A slurry is a handy kitchen tool for thickening up soups, stews, gravies, and sauces. When made with beef broth, it adds rich flavor while acting as a thickening agent. A beef broth slurry is easy to whip up with just a few simple ingredients.
In this comprehensive guide we will cover everything you need to know about making and using beef broth slurry. You’ll learn the basics of slurries the best practices for mixing up a smooth beef broth slurry, and tips for incorporating it seamlessly into recipes. Follow this advice for luscious, full-bodied soups and sauces every time.
What is a Slurry?
A slurry is a mixture of a dry thickening agent with a liquid that is used to thicken sauces soups stews, and gravies. The thickening agent is usually a starch like cornstarch or flour.
To make a slurry:
- The starch is combined with a cold liquid and mixed until smooth
- The slurry is then slowly whisked into simmering hot liquid to thicken it up
The cold liquid keeps the starch particles separated so they don’t clump when added to the hot liquid.
Why Use a Beef Broth Slurry?
Using beef broth instead of water in a slurry adds great flavor. Other benefits include:
- Beef broth provides savory umami taste
- Adds richness and meaty depth without extra fat
- Thickens and enhances sauces, stews, and gravies
- Helps bind ingredients like meat and vegetables
- Smooth consistency with no clumps
Substituting beef broth for the water or milk in a slurry is an easy way to infuse more flavor into your dishes!
Tips for Making Beef Broth Slurry
Follow these tips for whipping up smooth, lump-free beef broth slurry:
- Use equal parts starch and beef broth when mixing
- Combine in a small bowl and whisk vigorously until very smooth
- For cornstarch, dissolve 1 tbsp cornstarch in 1 tbsp cold beef broth
- For flour, dissolve 1 tbsp flour in 2-3 tbsp cold beef broth
- Strain through a fine mesh sieve to catch any remaining bits
- Keep slurry smooth as you slowly pour into simmering liquid
- Bring sauce or stew back up to a boil after adding slurry
Taking the extra time to properly dissolve the starch will prevent clumping when added to the hot liquid.
How to Use Beef Broth Slurry
Once you’ve made your smooth beef broth slurry, here are some tips for incorporating it seamlessly:
- Whisk in a little at a time until desired consistency is reached
- You likely won’t need the full amount of slurry, so add slowly
- Keep whisking or stirring as you add slurry to distribute evenly
- Bring the liquid up to a boil after adding slurry to activate thickening
- Simmer 2-3 minutes to cook out any starchy taste
Add slurry in small amounts until you reach the perfect thickness. The liquid will continue to thicken slightly upon cooling.
Beef Broth Slurry Recipes
Beef broth slurry comes in handy for all kinds of recipes. Try using it in:
- Beef stew – for rich gravy texture
- Pot roast – thickens juices for perfect gravy
- Veggie beef soup – binds veggies and beef together
- Beef chili – eliminates watery chili
- Beef stroganoff – luscious sauce without heaviness
- Beef bourguignon – perfect for the red wine sauce
- Beef and barley soup – adds body plus beefy flavor
- Beef goulash or paprikash – thickens the paprika-infused sauce
- Meatballs and gravy – binds the meatballs in scrumptious gravy
Any recipe that could benefit from a flavor and texture boost is a prime candidate for beef broth slurry!
Slurry vs. Roux for Thickening
While slurries and roux both thicken sauces, they have some differences:
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Slurries contain starch + cold liquid, and are whisked into hot liquid
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Roux contains flour + fat, and hot liquid is whisked into it
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Slurries result in translucent, glossy sauces
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Roux create opaque, velvety sauces
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Slurries quickly thicken without cooking or altering flavor
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Roux need to cook out the raw flour taste
For many recipes, either method works well. Get the best of both worlds by browning a roux then finishing with a beef broth slurry!
Troubleshooting Beef Broth Slurry
Having troubles with your slurry? Here are some common issues and fixes:
Lumpy slurry: The starch wasn’t fully dissolved. Strain through a sieve before adding.
Not thickening: Didn’t boil after adding slurry to activate the starch. Bring to a boil and simmer 2-3 minutes.
Too thick: Added too much slurry. Thin it out with a little extra beef broth.
Starchy taste: Didn’t simmer once adding slurry. Boil for 2-3 minutes to eliminate raw taste.
With a little practice, you’ll be able to easily whip up the perfect beef broth slurry for flawlessly thickened dishes every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about mastering beef broth slurry? Here are answers to some common beef broth slurry FAQs:
How long does beef broth slurry keep? Store slurry in an airtight container in the fridge up to 4-5 days. It may thicken more upon sitting.
Can I use all-purpose flour instead of cornstarch? Yes, just use a 2:1 ratio of flour to cold broth when mixing the slurry.
What can I use if I don’t have beef broth? Chicken broth, vegetable broth, or water will also work. The flavor just won’t be as rich.
What’s the best beef broth to use? Look for a nicely flavored homemade or store-bought low-sodium beef broth. Avoid any with strong spices.
How do I make slurry without clumping? Whisk together very smoothly and strain if needed. Slowly pour into simmering liquid while constantly stirring.
What can I do if my slurry is too thick? Thin it by whisking in a little extra beef broth until you reach the desired consistency.
Unlock the Thickening Power of Beef Broth Slurry
With so many benefits and uses, beef broth slurry is a handy staple in any home cook’s arsenal. Master the simple techniques for mixing up smooth slurry and incorporating it properly into soups, stews, and sauces. Soon you’ll be using beef broth slurry anytime you need to add luscious thickness and rich umami flavor. Say goodbye to watery sauces and unleash the thickening power of beef broth slurry!