Creamy Homemade Bread Sauce Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

Bread sauce is a must-try British side dish that adds warmth and comfort to any winter meal.

Made by simmering milk with onions, cloves, and nutmeg, it develops a fragrant base full of gentle spice.

Stirring in breadcrumbs transforms the mixture into a smooth, velvety sauce that pairs beautifully with roasted meats.

Its creamy texture and subtle flavor have made it a staple on holiday tables for generations.

The recipe is straightforward, requiring only a few simple ingredients to achieve its classic taste.

Whether served at Christmas dinner or alongside a Sunday roast, this sauce remains a cherished British favorite.

Why Delia Smith Bread Sauce Is A Holiday Favorite

• Craft Unique Flavor: Infuse milk with aromatic spices like cloves, bay leaves, and mace, creating a rich, complex taste that elevates traditional bread sauce.
• Rescue Stale Bread: Transform leftover or dry bread into a creamy, delicious side dish, reducing food waste and saving money with this clever cooking technique.
• Master Traditional British Cuisine: Learn an authentic recipe that connects you to classic British culinary heritage, perfect for those who love exploring traditional cooking methods.
• Versatile Comfort Sauce: Complement roasted meats, particularly during holiday meals or Sunday roasts, adding a smooth, comforting element to your dining experience.

What Goes In Delia Smith Bread Sauce

• Bread: A key component that provides texture and body to the sauce.
• Milk: The primary liquid base that creates the smooth, creamy consistency.

• Onion, Cloves, Bay Leaf, Peppercorns, Mace: These ingredients infuse the milk with deep, complex flavors and add aromatic depth to the sauce.

• Butter, Cream, Salt, Nutmeg: These elements enhance the richness, provide seasoning, and create a luxurious final touch to the bread sauce.

How To Make Delia Smith Bread Sauce From Scratch

Step 1: Prepare the Bread

Grab a loaf of day-old bread and slice it into small, rustic cubes. Let the bread sit out and become slightly dry, which helps it absorb the creamy milk mixture perfectly.

Step 2: Create Aromatic Milk Base

• Whole cloves
• Bay leaf
• Black peppercorns
• Blade of mace

Gently heat the mixture until it starts steaming, releasing all the incredible fragrant notes.

Step 3: Steep and Infuse

Remove the milk from heat and let it sit quietly for about 20 minutes. This allows the spices to deeply permeate the liquid, creating a rich, complex flavor profile.

Step 4: Transform Bread Pieces

Take the bread cubes and tear them into smaller, irregular chunks. These imperfect pieces will give your sauce a wonderful rustic texture.

Step 5: Cook and Thicken

Return the spiced milk to low heat, then slowly add the bread pieces. Simmer and stir consistently for approximately 15 minutes until the mixture transforms into a thick, luxurious sauce.

Step 6: Finish with Richness

Incorporate smooth butter and optional cream. Season generously with salt and freshly grated nutmeg. Stir until everything melds together beautifully.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer the warm, silky bread sauce to a serving dish. Pair wonderfully with roasted meats or enjoy as a comforting side.

Helpful Tips For Delia Smith Bread Sauce

• Use day-old white bread or brioche for the best texture and flavor absorption.
• Let milk steep with aromatics for at least 30 minutes to extract maximum flavor before adding bread.
• Adjust milk or bread quantity to achieve desired thickness, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
• Add a pinch of nutmeg or grated cheese for extra depth and richness in the sauce.
• Warm bread sauce slowly and stir occasionally to maintain smooth, creamy texture when serving.

Ways To Customize Delia Smith Bread Sauce

• Gluten-Free Bread Sauce: Replace traditional bread with gluten-free bread crumbs or almond flour, ensuring a safe option for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute cow's milk with coconut milk or almond milk, and use plant-based butter for a lactose-free version.
• Herb-Infused Variation: Swap bay leaf and mace with fresh rosemary, thyme, or sage to create a different aromatic profile and enhance the sauce's flavor.
• Vegan Bread Sauce: Use plant-based milk, coconut cream, and vegan butter, with nutritional yeast for added richness and depth.

