What is Deglazing & How to Deglaze a Pan

Put the flavor into your food and not your kitchen drain.

Deglazing is one of the easiest processes in the kitchen yet yields so much flavour. To deglaze a pan that has had meat or vegetables cooked in it simply means to add a liquid to it while it is hot in an effort to remove any of the flavors that have attached themselves to the pan in the cooking process.

You can deglaze a fry pan after cooking steak in it, you can deglaze a roasting tray after having cooked a roast in it, the list is endless.

The liquid left in the pan after deglazing can simply be poured over the finished food or can be added to a sauce or turned into gravy.

How to Deglaze a Pan:

1. Whether it is a roasting tray or a fry pan, remove the meat or vegetables from it.
2. Pour or sponge off any oil or fat that may have settled in the bottom of the pan or tray, (be careful not to discard the dark pan juices with the fat).
3. Replace the tray or pan to a high heat on the stove top.
4. Once it is hot, add the liquid (be careful of the steam).
5. Stir the liquid around with a wooden spoon in an effort to loosen anything still stuck to the pan.
6. If making gravy, you can do it right there in the roasting tray or pan.
7. Alternatively the flavoursome liquid in the pan or tray can simply be poured over the food before serving.

Related: How to Pit Cherries Using Cherry Pitter
Related: How to Roast Peppers
Related: Why and How to Truss a Chicken

Paul Hegeman

Paul is a personal Chef to exclusive Sydney clients and is also our most frequently contributing writer. Paul was born in The Netherlands and moved to Canada at a very young age. Experience with traditional European meals at home and the diverse multicultural influence of foods in Canada gave Paul a great appreciation for different culinary styles. Over the years Paul traveled extensively and worked at every level of professional kitchens, from the deep fryer in the local burger joint, to the Head Chef in Five Star Hotels. He now resides full time in Sydney, Australia with his wife and their children. You will find his recipes emphasize natural, uncomplicated flavours and fresh ingredients such as those found in Mediterranean and South East Asian cuisines.