You might not realize it, but a good gravy recipe can make or break your Thanksgiving meal. Think about it: Gravy gets poured over just about everything, especially your turkey and mashed potatoes. But if that gravy ends up being watery and thin, you may have just ruined a perfectly good feast. Don't worry, though, there are a few easy tips for thickening gravy. Just like with thickening other sauces, sometimes all it takes is time. But there are also a few other tricks to keep up your sleeve like making a roux using pantry ingredients that you likely already have on hand.
To make your gravy both creamy and thick, just follow the simple steps ahead. Not only will your guests thank you, but they'll ask you how it's done. Plus, you can use these tips for how to thicken gravy well beyond the Thanksgiving holiday. They'll also come in handy for any comforting weeknight supper like smothered chicken, country biscuits, or chicken fried steak drizzled with lots of lusciously rich and creamy gravy!
So, before you surrender to runny gravy, give these easy methods a try.
The Best Way to Thicken Gravy
Cook the Gravy Longer
You can always start by cooking the gravy a little bit longer to thicken it. Allow the gravy to simmer, uncovered, on the stove—the extra time will help the liquid to evaporate and the gravy to thicken.
Make a Roux
If your gravy still needs a little help (or you’re short on time), you can try making a roux to thicken your gravy. A roux is a simple mixture of butter and flour. The benefit of cooking the flour in the butter is that you'll avoid the unpleasant taste of raw flour and you'll also be able to thicken stews, gravies, or sauces without any lumps
How to Thicken Gravy with a Roux
To make a roux, you can use equal parts butter and flour. Start by melting the butter in a skillet or saucepan, then whisk in the flour until smooth. Continue to cook and whisk until golden. Slowly add your roux to the gravy until you've reached the desired consistency.
Make a Slurry
Similarly, a slurry combines two ingredients, a starch and a liquid, that will help thicken up your gravy. Here's how to make each one:
How to Thicken Gravy with a Slurry
To make a slurry, start with cornstarch (or flour) in a bowl and whisk in a little bit of cold water to create a smooth paste. Slowly add the slurry to the gravy until you've reached the desired consistency.
How to Thicken Gravy Without Flour or Starch
If you're looking for other ways to thicken gravy without flour or cornstarch, you're in luck! There are some alternative ingredients that you can use. For example, you can make a slurry using gluten-free options like arrowroot powder, tapioca starch, or potato starch, using the steps above.
