This Roux Recipe is a Must for Home Cooks! (2024)

FAQs

What is the rule of roux? ›

In the simplest terms possible, a roux is a mixture of equal parts flour and fat, cooked together over low to medium heat, to create a uniform thickening agent that's deployed in saucy recipes like this extra-creamy Lasagna Bolognese, Chicken-Andouille Gumbo, and béchamel-soaked Croque Monsieur.

Types of Roux: There are three main types of roux: white, blond, and brown. Each type offers a distinct flavor profile and complements specific culinary creations.

Roux can be used to thicken sauces such as gravy, béchamel, velouté and cheese sauce, and dishes such as macaroni and cheese, scalloped potatoes, moussaka, and pot pie filling. Darker roux are used to flavor dishes such as gumbo or jambalaya.

There are four different types/stages of roux – light, blonde, brown and dark. Each type of roux differs in taste and colour, but they all have the same starting ingredients – butter and flour. What separates a light roux from a dark roux is the amount of cooking time and heat applied.

If you crank the heat up or use a thin pan, you risk burning the roux. Take your time: Even for a dark roux, you still want to cook the mixture slowly, taking your time to get there, so that it tastes rich and robust—not burned and bitter.

White and blond roux are the most common, used to thicken sauces, soups, and chowders. Brown and dark brown roux have more flavor, but less thickening power than white or blond roux. Dark roux are primarily used in Cajun and Creole dishes, most notably gumbo and jambalaya.

A white roux is the most common type of roux used to thicken sauces. The flavor is mild and it has the strongest thickening power of all three roux types. It's most often used to thicken white sauces such as a béchamel, country gravy, and cheese sauce.

Roux is a mix fat and flour cooked together to thicken sauces and soups. You can choose your fat based on personal preference, but of course, our favorite way to make roux is with our delicious ultra premium olive oil.

There's no right or wrong to which fat you use; it just depends on what flavor you want. In a dairy-heavy sauce, like milky béchamel, butter is the common choice (and is also the more common fat in most French roux), while oil is often preferred in Creole and Cajun cooking.

In general, it doesn't hurt to make too much roux because you can always store it in the fridge and use it later. Roux keeps very well in a sealed, airtight container. You could make it and store it for a week or even up to a month before you use it. Roux is made by cooking fat with flour.

Can I use any flour for roux? ›

Flour: All-purpose flour is most commonly used, but you can also use any flour. White Roux: Commonly used for white sauces, béchamel sauce, chowders, cheese sauces, or scalloped potatoes. Just cook until the flour loses its raw grain smell (about 1 minute).

A roux is composed of just 2 ingredients: butter and flour. You use equal portions of each ingredient. So if you're using 2 tablespoons of butter, use 2 tablespoons of flour.

You don't have to make a roux for mac and cheese. Many mac and cheese recipes call for a combination of butter and flour, known as a roux, to thicken the cheese sauce. While this maneuver works particularly well for baked mac and cheese, it just isn't always required.

What is the ratio for roux? Generally, the ratio of fat and flour is 1:1. And the ratio for the roux to liquid is 4 tablespoons for every cup of liquid or depending on your desired consistency.

Other amounts to keep in mind are: 3 cups oil plus 3 cups flour equals 3 2/3 cups roux. 1 cup oil plus 1 cup flour equals 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons roux. To thicken 6 to 8 cups of liquid for a gumbo, soup, or another dish, use 1 cup prepared roux or start with 1 cup flour and 1 cup fat.

PROPER PROPORTIONS

Rogerkf5 writes on nola.com: A roux should be a 1 to 1 ratio but by weight, not by volume. One cup of oil weighs 7.7 ounces, and 1 cup of flour weighs 4.5 ounces. So, a proper ratio would be 1 cup of oil, and 7.7 ounces by weight of flour, close to 1-3/4 cup of all-purpose flour.

1 Tbsp. flour mixed with 1 Tbsp. of butter or other fat should yield enough roux to thicken 3/4 to 1 cup of warm liquid. To avoid lumps forming, slowing whisk liquid into the roux and simmer until mixture thickens.