What is the secret to good gravy? (2023)

How do you make gravy more tasty?

Cornstarch Versus Flour for Gravy

Cornstarch does have more thickening power than wheat flour (because it's pure starch, while flour has some protein in it). So usually you need a little less cornstarch than flour for the equivalent thickening power.

Answer: Most sauces and gravies are thickened with some kind of starch. The most common are flour and cornstarch, though potato starch, arrowroot and tapioca flour also work well.

It's bland.

The solution: The first thing you should try is adding a little more salt, as salt helps bring out the inherent flavors of the gravy that you didn't taste before. If that doesn't work, add umami (savory)-heavy condiments like soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce.

Water, broth, or milk: Any of the three will work here. I actually like gravy made with water best, but experiment and see what works for you. Broth will give you a really flavor-packed gravy and gravy made with milk will be richer (but a little sweet for my taste).

You will need about 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to thicken about 1 1/2 to 2 cups of gravy. Don't add powdered cornstarch directly to a hot liquid; it will clump. The gravy also needs to be whisked briskly to ensure a smooth texture, and must be heated long enough to cook off its starchy flavor.

How much cornstarch is needed to thicken gravy? The ratio is an easy one to remember: Use 1 tablespoon of cornstarch per 1 cup of liquid for a perfect gluten-free gravy thickener every time.

To use flour as a thickening agent: Use two tablespoons flour mixed with ¼ cup cold water for each cup of medium-thick sauce. Thoroughly mix in the water to prevent lumps. After stirring the combined flour and water into the sauce, cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly.

If your gravy is tasting a little less than stellar, all you have to do is stir in some cooked, chopped bacon, caramelized onions and/or some Dijon or spicy/whole grain mustard for a major flavor upgrade.

Is broth or stock better for gravy?

Should I use stock or broth for gravy? If you're making a chicken dish, use broth for your gravy. However, if you're making beef or turkey dishes, use stock. At the end of the day, you can use both for gravy, but it depends on the dish you are making.

Mix one tablespoon of cornstarch with one cup of cold water, whisking the mixture together until the cornstarch granules dissolve. Stir this mixture into your gravy on low heat. You can use arrowroot powder, tapioca flour, or potato starch as a thickener if you don't have cornstarch.

The gravy is too thin

Simmer the gravy until it reduces and thickens, which might take an hour or more. If that doesn't work (or you don't have time), thicken the gravy with a cornstarch slurry, which you make by whisking 1 tablespoon of cornstarch into 1 tablespoon of cold water in a small bowl until smooth.

Cornstarch or arrowroot

Cornstarch and arrowroot are gluten-free alternatives to thickening with flour. They'll also keep your sauce clear and cloud-free. You'll need about 1 tablespoon for every cup of liquid in the recipe.

Some cooks add butter to thicken or add body, while others may even whisk in a little beurre blanc (a classic French sauce made with wine, vinegar, shallots, and butter), but all this butter tends to make gravy very rich, so if you choose to add butter, use a light hand.

Egg Yolks. Egg yolks can be a magical thickener. Whisk some of the thin sauce into an egg yolk in a separate bowl, then whisk the egg yolk mixture back into the sauce over low heat to let it do its thing.

If the gravy tastes floury when you're almost finished, turn up the heat to maintain a rapid simmer for several minutes; then thin it again with more stock or water if necessary. A fat separator should eliminate this problem.

You need the water to be hot so the gravy granules dissolve. Also, to ensure the gravy is thick, the water should be boiling.

(The classic ratio for gravy is three-two-one: 3 tablespoons flour, 2 tablespoons fat, and 1 cup of hot stock.)

Brown Gravy Mix: Recipe Size: 1 cup; Brown Gravy Mix: 3 tbsp; Hot Water: 1 cup.

How do you keep cornstarch from clumping in gravy?

When adding the slurry to the hot broth, make sure you drizzle it in a steady stream, whisking as you go. If your slurry has no lumps, your gravy should have no lumps. Cook over medium heat or lower. Too-high heat can cause cornstarch to clump.

Cornstarch needs heat (in the ballpark of 203°F) in order for “starch gelatinization”—that is, the scientific process in which starch granules swell and absorb water—to occur. In other words, if you don't heat your cornstarch to a high enough temperature, your mixture will never thicken.

If you have made gravy already and it just isn't thick enough, use cornstarch to thicken it! Estimate how much gravy you have (2 Cups is a usual amount). Pour the cornstarch slurry, little bit by little bit, into the simmering gravy and whisk well.

To thicken hot liquids, first mix cornstarch with a little cold water until smooth. Gradually stir into hot liquid until blended. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil and boil one minutes.

If you're cooking hot liquids like sauces, stock or broth, 1 tablespoon of corn starch per cup of liquid will give you a thin to medium consistency that's appropriate for soups or very thin sauces. 2 tablespoons per cup will give you a thicker, more gravy-like consistency.

This is why when recipes call for using a mixture of water and cornstarch to thicken a sauce, they will tell you to mix the combination thoroughly just before adding it to what you're cooking, as mixing produces a uniform suspension of the starch in the liquid.

Problem: Your Gravy Is Too Thick

Solution: If your gravy is too thick, that just means it contains a bit too much flour. Thin it with additional stock; you could use water instead, but then you'd be watering down the flavor.

Using dairy is an effective way to thicken and bind, without much hassle.

Adding too much stock. Adding too much stock to the roux will put you on the fast track to a thin and runny gravy. Follow this tip: To avoid a gravy that's too thin, start by whisking in just 1/2 to 1 cup of stock, depending on how much gravy you're making. Remember that it's easy to add more liquid as you need it.

What can I add to gravy to make it thicker?

Similar to flour, cornstarch is another ingredient that can be used to make gravy thicker. With cornstarch, making a slurry is also an option, but with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch whisked into cold water. Again, you'll want to add the slurry in increments so you don't over-thicken the gravy.

If a darker color is desired, add 2-3 drops of Kitchen Bouquet browning and seasoning sauce. Combine the cold water and corn starch in a small Tupperware with a lid. Shake to combine. Bring gravy to a boil.

Chicken is the base flavour, beef gives it oomph and gives it a nice deep brown colour rather than an unappetising pale brown. Using both also makes this gravy suitable to use for any protein – white meats (chicken, pork), red meats (beef, lamb, game), potato and vegetables.

Can I Use Beef Stock Instead of Beef Broth? Yes! Stock that has been simmered down from bones, seasonings, and veggies (usually the trifecta of carrots, celery and onions) adds a much deeper flavor to gravy.

The two are very often used interchangeably, and it's fine if you substitute broth for stock in most recipes, and vice versa. Yet, if you have a choice between the two, use broth when a dish is largely based on the flavor of the liquid, such as in a broth-based soup.

If your gravy is tasting a little less than stellar, all you have to do is stir in some cooked, chopped bacon, caramelized onions and/or some Dijon or spicy/whole grain mustard for a major flavor upgrade.