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How to Thicken Gravy
Quick Overviews: Methods for Thickening Gravy
- Reduce and Simmer
- Add Cornstarch
- Add Pureed Vegetables
- Add Flour
- Arrowroot Powder
- Adding Gravy to a Roux
When it’s nice and chilly outside, all I can think of is warm comfort foods like roasts, mashed potatoes, and even Thanksgiving turkey. However, if you forget the gravy when you're meal planning, you're going to upset your family!
If you don't make gravy often, you may find yourself looking into the pot and wondering “why won’t the gravy thicken?”
Before we get into that, let me quickly tell you a little bit more about the classic gravy.
1. What Is Gravy?
Simply put, gravy is a rich sauce made from thickened juices that proteins from chicken or turkey that is released during the cooking process. It can also be made from scratch with chicken stock or vegetable stock and various seasonings.
Many chefs and home cooks prefer using pan drippings and other cooking liquids, such as chicken broth, milk, or even wine to thicken and flavor the gravy.
When it comes to seasoning the gravy, you can get very creative. Based on your taste, you can add different seasonings to enhance the flavor. Some common additions include salt, pepper, herbs, mustard, and balsamic vinegar.
2. Methods For Thickening Gravy
Reduce and Simmer
This is the easiest way to thicken your gravy. Simmer the gravy for a few minutes before adding any thickening agents. As the gravy continues to cook, the excess liquid will reduce. The only downside to this method is that it can leave your gravy tasting salty as the water-to-salt ratio decreases as the sauce reduces.
Add Cornstarch
This kitchen staple is very easy to find and will help thicken your gravy almost instantly. Make a "slurry" (liquid-based paste) by combining 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 cup of water, and whisking the mixture together until the cornstarch granules dissolve.
Add Pureed Vegetables
This is another great way to thicken gravy while adding an earthy flavor to the sauce. In a blender, puree one cup of liquid, chicken broth, or water with your chosen vegetables. You can also use leftover vegetables from the roasting pan to enhance the flavor.
Add Flour
This method is similar to cornstarch. Add a little water to the flour to make a liquid-like paste or slurry. However, when using flour as a gravy thickener, you must double the amount, so use 2 tablespoons of flour per 1 cup of liquid. Use a whisk or wooden spoon to mix, stirring constantly until you thicken the gravy to the desired consistency. Cornstarch or flour is always going to be the best ingredient to use for thickening up your gravy.
Arrowroot Powder
A great alternative to flour and cornstarch, this powder comes from the rhizomes of the Marantaceae family. It is a natural substitute for a gluten-free thickening agent. Make a slurry combining 2-3 tablespoons of your arrowroot powder with 2-3 tablespoons of water. Add to 1 cup of hot liquid with a whisk, stirring until incorporated and the gravy thickens.
Adding Gravy to a Roux
Pick a fat that complements your gravy. A roux is a thickened mixture made from fat and flour. Normally you should pick a fat like butter, leftover fat from the pan, or a suitable oil such as olive oil. The ratio is usually half fat, half flour.
- Melt butter or fat in a heavy saucepan. Keep the stove on medium heat and turn it down if you smell the butter burning.
- Add a similar amount of flour to the melted butter or fat. Mix well, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. This will avoid making lumpy gravy. When the mixture starts to froth a little, transfer it into the gravy.
- Stir the gravy into the mixture. Make sure the mixture is fully mixed into the gravy, otherwise you risk your gravy tasting a little strange. Keep stirring until gravy thickens.
3. Recipe: Classic Gravy
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4. Top Cookware Picks For You
1. 10” Frying Pan & Skillet | Oberon Series
With Eterna non-stick coating and impeccable conductivity, this skillet makes sure that anything you put inside it heats up quickly and cooks evenly. This skillet also does a great job at simmering gravy.
Pros:
- The non-reactive stainless steel used to make this skillet excels at browning and braising foods, making it very versatile.
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Cons:
- If you are looking to cook something like gravy for a large number of people, then you can go for a tall pot instead of a shallow pan.
- Some chefs would want 2 side handles to make sure the pan is safe to pick and move around after being used.
2. 10” Frying Pan & Skillet | Avalon Series
This piece of cookware is the epitome of stunning design with high performance.
Pros:
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Cons:
- This skillet can be a little pricey for someone who is new to the kitchen or does not cook as often.
- The pan comes with an all-metal lid which might not be the preference of cooks who like to keep an eye on the food being cooked inside.
3. 3 Quart Stock Pot | Oberon Series
Unlike other aluminum cookware, this stock pot uses clad technology, which gives you nonreactive stainless steel. This helps the stock pot excel at handling both delicate and difficult cooking tasks.
Pros:
- The brushed finish induction bottom provides an enhanced grip that is required for smooth top electric ranges, induction cooktops, and gas stoves.
- The stock pot comes with a transparent glass lid so the user can keep an eye on the food cooking inside the pot.
- The pot comes with a perfectly angled handle to accommodate a professional chef's underhand grip and give them a secure hold while cooking.
Cons:
- The all-steel handle can get hot when cooking making it slightly inconvenient.
- If you are cooking for a big family, you might want to go for a taller stockpot that will help you cook large quantities of food evenly.
4. 12 Quart Stock Pot | Oberon Series
This stunning 3-ply aluminum-cladding cookware boasts impeccable conductivity to quickly heat up and evenly cook anything you place inside it.
Pros:
- This pot is perfect for when you have to cook large amounts of liquid-based foods like soups, stews, gravy, and much more.
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- This stock pot is oven and broiler safe up to 500 degrees F. It is also freezer, dishwasher, and refrigerator safe.
Cons:
- The all-metal handles of this pot can get very hot when being used for cooking, making it difficult to lift the pot without a napkin or mitts.
- The minimalistic look of the pot makes it look good in any kitchen, however, if you have a slightly bold sense of style when it comes to cookware, you can check out the other pieces of cookware.
5. 12 Piece Cookware Set | Oberon Series
Get a hold of this 12-piece cookware set that will take care of all your cooking needs, making sure you cook up magic in the kitchen every time.
Pros:
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- All the pieces that come with this set are dishwasher safe and clean easy, making them very easy to maintain.
Cons:
- If you have a compact kitchen. Storing these pieces of cookware can be a little challenging.
- If you don’t cook as often, you can invest in any one or 2 versatile cookware pieces that will help you perform cooking tasks with ease and accuracy.
5. Frequently Asked Questions About Thickening Gravy
Is it best to thicken gravy with flour or cornstarch?
Cornstarch will thicken over a few minutes and if you add too much, you will end up with a gel-like gravy. On the other hand, flour makes that thick, opaque gravy that you are used to seeing, but it clumps easily. Thickening gravy with cornstarch is normally the second choice to flour.
How can I thicken gravy without flour?
Cornstarch and arrowroot are gluten-free alternatives to flour. They also keep the sauce clear and cloud-free.
How do you stop watery gravy?
You can thicken the gravy by adding tapioca scratch, potato starch, flour, or cornstarch. Any of the above thickening agents can be used if it's available in your kitchen.
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Written by Himani Vaid
Toronto-based food nerd turned food storyteller, Himani is a connoisseur of all things delish. Currently, busy thinking about what to eat next.
