Sherry Wine Cream Sauce Recipe

Sherry Wine Cream Sauce is undoubtedly enchanting, with a luxurious, smooth texture. It has the nutty essence of dry sherries and the soft richness of cream, elevating any dish to fine dining. 

Crafted with the finest ingredients, the sauce whispers subtle sweetness, depth, creaminess, and silky texture. 

Be it seared scallop, tender chicken, or even pasta, adding a drizzle of this sherry wine cream sauce will complete the dish and bring romance to your kitchen. It is the perfect sauce for date nights and perfect dinners. 

By following the simple steps below, you can serve this gourmet sauce in your kitchen to elevate your dining experience. Let’s dive into the world of creamy richness!

What is Sherry Wine Cream Sauce Made of?

This creamy and silky wine sauce is made of a careful, yet refined blend of a few, but perfect and chosen ingredients. These ingredients give the sauce a nutty and slightly sweet complexity that sets the sauce apart from other condiments, such as 

• Sherry Wine 

You’ll need ½ cup of dry sherry wine. This is the main component of this fortified wine sauce, providing its subtle sweet taste. 

Tip: Choose a good quality sherry wine, such as Amontillado or Fino. Avoid using the cooking sherry wine. 

• Heavy Cream 

1 cup of heavy cream, which will provide its silky, luxurious texture. 

Tip: Use double heavy cream for better results. 

• Unsalted Butter 

For sauteing the ingredients, use 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Be careful not to use salted butter instead, it will imbalance the flavour of the other ingredients of the sauce.

Tip: Use 1 tablespoon of cold, unsalted butter at the end for added gloss and glaze. 

• Garlic 

Mince 2 cloves of garlic finely to add depth and aroma. 

• Shallots (Optional) 

1 small shallot or thinly chopped 1 tablespoon of shallot will be enough. It is an optional ingredient, but the shallots enhance the flavour of the subtle sweetness of the sherry. 

• Chicken Broth or Vegetable Broth 

You’ll need about ½ cup of low-sodium chicken broth. You can also use vegetable broth as a vegan alternative. 

• Salt 

You can add ¼ tablespoon of salt to adjust the taste. 

• Thyme (Optional) 

½ teaspoon of fresh thyme or ¼ teaspoon of dried thyme as an alternative. This adds an earthly undertone to the sherry sauce. 

• Lemon Juice (Optional)

Add ¼ tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to brighten the wine sauce. 

• Black Pepper/ White Pepper/ Cayenne Pepper (Optional)

Use freshly ground black pepper, or a pinch of white pepper, or cayenne pepper. Any of these will add a bit of heat to the creamy sauce, according to preference. 

How to Make the Sherry Wine Cream Sauce?

With just a few simple steps, you can make this easy, velvety wine cream sauce at home. With a gentle simmer and mindful mixing, you can achieve the perfect balance of taste and finesse of this rich, creamy sherry sauce. The steps are given below- 

Step 1: Saute the Aromatics 

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat and then add minced garlic (and shallots, if using). Saute for about 2-3 minutes until the sauce is softened and fragrant. 

Step 2: Deglaze with Sherry 

Add the dry sherry wine to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes until the alcohol cooks off and the wine reduces slightly. 

Step 3: Add the Broth 

Pour in the chicken broth (or vegetable broth) and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook it for 5-7 minutes until the mixture is reduced by half. 

Step 4: Stir in the Cream 

Reduce the heat to low and add in the cream while stirring constantly. Let it simmer gently for 4-5 minutes until the sauce thickens and forms a velvety, smooth texture. 

Tip: It’s important to stir while mixing the cream to avoid it being burnt. Also, keep in mind that the sauce should be let simmer, not boil. You can let the sauce simmer for longer if you prefer a thicker consistency. 

Step 5: Season 

Season the mixture with salt, pepper, and thyme to taste. Stir to mix the seasoning and taste to adjust the seasoning as necessary. 

Tip: If you prefer a bit of brightness in this sherry-infused wine sauce, you can add a dash of lemon juice or squeeze a fresh lemon. 

Step 6: Serve 

Let it cool for about 10-15 minutes off the stove and serve it as a drizzle on your favorite dishes or as a dipping sauce. 

Can I Substitute Sherry with White Wine?

Yes, you can add white wine to your cream sauce for a more savoury taste. But there are a few things to keep in mind while substituting it- 

• Dry white wines such as Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay are the best alternatives for dry sherry; for this fortified wine sauce, these will add acidity and bright, crisp twist of flavour. 
• Sheryy has a distinct nutty flavour, so adding white wine to it will make it lighter and less sweet. 
• Avoid using sweeter wine if you don’t prefer a sweeter sauce. 

Best Proteins to Serve with Sherry Cream Sauce 

1. Poultry

• Chicken breast or thighs
• Turkey medallions

2. Seafood

• Seared scallops 
• Shrimp or prawns 
• White fish (like cod, halibut, or sole) 
• Salmon

3. Meat

• Pork tenderloin 
• Veal cutlets 
• Duck breast

4. Vegetarian Protein Options

• Tofu or tempeh
• Grilled portobello mushrooms 
• Lentil patties or veggie cutlets 

Does the Alcohol Cook out of the Sauce?  

Most of the alcohol cooks out of the sauce mixture while it simmers in the pan, but not all of it. It depends on how much time the sauce is simmered for and at what temperature. Here’s how it happens- 

• Whe you let the sauce simmer in medium to low heat on the stove, the water and alcohol evaporates and the sauce reduces.
• Simmering the mixture for 10 minutes will leave only small traces of alcohol, but the longer and hotter the cooking, the less alcohol remains. 

For most people, these small traces of alcohol are no problem, but for the people avoiding alcohol for health, religious, or personal reasons, here are some alcohol free alternatives you can try- 

• White grape juice with a splash of vinegar 
• Alcohol free sherry or wine 
• Mix balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar with the chicken or vegetable broth. 

Conclusion 

Sherry Cream Sauce is a versatile companion for any dish, adding elegance and aroma. Try this at home and make your plain dining better than ever.