5 from 21 votes
Bechamel Sauce Recipe
Bechamel Sauce is a creamy white sauce made by combining scalded milk with a roux and infused with aromatic onion, bay leaf, and clove. Nutmeg, salt, and white pepper season the sauce, which is strained for a silky texture. This sauce thickens after boiling and can be served immediately or stored for later use.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Servings:
4
cups
Calories:
151 kcal
Course:
Condiments
Cuisine:
French
Ingredients
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 roux recipe
- ¼ onion peeled
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 clove
- Pinch nutmeg ground
- salt coarse salt and to taste
- ground white pepper coarse salt and to taste
Instructions
- Add the milk to a medium-size saucepot over low heat until it scalds. See notes.
- Whisk in the roux until it is completely mixed in and smooth and bring just to a boil over hight heat to thicken, and then turn the heat back down to low.
- Next, make a 1” slit into the top of the onion and push the bay leaf into the slice and press the clove into the onion as well, then place the entire thing right into the bechamel sauce, and cook for 15 minutes to infuse the flavor.
- Add nutmeg, salt, and pepper and mix with a spoon.
- Strain the sauce through a fine-mesh strainer like a chinois or some cheesecloth in a regular strainer. The sauce should be silky smooth.
- Serve or store the sauce.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Allow the sauce to reach a gentle boil after adding roux to activate thickening fully.
- Identify scalded milk by bubbles clinging to the pan bottom without sticking before mixing in roux.
- Adjust thickness by stirring in hot milk if sauce becomes too thick.
- Monitor the sauce carefully while cooking to prevent burning or sticking.
- Make up to two days ahead and store covered refrigerated for up to four days.
- Freeze covered for up to three months, thaw in refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheat gently over low heat whisking continuously; add more roux if sauce separates.
Nutrition Information
Calories
151kcal
(8%)
Carbohydrates
12g
(4%)
Protein
8g
(16%)
Fat
8g
(12%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.3g
(2%)
Monounsaturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Trans Fat
0.01g
(1%)
Cholesterol
30mg
(10%)
Sodium
95mg
(4%)
Potassium
377mg
(8%)
Fiber
0.1g
(0%)
Sugar
12g
(24%)
Vitamin A
403IU
(8%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
302mg
(30%)
Iron
0.03mg
(0%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 cups
Amount Per Serving
Calories 151
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 151kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 12g | 4% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 8g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.3g | 2% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 0.01g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 30mg | 10% |
| Sodium | 95mg | 4% |
| Potassium | 377mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 0.1g | 0% |
| Sugar | 12g | 24% |
| Vitamin A | 403IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 302mg | 30% |
| Iron | 0.03mg | 0% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.