Perfect Pairings For Delia Smith Bread Sauce

• Roast Chicken Companion: Bread sauce perfectly complements roasted poultry, especially traditional British roast chicken. Its creamy texture and subtle spices enhance the meat's rich flavors.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Select a medium-bodied white wine like Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio. These wines match the sauce's gentle, creamy profile without overpowering its delicate spice notes.
• Festive Side Dish: Serve alongside holiday roasts like turkey or game birds. The sauce adds warmth and comfort to winter meals.
• Comfort Food Match: Pair with root vegetables like roasted parsnips or carrots. The sauce's smooth consistency creates a delightful contrast with caramelized vegetable edges.

Storing Delia Smith Bread Sauce The Easy Way

• Store bread sauce in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Cover surface with plastic wrap to prevent skin formation.
• Transfer cooled sauce to freezer-safe containers, leaving space for expansion. Freeze for up to 1 month. Label with date.
• Place sauce in microwave-safe dish. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming. Add splash of milk if too thick.
• Warm sauce in saucepan over low heat. Stir constantly to prevent scorching. Add milk or cream to restore original consistency if needed.

FAQs About Delia Smith Bread Sauce

• What is bread sauce traditionally served with?

Bread sauce is a classic British accompaniment typically served with roast chicken, turkey, or game birds, especially during holiday meals like Christmas dinner.

• Can I make bread sauce without whole spices?

While whole spices provide the best flavor, you can use ground spices in a pinch. Just add them directly to the milk and reduce the quantity to prevent overwhelming the sauce.

• Is it possible to make bread sauce gluten-free?

Yes, use gluten-free bread instead of traditional white bread. Ensure the bread is day-old and slightly stale for the best texture and absorption of milk.

• How do I prevent lumps when making bread sauce?

Tear the bread into small, even cubes and add them gradually to the warm milk, stirring continuously to ensure smooth incorporation and prevent clumping.

Classic Bread Sauce Recipe

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4.6 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Bread sauce is an old favorite – thickened with breadcrumbs and gently spiced, it’s a classic match for roasted meats.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 800 grams (28.2 ounces) stale white loaf (thick slices)
• 1 liter (33.8 fluid ounces) full-fat milk
• 30 grams (1 ounce) butter
• 2 tablespoons double cream (optional)

Aromatic Ingredients:

• 1 onion
• 4 cloves
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon whole white peppercorns
• 2 mace blades (or 1/4 teaspoon ground mace)

Seasoning:

• 2 teaspoons sea salt flakes
• Fresh nutmeg

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Instructions

1. Prepare day-old bread by cutting into small, uniform cubes for optimal texture absorption.
2. Create an aromatic milk infusion by gently warming milk with whole spices, allowing deep flavor penetration.
3. Pour in the stock and milk. Simmer for 5–7 minutes until the stems are tender.
4. Strain the infused milk, removing whole spices to ensure a smooth, silky base.
5. Return the fragrant milk to low heat and gradually incorporate bread cubes, stirring consistently.
6. Simmer the mixture for approximately 12-15 minutes, gradually thickening and transforming into a creamy consistency.
7. Incorporate rich butter and optional cream, blending until luxuriously smooth.
8. Season with delicate salt and freshly grated nutmeg, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
9. Spoon to a warm serving dish, maintaining temperature and preserving the sauce’s velvety texture.
10. Serve immediately as a complementary accompaniment to roasted meats or traditional holiday dishes.

Notes

• Choose slightly stale white bread for the best texture and absorption of milk flavors.
• Gently simmer milk with aromatics to extract maximum depth without scorching the base.
• Take out any whole spices before adding the bread so no one ends up biting into a clove or peppercorn.
• For gluten-free version, substitute regular bread with gluten-free white bread or almond flour bread.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 210 kcal
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg