Perfect gravy sauce is easily one of the best ways to make your family look forward to dinnertime. However, getting the right consistency with a crockpot can be tricky.
It is imperative to know just how to get that perfect consistency. Ruining your sauce would be a nightmare. To help you with this, we have put together a variety of step-by-step methods to thicken gravy in a crockpot.
How to thicken gravy in a crockpot – step-by-step
The surest way to thicken gravy is by making a roux. A roux is made by mixing equal parts of flour and animal fat. Here is a step-by-step tutorial on making a roux to thicken gravy in a crockpot.
- Step one: pour two cups of sieved meat stock into your crockpot and set to medium or high heat.
- Step two: melt a stick of butter in a frying pan over medium or low heat.
- Step three: mix in flour after the butter melts completely. Allow the mixture to cook for 3-5 minutes, ensuring that it does not darken.
- Step four: Add a cup of the hot broth to the flour mixture, and whisk until it is properly combined and has a smooth consistency.
- Step five: Once the mixture is smooth, cover the crockpot. Allow it to thicken over low heat for about 15 minutes.
- Step six: once thickened, uncover and season to taste, then allow it cool. Voila, your roux is ready!
To thicken gravy in a crockpot, you will only need a small amount of roux. It all depends on how thick you want it.
For a medium sauce, mix 4 ounces of roux into the gravy. Cook over medium to low heat.
To make thick gravy, you will need 5 ounces of roux. Combine it with the sauce in a crockpot over medium to low heat to get a thick consistency.
Repeat the process with 6 ounces of roux if you want your gravy to be heavy.
How to thicken a sauce with flour
If you need to thicken your sauce and have some all-purpose flour lying around, you can do this in three easy steps.
Step one: place your sauce over medium heat.
Step two: whisk some flour with cold water in a medium bowl. Do this until the mixture is smooth. The ratio is two tablespoons of flour for every ¼ cup of water.
Step three: add the mixture to your sauce and stir until combined. Stir while it cooks until it gets to your desired consistency. You can gauge the thickness with a spoon.
How to thicken stew without flour
There are two ways to thicken stew without flour. You could either use cornstarch or potatoes.
To thicken stew with cornstarch, follow these steps. You need a small amount of cornstarch to thicken your stew.
- Step one: Set your stew over medium heat.
- Step two: Combine equal parts cornstarch and water in a bowl and whisk until it is smooth.
- Step three: Pour the mixture into your stew and stir as it cooks over medium heat. Keep stirring until you get your desired consistency.
- To thicken a stew using a potato, follow these steps. You will need one potato and half a cup of water.
- Step one: Set your stew over medium heat.
- Step two: place the potato in the blender with the water and blend until smooth.
- Step three: Add the mixture to the stew and stir. Cook for about 5-7 minutes.
How to thicken stew with gravy granules
Instant gravy granules are effective for thickening stews, but only if done well. You might not want your sauce to get too heavy. The trick is to gradually add small quantities and stir over medium heat until you reach your desired consistency.
Try not to put a lot at once as it could ruin the stew. Add the granules to the sauce little by little until it is as thick as you want it to be.
How long does gravy take to thicken in a crockpot?
If the gravy is already hot, it might take you any time from 5 to 10 minutes for it to thicken, depending on the heat you’re cooking it over. If you’re making gravy from scratch in a crockpot, it could take much longer. It could be up to 30 minutes or even an hour.
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How do you thicken gravy in a crockpot beef stew?
To thicken beef stew in a crockpot, you’d want to make use of a cornstarch mixture. Follow these steps, and it’ll turn out how you want it.
Step one: make a light mixture by whisking two teaspoons of cornstarch with ½ cup of the stew. Make sure it is smooth.
Step two: add the mixture back to the stew and stir gently until thoroughly combined. Allow it to simmer for a few minutes, and it will thicken.
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How do you thicken gravy quickly?
Of all the available methods for thickening gravy, the quickest would be using a flour or cornstarch mix.
Although a roux works just as well and adds extra flavor, it takes slightly longer to prepare a good roux than just mixing some flour or cornstarch with water and adding it to your gravy.
So, now you know the different ways to thicken gravy in a crockpot and make the perfect sauce for dinner. Before picking a method to run with, keep these tips in mind.
When cooking in a crockpot or some other slow cooker, make sure to leave the lid on until the sauce is cooked. Once you’re done stirring in the thickener, keep the pot closed until it is cooked.
If you’re using gravy granules to thicken your stew, it would be best to use a saucepan. This is so that you can stir in the granules gradually and know when it gets to your preferred consistency.
You only need a little cornstarch to thicken your stew. Be sure not to add too much to avoid ruining the texture.
Ensure the flour or cornstarch mix is thoroughly whisked to avoid lumps in your sauce. Also, stir properly.
With this in mind, we do not doubt that you’ll create your best gravy sauce yet!
