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Every winter, we face the age-old cooking dilemma—figuring out how to make our gravy the perfect thickness. As you start craving those cozy chilly-weather dishes like hearty roasts, mashed potatoes, and of course, Thanksgiving turkey, you might catch yourself wondering: Why isn't my gravy thickening?
Cara CormackStart by Reducing the Liquid
A simple method to thicken gravy is by reducing the liquid. Pour any pan drippings into a small or medium saucepan, then add 1 cup of liquid. Let it simmer over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces by at least a third, concentrating the flavors.
In a rush and no time to simmer? Don't worry! You don’t want your gravy-loving guests to be left waiting. Grab a whisk and follow these tips for thickening your gravy with cornstarch, flour, or other pantry ingredients.
How to Thicken Gravy With Cornstarch
Cornstarch is not just an essential pantry item—it’s a gluten-free savior for thickening gravy, perfect for those avoiding gluten. How much cornstarch do you need to thicken gravy? The simple ratio is 1 tablespoon of cornstarch per 1 cup of liquid for a perfect, gluten-free thickener. For an even thicker gravy, use 2 tablespoons per 1 cup of liquid (vegetable, chicken, or meat stock, preferably a mix of pan drippings and stock, or water with bouillon). Start with 1 tablespoon and adjust as needed for the thickness you desire.
To thicken gravy with cornstarch and achieve smooth results, combine 1 to 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with water to create a slurry or liquid-like paste. Alternatively, you can sift the dry cornstarch through a fine-mesh sieve, though this method may result in a gravy with a few lumps.
After adding the cornstarch to your hot liquid, whisk or stir constantly with a wooden spoon until it’s well combined and the gravy begins to thicken. Bonus: Cornstarch, being gluten-free, requires less than other thickening agents to achieve the perfect consistency.
How to Thicken Gravy With Flour
Like cornstarch, using flour to thicken gravy works best when you mix a little water into the flour to form a paste or slurry (or you can sift the dry flour into the hot liquid through a fine-mesh sieve). However, with flour, you’ll need to double the amount—use 2 tablespoons of flour for every 1 cup of liquid. Whisk or stir continuously until the gravy thickens to your liking.
How to Thicken Gravy Without Cornstarch or Flour
Out of cornstarch or flour? No problem! There are many great substitutes for cornstarch and flour, many of which are also gluten-free thickeners for gravy. You just need to get a little inventive. Here are a few pantry items that can help you thicken your gravy.
Arrowroot
Arrowroot powder is made from the rhizomes of the Marantaceae family of tubers and serves as an excellent natural substitute for a gluten-free gravy thickener. Similar to using cornstarch or flour, simply mix 2 to 3 tablespoons of arrowroot powder with an equal amount of water to create a slurry. Add this mixture to 1 cup of hot liquid and whisk or stir until it’s well incorporated and the gravy thickens.
Tapioca
Tapioca comes from the cassava root and is another great option for thickening gravy. Add 1 ½ teaspoons of tapioca starch to the hot liquid, whisking until fully incorporated and the gravy reaches your desired thickness.
Potato Starch
Potato starch is a gluten-free thickener that requires mixing 1 tablespoon of starch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Whisk or stir this mixture into 1 cup of hot liquid, constantly stirring until the gravy thickens.
Pureed Vegetables
Here’s a clever way to thicken your gravy using vegetables you likely already have in your crisper. Roast any potato, parsnip, beet, or carrot, then blend it into a puree using a food processor or blender. Stir the puree into the gravy until fully blended. (Keep in mind that vegetables bring their own flavors, so the taste of your stock will change based on which vegetable you choose to add.)
Ground Flaxseed
Ground flaxseed is not only a healthy addition to your recipe but also serves as an excellent thickening agent for gravy. Combine 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 2.5 tablespoons of water to form a slurry. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to thicken. Once your gravy is hot, whisk the flaxseed mixture in and stir until fully incorporated. Ground flaxseed thickens naturally while also adding a mild nutty flavor and providing essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids.
