Techniques and Recipes
Deglaze
A SIMPLE ADDITION TO ANY HOME COOK’S REPERTOIRE   
After sautéing or searing proteins, you may notice leftover 
browned bits on the bottom of the pan—do not abandon them 
or wash them away. Those browned bits, or fond, are fl avor 
goldmines. Fond is the foundation of pan sauces and can be 
incorporated with a deglazing process. To deglaze a pan, fi rst 
remove the primary food (such as steak, chicken, chops) from the 
pan, then add a deglazing liquid—usually a wine or broth—to help 
remove the bits stuck to the pan. Use a wooden spoon to dislodge 
any extra-defi ant morsels.
Steak 
with
 Pan Sauce
Rich and smooth, a silky pan sauce is a relatively simple yet refi ned accompaniment to many entrees. 
Repurpose the technique below for any protein—all you need are the four building blocks of a pan 
sauce: sautéed aromatics (such as shallots or garlic), liquid (a combination of stock and vinegar, brandy, 
or wine), fi nishing herbs or fl avors (such as lemon juice), and butter. 
INGREDIENTS
– 1 (1-inch-thick) rib eye 
steak, trimmed and tied with 
butcher’s twine
– 1 teaspoon kosher salt
– 1 teaspoon freshly ground 
black pepper
– 4 tablespoons unsalted 
butter, divided
– 1 tablespoon neutral oil, such 
as grape-seed or canola oil
– ¼ cup minced shallots
– ½ cup red wine
– 1 cup beef broth 
– Sprigs of thyme 
PREPARATION METHOD
1. Season steak with salt and pepper, pressing pepper into steak. 2. In a 
large stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon 
butter with oil. Add steak and sear until crusty and browned, and fat is 
rendered, about 2 minutes. Flip and sear 2 minutes. 3. Using tongs, lift 
steak and press edge of steak into pan, rolling until edges are browned 
and rendered. Place steak fl at in pan and reduce heat to medium. Cook 
to desired degree of doneness, 2–2½ minutes per side for medium rare. 
Transfer steak to a cutting board and tent with foil. Pour o  fat from pan, 
reserving fond. 4. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in skillet with fond. Add shallots 
and cook, stirring often until softened, about 2 minutes. 5. Deglaze pan 
with wine. Simmer until reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add broth and 
thyme; simmer until sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
6. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to sauce and gently shake pan to 
incorporate butter as it melts. Drizzle sauce over steak and serve. 
MAKES COOK TIME
1 STEAK 12–15 MINUTES
80
81
TECHNIQUES Deglaze










