soubise: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal / Technical (culinary)
Quick answer
What does “soubise” mean?
A culinary sauce made from onions (often pureed), combined with a béchamel sauce or thickened with rice, typically served with meat, especially lamb or poultry.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A culinary sauce made from onions (often pureed), combined with a béchamel sauce or thickened with rice, typically served with meat, especially lamb or poultry.
Occasionally used to describe dishes (e.g., eggs, rice) prepared with or served in such a sauce. May also refer to a garnish of small, glazed onions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Slightly more likely to appear on high-end British restaurant menus due to historical French influence. In American culinary schools and upscale restaurants, it is equally recognized.
Connotations
Connotes classic French cuisine, sophistication, and culinary expertise in both regions.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general language in both varieties. Its frequency is marginally higher in professional cooking texts and high-end gastronomy.
Grammar
How to Use “soubise” in a Sentence
[Noun] + with + soubisesoubise + of + [type of onion]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “soubise” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The lamb cutlets were served soubise.
- He preferred the soubise-style potatoes.
American English
- The recipe called for soubise rice.
- Try the chicken, it's prepared soubise.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Only in specialized texts on culinary history or French culture.
Everyday
Extremely unlikely to be used or understood.
Technical
The primary context: professional cookery, gastronomy, menu descriptions, culinary textbooks.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “soubise”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “soubise”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “soubise”
- Misspelling as 'suboise', 'soubaise', or 'soubies'.
- Mispronouncing the final 's' as /z/ in British English (it is silent).
- Using it as a general term for any onion dish.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, onion is the defining and primary ingredient of a true soubise sauce.
It is highly unlikely to be understood in everyday conversation. It is a specialised culinary term.
It is named after Charles de Rohan, Prince of Soubise (1715-1787), a French aristocrat and military leader.
Traditional soubise sauce, based on béchamel (butter, flour, milk) and onions, is vegetarian (but not vegan). Some modern versions may use vegetable stock for thinning instead of milk.
A culinary sauce made from onions (often pureed), combined with a béchamel sauce or thickened with rice, typically served with meat, especially lamb or poultry.
Soubise is usually formal / technical (culinary) in register.
Soubise: in British English it is pronounced /suːˈbiːz/, and in American English it is pronounced /suˈbiz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SOUP of onions, but it's a BISE (kiss) of flavour' – a 'soup-bise' becomes 'soubise', a smooth, kissed-by-onions sauce.
Conceptual Metaphor
SAUCE IS A VEIL / SAUCE IS A COMPANION.
Practice
Quiz
In which context are you most likely to encounter the word 'soubise'?