Grandpa Joe's
Béchamel Sauce

One of the five basic sauces.

About this recipe

Béchamel is one of the five basic sauces, or Mother Sauces.  This is my very simple version.

Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • kosher salt

Directions

  1. Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan.
  2. Add the flour and stir until smooth.  Cook over low heat for about 5 minutes. 
  3. Add the milk, raise the heat to medium, and begin whisking gently.  When the milk begins to thicken, lower the heat and continue whisking.  Remove the sauce from the heat when it begins to bubble vigorously.
  4. It is important to add salt at this point, but only a small amount is required.  Taste the sauce, add ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, and taste again to experience the difference.  Add more salt if desired.
  5. Cover, and set aside.
Béchamel Sauce.

Notes

  • Whole milk and unsalted butter are important components of this sauce.  Please do not make substitutions.
Posted: February 2014; picture added: March 2016.