sauce
Brown Mushroom Gravy
Absolutely nothing beats homemade when it comes to gravy, and this Brown Mushroom Gravy is proof. A full pound of sliced mushrooms is slowly sautéed in butter until their liquid cooks away and their flavor deepens and concentrates. A simple roux of butter and flour, plus rich beef stock, transforms the sautéed mushrooms into a silky, savory gravy with real depth. Finished with black pepper and fresh thyme, this easy pan-style gravy is perfect over mashed potatoes, rice, steak, burgers, chicken, or roasted vegetables—and is endlessly better than anything from a packet or jar.
Ingredients
Mushroom Gravy
- 1 (16 ounce) package sliced mushrooms
- Salt, to taste
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or as needed)
- 2 cups beef stock
- 1 pinch ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh thyme leaves, to taste (optional)
Instructions
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Cook mushrooms in butter
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter until it foams. Add 1 (16 ounce) package sliced mushrooms and season lightly with salt to taste. Simmer the mushrooms, stirring occasionally, until their liquid is released and completely evaporates, about 20 minutes.
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Add flour to make a roux
Sprinkle 1/4 cup all-purpose flour over the cooked 16 ounces sliced mushrooms in the saucepan. Cook and stir the mushrooms and 1/4 cup flour together for about 5 minutes, allowing the flour to absorb the butter and coat the mushrooms lightly.
If the mixture seems too dry, you can add a small additional pat of butter so the flour is fully moistened.
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Add beef stock gradually
Pour about 1 cup of the 2 cups beef stock into the mushroom and flour mixture, stirring briskly to incorporate and smooth out any lumps. Once the first 1 cup beef stock is fully combined, add the remaining 1 cup beef stock and stir thoroughly to create a smooth gravy base.
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Season and simmer until thick
Season the gravy with 1 pinch ground black pepper and fresh thyme leaves to taste. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer the mushroom gravy for about 30 minutes, stirring often, until it thickens to your desired consistency and the flavors deepen.
Notes
- If you prefer a thinner gravy, add a little extra beef stock or water during the final simmer.
- For extra richness, stir in a small splash of cream or a pat of butter at the very end.
- This gravy is excellent over mashed potatoes, rice, steak, chicken, burgers, or roasted vegetables.