Lancaster Creamy Cooking Sauce

Traditional Cream or Vegan Oat Cream • Recipe Inspirations

A Lancaster Legacy, Reimagined

Our Lancaster Creamy Cooking Sauce celebrates a much-loved local recipe associated with Lancaster’s kebab and restaurant scene from the 1970s onwards.

Rooted in the region’s long tradition of cream-based cooking sauces, it became known locally for its rich, comforting flavour and its versatility at the table. Carefully adapted for today’s kitchens, it honours the character of a sauce that many Lancastrians remember fondly.

Honouring Tradition, Embracing Modern Sensibilities

While we've stayed true to the authentic taste that made this recipe famous, we've thoughtfully modernised it to reflect today's healthier approach to cooking. Our version contains significantly reduced salt and sugar compared to the original 1970s recipe, yet we've carefully preserved every bit of the incredible flavour that made it a Lancashire favourite.

The result is a versatile, highly concentrated cooking sauce that brings the nostalgia of traditional Lancaster cooking into the 21st century—perfect for those who remember the original and exciting for those discovering these classic flavours for the first time.

Understanding Your Sauce

A Little Goes a Long Way!

Lancaster Creamy Cooking Sauce is concentrated, meaning you need far less than traditional cream-based sauces. This concentrated formula ensures:

  • Maximum flavour with minimal quantity
  • Better value - one 250g tub serves many meals
  • Precise control over your dish's creaminess
  • Less waste and easier storage

General Guideline: Start with 1 teaspoon per person and adjust to taste. Most single-serve dishes require only 1-2 teaspoons.

How to Use & Customise

Lancaster Creamy Cooking Sauce is naturally rich and concentrated. For a lighter coating or classic kebab-shop texture, you can blend it to taste using one of the options below.

🥛 Mix With Yogurt (Most Common – Classic Kebab Style)

Best for: Doner kebabs, chicken skewers, wraps

Method:

  • Mix 1 part sauce : 1 part natural yogurt 
    Tip: Greek or strained yogurt gives the best cling
  • Stir or whisk until smooth
  • Coat kebabs by brushing or turning once

Benefits:

  • ✔ Creamy, traditional finish
  • ✔ Softens the heat while keeping the full flavour

🫒 Blend With Oil (Bold, Glossy Finish)

Best for: Grilling, roasting, lamb or beef kebabs

Method:

  • Mix 1 part sauce : 1 part neutral oil (rapeseed, sunflower, or light olive oil)
  • Brush onto kebabs or vegetables before cooking

Benefits:

  • ✔ Excellent heat transfer
  • ✔ Shiny, even coating
  • ✔ Intensifies spice and aromatics

🧄 Combine With Yogurt + Oil (Chef's Favourite)

Best for: BBQs, mixed grills, batch prep

Mix:

  • 50% sauce
  • 25% natural yogurt
  • 25% oil

Benefits:

  • ✔ Balanced creaminess + cling
  • ✔ Ideal for marinating trays of kebabs
  • ✔ Closest to butcher-shop coating consistency

🍋 Option 4: With Citrus or Vinegar (Light & Bright)

Best for: Chicken, vegetables, summer grilling

Method:

  • Add 3-5ml fresh lemon juice or cider vinegar per 20ml of finished sauce

Benefits:

  • ✔ Loosens texture
  • ✔ Sharpens flavour
  • ✔ Great for lighter dishes

🧈 Mix 1:1 With Butter (Rich Finishing Sauce)

Best for: Grilled meats, seafood, vegetables, potatoes, bread and more

Method:

  • Melt equal parts butter and Lancaster Cooking Sauce.
  • Whisk until smooth and fully combined.
  • Brush, spoon or toss with hot food immediately before serving or during the final minutes of cooking.
Tip: Unsalted butter provides the cleanest flavour, but salted butter works well if preferred.

Suggested Uses:

  • 🍗 Brush over grilled or roasted chicken, wings or turkey during the final minutes of cooking.
  • 🥩 Spoon over steaks, burgers, pork chops or lamb while resting.
  • 🍤 Serve warm with prawns, lobster, crab or grilled fish as a dipping or finishing butter.
  • 🥔 Toss with roast potatoes, chips, wedges or boiled new potatoes for a buttery sweet-heat coating.
  • 🌽 Coat corn on the cob or drizzle over roasted vegetables such as carrots, asparagus or broccoli.
  • 🍞 Spread onto burger buns, baguettes or garlic bread before toasting until golden.
  • 🍄 Stir through sautéed mushrooms or caramelised onions for burgers and steaks.
  • 🍝 Fold through freshly cooked pasta or gnocchi for a quick buttery sauce.

Benefits:

  • ✔ Creates a silky, glossy finish with excellent cling.
  • ✔ Balances the spice with rich buttery flavour.
  • ✔ Adds depth and moisture without masking the signature Lancaster Cooking Sauce taste.
  • ✔ Ready in under a minute with just two ingredients.

