How to Make Rich, Hearty Gravy Using Beef Consommé

A rich, flavorful gravy is the perfect finishing touch for roasted meats, mashed potatoes, and more. But often gravies can be bland or thin Using beef consommé as the base is the secret to making a deeply flavorful, robust gravy everyone will love.

What is Beef Consommé?

Consommé is a type of clarified broth made by simmering meat, vegetables, and aromatics, then straining to remove any impurities This yields a clear, intensely flavored liquid. Beef consommé imparts a richer flavor compared to regular beef broth or stock

Why Use Consommé for Gravy

Much more concentrated flavor than plain broth or stock
Adds richness without greasiness
Helps thicken without needing as much starch
Pure beef essence shines through
Consistent flavorbatch to batch

Easy Gravy Recipe with Consommé

Ingredients

2 cups beef consommé
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and let bubble 1 minute.
Whisk in beef consommé and seasonings. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes, stirring often, until thickened to your desired consistency.
Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.

Tips for the Best Gravy

For smooth gravy, whisk in cornstarch slurry at the end instead of flour.
For extra richness, use half broth and half consommé.
Add herbs like thyme, rosemary, or sage.
Splash in a bit of red wine.
Whisk in cream or cream cheese before serving.
Stir in crumbled cooked sausage or ground beef.
Drizzle gravy over dishes or serve on the side in a gravy boat.
Make ahead, refrigerate up to 5 days, reheat gently before serving.

Gravy Uses Beyond the Holidays

While gravy is a given at Thanksgiving, it also shines year-round:

Over mashed cauliflower instead of potatoes
On chicken fried steak or chicken fried chicken
Over meatloaf in lieu of ketchup
As sauce for beef tips over egg noodles
Over biscuits and sausage patties for breakfast
Stirred into rice with vegetables for an easy one-pot meal
Over fries or tater tots for diner-style comfort
As topping for shepherd’s pie or cottage pie

With beef consommé as the base, you can easily make a simple yet luxuriously rich gravy. Adjust seasonings to taste and use on everything from holiday roasts to weekday dinners. It’s sure to become your new go-to gravy recipe.

Beef Broth Brown Gravy

FAQ

Is beef consomme the same as beef gravy?

While similar to beef broth, beef consommé is a much darker liquid with a velvety texture and rich flavor. Because of the gelatin content, consommé has more body than traditional broth or stock. It’s not thick like a jelly but more of a gravy-like consistency.

Can I use beef consommé instead of beef broth?

THE BOTTOM LINE: Canned consommé is different from canned broth in that consommé typically contains gelatin and is saltier. You can use them interchangeably in most recipes if you correct the seasoning for the salty consommé.

How to thicken broth into gravy?

If your gravy is on the skimpy side, you can thicken it quickly with flour or cornstarch. But don’t add your thickener directly to the gravy, which will create lumps. Instead, try stirring in three or four tablespoons of flour or cornstarch into a small amount of cold water until you have a smooth paste.