Bearnaise sauce is a classic French sauce made with butter, shallots, vinegar, and egg yolks. The name comes from the region of Béarn in France where it’s said to have originated.
The sauce is made by first reducing white wine with shallots, then adding clarified butter to make an emulsion with the reduced liquid (this is when the egg yolks come in). It’s important to keep the temperature of the sauce at a constant level so that it doesn’t curdle.
Bearnaise is commonly served with steak, but also makes a great accompaniment for fish dishes or vegetables like asparagus or artichokes.
To save yourself the trouble of cooking a Bearnaise sauce from scratch, choose a good-quality, store-bought bottled or ready-made version.
Here are some of our favorite store-bought Bearnaise sauces:
Table of Contents
1. Knorr Bearnaise Sauce
Knorr Bearnaise Sauce is a great option for weeknight dinners and other simple meals. It offers the rich flavor of classic French béarnaise sauce in a convenient mix that’s ready to use in just minutes.
I prefer to use this sauce with grilled salmon, but I also like it on tuna, filet mignon, and chicken breasts.
This mix makes 1 ¼ cups of sauce, which is enough for family-sized portions at dinner or as an accompaniment to grilled meats or fish. The Bearnaise Sauce adds a savory flavor to my grilled salmon that makes me feel like I’m at a West five-star restaurant.
We’ve been using Knorr products for years and have never been disappointed—they make the best-tasting sauces and flavorings! So it’s hard to find them at stores.
This is definitely one of those items you’ll want to keep stocked in your pantry at all times. You never know when you’ll need it!
2. Maille Bearnaise Sauce
Maille’s Bearnaise Sauce is a great way to add a bit of French flair to your favorite dish. This sauce offers the rich flavor of classic French béarnaise sauce, but with just a bit of an extra kick that comes from its mustard base. We use this quite often when preparing steaks and it tastes just like I remembered from my trip to France.
It’s got just the right amount of sweet, and it’s perfect for seasoning steaks or other meats, but it can also be used as a dip or dressing. Because it’s so versatile, this product will become an essential part of your kitchen. We love this sauce because it’s hearty and authentic—the kind of thing you’d find in a French restaurant.
And since you won’t find this item in stores very often, you’ll want to make sure you stock up on your own supply before your next dinner party!
3. Waitrose Bearnaise Sauce
If you’re looking for a sauce that has the rich flavor of béarnaise sauce but with a milder kick, this sauce is for you. It’s made with real butter, so it’s thick and creamy, and it comes in a handy jar that makes it easy to store in your refrigerator.
This sauce is delicious on steaks and salmon—it’s even great on burgers!
The taste is very close to homemade and very similar to the one you get at restaurants that serve steak or salmon with béarnaise sauce on top of it. The heat level is just right for me as well!
One downside to this product is its sweetness—it has more sugar than I’d prefer—but it’s not too tarragon-y as I find in other jarred sauces.
4. McCormick Bearnaise Sauce
McCormick Bearnaise Sauce Mix is the perfect addition to your steak and salmon dinners. It’s thick, creamy, and flavorful, so you can make an incredible meal in just 10 minutes with this convenient mix.
The best part about this product is how easy it is to use. All you have to do is follow the instructions on the packet—and voila! You’ve got yourself something wonderful.
This product makes 1 ¼ cups sauce, which will last for a day or two when stored covered in refrigerator after cooking. This product is difficult to find in local stores, so we recommend ordering online if possible.
If you’re short on time but want a delicious meal, this product is for you.
5. Reese Béarnaise Sauce
Reese Béarnaise Sauce is a classic, rich sauce that is excellent when served over broiled and grilled meat. It’s also perfect as a complement to grilled seafood.
The consistency of this product is smooth and creamy, making it easy to blend into your favorite dishes. And because it’s made with all-natural ingredients, you can feel good about serving this sauce to your family and friends.
It’s almost like homemade—but without all the hassle! Just add this product to your favorite dish and enjoy its authentic flavor and consistency.
For best quality, make sure you refrigerate after opening this product as it contains eggs. But don’t worry—the flavor will stay fresh as long as you keep it cold!
6. Benedicta Bearnaise Sauce
Benedicta Bearnaise Sauce is a tangy and delicious sauce for steak, salmon, and more. It’s not as flavorful as a true Bearnaise sauce should be, but it’s still good. It reminds me of tarragon mayonnaise.
If you’re a fan of béarnaise sauce, this is the best ready-made béarnaise sauce for steak in the United States. We’ve used Benedicta Bearnaise Sauce before, but in a glass jar. We now prefer the new squeeze bottle version. It’s easier to use and less messy than the old jar.
After you’ve opened the bottle and used some of the sauce, though, it’s important to refrigerate what remains immediately!
It’s not cheap, but this sauce can save a lot of time if you’re looking for something to serve with your steak or filet mignon that’s quick and easy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can you do with Bearnaise sauce?
What does Bearnaise sauce taste like?
Is Bearnaise sauce keto-friendly?
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Final note…
Of course, homemade Bearnaise sauce is probably your best and healthiest bet (and if you have the time, energy, and inclination, by all means try making your own). But these sauces are a good alternative to make life a bit easier.
Our top pick is the Knorr, which has a rich and creamy texture that we personally enjoy. There are a lot of brands out there, so the choice is going to be up to you. Just remember one thing—a good Bearnaise sauce will cost a little more than a crappy one, but it will be worth every penny.
And if we can impart any final piece of advice to you, it’s to not be afraid to experiment or try new things—your taste buds will thank you for it.
Sadly Knorr changed the ingredients of their popular bearnaise sauce over a year ago. And it’s awful. The package you have pictured is not accurate, it is a picture of their former “original” recipe package. Along with the horrible idea of changing a successful, decades old recipe formula.., they also changed the package. Hundreds of recent reviews on many websites are from former loyal customers, who had loved Knorr bearnaise sauce for 20-30-40+ years, begging them to go back to their original ingredient recipe. Perhaps you have’nt had the displeasure of tasting the new version of Knorr Bearnaise sauce. If you truly were a fan Knorr Bearnaise sauce mix over the years, you will be instantly dissapointed. It’s terrible.