Burnt Onion Steak Sauce Recipe

Combining a multitude of flavors into one killer sauce

While a beautifully cooked steak is great on its own, who doesn't love a good steak sauce? If you're a purist, just wait until you try this recipe chef Danny Grant of Chicago's Maple & Ash developed for us. In this everything-but-the-kitchen-sink sauce, Grant cooks down brûléed onion and charred citrus with grapefruit, tomato paste and beef stock for the ultimate combo that's savory, sweet, tangy and spicy all at the same time. You're going to be pouring it over steak and every other meat you cook.

If you're missing one of the many ingredients, don't sweat it. You can swap the barley malt syrup for molasses. Although, this alternative sweetener is becoming increasingly more  common in the baking section, so take a look. If you can't get your hands on colatura, an incredible Italian anchovy sauce, use regular fish sauce instead. Now ready your knives.

To learn more, read "United Steaks of America."

Recipe adapted from Danny Grant, Maple & Ash, Chicago, IL

Burnt Onion Steak Sauce
4.6 from 55 ratings
Burnt onion, grapefruit, capers and gochujang are just some of the ingredients in this thick sauce that's the ideal mix of sweet, tangy and spicy.
Prep Time
20
minutes
Cook Time
40
minutes
Servings
7
cups
Total time: 1 hour
Ingredients
  • One 3-inch piece orange zest
  • One 3-inch piece lemon zest
  • Half a large yellow onion, whole
  • 1½ sticks unsalted butter
  • 2 cups beef stock
  • 1¼ cups raisins
  • ¾ cup tomato paste
  • ¾ cup Champagne vinegar
  • 7 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ cup capers
  • 3½ tablespoons gochujang
  • 3 tablespoons caper juice
  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons barley malt syrup
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon colatura (Italian anchovy sauce)
  • 2 teaspoons celery seeds, toasted
  • 1 large red grapefruit, supremed
Directions
  1. Preheat the broiler. Place the orange and lemon zest on a sheet pan, and broil until charred, 2 to 3 minutes, then set aside.
  2. Cover the surface of a small skillet with a square of foil and place the onion, cut-side down, on top. Heat over medium-high heat until well charred, 10 minutes.
  3. Transfer the onion to a cutting board, discarding the foil, and roughly chop.
  4. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sweat until softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the charred citrus zest and the remaining ingredients, then bring to a simmer.
  5. Cook until thickened, 20 minutes. Transfer to a blender and purée until smooth. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or jar or freeze for up to 1 year.
Nutrition
Calories per Serving 192
Total Fat 10.5 g
Saturated Fat 6.3 g
Trans Fat 0.4 g
Cholesterol 26.8 mg
Total Carbohydrates 23.2 g
Dietary Fiber 1.9 g
Total Sugars 16.2 g
Sodium 624.3 mg
Protein 3.3 g
The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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