This guide makes it easy to master a rich and creamy homemade bechamel sauce. With just flour, butter, milk, and seasonings, you can create this classic, velvety sauce every time.
- Flavor: It has a smooth, creamy flavor with rich buttery warmth and a hint of nutmeg that makes any dish feel extra comforting.
- Skill Level: A whisk, a pan, and a little technique are all you need to master making the blonde roux; everything else is just gravy!
- Recommended Tools: If you don’t already have a good-quality whisk for sauces, now is the time to get one.
Basic Bechamel Ingredients
- Milk: Whole milk is your best bet for the fullest flavor. Non-dairy alternatives include oat milk, almond milk, and soy milk; however, the sauce may need more or less flour and whisking in Step 3.
- Butter: Full-fat butter is needed to help brown the flour, creating that rich, toasty, nutty flavor. If using salted butter, reduce the salt.
- Flour: White flour ensures the sauce stays silky smooth when the milk is whisked in. Other flours may make the Bechamel grainy.
- Seasonings: White pepper is preferred (if you have it) to keep the sauce as visually clean as possible, but black pepper works just as well. Nutmeg is a must-have for Béchamel as it complements the rich and buttery flavors with a slight pinch of savory flavor.
- Variations: Depending on the menu, Bechamel can be tweaked just a little bit to create an entirely new recipe! Use cayenne, smoked paprika, or even Old Bay seasoning instead of nutmeg.
How to Make Bechamel Sauce
- Cook flour in butter for 4 minutes.
- Whisk the milk in stages, ensuring it’s smooth between each stage.
- Bring to a boil while whisking until the sauce is thick and smooth.
- Stir in seasonings.
Secrets to a Smooth and Silky Sauce
- Room-temperature or slightly warmed milk will prevent a lumpy sauce when added in Step 2. But if the sauce does get lumpy, mix it in a small blender.
- If your sauce is too thick, it can be thinned out by whisking in more warmed milk. The fastest way to thicken a thin sauce is to gently whisk in a slurry over medium heat.
- Store cooled bechamel sauce in an airtight container with a piece of plastic wrap over the surface (this prevents a skin from forming) for up to 5 days or freeze in a zippered bag for up to 3 months.
- Reheat from cold or frozen on low heat and whisk until it’s smooth again, adding warm milk if needed.
So Many Ways to Serve!
- Layer it with pasta, meat, and cheese for a rich, creamy texture in lasagna recipes.
- Stir in shredded cheese for the smoothest cheese sauce.
- Pour over potatoes or veggies, top with breadcrumbs, and bake.
- Moussaka or pastitsio? Use it as the creamy topping for these classic baked dishes.
- Spoon over grilled chicken or fish and broil lightly.
- Make a croque-monsieur. Spread on sandwiches before toasting for that café-style touch.
More Smooth and Silky Sauces
Did you try this Bechamel Sauce recipe? Leave a comment and rating below.
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Allow the milk to sit on the counter for 30 minutes or lightly warm it.
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In a saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Stir in the flour and cook, while whisking, for 4 minutes without browning.
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Gradually whisk in a little bit of milk at a time, whisking until smooth after each addition. It will be thick and pasty at first.
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Turn the heat to medium and bring the mixture to a boil. Keep at a low boil for 5 minutes, whisking often, until sauce is thick and creamy.
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Stir in salt, white pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg.
- Salted butter can be used, adjust seasoning to taste when adding salt.
- 1 cup of shredded cheese can be added after removing from the heat
- To add classic flavor, warm the milk over very low heat with a bay leaf and ¼ of an onion for 20 minutes. Strain before using the milk. This is how I made it at culinary school; however, if adding other elements to the bechamel, such as cheese or using it for lasagna, I generally skip this step, as the flavor can get lost.
Calories: 90 | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 172mg | Potassium: 108mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 242IU | Vitamin C: 0.02mg | Calcium: 87mg | Iron: 0.1mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dip, Dressing, Sauce
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