Let’s talk about one of the easiest ways to make your meals feel fancier: cream sherry sauce. It is a classic, velvety blend that brings warmth and richness. The sauce is the perfect finishing touch that can change a simple dish into something special. Pour it over meat, veggies, or pasta for a warm, savory sweetness. The good news? It’s surprisingly easy to make. All you need are a few staple ingredients and a love for good flavor. Prepare the sauce over the weekend and enjoy it throughout the following week. So let’s get started with the recipe.
What Is Cream Sherry Sauce?
Cream sherry sauce is a smooth, velvety sauce made from a combination of butter, cream, and sherry. Sherry is a fortified wine that brings a subtle sweetness and nutty depth.
The sauce is not overly heavy, but indulgent in the best way.
It’s popular in both European and American cooking for the way it enhances dishes. The sherry gives it a warm, sweet complexity, while the cream ties everything together. It’s easy to whip up, yet fancy enough to impress at any dinner table.
List of Ingredients
Before diving into the recipe, let’s get all the ingredients. The beauty lies in its simplicity, but each component plays an important role. Here’s what you’ll need and why each ingredient matters:
Basic Ingredients:
- Butter (2 tablespoons): Butter creates a rich, flavorful base. Also, it helps sauté the aromatics gently. Use unsalted butter to give you better control over the overall seasoning.
- Shallot (1 small, finely diced): Shallots offer a delicate, slightly sweet onion flavor. They melt seamlessly into the sauce. Milder than onions, shallots keep the sauce refined and balanced.
- Garlic (1 clove, minced): Garlic adds warmth and depth. It infuses the sauce with a subtle aromatic flavor. Avoid using too much as it can easily overpower the dish.
- Cream Sherry (½ cup): The star of the show! This sweet fortified wine brings richness and complexity. Dry sherry can work too, but cream sherry gives a smoother, slightly sweeter taste.
- Heavy Cream (¾ cup): Brings luxurious thickness and that signature silky texture. It mellows the sherry’s sharpness and pulls everything together. The result is a cohesive, rich sauce.
- Chicken or Vegetable Broth (¼ cup): A splash of broth lightens the cream just enough. It also enhances the savory notes.
Low-sodium broth is ideal, so you can fine-tune the seasoning to your taste.
- Salt and Freshly Ground Pepper (to taste): Salt sharpens all the flavors. Always taste before adding too much. Cream sauces can quickly become too salty.
Freshly ground pepper adds more than just heat. It introduces subtle floral, earthy, and citrusy notes. This helps balance the richness of the cream and sweetness of the sherry.
Optional (But Highly Recommended) Add-Ins:
- Dijon Mustard (1 teaspoon): Adds a tangy brightness that contrasts beautifully with the cream.
- Grated Parmesan (2 tablespoons): For extra umami and a nutty depth.
- Fresh herbs (like thyme or parsley): These add color and a fresh element to balance the richness.
Preparation Guide
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Start by heating a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and let it melt completely. Once it’s bubbling gently, toss in the finely diced shallot. Sauté for about 2–3 minutes until it turns soft and translucent. Next, add the minced garlic and stir for another 30 seconds. Don’t let it brown as it can turn bitter quickly. Let the garlic release its aroma.
Step 2: Deglaze with Sherry
Pour in the cream sherry. It’ll bubble up right away. Stir with a wooden spoon, scraping up any bits stuck to the bottom. These “fond” bits are flavor gold. Let the sherry simmer for 3–5 minutes. This gives the alcohol time to cook off and the liquid to reduce slightly.
Step 3: Add the Cream and Broth
Reduce the heat to low. Slowly pour in the heavy cream and broth. Stir the mixture constantly to combine. Next, simmer the mixture gently for about 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Make sure it doesn’t boil. The sauce should thicken slightly and coat the back of a spoon.
Step 4: Season and Enhance
Add salt and pepper to taste. If using, stir in the Dijon mustard and grated Parmesan. Let them fully incorporate for an extra punch of flavor. Taste and adjust as needed.
Step 5: Finish with Herbs
Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley or thyme. Serve warm, and enjoy.
Serving Suggestions
Deciding what to pair with your delicious cream sherry sauce? Here we’ve come up with some favorite ways to serve it:
With Chicken:
Cream sherry sauce and chicken are a match made in culinary heaven. Pour it over pan-seared or roasted chicken. You can also serve with chicken and mushroom crepes or a chicken and rice casserole.
With Pork:
This sauce complements the mild sweetness of pork beautifully. Serve it over pork tenderloin, grilled pork chops, or pork medallions. Add a few sautéed apples on the side for a show-stopping fall dish.
With Seafood:
Try drizzling it over pan-seared scallops, baked cod, or shrimp. The richness of the cream balances nicely with the delicate flavor of seafood.
With Vegetables or Pasta:
Pour the sauce over roasted mushrooms, asparagus, or green beans. Tossing it with pasta makes for a decadent meatless dinner.
With Bread
Serve with a slice of crusty bread or a soft dinner roll. You’ll be mopping up every last drop of this sauce.
Cream Sherry Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp Butter Unsalted
- 1 Small Shallot Finely diced
- 1 Clove Garlic Minced
- 1/2 Cup Cream Sherry
- 3/4 Cup Heavy Cream
- 1/4 Cup Chicken or Vegetable Broth
- Salt As per taste
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper As per taste
- 1 Tsp Dijon Mustard Optional
- 2 Tbsp Grated Parmesan Optional
- Fresh Herbs(Parsley or Thyme) Optional , For garnish
Instructions
- In a medium skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the diced shallot and cook for 2–3 minutes to soften. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the cream sherry and stir. Scrape up any bits from the bottom. Simmer for 3–5 minutes to reduce slightly and cook off the alcohol.
- Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream and broth. Simmer gently for 5–7 minutes. Stir occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Add Dijon mustard and grated Parmesan if using. Stir until smooth.
- Remove from heat and garnish with fresh herbs. Serve warm over your favorite proteins, pasta, or vegetables.
Nutrition
Final Thoughts
Cream sherry sauce is the kind of recipe that looks fancy but is secretly super simple. It’s rich in flavor and endlessly versatile. It’s perfect for adding a gourmet twist to chicken, pork, pasta, and even vegetables. Serve it to family, friends, or simply when you’re craving comfort food. This sauce brings both warmth and elegance to the table. Best of all, it comes together in under 30 minutes with ingredients you likely have on hand. So why wait? Gather the ingredients and get whipping!
