Q & A

These are the questions we hear most often, at the markets, in our inbox and from home cooks discovering our sauces for the first time. If your question is not here, email us at info@boutiquesauces.com and Regan will get back to you.

What is a finishing sauce?

A finishing sauce is the sauce a chef adds at the end of cooking to bring the whole dish together. Ours are cooked the way we cooked them in restaurant kitchens, then jarred so all you need to do is warm and pour. No powders, no shortcuts. You cook the steak, we have done the sauce.

How do I use Boutique Sauces?

Warm the sauce gently in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring as it comes up to temperature, then pour it straight over your steak, chicken, lamb or vegetables. Most of our sauces are ready in a few minutes. You will find serving ideas and full recipes on every product page and in our recipe collection.

What is Diane sauce?

Diane sauce is a rich, creamy classic from the golden era of restaurant dining, traditionally served over steak. Ours is the Diane Sauce with Buttery Leek, made with sautéed buttery leeks, beautiful chunky garlic and a velvety Worcestershire finish, and it won Gold at the 2021 Sydney Royal Fine Food Show. If you have been googling how to make Diane sauce, you can stop. We have already made it for you.

Which sauce is best for steak?

Our Green Peppercorn & Brandy Sauce is a luxurious creamy peppercorn sauce that tastes like the one at your favourite steakhouse. If you prefer a classic, the Red Wine Jus is the sauce chefs reach for when a good cut of meat deserves something special. And the Diane Sauce with Buttery Leek is rich, robust and creamy. Honestly, it is hard to pick just one.

Do I have to make peppercorn sauce or red wine jus from scratch?

Not any more. You could stand at the stove reducing wine and whisking cream while your steak goes cold, or you could open a jar of ours. Every Boutique Sauce is chef made in small batches, cooked the proper way with real ingredients, so the hard work is already done. Warm, pour, take the credit.

Can I prepare the sauces ahead for a dinner party?

Yes, and this is exactly where our sauces shine. The sauce is done before your guests even arrive. Sear your steak, rest it, gently warm the sauce and pour it at the table. No last minute panic at the stove, and you actually get to sit down and enjoy your own dinner party.

What should I serve at a dinner party or special occasion?

Here is a menu straight from our own table. Start with our Roasted Pork Belly with Orange Star Anise Sauce and Pistachio Crumble. For mains, our Pistachio Crusted Rack of Lamb with Red Wine Jus never fails to impress. And for dessert, our Flourless Chocolate Pudding Cakes with Vanilla Bean Salted Caramel, or simply warm the Vanilla Salted Caramel Sauce and pour it over sticky date pudding. Every course is in our recipe collection with step by step instructions.

Are your sauces really made by a chef?

Yes. Regan trained as a chef in Europe and every batch is cooked by the two of us, Regan and Dan, in the Hunter Valley NSW. We started at farmers markets back in 2014 and we still cook, jar and pack every sauce ourselves. Chef made is not a slogan for us, it is simply how every jar comes to be.

Have your sauces won awards?

They have. Our Diane Sauce with Buttery Leek won Gold at the 2021 Sydney Royal Fine Food Show, with the Red Wine Jus and Green Peppercorn & Brandy Sauce both taking Bronze. Our Vanilla Salted Caramel Sauce was awarded Best in Class at the 2022 Melbourne Royal Australian Food Awards.

How should I store the sauces and how long do they last?

Every jar carries a best before date. Keep unopened jars in the pantry away from direct sunlight. Once opened, keep the jar in the fridge and enjoy it within the time shown on the label.

Can I freeze or reheat the sauces?

You can gently reheat any leftover sauce over low heat, stirring as it warms. We do not recommend freezing the cream based sauces, as cream can split when thawed. The good news is there is no need to freeze anything. Unopened jars keep happily in the pantry until their best before date, ready whenever the occasion calls.

Does the Red Wine Jus contain alcohol?

Our Red Wine Jus is made with real red wine and our Green Peppercorn & Brandy Sauce with real brandy, cooked low and slow so most of the alcohol cooks off during simmering. As with any dish made with wine, a trace can remain, so if you are pregnant or avoiding alcohol entirely, we suggest checking with your doctor. We are always happy to answer ingredient questions by email.

Are your sauces gluten free?

Yes, every one of our sauces is gluten free. We cook them that way so everyone at the table can enjoy them. Full ingredient lists are on every product page, and if you have any other allergy or dietary questions, email us before you order and we will give you a straight answer.

Do you ship Australia wide?

Yes, we ship right across Australia from our kitchen in the Hunter Valley NSW. Shipping options and costs are shown at checkout.

Can I give Boutique Sauces as a gift?

Absolutely. Our 6 Sauce Gourmet Hamper is a hand picked selection of our finest chef made sauces, and our digital gift card lets someone you love choose their own favourites.

Is there a sauce for dessert?

There is. Our Vanilla Salted Caramel Sauce is a golden caramel infused with flecks of pink Murray River salt and vanilla bean. Warm it gently and pour it over ice cream, sticky date pudding or anything else that deserves it.

Do you offer wholesale for butchers, gourmet stores and retailers?

We do. If you would like to stock Boutique Sauces, email us at info@boutiquesauces.com and we will look after you personally.