Ready to elevate your flounder game to the next level? Pondering over which sauces will best accentuate the delicate flavor of this versatile fish?
You’re in the perfect spot!
In this article, I’ll guide you through the top sauce selections to drizzle over your flounder, highlight the ones to steer clear of, and most crucially, offer you the insider tips on whipping up these delicious accompaniments.
Whether you’re aiming for a gourmet meal or a simple weeknight dinner, you’ll find the perfect sauce pairings to make your flounder dish a resounding success.
Best Sauces For Flounder
Lemon Herb Butter Sauce
A zesty and fresh sauce that brings out the natural, mild taste of flounder. It’s a simple blend of butter, herbs, and lemon.
- Typical Ingredients: Butter, lemon juice, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Quick Recipe: Melt butter and stir in minced garlic, lemon juice, and chopped parsley.
- Serving Suggestion: Drizzle over grilled or baked flounder and serve with steamed vegetables.
Caper Dill Sauce
This tangy sauce, with the distinctive flavors of capers and dill, complements flounder perfectly.
- Typical Ingredients: Sour cream, fresh dill, capers, lemon juice, and mustard.
- Quick Recipe: Mix sour cream with chopped dill, capers, a dash of lemon juice, and a teaspoon of mustard.
- Serving Suggestion: Spoon over pan-seared flounder fillets for a refreshing twist.
Creamy Tarragon Sauce
A rich and creamy sauce that adds a sophisticated touch with the anise-like flavor of tarragon.
- Typical Ingredients: Heavy cream, fresh tarragon, shallots, white wine, and butter.
- Quick Recipe: Reduce white wine with minced shallots, then add cream and chopped tarragon, simmering until thickened.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve with a flounder fillet and a side of buttered asparagus.
Almondine Sauce
This nutty and buttery sauce with slivers of toasted almonds provides a delightful crunch to flounder.
- Typical Ingredients: Butter, sliced almonds, lemon juice, and parsley.
- Quick Recipe: Toast almonds in butter, then stir in lemon juice and parsley.
- Serving Suggestion: Pour the sauce over baked flounder and garnish with extra almonds.
Mango Salsa
A sweet and spicy salsa that adds a burst of color and fruity flavor to the fish.
- Typical Ingredients: Mango, red bell pepper, red onion, cilantro, jalapeño, and lime juice.
- Quick Recipe: Combine diced mango, bell pepper, onion, cilantro, and jalapeño; dress with lime juice.
- Serving Suggestion: Top a grilled flounder fillet with a generous scoop of mango salsa.
Classic Beurre Blanc
A traditional French sauce that is both luxurious and tangy, adding a smooth, velvety layer to the fish.
- Typical Ingredients: White wine, vinegar, shallots, butter, and cream.
- Quick Recipe: Simmer white wine, vinegar, and shallots until reduced, then whisk in butter and a splash of cream.
- Serving Suggestion: Nappe a pan-fried flounder with this sauce and accompany with herbed potatoes.
Citrus Soy Glaze
An Asian-inspired glaze that marries the umami of soy with the freshness of citrus.
- Typical Ingredients: Soy sauce, orange juice, lemon juice, honey, and ginger.
- Quick Recipe: Simmer soy sauce, citrus juices, honey, and grated ginger until thickened into a glaze.
- Serving Suggestion: Brush the glaze on flounder fillets before broiling and serve with jasmine rice.
Mediterranean Salsa Verde
A bright and briny sauce packed with herbs and capers, invoking the flavors of the Mediterranean coast.
- Typical Ingredients: Parsley, capers, garlic, olive oil, and lemon.
- Quick Recipe: Pulse parsley, capers, garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice in a food processor until combined.
- Serving Suggestion: Spoon this vibrant sauce over a flounder fillet accompanied by a quinoa salad.
Spicy Remoulade
A Southern favorite, this spicy and creamy sauce adds a kick that can liven up the mild flounder.
- Typical Ingredients: Mayonnaise, mustard, horseradish, paprika, and Cajun seasoning.
- Quick Recipe: Mix mayonnaise with mustard, horseradish, a pinch of paprika, and Cajun seasoning.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve as a dipping sauce with flounder fish sticks or cakes for a casual meal.
What Types Of Sauces Pair Best With Flounder?
Sauces that pair best with flounder are typically light and delicate, enhancing rather than overpowering the fish’s subtle flavor. Ideal sauces often feature citrus, herbs, or a buttery base for a balanced complement.
What Sauces To Avoid Serving With Flounder
Avoid heavy, overpowering sauces with flounder, such as thick tomato-based or spicy, robust concoctions that can mask the delicate flavor and texture of the fish.
- Spicy barbecue sauce
- Rich marinara or Bolognese sauce
- Thick, creamy cheese sauces like Alfredo
- Intensely spiced Indian curries
- Heavy gravy or meat sauces
Looking for the best fish sauce pairings? Then check out my definitive guide below:
Hello, I’m Jeremy, a sauce enthusiast and taste trailblazer! My endless pursuit of new flavors has led me on a journey to master sauce making at home, along with try out a range of exciting brands and sauce offerings. Now I share my recipes, tips and recommendations on WeWantTheSauce to help fellow foodies find the perfect sauces.