Almond Free Fennel Béarnaise Sauce

Total time30 min

Prep time15 min

Cook time15 min

4.9

(19)

Classic béarnaise is already a showstopper, and this fennel-forward version takes the whole concept somewhere a little more interesting. The aromatic fennel bulb and fresh tarragon build a fragrant, herby reduction that becomes the flavor backbone of the entire sauce — bright, slightly anise-kissed, and deeply savory. Butter is added piece by piece until the sauce turns glossy and luxuriously thick, the kind of thing that makes a simple steak or roasted vegetable feel like a restaurant plate. Because the recipe relies entirely on whole, straightforward ingredients — egg yolks, unsalted butter, fresh herbs, and a grape juice reduction — there's nothing hidden to worry about for anyone avoiding tree nuts. Pasteurized yolks are whisked to a safe 160°F, so the technique is as careful as it is classic. Spoon it over grilled fish, asparagus, or a perfectly seared piece of beef and watch it disappear fast.

About Fig

Fig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.

Learn more →

Ingredients

4 servings

For the reduction

3 tbsp white grape juice
3 tbsp water
1 tbsp fresh tarragon stems, roughly chopped
2 tbsp fennel bulb, finely chopped

For the sauce

3 pasteurized egg yolks
½ cup unsalted butter, cut into 1-tbsp pieces
¼ tsp salt
2 tbsp fresh tarragon leaves, finely chopped

Instructions

1
Combine the white grape juice, water, chopped tarragon stems, and fennel in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and cook until the liquid reduces to about 2 tablespoons, 5–7 minutes. Pour through a fine-mesh strainer into a heatproof bowl, pressing the solids to extract all the liquid; discard the solids.
2
Add the pasteurized egg yolks to the strained reduction in the heatproof bowl and whisk until the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened.

Want the full recipe?

Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!