Description
Henry Bain Sauce is a rich, tangy, and slightly sweet condiment with deep Southern roots, originally created at the historic Pendennis Club in Louisville, Kentucky. This versatile sauce combines Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, chili sauce, and a hint of sweetness from pickled walnuts or chutney, creating an umami-packed blend perfect for steaks, pork, poultry, seafood, and even cheese boards. Whether used as a glaze, dipping sauce, or marinade, this classic homemade steak sauce will elevate any dish with bold, savory flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- ½ cup Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup ketchup
- ½ cup chili sauce
- ¼ cup steak sauce
Flavor Enhancers
- ¼ cup pickled walnuts or chutney, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
Instructions
1. Mix the Base
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, chili sauce, and steak sauce.
- Whisk until smooth and well incorporated.
2. Add Depth and Spice
- Stir in pickled walnuts (or chutney), hot sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, smoked paprika, and cayenne (if using).
- Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute flavors.
3. Blend and Rest
- For a smoother texture, whisk vigorously or use a blender to puree until silky.
- Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best flavor infusion.
4. Serve and Enjoy
- Use as a steak sauce, glaze, or dipping sauce.
- Serve with grilled meats, roasted vegetables, sandwiches, or cheese boards.
Notes
- Storage: Keep refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, freeze in small portions using an ice cube tray, then transfer frozen cubes to a sealed bag for up to 3 months.
- Substitutions:
- Use brown sugar or honey instead of chutney for a milder sweetness.
- Swap cayenne for red pepper flakes if you prefer a different heat level.
- Try bourbon-infused Worcestershire sauce for a deeper Southern flavor.
- Serving Tip: Let the sauce sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving for the best consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: None (refrigeration time recommended: 2 hours)
- Category: Condiment, Sauce
- Method: Condiment, Sauce
- Cuisine: Southern, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 35 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 0.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Henry Bain Sauce, homemade steak sauce, Southern-style sauce, Kentucky steak sauce, meat sauce