Mary Berry’s Bread Sauce is a traditional British accompaniment that is rich, creamy, and subtly spiced. Typically served alongside roast poultry like turkey or chicken, bread sauce adds a deliciously comforting texture and flavor to your festive meal. This classic recipe uses simple ingredients to create a velvety sauce that complements the savory taste of the meat perfectly.
Mary Berry Bread Sauce
Mary Berry’s Bread Sauce is a classic British side dish made from breadcrumbs, milk, and aromatic spices like cloves and bay leaves. The sauce is thickened with fresh breadcrumbs and infused with flavors from onions, cloves, and butter, resulting in a creamy, savory sauce with a mild, spiced undertone.
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Why You Should Try This Recipe
- Classic British Flavor: A staple at festive dinners, especially around Christmas.
- Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples like bread, milk, and butter.
- Versatile Side Dish: Pairs beautifully with roast turkey, chicken, or even ham.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: This can be prepared in advance and reheated before serving.
- Rich and Creamy: Adds a comforting, luxurious touch to any meal.
Ingredients Needed to Make Mary Berry Bread Sauce
To make one batch (serves 4-6), gather the following ingredients:
- 300ml (1 ¼ cups) whole milk: The base of the sauce, providing creaminess.
- 1 medium onion, peeled: Adds sweetness and flavor.
- 4-5 whole cloves: For a warm, spiced aroma.
- 2 bay leaves: Adds depth and earthiness to the sauce.
- 75g (2 ½ oz) fresh white breadcrumbs: Thickens the sauce and gives it body.
- 25g (2 tbsp) unsalted butter: Adds richness to the sauce.
- Salt and pepper, to taste: For seasoning.
- A splash of double cream (optional): For an extra creamy finish.
Equipment
Here’s what you’ll need to make Mary Berry Bread Sauce:
- Medium saucepan: For simmering the sauce.
- Sharp knife: To pierce the onion and prepare the ingredients.
- Wooden spoon: For stirring the sauce.
- Fine grater or food processor: To prepare fresh breadcrumbs.
Instructions to Make Mary Berry Bread Sauce
Step 1: Infuse the Milk
- Pour the milk into a medium saucepan.
- Stud the onion with the cloves by piercing them into the onion. Add the onion and bay leaves to the saucepan.
- Gently bring the milk to a simmer over medium-low heat, allowing it to infuse with the flavors of the onion, cloves, and bay leaves.
- Once the milk is simmering, remove from heat and let it sit for 10-15 minutes to deepen the flavor.
Step 2: Add the Breadcrumbs
- Remove the onion, cloves, and bay leaves from the infused milk and discard.
- Stir the breadcrumbs into the infused milk and return the saucepan to low heat.
- Allow the sauce to cook gently for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the breadcrumbs have absorbed the milk and the sauce has thickened.
Step 3: Add Butter and Season
- Stir in the butter until it melts and is fully incorporated into the sauce.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- If you prefer a creamier sauce, stir in a splash of double cream at this stage.
Step 4: Serve
- Once the sauce is thick and smooth, remove from heat.
- Transfer the bread sauce to a serving dish and serve warm alongside roast turkey, chicken, or any other main course.
What Goes Well with Mary Berry Bread Sauce?
Here are some great pairings for Mary Berry Bread Sauce:
- Roast Turkey: The classic pairing for a holiday feast.
- Roast Chicken: Complements the juicy, savory flavor of roasted chicken.
- Roast Pork or Ham: The creaminess of the bread sauce balances the saltiness of ham or pork.
- Vegetarian Nut Roast: Adds a creamy contrast to hearty vegetarian roasts.
- Stuffing and Vegetables: Pairs well with roasted or steamed vegetables as a side dish.
Expert Tips for Making the Best Mary Berry Bread Sauce
To make your Bread Sauce even better, follow these tips:
- Use Fresh Breadcrumbs: Fresh breadcrumbs give the sauce a better texture. Avoid using store-bought, dried breadcrumbs as they may result in a grainy sauce.
- Infuse Slowly: Let the milk infuse with the onion, cloves, and bay leaves for the best flavor.
