John Miller
Brown gravy and mushrooms are a classic combination, with the savoury, umami flavour of mushrooms enhancing the richness of brown gravy. Browning the mushrooms is key to achieving a deeper flavour and a darker colour in the gravy. The addition of butter, beef drippings, lard, or bacon grease further enhances the flavour and gives the dish a luscious texture. This combination is versatile and can be served with a variety of dishes, including mashed potatoes, meatloaf, steak, chicken, and vegetables. With its depth of flavour and visual appeal, brown gravy with mushrooms is a popular choice for elevating everyday meals into something extraordinary.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Mushrooms, butter, beef broth, flour, salt, and pepper |
| Additional ingredients | Onions, garlic, thyme, vegetable broth, beef drippings, lard, bacon grease, cornstarch, baby bella mushrooms, oil |
| Browning | Browning the mushrooms and onions adds flavour and a rich brown colour to the gravy |
| Gluten-free option | Omit the flour and stir in a cornstarch slurry at the end |
| Vegan option | Substitute oil for butter and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth |
| Use | Mushroom gravy is versatile and can be served with steak, chicken, mashed potatoes, pork, sausages, steamed vegetables, schnitzel, and more |
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What You'll Learn
How to make brown gravy with mushrooms
Brown gravy and mushrooms are a perfect combination. Here is a detailed recipe for making brown mushroom gravy.
Ingredients:
- Butter or oil
- Mushrooms (white button, portobello, baby portobello, cremini, porcini, shiitake, chanterelles)
- Onion
- Garlic
- Flour (gluten-free, if required)
- Beef broth/stock (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian/vegan option)
- Thyme
- Salt and pepper
- Sugar
- Vinegar
Optional Ingredients:
- Red wine
- Tomato puree
- Heavy cream
Instructions:
Start by sauteing the chopped onions and mushrooms in butter or oil. Cook them until they are nicely browned. Add in some garlic and stir until fragrant. Stir in the flour and cook for a minute. This will cook off the flour flavour and create a deeper flavour in the gravy.
Next, add the beef broth, thyme, salt, pepper, sugar, and vinegar. Whisk until the gravy thickens. Cover and simmer on low heat for about 5-10 minutes. Adjust the consistency by adding water if you prefer a thinner gravy.
For a gluten-free version, simply omit the flour. Instead, stir in a cornstarch slurry (made with cornstarch and water) at the end and simmer until thickened. For a vegan mushroom gravy, substitute oil for butter and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
If you want to enhance the flavour even more, consider using beef drippings, lard, or bacon grease instead of butter. You can also add ground dried porcini mushrooms for an incredible depth of flavour.
This brown mushroom gravy is incredibly versatile and can be served with mashed potatoes, meatloaf, chicken, beef, pork, or even just bread!
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The best types of mushrooms for brown gravy
Brown gravy is a delicious sauce that can be served with a variety of dishes. It is typically made with beef stock or broth, which gives it a darker colour than chicken stock. When making brown gravy, mushrooms are a fantastic addition that can elevate the dish.
There are several types of mushrooms that are well-suited for use in brown gravy. Here are some of the best options:
- Portobello mushrooms are a good choice for brown gravy. They have a meaty texture and a rich, savoury flavour that can enhance the taste of the gravy.
- White button mushrooms are another excellent option. They have a mild flavour that can complement the other ingredients in the gravy without overpowering them.
- Porcini mushrooms, especially when dried, can add a heightened and more concentrated flavour to the gravy. They contribute an incredible depth of flavour and an "umami" element that can take your gravy to the next level.
- Miataki (hen of the woods) mushrooms are also a great option for brown gravy. They have a unique flavour and texture that can add interest to the dish.
When preparing mushrooms for brown gravy, it is important to cook them properly to enhance their flavour and texture. Sautéing or frying them in butter or oil until they are golden brown will bring out their natural sweetness and give them a desirable caramelized exterior. It is also crucial to cook the mushrooms in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can cause them to stew and become watery.
Additionally, combining butter and oil when cooking the mushrooms can provide the best of both worlds in terms of flavour and heat tolerance. Furthermore, adding flour to the cooked mushrooms and cooking it for a few minutes will create a roux, thickening the gravy and adding depth of flavour.
By following these tips and using the recommended types of mushrooms, you can create a delicious and flavourful brown gravy that will elevate your meals.
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Browning mushrooms for gravy
Browning mushrooms is a key step in making mushroom gravy, as it gives the gravy a rich brown colour and a deeper flavour. Here is a step-by-step guide to browning mushrooms for gravy:
Choose Your Mushrooms
When making mushroom gravy, it is recommended to use fresh mushrooms, as they have more flavour. Portobello or white button mushrooms are good options. If you want to enhance the mushroom flavour even further, you can use dried porcini mushrooms in addition to fresh ones. Using dried porcinis gives a heightened and more concentrated mushroom flavour.
