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Consommé

Le consommé est, en cuisine française, un bouillon de viande ou de volaille clarifié, généralement préparé à partir d’un fond ou d’un bouillon riche puis filtré pour obtenir un liquide clair.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Consommé is a clarified broth or soup in French cuisine, traditionally made from a rich stock and clarified to achieve a clear liquid. It can be served hot or cold. In French, the term also means 'accomplished' or 'perfect'.

Definition

Consommé is a clarified soup or broth, prepared from a rich, flavourful stock. Culinary and general dictionaries define it as a clarified meat or poultry broth.

Preparation

The classic method involves cooking a stock or broth with meat, vegetables, and aromatics, then clarifying it. Clarification traditionally uses egg whites to trap impurities, followed by filtration.

Culinary Uses

Consommé may be served as a soup course or used as a base for other dishes. Variants include those made with fish, game, or poultry.

Linguistic Usage

Outside cooking, 'consommé' is an adjective in French meaning 'accomplished', 'perfect', or 'highly experienced'. It is considered a distinct usage from the culinary noun.

Key facts

  • Consommé is a clarified broth or soup, obtained by clarifying a rich stock or broth.
  • Clarification is traditionally done with egg whites, then the liquid is filtered to remove impurities.
  • Common versions use beef, poultry, veal, or fish.
  • Consommé can be served alone, hot or cold, depending on culinary tradition.
  • In French, 'consommé' is also an adjective meaning 'perfect', 'accomplished', or 'highly skilled'.
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Canadian context

Le consommé figure dans la tradition culinaire francophone et dans la terminologie gastronomique francophone utilisée au Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What is a consommé?
It is a clear broth or soup, usually made from meat or poultry, that has been clarified to become clear.
How is a clear consommé obtained?
A rich broth is first prepared, then traditionally clarified with egg whites and filtered.
What ingredients are used?
Common versions use beef, poultry, veal, or fish, along with vegetables and aromatics.
Is consommé served hot?
It can be served hot or cold, depending on the recipe and culinary tradition.
What does 'consommé' mean as an adjective?
It means 'accomplished', 'perfect', or 'highly experienced' according to French dictionaries.

References

  1. Larousse — https://www.larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais/consomm%C3%A9/18431
    Supports: Définition du nom commun consommé comme bouillon de bœuf ou de volaille clarifié.
  2. CNRTL — https://www.cnrtl.fr/definition/consomm%C3%A9
    Supports: Définition culinaire du consommé comme bouillon de viande ou de poisson concentré après longue cuisson.
  3. Wiktionary — https://fr.wiktionary.org/wiki/consomm%C3%A9
    Supports: Sens culinaire, étymologie et attestation historique du terme.
  4. Larousse — https://www.larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais/consomm%C3%A9/18430
    Supports: Sens adjectival de consommé comme « accompli » ou « au haut degré de perfection ».
  5. Littré — https://www.littre.org/definition/consomm%C3%A9
    Supports: Sens adjectival et mention d’une soupe « bien consommée ».
  6. Journal des Femmes — https://cuisine.journaldesfemmes.fr/astuces-termes-et-tournemains/1958304-consomme-definition/
    Supports: Description culinaire de la clarification avec blancs d’œufs et filtration.