Exploring the Best Sauces to Serve with Wagyu Steak

Wagyu is a highly desired type of steak, known for its marbled appearance and melt-in-your-mouth consistency. Whether it’s your first time or fiftieth serving the wagyu, it’s vital to know how to accent the delicate flavor of the protein. Sauce choice can make all the difference.

Luckily, several sauces pull out the unforgettable taste of a Wagyu steak. Read on to learn more about the ideal sauces for Wagyu, from horseradish to a classic and elegant red wine reduction. 

What Are Ideal Sauces for Wagyu Steak?

Horseradish Sauce

Horseradish is our first selection, thanks to the wonderful, biting kick it provides to any dish. Wagyu is known for being buttery and rich. Thus, pairing it with the natural spice of horseradish will add new layers to the protein. It can be served on the side or utilized as part of the cooking process.

Those who don’t want the straight spice of horseradish sauce may prefer a creamy or smoked variety to counteract the traditional flavor profile. It’s recommended to use a little at a time so as to not undo the wonderful taste that already exists in a Wagyu steak.

Bearnaise

Bearnaise is an elevated approach to a sauce. It’s a creamy topping, originating in France. It’s made with egg yolk, clarified butter, white vinegar, tarragon, shallots, and chervil in some instances. It’s much like a lighter mayonnaise and provides a hint of pepper for a wonderful compliment to almost any meat.

Those who love fat as the core ingredient of their Wagyu steak will love the addition of bearnaise. It’s a creamy and fatty sauce, so it may be too rich for some palettes. For others, Bearnaise will be like a taste of paradise in every bite. If you do decide to add some Bernaise, only add a small amount. 

Truffle Sauce

Get down to earth in your tasting experience by adding a truffle sauce to Wagyu steak. Truffle sauce is made with olive oil, mushrooms, truffle pieces, spices, herbs, and anchovies. It’s a unique combination and isn’t as fatty as many other sauce options for a typical steak experience.

Thanks to the earthy richness of truffle sauce, it naturally brings life to the umami and richness of a standard Wagyu steak. You can pour a light drizzle of sauce over the steak once it is done or spoon it in during the cooking process. We recommend a light truffle oil though truffle butter can work as well. 

Bordelaise

Bordelaise is another French sauce packed with unforgettable richness and flavor. It’s made by combining layers of shallots, red wine, bone marrow, demi-glace, and butter. Many French recipes call for bordelaise sauce, especially if the core focus of a meal is vegetables or protein. 

The demi-glace and red wine base of bordelaise sauce allow it to naturally accent the meat. They bring to life the buttery undertones and offer a high-caliber eating experience, including the texture. Bordelaise is decadent. Again, those who can’t handle rich foods may have a trickier time enjoying a bordelaise on their already rich wagyu steak. 

Hollandaise

Egg yolks, lemon juice, vinegar, and melted butter are the core of a traditional hollandaise. The light yellow, creamy, tangy sauce is one of the classic toppings for the breakfast staple eggs benedict but it can also be used on steaks. 

Like the French sauces discussed previously, hollandaise goes well with a properly cooked Wagyu steak, thanks to the layers of fat and creaminess of the sauce. There’s a typical layer of acidity thanks to the vinegar or lemon, which adds more depth to the eating experience. Hollandaise will also pair well with veggies like asparagus on the side. 

Morel Mushroom Sauce

Morel mushroom sauce is made from a base of morel mushrooms. The veggies are mixed with butter and a liquid. The most common liquids added to morel mushroom sauce include stock, red wine, or water. The flavor varies depending on the liquid used as a base.

Individuals enjoy morel sauce for the accent it provides for Wagyu steak. It brings forward the natural umami thanks to the earthiness of the mushrooms. The mushrooms also make the sauce more unique than the butter-based selections, so it’s excellent for those who want to create more dimension with the steak and sauce combination. 

Red Wine Reduction

Our final recommendation is a red wine reduction, perhaps one of the simplest possible sauces when complimenting a fatty steak like Wagyu. There are layers of acidity to add complexity to any protein or veggie cooked in or with the sauce.

Red wine reduction is an excellent complement to Wagyu. It brings out the natural undertones of the Wagyu. Cream sauces might do an excellent job making a Wagyu steak richer, but a red wine reduction is far from overpowering and will take a well-cooked wagyu steak to the next level on your plate. 

Does Wagyu Steak Need Sauce?

We’ve provided ample options for sauces to compliment your Wagyu beef. Whether you want something buttery or an item that will cut through the creaminess with acidity, there is something here for you. However, this list of sauces begs the question - does Wagyu need sauce?

The sauce is an excellent item to add to a quality Wagyu, enhancing the flavor and creating more depth. Many enjoy sauce on their steak. However, Wagyu is a steak that’s delicious enough to be eaten on its own without sauce. Ultimately, it’s up to the chef and the diner to determine whether they want Wagyu beef by itself, or with a delicious sauce on top. All tastes excellent. 

Where Can You Access Quality Meat and Sauces? 

While you’re debating whether you want to add sauce to your Wagyu or not, it’s helpful to know where you can access top-notch meats and condiments. Many local grocery stores and online venues are tragically lacking in their options.

For fresh, high-quality meats and sauce, consider purchasing from Kolikof Caviar & Gourmet. You can get Australian and Japanese Wagyu, along with all the accompaniments you could need, like prawns. Everything will arrive cold and ready to enjoy, right on your doorstep.