Making Flavorful Gravy with Beef Stock Cubes: The Complete Guide

Gravy is the crowning glory that can take any dish from bland to grand. While classic gravy often starts with pan drippings, did you know you can also makeutterly delicious gravy with beef stock cubes?

As a home cook and recipe developer, I decided to test this out. Keep reading for my complete guide to crafting rich, mouthwatering gravy using beef stock cubes.

Before we dive in, let’s quickly cover the basics about beef stock cubes:

Dried, concentrated beef broth formed into cubes
Provide concentrated umami beef flavor
Shelf-stable and convenient to store
Dissolve easily in hot liquid
Commonly used to make gravy, stews, soups and more

With their ease of use and big beefy flavor, stock cubes can be a shortcut to premium gravy.

How to Make Gravy with Beef Stock Cubes

Making gravy with beef stock cubes is simple. Here’s an overview of the easy process

Dissolve 1-2 beef cubes in hot water
Make a roux by cooking flour in fat
Whisk in beef stock mixture
Simmer until thickened
Season to taste

The stock cubes provide the rich, meaty flavor while the roux gives the gravy body and thickness

Step-by-Step Beef Stock Cube Gravy Recipe

Follow this simple step-by-step recipe for flavorful beef gravy:

Ingredients:

2 beef bouillon cubes
2 cups hot water
4 tbsp butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Salt, pepper and other seasonings (optional)

Directions:

Dissolve beef cubes in 2 cups hot water and stir until combined.
In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
Whisk in flour and garlic powder. Cook 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly.
Gradually whisk in beef stock mixture until incorporated.
Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently, until gravy thickens.
Season with salt, pepper and any other seasonings.
Let simmer 5 minutes more to meld flavors.
Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
Remove from heat and serve warm over your favorite dishes!

And that’s all it takes to make rich, savory beef gravy with stock cubes. The possibilities are endless for using this flavorful gravy.

Tips for the Best Beef Stock Cube Gravy

Use equal parts fat and flour. Too much flour makes it pasty.
Whisk vigorously to prevent lumps.
Simmer until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
For a silky gravy, strain through a mesh sieve after cooking.
Add herbs, wine or cream to vary the flavor.
Leftover gravy keeps up to 5 days refrigerated.

With these tips, you’ll have perfect gravy every time using beef stock cubes.

Answering Common Beef Stock Cube Gravy Questions

How much stock cube should be used?

For 2 cups liquid, 1-2 cubes is sufficient. Use packaging instructions as a guide.

Is the gravy from stock cubes gluten-free?

Yes, as long as you use gluten-free flour and avoid cross-contamination.

Can you use beef gravy on chicken or pork?

Absolutely! The hearty beef flavor pairs well with poultry and pork too.

How can you make the gravy less salty?

Use less cube, add potatoes to absorb salt, or add more liquid. Taste and adjust.

Is beef drippings better than butter for the roux?

Beef drippings add even more savory flavor. But butter still works great.

Time for a Taste Test!

After developing my beef stock cube gravy recipe, it was time to put it to the test. I made a batch to serve over chicken fried steak for dinner.

The gravy came together easily by dissolving the cubes in hot water before making the roux. Once simmered, it transformed into a rich, beefy gravy that perfectly coated the crispy steak.

My family couldn’t believe such simple ingredients could produce such an flavorful, beefy gravy. Thanks to the stock cubes, I was able to create a quick, tasty gravy that elevated our meal to restaurant-quality.

How to Make Gravy Using Beef Cubes (Simple Version but Yummy) || Josephine’s Lutong Bahay

FAQ

How do you thicken beef stock for gravy?

Similar to flour, cornstarch is another ingredient that can be used to make gravy thicker. With cornstarch, making a slurry is also an option, but with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch whisked into cold water. Again, you’ll want to add the slurry in increments so you don’t over-thicken the gravy.

Is a beef stock cube the same as gravy?

Gravy is an actual finished product. You might make it from stock, but it will have other things in it – seasoning, maybe flour to thicken it, you might reduce it down to make it less thin and concentrate the flavour… it is a finished sauce that you would serve with meat. You wouldn’t give people just stock.

Can you use stock instead of broth for gravy?

You can use either stock or broth for keeping dressing moist or as a basis for gravy, but a strong flavor will give you better results.

What can I use beef stock cubes for?

Dissolve one beef stock cube into 190ml of boiling water to give warming soups, casseroles and pies that extra bit of flavour. Or, crumble into a browned mince to add a rich twist of beef seasoning to home-cooked spaghetti bolognese or chilli.

How do you make roast meat gravy from stock?

How to make traditional roast meat gravy from stock. Crumble stock cubes into a heat-proof jug and add the boiling water. Stir until stock cubes have dissolved. Heat the butter in a pan over a medium-high heat until melted. Add the flour and onion powder, and stir to combine with the butter to form a paste.

How do you make stock cube gravy?

Creating the perfect stock cube gravy involves a few pro tips: 1. Sautéed Aromatics: Enhance the gravy’s flavour by sautéing onions, garlic, or shallots before adding the roux and stock cube mixture. This adds a delightful depth and complexity to the gravy.

Do you need bouillon cubes to make gravy?

The secret ingredient that makes this gravy better is to use both chicken AND beef stock cubes (bouillon cubes). Here’s all you need to make a really great gravy from scratch: chicken and beef stock cubes, butter and flour. Chicken AND beef stock cubes (aka bouillon cubes) – for flavour and colour.

Are stock cubes good for gravy?

Stock cubes offer numerous advantages for making gravy: 1. Convenience: Stock cubes are readily available and have an extended shelf life, making them a practical choice for busy cooks. 2. Consistency: With stock cubes, you can expect the same rich flavour with each use, ensuring the reliability of your culinary creations. 3.