thicken gravy
Charlotte Adams
Updated on June 10, 2026
Typically, gravy is thickened with either cornstarch or flour. Both have their pros and cons. Cornstarch is easy as it doesn’t clump when it hits hot liquid. But you have to be careful, because cornstarch will thicken over the course of a few minutes—and if you add too much, you will end up with gel-style gravy.
Can I add flour to thicken gravy?
However, when using flour as a gravy thickener, you must double the amount—use 2 tablespoons of flour per 1 cup of liquid. Use a whisk or wooden spoon to incorporate, stirring constantly until you thicken the gravy to the desired consistency.
How do you fix thin sauce for gravy?
Problem: Your Gravy Is Too Thin
Reduction: Your first option is to reduce the gravy down by simmering it until enough excess water has cooked off, thickening the gravy in the process. Add more flour: Another option is to add more flour, but you have to be careful about how you do that.
Can you thicken gravy with flour and water?
To thicken gravy, first mix 3-4 tablespoons (15-20 g) of flour into a little bit of water until it forms a paste. Then, just whisk the paste into the gravy a little bit at a time until the gravy is thick enough.
How can I thicken gravy without flour or cornstarch?
6 Ways to Thicken Sauce Without Cornstarch
Reduce the sauce. Simmering your sauce over low heat will cause the water in the sauce to evaporate and the sauce to naturally thicken. Add egg yolks. Prepare a roux. Make a beurre manié. Add pureed vegetables. Use another thickening agent.
Should you thicken gravy with flour or cornstarch?
Browning adds more flavor to the gravy and gets rid of the raw flour taste. You’re basically making a roux. We find that a flour-based gravy holds up better and reheats better later, which is why we tend to prefer using flour over cornstarch to make gravy unless we have a guest who is eating gluten-free.
Will gravy thicken as it sits?
Gravy begins to thicken as it cools, creating a pudding-like skin and sometimes lumps. Transfer the gravy to a gravy boat or thermos just before serving. Follow this tip: A thermos will keep gravy hot and pourable longer than a gravy boat.
How do you thicken gravy with plain flour?
The easiest way to thicken a sauce with plain flour is to make a flour slurry. Simply mix equal parts of flour and cold water in a cup and when smooth, stir in to the sauce. Bring the contents to a simmer for 5 minutes to cook away the raw flour taste.
How much flour do I add to gravy?
(The classic ratio for gravy is three-two-one—three tablespoons flour, two tablespoons fat, and one cup of hot stock.)
Does simmering thicken sauce?
Simmer the sauce in a sauce pot until it reaches your desired consistency. Make sure to keep the pot uncovered to allow excess liquids to evaporate. Avoid boiling the liquid to prevent any curdling or sauce separation. Keep in mind that simmering intensifies the sauce’s flavors.
How do you thicken a sauce that is too watery?
The most readily available sauce-thickener is flour. For a too-thin sauce, try adding a slurry (equal parts flour and water, whisked together) or beurre manie (equal parts softened butter and flour, kneaded together to form a paste)—both are ideal thickeners for rich and creamy sauces, such as steak sauce recipes.
What do I do if my sauce is too watery?
Instructions:
Combine equal parts cornstarch and cold water. Stir together until smooth.Pour into your sauce and cook over medium heat, stirring continually, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.Test the sauce with a spoon.
Can you thicken gravy with baking powder?
Given that baking powder only works as a thickener because of the cornstarch in it, it makes more sense to just use plain cornstarch. This way you’ll have better control over the consistency without worrying about the other ingredients in the baking powder that could make your sauce taste bitter.
How do you thicken gravy with flour and butter?
Thickening with a Beurre Manie
To make a beurre manie, combine equal parts butter and flour and use the back of a fork to work them into a smooth paste, then gradually whisk the paste, about 1 teaspoon as a time, into the already deglazed gravy base simmering on the stove. Continue whisking until the gravy is thick.
Can you thicken sauce without cornstarch?
Cornstarch is used to thicken liquids in a variety of recipes such as sauces, gravies, pies, puddings, and stir-fries. It can be replaced with flour, arrowroot, potato starch, tapioca, and even instant mashed potato granules.
Do onions thicken sauces?
Onions And Tomatoes Are Sliced Or Cut In Big Chunks
Onions and tomatoes act as thickening agents for any curry. Smaller the pieces your onions are chopped into, the thicker your gravy will be.
Does butter thicken sauce?
Butter. Why it works: While adding a knob of butter to a sauce won’t thicken it dramatically, it can be just the thing to add extra richness and a glossy texture. How to use it: At the end of cooking, swirl a few tablespoons of cold butter into the sauce off the heat.
What flour is best for thickening gravy?
Answer: Most sauces and gravies are thickened with some kind of starch. The most common are flour and cornstarch, though potato starch, arrowroot and tapioca flour also work well.