monkeygland sauce: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowCulinary, Informal, Regional (South African)
Quick answer
What does “monkeygland sauce” mean?
A specific, piquant sauce of South African origin, typically served with grilled meats like steaks.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific, piquant sauce of South African origin, typically served with grilled meats like steaks.
A sauce made from a base of tomato sauce or chutney, fruit juices, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and spices, often with a sweet, tangy, and spicy flavor profile. It is a signature condiment of South African cuisine and is famously associated with the 'Monkey Gland Steak' dish.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is almost exclusively known in the UK/US through exposure to South African cuisine or travel. It is not a standard part of British or American culinary vocabulary. In the US, it might be encountered in context-specific restaurants or food blogs.
Connotations
Exotic, adventurous eating; a quirky, historical name with a potentially shocking or humorous element for the uninitiated.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general discourse in both varieties. More likely to be encountered in the UK due to historical and cultural ties with South Africa, but still highly niche.
Grammar
How to Use “monkeygland sauce” in a Sentence
[Verb] + monkeygland sauce: serve with, slather with, marinate in, make, order[Noun] + of monkeygland sauce: a dollop, a bottle, a recipeVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “monkeygland sauce” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The chef will monkeygland the steak before grilling it. (extremely rare, non-standard)
adjective
British English
- He ordered the monkeygland burger. (attributive use)
American English
- They tried the monkeygland wings as an appetizer. (attributive use)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Might appear in historical or anthropological texts about 20th-century medical fads influencing culture, or in culinary history.
Everyday
Used almost exclusively in the context of cooking, ordering food at a South African-themed restaurant, or discussing unusual food names.
Technical
A specific term in gastronomy and food history for a named sauce recipe.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “monkeygland sauce”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “monkeygland sauce”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “monkeygland sauce”
- Spelling as three separate words 'monkey gland sauce' (often accepted) or hyphenated 'monkey-gland sauce'. The one-word 'monkeygland' is less common.
- Assuming it is an ingredient in modern medicine or contains monkey parts.
- Using it as a generic term for any spicy sauce.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The name is historical and provocative, originating from a 1920s medical fad. The sauce is made from common ingredients like tomatoes, chutney, Worcestershire sauce, and spices.
It typically has a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy flavour profile, often described as a piquant, fruity barbecue or steak sauce.
It is most commonly found in South African restaurants, specialty food stores, or can be made at home using various recipes available online.
The name is now viewed as a quirky historical artefact. While some may find it odd or distasteful, it is not generally considered offensive in a culinary context, but its use reflects a specific historical moment.
A specific, piquant sauce of South African origin, typically served with grilled meats like steaks.
Monkeygland sauce is usually culinary, informal, regional (south african) in register.
Monkeygland sauce: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmʌŋki ɡlænd sɔːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmʌŋki ɡlænd sɑːs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated; the name itself is idiomatic]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a cheeky MONKEY with a GLAND (like a salivary gland) producing a secret, tasty SAUCE for its favorite grilled bananas (or steaks!). The shocking name makes it memorable.
Conceptual Metaphor
FOOD IS MEDICINE / A RECIPE IS AN EXPERIMENT (from its origin story involving surgical experiments and rejuvenation theories).
Practice
Quiz
Monkeygland sauce is primarily associated with which cuisine?