sauté

1 of 3

verb

sau·​té sȯ-ˈtā  sō- 

variants or less commonly saute

sautéed also sauteed; sautéing also sauteing

transitive verb

: to fry (food, such as small pieces of meat or vegetables) in a small amount of fat

Sauté the mushrooms in 3 tablespoons of the butter until they are golden.

—Nika Hazleton

sauté

2 of 3

noun

variants or less commonly saute

: a food that is fried in a small amount of fat : a sautéed dish

In this simple saute, high-quality ingredients make a difference …

—Elaine Johnson

Starters such as creamed corn risotto with shrimp sauté …

—Bruce Feiler

sauté adjective

sauté

3 of 3

adjective

variants or less commonly saute

1

: fried in a small amount of fat

roast beef with sauté potatoes

2

: used in sautéing

a sauté pan

improve your sauté technique

Examples of sauté in a Sentence

Verb

Sauté the onion and garlic.

peppers sautéed in olive oil

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Use it in salads by marinating in soy sauce, lime juice, and black pepper, cutting it into thin strips, and sauteing with a little coconut oil. — Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saute pan over medium heat until shimmering. — ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026

Noun

The 12-piece set includes two sauce pans, two skillets, a saute pan, a stockpot, and a steamer insert with lids. — Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2026

Return the noodles to a separate saute pan over low heat and add approximately 1/2 cup of the Lemon Teriyaki Sauce. — ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from past participle of sauter to jump, from Old French, from Latin saltare — more at saltation

First Known Use

Verb

1834, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1813, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1815, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

sauté

verb

sau·​té

sȯ-ˈtā, 

sō-

sautéed or sautéd; sautéing

: to fry in a small amount of fat