What Is Sauce? Ingredients, Types & Uses
To clearly understand what a sauce is, it helps to see how it functions in everyday cooking. A sauce is a liquid, cream, or semi-solid preparation that is served with food or used during cooking to improve flavour, texture, moisture, and appearance. Sauces are not meant to be eaten alone. Instead, they support the main dish by balancing taste and improving how food feels when eaten. The term comes from the Latin word salsus, meaning “salted,” which reflects its early purpose of seasoning food. Over time, sauces became a key part of cooking across cultures. Whether used to soften dry food, add richness, or bring contrast, sauces act as a supporting element that brings a dish together. Key Ingredients Used in Sauces Most sauces are built using three essential components. The first is the liquid base, which gives the sauce its body. This can be stock, milk, cream, tomato products, oil, coconut milk, or vinegar-based liquids, depending on the style of cooking. The second component is a...