When On Earth You're Supposed To Use Worcestershire Sauce

You've definitely heard of it, but do you really know when to use it?

There are some essential ingredients -- like cinnamon or vanilla -- that we use all the time and probably can't imagine living without. We may not know a whole lot about them or where they come from (if you're wondering, we've got you covered), but we know when and how to use them. Then there are the ingredients we've all heard of but have no idea when to use, like Worcestershire sauce.

Everyone probably recognizes the name, but not everyone knows what Worcestershire Sauce really is. And many people certainly don't know when the hell to use it. We at HuffPost Taste have taken it upon ourselves to shed light on this common ingredient that is somehow mysterious, even though it's well known.

Worcestershire sauce is a fermented liquid condiment made with anchovy, vinegar, onions, molasses, high-fructose corn syrup, salt, garlic, tamarind, cloves, chili powder extract, "natural flavoring" and water. According to Wired, the natural flavoring is allegedly a mix of a spice called safetida (known as devil’s dung), which smells like rotting garlic when raw but tastes oniony when cooked.

Worcestershire sauce's intense umami taste makes it great for meat marinades, and it's also commonly used in bloody Marys and Caesar salads. It packs a seriously savory punch. Here are 17 times you are supposed to use Worcestershire sauce.

1
Simple Cocktail Sauce
thirschfeld from Food52
Get the Simple Cocktail Sauce by thirschfeld from Food52
2
Roasted Prime Rib with Sauteed Mushrooms and Mom's Creamy Horseradish Sauce
Waverly from Food52
3
Classic Meatloaf
Simply Recipes
Get the Classic Meatloaf recipe from Simply Recipes
4
Bourbon BBQ Sauce
Simply Recipes
Get the Bourbon BBQ Sauce recipe from Simply Recipes
5
A Bloody Mary
Cookin' Canuck
Get the The Caesar Cocktail, aka the Canadian Bloody Mary recipe from Cookin' Canuck
6
Grilled Romaine Salad with IPA Caesar Dressing
The Beeroness
Get the Grilled Romaine Salad with IPA Caesar Dressing recipe by the Beeroness
7
Sloppy Joes
Simply Recipes
Get the Sloppy Joes recipe from Simply Recipes
8
Patty Melt
1227 from Food52
Get the Patty Melt recipe by cheese 1227 from Food52
9
Black Pepper Steak
Steamy Kitchen
Get the Black Pepper Steak recipe from Steamy Kitchen
10
Spicy Crab Cakes with Horseradish Mayo
Simply Recipes
Get the Spicy Crab Cakes with Horseradish Mayo recipe from Simply Recipes
11
Grilled Beef and Mushroom Burger
SImply Recipes
Get the Grilled Beef and Mushroom Burger from Simply Recipes
12
Glazed Baked Ham
SImply Recipes
Get the Glazed Baked Ham recipe from Simply Recipes
13
Michelada (aka Bloody Beer)
TheFlyingFoodie from Food52
Get the Michelada (aka Bloody Beer) recipe by TheFlyingFoodie from Food52
14
Dead Easy Steak Marinade
Alexandra Cooks
Get the Dead Easy Steak Marinade recipe from Alexandra Cooks
15
Smoked Pulled Pork
Pass The Sushi
Get the Smoked Pulled Pork recipe from Pass The Sushi
16
Steak Mushroom and Guinness Pie
Get the Steak Mushroom and Guinness Pie recipe from Manger
17
Beef Vegetable Soup Bourguignon
Waverly from Food52
Get the Beef Vegetable Soup Bourguignon by Waverly from Food52

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