The most asked question from new gluten free dieters I receive is how to make gluten free gravy. Over the years, I have experimented with several different methods. I have tried several different gluten free all-purpose flours and starches, even using several mixes of my own. They all resulted in thinning once refrigerated, frozen, or reheated. I even tried a technique that was in a scientific gluten free book made for professional and scientific recipe developers. I was hopeful, however, it did not work either. After some recent experimentation I tried something new. It turned out well. I froze it and just defrosted it the other day. It worked! It was still thick upon reheating. Yes! Sweet success!
UPDATE – June 21, 2013: Check out my latest gravy thickeners in this Gluten Free Gravy Recipe.
I discovered if you mix xanthan gum with enough coking oil and pour it into your broth it will not only thicken it, but it will stay thick even upon refrigeration, freezing, and reheating. It does not make the gravy white, however, therefore, you may wish to use a mixture of xanthan gum and flour. However, xanthan gum alone, along with the oil, does the trick.
I tried using guar gum, but it did not stay thick upon reheating after freezing. Perhaps I didn’t use enough, but if I would have used more my gravy would have turned to rubber.
Mix 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum with enough oil to create a pouring texture. Do not allow it to sit. Pour into a boiling broth immediately; stir until thickened. Of course you’ll need to increase or decrease the amount depending upon your amount of broth. I used in a pot of beef stew meat, therefore, I couldn’t tell how much actual broth was present. The amount required will also depend upon what other vegetables are present in the broth, such as onion, etc.
I hope this helps those who have been having trouble in this area.
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Hi Carla
I'm only about a year late in replying but but yes when it gets cold it becomes gelatine, the secret to re-heating is to add a bit of water or stock to it while whisking it as it heats. I always make a large batch of gravy every time I make a roast because I use the extra gravy in my shepards pie. I too am a chef by trade and I have never had an issue and in fact have been using the same process even before I started cooking gluten free ( married a celiac ).
use equal parts of rice flour and corn starch, use as you would ap flour. I have not tried freezing, but it makes a perfect gravy, can't tell any difference from regular gravy!
Thanks for sharing,Tammy. I liked using Namaste Perfect Flour Blend for gravy, as long as I was not going to rewarm it later on. Then I went back to using my own all-purpose flour, and sometime starch due to tapioca allergies. Have you tried reheating from the refrigerator when using rice flour and cornstarch?
In addition, I use potato flour in my mexican sauces.
Carla
yes, I recently made a roast and gravy, with potatoes and vegetables, which was turned into stew (leftovers). when reheated, Perfect!
Excellent! Thanks again for sharing. I'll have to give your recipe a try for freezing my beef stew.
Carla
Hi There
I'm not sure if you have ever just used Cornstarch and water?
Murray,
I have used cornstarch, potato starch, tapioca starch + water. None of them stay thick upon freezing and reheating. I had this discussion with a professional chef who cooks gluten free. He experienced the same thing. He didn't have a solution for it, besides pureeing vegetables.
Carla