Prepare the Mushrooms
Before cooking, clean the mushrooms by brushing off any dirt with a damp paper towel or gently rinsing them with water and patting them dry. Then, slice or chop the mushrooms into uniform pieces.
Cook the Mushrooms
To cook the mushrooms, heat a combination of butter and oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Butter provides better flavour, but it burns at the high heat required to brown the mushrooms. By using both butter and oil, you get the best of both worlds. Add the mushrooms to the pan and cook for about 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are golden brown and the liquid they release has evaporated. If you are using dried porcini mushrooms as well, add them about a minute before the fresh mushrooms are done and cook them together.
Make the Gravy
Once the mushrooms are browned, you can make the gravy in the same pan. Start by melting some butter, then add flour and cook for a few minutes to create a roux, which will thicken the gravy and add flavour. For a gluten-free option, you can use cornstarch instead of flour. Next, slowly whisk in your choice of broth or stock. For a darker brown gravy, use beef broth or stock, as it has a darker colour than chicken or vegetable broth. Continue whisking until the gravy thickens, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
Tips for Success
- Cook the mushrooms in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can cause them to stew and become watery.
- Be sure to scrape up all the browned bits from the bottom of the pan when adding the broth to maximise flavour.
- If you prefer a thinner gravy, add a little water or heavy cream after seasoning to adjust the consistency.
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Making brown gravy with mushrooms vegan
Brown gravy and mushrooms are a perfect match, and it's easy to make this combination vegan. Here's a step-by-step guide to making a delicious vegan brown mushroom gravy.
Ingredients:
- Mushrooms: Fresh or dried, any variety works, but cremini, portobello, white button, and shiitake are popular choices.
- Oil: Olive oil or another neutral-flavoured oil.
- Butter: Use vegan butter or margarine.
- Flour: Regular or gluten-free flour.
- Broth: Vegetable broth instead of beef broth to keep it vegan. Mushroom broth will make it brown, while vegetable broth might make it lighter.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, and garlic.
Method:
- Heat some oil in a pan over medium-high heat. You can also add some vegan butter for flavour.
- Add chopped onions and sauté until translucent and lightly browned. This will take about 5-10 minutes.
- Add the mushrooms and continue cooking. For extra flavour, cook the mushrooms in batches to get a nice golden colour. This will take about 7-15 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
- Sprinkle flour over the mushrooms. Use more flour for a thicker gravy. Cook for a few minutes, stirring frequently, to cook off the flour taste.
- Add the broth and whisk continuously. For a brown gravy, use mushroom broth or a dark-coloured vegetable broth.
- Add your seasonings: salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, and garlic.
- Simmer the gravy until it thickens, stirring occasionally. This should take about 5-20 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- If you prefer a smooth gravy, blend it using an immersion blender.
Your vegan brown mushroom gravy is now ready to serve! It goes well with mashed potatoes, biscuits, lentil loaves, and various roast vegetables. Enjoy!
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What to serve with brown gravy and mushrooms
Brown gravy and mushrooms is a versatile combination that can be served with a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas on what to serve with brown gravy and mushrooms:
Meat Dishes
Brown gravy with mushrooms is an excellent pairing for various meat dishes. It complements steak, chicken, schnitzel, sausages, and pork chops exceptionally well. The savoury gravy enhances the flavour of the meat, and the mushrooms add a depth of flavour and texture to the dish.
Starchy Sides
For those who enjoy their gravy with starchy sides, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, and steamed vegetables are excellent choices. The gravy coats these sides beautifully, adding moisture and flavour to each bite.
Bread and Noodles
If you're looking for something to mop up all that delicious gravy, bread is a perfect option. Whether it's a crusty loaf or soft dinner rolls, dipping bread into brown gravy and mushrooms is a satisfying experience. For something more substantial, homemade noodles or pasta can also be a great pairing.
Hearty Comfort Foods
Brown gravy and mushrooms can also be served with comfort foods like meatloaf and Yorkshire puddings. The gravy adds moisture and a rich flavour to these dishes, while the mushrooms provide a tasty texture contrast.
Customisation
When serving brown gravy and mushrooms, don't be afraid to customise the dish to your taste preferences. You can add herbs like thyme or rosemary, or even a dash of dark soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce to enhance the flavour.
So, whether you're serving it with meat, vegetables, or something in between, brown gravy and mushrooms is a versatile combination that can elevate your meal and impress your taste buds.
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Frequently asked questions
Brown mushroom gravy is a savoury gravy made with mushrooms, beef broth, and seasonings. It is often served with mashed potatoes, meats, or vegetables.
To make brown mushroom gravy, you will need butter, oil, mushrooms, beef broth or stock, and seasonings. First, saute the mushrooms in butter and oil until they are golden brown. Then, add flour to create a roux and cook for a few minutes. Next, whisk in the beef broth and simmer until the gravy thickens. Finally, season with salt and pepper to taste.
Brown mushroom gravy goes well with a variety of dishes. It can be served with mashed potatoes, pork chops, steak, chicken, vegetables, and more. It is a versatile gravy that can elevate any dish.
