Problembeginnerdraft

Sauce is too thin

Also searched as: watery sauce, sauce won't thicken, too runny

In short: It lacks body: too little starch, not reduced enough, or an that never properly formed.

Picture it

Like a net with meshes that are too large: the liquid simply runs through.

What happened in your kitchen?

Question 1

Did you thicken it with starch or flour?

Not reduced enough
There is still too much water in it.
Next time: Keep reducing uncovered in a wide pan · Salt only afterwards
Starch not boiled
Cornflour only thickens properly once it boils briefly.
Next time: Bring it to the boil once
Boiled or stirred too long
A starch-thickened sauce thins out again with long boiling and vigorous stirring.
Next time: Add a little freshly mixed starch · Then boil only briefly

Sources · 2