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5.0 from 15 votes

How To Make a Roux (And Easy Gravy Recipe)

A roux is a thickening agent used in a variety of sauces, gravies, soups and stews. Find out how to create a roux from scratch with our easy recipe!

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 87 kcal
Course: Condiments
Cuisine: French , American

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup flour
To Make Gravy
  • 6 cups milk or broth
  • salt and pepper

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a medium-sized sauce pan melt butter over medium to medium-low heat.
  2. When butter has melted, add flour and whisk until smooth.
  3. Continue whisking until desired stage/color is reached.
  4. White: appx. 2-5 minutesBlond: appx. 4-8 minutesBrown: appx. 8-15 minutesDark: appx. 15-30 minutes. (Note: It's always better to go by COLOR rather than TIME... these are just estimates to help with prep and planning)
To Make Gravy:
  1. Add cold liquid a little at a time, whisking constantly, until desired consistency is reached. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

  • For a gluten-free alternative to a traditional thickener, there are several substitutions you can make. Simply swap out the all-purpose flour for cornstarch, arrowroot, rice flour, or your favorite gluten-free flour. 
  • The most common ratio is 1:1, or a mixture of equal parts flour and butter (or "fat"). This is the ratio that we prefer to use. Others use a 2:1 ratio (2 parts flour, 1 part butter) but we have found that this usually results in clumping and doesn't brown as well. 
  • You can either add liquid to your thickener OR you can add roux to a liquid. The latter method is most commonly used is soups, stews, chowders, and gumbo. You simply make the roux first and then stir it in a little at a time to thicken whatever you are making.

Nutrition Information

Calories 87kcal (4%) Carbohydrates 4g (1%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 8g (12%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 2g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 20mg (7%) Sodium 68mg (3%) Potassium 8mg (0%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 236IU (5%) Calcium 3mg (0%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 87

% Daily Value*

Calories 87kcal 4%
Carbohydrates 4g 1%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 8g 12%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 2g 10%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 20mg 7%
Sodium 68mg 3%
Potassium 8mg 0%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 236IU 5%
Calcium 3mg 0%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.