Mint sauce with roast chicken: delicious flavour combination or unforgivable faux pas? (2024)

Name: Mint sauce.

Age: Introduced to Britain by the Romans, so pretty old.

Appearance: Green, viscous.

How do you make it? You don’t, you just buy it.

But if there were some kind of apocalypse, and you had to concoct it from scratch? It’s not hard – it’s just finely chopped mint leaves mixed with vinegar and a bit of sugar.

Thanks. I can’t have roast lamb without mint sauce! Yeah, lamb, chicken, beef or whatever.

No, not whatever. Just lamb. While it’s true that mint sauce is a traditional accompaniment to lamb, and has been for hundreds of years, lots of people also put it on chicken.

Name one. Killing Eve star Jodie Comer. She posted a picture of herself on Instagram holding up a plate of roast chicken covered in mint sauce.

As much as I enjoyed her whimsical portrayal of a ruthless, psychopathic assassin, Comer is wrong about this. Unfortunately, the facts don’t care about your feelings. Mint sauce “is often served as a condiment for roast lamb, or any other roast meats, or, in some areas, mushy peas”, according to Wikipedia.

Mushy peas? Who is to blame for this torrent of disinformation? Russia? Nottinghamshire, allegedly.

I’d like to see your source on that. My mint source, you mean?

Am I the only person taking this seriously? Rachel Burden agrees with you, at least. “There are just some rules that should never be diverted from,” she said on her 5 live breakfast show.

Quite right, Rachel. The programme was then inundated by texts from people who put mint sauce on almost everything, obliging Burden to express a willingness to think again.

I’m beginning to feel quite faint. Mint sauce misuse is not the only common roast dinner faux pas. A survey conducted before Christmas found that 10% of Britons put ketchup on their roast dinner.

Oh, my days. Twelve per cent prefer mayonnaise, and more than half enjoy stuffing alongside meats that cannot normally be stuffed.

I’ll tell you what: this is not the Brexit I voted for. Surely this country’s future progress lies in allowing everybody the freedom to enjoy their preferred condiment on the foodstuffs of their choice.

If the permanent stagnation of progress is the price to be paid for doing things properly, it’s worth it. How do you feel about baked beans on yorkshire puddings?

I’m this close to challenging you to a duel. Let’s just agree to dine separately.

Do say: “Pass the sriracha please, Nan.”

Don’t say: “I’ve got some mint ice-cream – does that work for you?”

Mint sauce with roast chicken: delicious flavour combination or unforgivable faux pas? (2024)

FAQs

What is mint sauce made of? ›

Mint sauce is a green sauce popular in the United Kingdom, made from finely chopped spearmint leaves soaked in vinegar, and a small amount of sugar.

What meats go with mint sauce? ›

Mint sauce “is often served as a condiment for roast lamb, or any other roast meats, or, in some areas, mushy peas”, according to Wikipedia.

What do I eat mint sauce with? ›

A thin savoury sauce made from chopped mint, vinegar and sugar, traditionally served in England as an accompaniment to roast lamb.

What's the difference between mint sauce and mint jelly? ›

Is mint jelly the same as mint sauce? Both pair well with lamb, but mint jelly is a sweet jellied condiment. Mint sauce is thinner and more acidic, similar to pesto.

Is mint sauce high in sugar? ›

Store bought mint sauce can contain a teaspoon of sugar per serving! If you would like a safer version, this sugar free mint sauce is quick and easy to make, especially if you have any mint taking over your garden!

Which is the best mint for mint sauce? ›

Any of the Spearmints are best for this use, although which one is a matter of personal choice.

Do you add vinegar to mint sauce? ›

Method
  1. Strip off the mint leaves, sprinkle with salt and chop finely.
  2. Place into a jug, add the sugar and pour over the boiling water, stir and leave to cool.
  3. Stir in the vinegar and taste.
  4. Add more water or vinegar and adjust seasoning to suit your taste.

How long does mint sauce last in the fridge? ›

How long will it last in the fridge? I usually cover mine and keep in the fridge for 2-3 days, but it can keep for 2-3 months so long as the leaves are covered in the liquid and the sauce is stored in a sterilised, sealed jar in the fridge.

What is best pair with mint? ›

Mint Sweet, tangy asparagus, beans, baby carrots, cucumbers, eggplant, peas, potatoes, tomatoes, yogurt combines well with basil, clove, cumin, dill, ginger, oregano, parsley, thyme Bunches of fresh mint will keep for 2 days in a glass of water in the kitchen.

Can you use mint sauce straight from the jar? ›

Try mixing it into gravies to add extra depth of flavour. Use straight from the jar or dilute to your taste by adding water or vinegar.

What is mint sauce slang for? ›

mint sauce (usually uncountable, plural mint sauces) A sauce, made with mint and vinegar, that is a popular accompaniment to roast lamb. (UK, slang, archaic) Money.

Does Aldi sell mint sauce? ›

Bramwells Mint Sauce 180g | ALDI.

What is the best mint Flavour? ›

Mentha spicata: Spearmint is the quintessential mint and can be found growing around the world. The leaf flavour is warm and sweet with light menthol notes. Great with potatoes and mint sauces.

What is the English brand of mint sauce? ›

An essential condiment for lamb dishes, Colmans Classic Mint Sauce is made with British grown mint leaves that have been finely chopped and soaked in vinegar. An essential condiment for lamb dishes, Colmans Classic Mint Sauce is made with British grown mint leaves that have been finely chopped and soaked in vinegar.

Do Americans have mint sauce? ›

Some European settlers who were familiar with mutton and mint sauce brought the recipe to North America, along with the domesticated sheep and the spearmint necessary to make it. And as the sheep industry grew, the custom of eating it with mint sauce established itself in American culture.

What is mint flavor made of? ›

Natural mint flavor is a flavor made from the leaves of mint. It imparts a refreshing mint flavor to pharmaceutical products. Pure peppermint and spearmint essential oils may be used in the production of natural mint flavor.

Why do we have mint sauce with lamb? ›

Another theory is that Queen Elizabeth I decreed that lamb could only be served with bitter herbs (like mint) to curb people from eating it too much in an effort to help the wool industry. Once sugar became more popular, mint sauce was less bitter, making it a perfect partner for lamb.

What is mint filling made of? ›

Peppermint patty filling is basically a thick peppermint icing, made by combining powdered sugar, butter, vanilla, salt, and peppermint extract.

Why is mint sauce not vegan? ›

Mint sauce consists of mint (surprise, surprise), specifically spearmint, which is soaked in vinegar and a little bit of sugar. As a result, it is generally vegan, as it's made from plant-based products.

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