Creamy Sherry Wine Sauce

Creamy sherry wine sauce is a flavorful, luxurious addition to any dish. From poultry to seafood, all items go perfectly with this white wine sauce. You will find here the sweetness of sherry wine and the velvety texture of heavy cream. The whole condiment has a unique taste of savory and nutty flavor.

You can use sherry sauce for steak, chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, pork chops, and many other dishes. It’s super easy to prepare. Just take butter, dry sherry wine, heavy cream, shallots, garlic, and some seasonings. There are also some ways to adjust the thickness, sweetness, and flavor of the sauce. Keep reading! 

Know About Creamy Sherry Wine Sauce

Sherry wine is a fortified wine from Spain. It has a very unique profile with sweet, nutty, and aromatic flavors. When we make sauce with sherry wine, we call it creamy sherry wine sauce. It has butter, cream, shallots, and garlic. The sauce turns out to be silky, which complements gourmet-style dishes.

To make this sauce, you will need only 20 minutes. And you can easily use it with your baked chicken, grilled shrimp, and steamed vegetables 

Ingredients You Need

Make sure you have the listed ingredients to make your savory sherry sauce.

Butter

You will need 2 tablespoons of butter to provide a rich base and aroma to the sauce. 

Shallot

Use 1 medium shallot, which is finely minced. This will add a mild, sweet onion flavor and form an aroma.

Garlic

2 cloves of garlic will be enough to give a pungent depth and complement the sweetness of sherry.

Dry Sherry Wine

½ cup dry sherry wine will impart a nutty, sweet flavor and balance the richness. 

Chicken or Vegetable stock (Optional) 

½ cup of vegetable or chicken stock will add depth and lighten the sauce.

Heavy Cream 

For a creamy texture and extra richness, use 1 cup heavy cream.

Dijon mustard (Optional)

1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard is enough to add a tangy note. 

Fresh Tarragon or Parsley 

To brighten the sauce, use 1 teaspoon of chopped tarragon or parsley.

Salt and Black Pepper 

For seasoning and balancing the flavors, use salt or ground black pepper as per your taste, preferably one pinch.

How To Make Creamy Sherry Wine Sauce? Step-by-Step 

After you gather all the necessary ingredients, start cooking with sherry to make your elegant dinner sauce.

Step 1

First, take a medium saucepan. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in it. Then add minced shallot and sauté it for about 2 to 3 minutes or until it becomes translucent. Now, add minced garlic. Cook it for half a minute or until it releases a fragrance.

Step 2

Pour the dry sherry wine into the pan. Stir it and lift any brown bits. Let the mixture simmer for 3 to 5 minutes or until the liquid becomes concentrated and reduces to half.

Step 3

Add chicken or vegetable stock and heavy cream into the pan. Stir everything and let the mixture simmer. 

Step 4

Now add Dijon mustard and chopped tarragon or parsley. Let the sauce simmer again, and keep stirring it occasionally. It will take 5 to 7 minutes to get a thicker consistency.

Step 5

Lastly, season the sauce with salt and ground black pepper to your taste. Then strain the sauce through a mesh sieve for a smoother texture. Now add one teaspoon of butter over the sauce for some extra richness. 

Best Pairings For Creamy Sherry Wine Sauce

These are some dishes that you must try with your sherry cream sauce.

• Sautéed shrimp or scallops
• Pork chops
• Roasted vegetables, like asparagus and mushrooms
• Pasta dishes, like fettuccine and linguine
• Roasted turkey
• Grilled chicken 

Special Tips

Here are some tips that will enhance the flavor of your creamy mushroom sherry sauce.

• Always use dry sherry wine, not sweet or cooked sherry, as they overpower the sauce
• Let the sauce reduce while simmering; thus, the flavor will intensify
• Use milk instead of cream if you want a lighter sauce
• Add a pinch of nutmeg or mustard for more flavors
• Store the leftover sauce in the refrigerator in an airtight container. You can store it for up to 3 days. Every time you use the sauce, reheat it for a smooth texture. 

How To Fix A Broken Cream Sauce?

No wonder, your cream sauce sherry can break if overheated. What will you do then? Here are some fixes:

• Remove the cream from heat immediately 
• Whisk the sauce in a splash of warm water or stock.
• Add some cold butter to the sauce and whisk it
• Reheat the sauce on a low flame and whisk constantly. 

Conclusion 

Creamy sherry wine sauce is one of the most underrated and easy gourmet sauce. It can turn any dish into a restaurant-quality meal. When you have only a few ingredients like sherry wine, garlic, shallots, cream, etc., this sauce can be your best friend. Do try it out, especially while hosting guests and having weekend dinners.

The best part about the homemade sherry wine sauce is that you can adjust the flavor on your own. For example, if you want a thicker sauce, simmer it more and add more cream. But if you want a thinner sauce, add more water or lemon juice and simmer a little. 

Let us know about your experience while making this velvety wine sauce.

FAQ

What is Creamy Sherry Wine Sauce Made of?

The sherry-infused cream sauce has sherry wine as the main ingredient. Then it has heavy cream, butter, shallots, garlic, and seasonings. 

What Are the Best Dishes to Serve With Sherry Cream Sauce?

The sherry wine reduction sauce pairs best with fish, chicken, and seafood items. Some popular dishes to pair with this sauce are chicken thighs, grilled chicken, pork schnitzel, scallops, etc.

Can You Substitute Dry Sherry in the Sauce?

Yes, you can substitute dry sherry in the sauce with any other dry fortified wine. Such as dry Marsala, dry vermouth, and dry Madeira. 

How to Thicken Sherry Cream Sauce?

To thicken your creamy mushroom sherry sauce, simmer it to reduce the liquid. Or you can add some cornstarch slurry, flour roux, or butter.