💡 Simple Storage & Handling Tips

  • Best stored frozen for maximum shelf life in the original container.
  • For best results, allow to stand at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before mixing or using
  • 100ml of prepared sauce = approximately 6-7 tablespoons = enough for 4-6 kebabs

⏱ Marinating Guide

  • Quick coat: 30 minutes minimum
  • Best results: 2–4 hours refrigerated
  • Maximum: Overnight (up to 24 hours)
  • Safety note: Always marinate in the refrigerator. Cook thoroughly until piping hot throughout (minimum 75 °C at the centre)

Recipe Ideas

Classic Tuna Pasta

Simple, quick, and delicious - perfect for a weeknight meal

Ingredients (per person):

  • 80-100g dry pasta (penne, fusilli, or shells)
  • 150g tinned tuna, drained
  • 5-10g (~1-2 teaspoons) Lancaster Creamy Cooking Sauce
  • Handful of frozen peas (optional)
  • Black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley or basil for garnish

Method:

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions, adding peas for the final 2 minutes if using
  2. Drain pasta, reserving 2-3 tablespoons of cooking water
  3. Return pasta to the warm pan
  4. Add the tuna and 1 teaspoon of Lancaster Creamy Cooking Sauce
  5. Stir gently, adding a splash of pasta water to evenly coat the pasta
  6. Season with black pepper and garnish with fresh herbs
  7. Serve immediately

Scaling Tip: For 4 servings, use 4 teaspoons (approximately 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon). The concentrated formula means you'll still have plenty left in your 250g tub!

Creamy Chicken & Mushroom

A timeless Lancashire favourite, updated for today

Ingredients (serves 4):

  • 4 chicken breast fillets, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 250g button mushrooms, sliced
  • 20-40g (~4-8 teaspoons) Lancaster Creamy Cooking Sauce (start with 4)
  • 1 onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 100ml chicken stock or water
  • Fresh thyme or parsley for garnish
  • Black pepper to taste

Method:

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat
  2. Add chicken pieces and cook until golden brown, about 5-6 minutes
  3. Add onion and garlic, cook until softened
  4. Add mushrooms and cook for 3-4 minutes until they release their moisture
  5. Add the stock or water and bring to a simmer
  6. Reduce heat and stir in 4 teaspoons of Lancaster Creamy Cooking Sauce
  7. Simmer gently for 8-10 minutes until chicken is cooked through and sauce is creamy
  8. Taste and add the additional 1-2 teaspoons if desired for extra richness
  9. Season with black pepper and garnish with fresh herbs
  10. Serve over rice, pasta, or with crusty bread

Traditional Tip: In the 1970s, this dish was often served with buttered new potatoes, carrots/parsnips and garden peas—still a wonderful combination today!

Creamy Vegetable Pasta Bake

Wholesome comfort food with a modern twist

Ingredients (serves 4):

  • 400g dried pasta (penne or fusilli work well)
  • 20-40g (~4-8 teaspoons) Lancaster Creamy Cooking Sauce (to taste)
  • 1 courgette, diced
  • 1 red pepper, diced
  • 150g broccoli florets
  • 150ml milk or vegetable stock
  • 100g crumbled Lancashire cheese (or grated Cheddar)
  • 50g breadcrumbs
  • Fresh basil or parsley

Method:

  1. Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan)
  2. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente, drain
  3. Meanwhile, lightly steam or sauté the vegetables until just tender
  4. In a large bowl, mix together the milk/stock and 4-6 teaspoons of Lancaster Creamy Cooking Sauce
  5. Add pasta and vegetables, stir well to coat
  6. Transfer to a greased baking dish
  7. Top with crumbled cheese and breadcrumbs
  8. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and bubbling
  9. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve

Pan-Fried Fish with Spiced Dill Sauce

Elegant simplicity, Lancashire style

Ingredients (serves 4):

  • 4 white fish fillets (cod, haddock, or plaice)
  • 20-40g (~4-8 teaspoons) Lancaster Creamy Cooking Sauce - to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried)
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • 100ml fish stock or water
  • 25g butter
  • Plain flour for dusting
  • Black pepper to taste

Method:

  1. Lightly dust fish fillets with flour and season with black pepper
  2. Heat butter in a large frying pan over medium heat
  3. Pan-fry fish for 3-4 minutes each side until golden and cooked through
  4. Remove fish and keep warm
  5. In the same pan, add the stock or water and bring to a gentle simmer
  6. Stir in 4-5 teaspoons of Lancaster Creamy Cooking Sauce, dill, and lemon juice
  7. Heat through, stirring gently for 2-3 minutes until creamy
  8. Pour sauce over fish and serve immediately
  9. Perfect with steamed green beans and new potatoes

Local Heritage: This style of creamy fish dish was particularly popular in Lancaster during the 1970s, often made for special Sunday dinners.

Quick Jacket Potato Topper

Transform a simple baked potato into something special

Ingredients (per person):

  • 1 large baking potato
  • 1-2 teaspoons Lancaster Creamy Cooking Sauce
  • Topping of choice: tuna, chicken, cheese, sweetcorn, or mixed beans
  • Fresh chives or spring onions for garnish
  • Black pepper to taste

Method:

  1. Bake potato until tender (microwave or oven)
  2. Split open and fluff the inside with a fork
  3. Mix your chosen topping with 1-2 teaspoons of Lancaster Creamy Cooking Sauce
  4. Spoon the creamy mixture over the potato
  5. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve

Quick Lunch Idea: This concentrated sauce means you can create a restaurant-quality jacket potato in minutes!

Cooking Tips

Experience Lancaster Heritage

Made in Lancaster, UK • Traditional Cream • 250g Tub

Bringing the flavours of 1970s Lancashire into your modern kitchen

Concentrated formula - a little creates a lot!