How to Make Delicious Beef Gravy from Scratch

Are you looking for a comfort food to make your meals a little more satisfying? Why not try to make some beef gravy? Beef gravy is a popular condiment that can be used to enhance the taste of different dishes, such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, and steak. Making beef gravy is easy and doesn’t require many ingredients. In this article, we’ll show you how to make this luscious and delectable sauce.

Beef gravy is a classic sauce that is often served during special occasions like holidays or family gatherings. However, you don’t have to wait for these special moments to enjoy it. By following a few simple steps, you can make this savory sauce in your own kitchen, and take any dish to the next level. Plus, it’s an excellent way to use up those meat drippings that are often discarded. So, dust off your saucepan and let’s get cooking!

Introduction:

Beef gravy is a flavorful and savory condiment that can elevate even the simplest of dishes. Whether you’re serving up a homemade meatloaf, roasted vegetables, or mashed potatoes, beef gravy is a delicious addition that can tie everything together. While some may shy away from making their own gravy due to its perceived complexity, it’s actually a relatively easy and rewarding endeavor. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to make beef gravy step by step.

1. Gather your ingredients

The first step in making beef gravy is to gather all of your ingredients. You’ll need beef drippings, flour, beef broth, salt, and pepper. You may also choose to add additional seasonings, such as thyme or rosemary, to enhance the flavor of your gravy.

2. Prepare your beef drippings

Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, it’s time to prepare your beef drippings. If you’ve recently roasted a beef roast or steak, you may have drippings left over in the bottom of the pan. If so, simply pour the drippings into a measuring cup or bowl and set them aside. If you don’t have any drippings on hand, you can substitute with butter or oil.

3. Make your roux

In order to thicken your beef gravy, you’ll need to make a roux. Begin by melting butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add in your flour and whisk until it forms a smooth paste. Continue whisking for an additional minute or so, until the roux turns a light golden brown color.

4. Add your beef broth

Next, slowly add your beef broth to your roux mixture, whisking constantly to prevent any lumps from forming. Continue whisking until the mixture comes to a boil and begins to thicken.

5. Add your beef drippings

Once your beef broth has thickened, it’s time to add in your beef drippings. Slowly pour the drippings into the pan, whisking constantly to incorporate them into the gravy.

6. Season your gravy

Now that your gravy is coming together, it’s time to add in your seasonings. Add salt and pepper to taste, and any additional seasonings you desire, such as garlic or onion powder.

7. Simmer your gravy

Allow your gravy to simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired consistency.

8. Adjust seasoning as needed

After simmering, give your gravy a taste test and adjust your seasonings as necessary. If it’s too thick, add additional beef broth or water. If it’s too thin, continue simmering until it thickens further.

9. Strain your gravy

Once your gravy has reached the desired consistency, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps or bits of flour. This will give your gravy a smooth and silky texture.

10. Serve and enjoy!

Finally, it’s time to serve up your delicious homemade beef gravy! Drizzle it over your favorite dishes and enjoy the rich, savory flavor that only homemade gravy can provide.

Ingredients

Making beef gravy is not as difficult as it may seem. You only need a few basic ingredients that you may already have in your kitchen. Here are the ingredients that you will need:

Beef Drippings

Cut a fresh onion and sauté it with a bit of chopped garlic and bacon until it turns golden brown. This helps to add flavor and richness to your gravy. You can also get beef drippings from cooked beef roast or beef bones.

Flour

Flour is used to thicken the gravy. It is recommended that you use all-purpose flour because it is easy to find in most grocery stores, and it works well with most recipes. When using flour, make sure you use enough to create a good consistency for your gravy.

Stock/Broth

Stock or broth is used as the base for your gravy. It gives it a nice and rich flavor. You can make your own beef stock by boiling beef bones with water, onions, celery, and carrots. Alternatively, you can use pre-made beef broth.

Salt and Pepper

Salt and pepper are essential to bring out the flavors of your gravy. Use them to taste, but don’t overdo it.

Worcestershire sauce

Worcestershire sauce is an optional ingredient, but it adds a nice flavor to your gravy. It is made from a blend of vinegar, molasses, anchovies, and spices, and adds a tangy and savory taste to your gravy.

Butter

Adding butter to your beef gravy gives it a rich and silky texture. Use unsalted butter to avoid over-salting your gravy.

Herbs and Spices

Herbs and spices like rosemary, thyme, sage, or bay leaves can add a beautiful flavor to your gravy.

Mushrooms

Mushrooms can also be added to your beef gravy to enhance its flavor. Sauté them with onions and garlic until they turn golden brown.

Cream

Cream is an optional ingredient used in some recipes to make the gravy creamy and rich. If you want to use cream, add it at the end of your cooking process.

Vegetables

Finally, you can add chopped carrots, onions, or celery to your gravy for added nutrients and flavor. This is a great way to sneak in some extra vegetables to your meal.

Now that you know the necessary ingredients for making beef gravy, let’s move on to the next step – the preparation.

Ingredients Needed to Make Beef Gravy

Making beef gravy is not only easy but also involves only a few ingredients. There are different recipes for making beef gravy, but we have carefully picked out the necessary ingredients that will give you a rich, flavorful, and aromatic beef gravy. Below are the ingredients you need:

Beef Broth or Stock

The foundation of any great gravy is good stock, and making beef gravy is no different. You can either use beef broth or beef stock. Broth is made from simmering beef and vegetables, while stock is made by simmering bones with aromatics. Beef broth or stock adds flavor and richness to the gravy, and the richness of the broth will determine the quality of your gravy. If you don’t have beef broth or stock, you can make your own beef broth by boiling beef bones, vegetables, and herbs.

Butter

Butter is an essential ingredient needed to make beef gravy. It is used to create a roux, which is the base that thickens the gravy. Melted butter combined with flour creates a paste-like substance called the roux. Roux is needed to thicken the gravy to the desired consistency.

All-Purpose Flour

All-purpose flour is used in making the roux. It acts as a thickener to create a thick, luxurious gravy. When making the roux, it is important to let the flour and butter cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly, to get rid of the flour taste. Avoid overcooking the roux, or it will burn and turn black, ruining the taste of the gravy.

Worcestershire Sauce

Worcestershire sauce is a fermented condiment that is used to add a complex, tangy flavor to the gravy. It is made from vinegar, molasses, garlic, tamarind extract, onion, and anchovies. Worcestershire sauce is added to give the gravy a unique flavor, but it is not necessary.

Salt and Black Pepper

Salt and black pepper are used to season the gravy to taste. Add the salt and black pepper to the gravy, and mix thoroughly to get an even distribution of the seasoning. Do not add too much salt or black pepper, or it will overpower the flavors in the gravy.

Now that we have gone through the necessary ingredients needed to make beef gravy, let’s move on to the next section, where we’ll discuss the steps involved in making a rich and delicious beef gravy.

Enjoy Your Delicious Homemade Beef Gravy!

Congratulations, you’ve now learnt how to make beef gravy from scratch. Experiment with the recipe by adding herbs and spices that you like for added flavor. Pour it over your mashed potatoes, steak or fries and enjoy the goodness on your taste buds. Thank you for reading and I hope you have a great time making and relishing your homemade beef gravy. Do come back for more exciting recipes and tips to make your cooking experience even better!