What does it mean to saute Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/soʊˈteɪ/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Verb

Definition

To quickly cook food in a small amount of oil or fat over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, often to preserve its texture and flavor.

Examples

• She sautéed the vegetables in butter to add flavor to the dish.
• The chef sautéed the mushrooms in garlic to create a savory sauce.

Synonyms

• Fry
• Sear

Antonyms

• Boil
• Steam

Additional Information

Sauteing is a popular cooking technique used in many cuisines to preserve the nutrients and flavors of ingredients. It requires quick and gentle heat to prevent burning or overcooking.

In professional kitchens, sautéing is often used to prepare ingredients for sauces, soups, or stir-fries. Many chefs prefer sautéing over other cooking methods because it allows for precise control over the heat and cooking time.

Etymology

The word “saute” originates from the French language, where it is spelled “sauter”, meaning “to jump” or “to leap”. This refers to the quick, energetic motion of cooking ingredients in a pan.

Usage Notes

Sauteing is often used interchangeably with “frying”, but the two techniques differ in terms of heat and oil usage. Sauteing typically uses less oil and lower heat than frying.

Cultural References

Sauteing is frequently featured in cooking shows, recipe books, and food blogs, often as a fundamental cooking technique.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• Sauteing the details (to carefully consider or examine)

Related Words or Phrases

• Searing
• Braising

Collocations

• Saute onions and garlic
• Saute in butter

Frequency of Use

Sauteing is a moderately common cooking technique, frequently used in everyday cooking and professional kitchens.

Common Misspellings

• Suate
• Sautee