The Maillard Reaction: What It Is and How to Achieve It

One of the best things about ordering steak, lamb, or pork chops at a restaurant is the perfectly browned sear that these meats come with. This crust, known as the Maillard reaction, can just as easily be achieved at home, while still maintaining a juicy, tender interior—all you need is a little science to master it fully.

We’ll break down how this reaction works and how to achieve it in your kitchen, so you can get perfectly seared poultry, steak, potatoes, or vegetables every time.

What Is the Maillard Reaction?

Simply put, the Maillard reaction is a chemical interaction between amino acids and reducing sugars that requires the addition of heat. The Maillard reaction starts to occur above 285F, which is why most meats call for cooking temperatures of medium to high. This causes a browned crust on your food, similar to the process of caramelization.

Though they sound similar and have similar outcomes, caramelization is simply the oxidation of certain sugars and does not involve amino acids. The Maillard reaction changes not only the color of your food, but also adds flavor. Especially when cooking meat, foods that don’t achieve a Maillard reaction will be less flavorful.

How to Achieve the Maillard Reaction

Though it may sound like you need test tubes and a lab coat to achieve a Maillard reaction at home, you really need just three things to make this reaction work properly in your home kitchen.

Draw Out Moisture

To get a great sear on your protein, you’ll want it to be as dry as possible. After rinsing, pat your ingredients down thoroughly with a paper or dish towel and let them dry completely before cooking.

If you’re cooking steaks or other large cuts of meat, we recommend salting and letting them air dry in the fridge for a few hours or a day prior to cooking. Not only does this ensure well-seasoned meat, the salt helps thoroughly dry out moisture for an ideal sear.

Heat Properly

The perfect sear begins with heating your pan properly. Slowly heat a  Carbon Steel or Stainless Clad Frying Pan with a neutral, high-smoke point oil (like canola or grapeseed) until it’s very hot before adding your protein. If you’re using a Stainless Clad Pan, let your pan heat thoroughly before adding your oil. Usually about two minutes, or when the surface begins to shimmer, is enough time for your oil to heat up.

A well-constructed pan will conduct heat evenly across its surface,  allowing the amino acids and sugars to react. This produces the complex, savory flavors you’re looking for  with a crusty sear.

Adequate Time

Maillard reactions can occur over short and long periods of time. You can slowly simmer a stock in a Dutch Oven and achieve a Maillard reaction over a few hours, or you can use a Stainless Clad or Carbon Steel Frying Pan to achieve this reaction on your proteins in under half an hour. Remember that patience is a virtue when it comes to the Maillard reaction—if you add your meat to your pan too early, you won’t get that signature crust.

Once you have the big three of the Maillard reaction on your side, you can let science (and your cookware) take over. If you’re using a Stainless Clad Pan, your food will release from the surface when it’s developed a crust, which makes achieving a sear even easier. You also don’t need a cut of meat to achieve a Maillard reaction—you can get this with large vegetables, like a head of cauliflower; or with smaller ingredients like potatoes.

Now that you know how to achieve the scientifically-proven perfect sear every time, you can confidently cook your proteins knowing you’ll get a crisp, crunchy outside and a juicy, tender interior. All you need is the right pan, the right ingredients, and a bit of patience.