Definition

1. Noun:
   • A savory sauce made from bouillon or beef stock thickened with a roux of butter and flour, often seasoned with herbs, Worcestershire sauce, or other flavorings. This is a classic European-style sauce, commonly served with meats.
   • A sauce based primarily on soy sauce. This refers to a category of Asian-style sauces where soy sauce is the dominant base, often used in stir-fries or as a condiment.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The roast beef was served with a rich brown sauce made from pan drippings.
  • For the stir-fry, she prepared a simple brown sauce with soy sauce, garlic, and a little sugar.

Advanced Usage

• "to serve with brown sauce": a common culinary instruction.
  • The traditional recipe calls for the sausages to be served with brown sauce.

Variants and Related Words

• Espagnole sauce (n): A foundational French "mother sauce" that is a type of brown sauce, made from a brown stock and a brown roux.
• Demi-glace (n): A rich brown sauce in French cuisine made by reducing a mixture of espagnole sauce and stock.
• Stir-fry sauce (n): A general term that can include brown sauces based on soy sauce.

Synonyms

• Gravy: A sauce often made from meat juices, though typically thinner and less formal than a classic European brown sauce.
• Soy-based sauce: A descriptive synonym for the Asian-style meaning.

Related Phrases

• In a brown sauce: describes food cooked or served with this sauce.
  • The meatballs were delicious, simmered in a brown sauce.

Related Idioms

Noun

1. bouillon or beef stock thickened with butter and flour roux and variously seasoned with herbs or Worcestershire etc.
2. a sauce based on soy sauce