classical dark stock-based sauce or, in British English, to a bottled table condiment.
Gravy is commonly made from roast drippings, stock, and a thickener. Brown sauce may refer to a classical dark stock-based sauce or, in British English, to a bottled table condiment.
๐ฌ Everyday Sauce Phrases
๐ฅ Carbonara uses egg and cheese, while Alfredo is built around butter and cheese.
distinguishing two rich pasta sauces
๐ซ๐ท La carbonara utilise de lโลuf et du fromage, tandis que lโAlfredo repose sur le beurre et le fromage.
๐ฉ๐ช Carbonara verwendet Ei und Kรคse, wรคhrend Alfredo auf Butter und Kรคse basiert.
๐ฎ๐น La carbonara usa uovo e formaggio, mentre lโAlfredo si basa su burro e formaggio.
๐ต๐น A carbonara usa ovo e queijo, enquanto o Alfredo รฉ feito ร base de manteiga e queijo.
distinguishing two rich pasta sauces
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ La carbonara usa huevo y queso, mientras que la Alfredo se basa en mantequilla y queso.๐ซ๐ท La carbonara utilise de lโลuf et du fromage, tandis que lโAlfredo repose sur le beurre et le fromage.
๐ฉ๐ช Carbonara verwendet Ei und Kรคse, wรคhrend Alfredo auf Butter und Kรคse basiert.
๐ฎ๐น La carbonara usa uovo e formaggio, mentre lโAlfredo si basa su burro e formaggio.
๐ต๐น A carbonara usa ovo e queijo, enquanto o Alfredo รฉ feito ร base de manteiga e queijo.
๐ง Ponzu is usually a thin dipping sauce, while teriyaki can form a sweet glaze.
thin and citrusy vs. sweet and coating
๐ซ๐ท Le ponzu est gรฉnรฉralement une sauce lรฉgรจre pour tremper, tandis que le teriyaki peut former un glaรงage sucrรฉ.
๐ฉ๐ช Ponzu ist normalerweise eine dรผnne Dip-Sauce, wรคhrend Teriyaki eine sรผรe Glasur bilden kann.
๐ฎ๐น Il ponzu รจ di solito una salsa liquida da intingere, mentre il teriyaki puรฒ formare una glassa dolce.
๐ต๐น O ponzu geralmente รฉ um molho lรญquido para mergulhar, enquanto o teriyaki pode formar um glacรช doce.
thin and citrusy vs. sweet and coating
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ El ponzu suele ser una salsa ligera para mojar, mientras que el teriyaki puede formar un glaseado dulce.๐ซ๐ท Le ponzu est gรฉnรฉralement une sauce lรฉgรจre pour tremper, tandis que le teriyaki peut former un glaรงage sucrรฉ.
๐ฉ๐ช Ponzu ist normalerweise eine dรผnne Dip-Sauce, wรคhrend Teriyaki eine sรผรe Glasur bilden kann.
๐ฎ๐น Il ponzu รจ di solito una salsa liquida da intingere, mentre il teriyaki puรฒ formare una glassa dolce.
๐ต๐น O ponzu geralmente รฉ um molho lรญquido para mergulhar, enquanto o teriyaki pode formar um glacรช doce.
๐ซ Mole is a complex chile-based sauce family; chocolate is used in some versions, not all of them.
correcting a common oversimplification
๐ซ๐ท Le mole est une famille complexe de sauces ร base de piment ; certaines versions contiennent du chocolat, mais pas toutes.
๐ฉ๐ช Mole ist eine komplexe Familie von Chilisaucen; manche Varianten enthalten Schokolade, aber nicht alle.
๐ฎ๐น Il mole รจ una complessa famiglia di salse a base di peperoncino; alcune versioni contengono cioccolato, ma non tutte.
๐ต๐น O mole รฉ uma famรญlia complexa de molhos ร base de pimenta; algumas versรตes levam chocolate, mas nem todas.
correcting a common oversimplification
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ El mole es una familia compleja de salsas a base de chile; algunas versiones llevan chocolate, pero no todas.๐ซ๐ท Le mole est une famille complexe de sauces ร base de piment ; certaines versions contiennent du chocolat, mais pas toutes.
๐ฉ๐ช Mole ist eine komplexe Familie von Chilisaucen; manche Varianten enthalten Schokolade, aber nicht alle.
๐ฎ๐น Il mole รจ una complessa famiglia di salse a base di peperoncino; alcune versioni contengono cioccolato, ma non tutte.
๐ต๐น O mole รฉ uma famรญlia complexa de molhos ร base de pimenta; algumas versรตes levam chocolate, mas nem todas.
๐ Fish sauce is thin and used like a seasoning; oyster sauce is thick enough to coat food.
thin seasoning vs. thick cooking sauce
๐ซ๐ท La sauce de poisson est liquide et sโutilise comme assaisonnement ; la sauce dโhuรฎtre est assez รฉpaisse pour enrober les aliments.
๐ฉ๐ช Fischsauce ist dรผnn und wird wie ein Wรผrzmittel verwendet; Austernsauce ist dick genug, um Speisen zu รผberziehen.
๐ฎ๐น La salsa di pesce รจ liquida e si usa come condimento; la salsa di ostriche รจ abbastanza densa da rivestire il cibo.
๐ต๐น O molho de peixe รฉ lรญquido e usado como tempero; o molho de ostra รฉ espesso o suficiente para cobrir os alimentos.
thin seasoning vs. thick cooking sauce
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ La salsa de pescado es lรญquida y se usa como condimento; la salsa de ostra es lo bastante espesa para cubrir la comida.๐ซ๐ท La sauce de poisson est liquide et sโutilise comme assaisonnement ; la sauce dโhuรฎtre est assez รฉpaisse pour enrober les aliments.
๐ฉ๐ช Fischsauce ist dรผnn und wird wie ein Wรผrzmittel verwendet; Austernsauce ist dick genug, um Speisen zu รผberziehen.
๐ฎ๐น La salsa di pesce รจ liquida e si usa come condimento; la salsa di ostriche รจ abbastanza densa da rivestire il cibo.
๐ต๐น O molho de peixe รฉ lรญquido e usado como tempero; o molho de ostra รฉ espesso o suficiente para cobrir os alimentos.
๐ Final Practice
English in the Real World:
Imagine you are reading a restaurant menu, following a recipe, or comparing bottles at the grocery store. Choose the sauce word that best fits each situation.
Imagine you are reading a restaurant menu, following a recipe, or comparing bottles at the grocery store. Choose the sauce word that best fits each situation.
Question 1 of 8
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