- Consistency Check: If the sauce is too thick, add a little more milk. If too thin, simmer it a little longer until the desired consistency is reached.
- Make Ahead: Bread sauce can be made in advance and reheated gently before serving.
Easy Variations of Mary Berry Bread Sauce
Looking to change up this classic recipe? Try these variations:
- Garlic Bread Sauce: Add a clove of garlic to the milk infusion for an extra layer of flavor.
- Herb-Infused Bread Sauce: Add fresh thyme or rosemary to the infusion for an aromatic twist.
- Vegan Bread Sauce: Substitute the milk with plant-based milk and use olive oil or vegan butter instead of regular butter.
- Cheesy Bread Sauce: Stir in a handful of grated Parmesan or cheddar cheese for a rich, cheesy flavor.
Best Practices to Store Mary Berry Bread Sauce
Here’s how to store your bread sauce for later:
- Refrigeration: Store the bread sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Bread sauce can be frozen for up to 1 month. Let it cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container.
- Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of milk to loosen the sauce if it has thickened too much.
Best Practices to Reheat Mary Berry Bread Sauce
Reheating bread sauce is simple:
- Stovetop: Reheat the sauce in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently until warmed through. Add a splash of milk to adjust consistency if needed.
- Microwave: Heat in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until hot.
How Can I Make Mary Berry Bread Sauce Healthier?
For a lighter version of bread sauce, try these tips:
- Use Low-Fat Milk: Swap whole milk for semi-skimmed or skimmed milk to reduce fat content.
- Skip the Cream: Omit the cream for a lighter version without sacrificing flavor.
- Whole Grain Bread: Use whole grain bread for the breadcrumbs to add fiber and nutrients.
Nutrition Value (per serving)
- Calories: 140
- Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Protein: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 3g
Final Words
The Mary Berry Bread Sauce Recipe is a rich, creamy, and comforting addition to any roast dinner. With its subtle, spiced flavor and smooth texture, this traditional British side dish will elevate your holiday meals.
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Mary Berry Bread Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: British
Description
Mary Berry’s Bread Sauce is a classic British side dish made from breadcrumbs, milk, and aromatic spices like cloves and bay leaves. The sauce is thickened with fresh breadcrumbs and infused with flavors from onions, cloves, and butter, resulting in a creamy, savory sauce with a mild, spiced undertone.
Ingredients
To make one batch (serves 4-6), gather the following ingredients:
- 300ml (1 ¼ cups) whole milk: The base of the sauce, providing creaminess.
- 1 medium onion, peeled: Adds sweetness and flavor.
- 4–5 whole cloves: For a warm, spiced aroma.
- 2 bay leaves: Adds depth and earthiness to the sauce.
- 75g (2 ½ oz) fresh white breadcrumbs: Thickens the sauce and gives it body.
- 25g (2 tbsp) unsalted butter: Adds richness to the sauce.
- Salt and pepper, to taste: For seasoning.
- A splash of double cream (optional): For an extra creamy finish.
Instructions
Step 1: Infuse the Milk
- Pour the milk into a medium saucepan.
- Stud the onion with the cloves by piercing them into the onion. Add the onion and bay leaves to the saucepan.
- Gently bring the milk to a simmer over medium-low heat, allowing it to infuse with the flavors of the onion, cloves, and bay leaves.
- Once the milk is simmering, remove from heat and let it sit for 10-15 minutes to deepen the flavor.
Step 2: Add the Breadcrumbs
- Remove the onion, cloves, and bay leaves from the infused milk and discard.
- Stir the breadcrumbs into the infused milk and return the saucepan to low heat.
- Allow the sauce to cook gently for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the breadcrumbs have absorbed the milk and the sauce has thickened.
Step 3: Add Butter and Season
- Stir in the butter until it melts and is fully incorporated into the sauce.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- If you prefer a creamier sauce, stir in a splash of double cream at this stage.
Step 4: Serve
- Once the sauce is thick and smooth, remove from heat.
- Transfer the bread sauce to a serving dish and serve warm alongside roast turkey, chicken, or any other main course.
