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A simple step-by-step recipe for making a roux.
Makes1/2 cupCook5 minutes to 12 minutesJump to Recipe
Jump to Recipe
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A roux, pronounced “roo,” is one of the building blocks of cooking. It’s a fundamental technique for new cooks to learn, and one of the first things taught in culinary school. It’s the secret to making silky sauces, rich gravies, and luscious mac and cheese. In fact, if you’ve ever made a homemade cheese sauce before, chances are you’ve made a roux — even if you didn’t realize it.
What Is a Roux?
A roux is a sauce built on a simple ratio of 1 part butter to 1 part flour. You start by melting butter, then add in flour, and cook the mixture over low heat until it’s thick and lump-free. At this point, most recipes will instruct you to slowly add a liquid such as broth or milk, and this is where the magic happens. The roux dissolves into the liquid and thickens it into a silky-smooth sauce.
Keep in mind, this ratio of 1 part butter to 1 part flour pertains to weight, not volume. And weights aren’t equivalent to cup and tablespoon measurements. So, for example, if you start with 5 tablespoons of butter (70.94 grams / 2.50 ounces) you would add half a cup of flour (72.5 grams / 2.56 ounces).
Once you master the basic technique, you can transform just about any liquid into a perfectly smooth sauce.
What Is a Roux Used For?
A roux is primarily used to thicken sauces such as gravies and cream sauces. Because the flour is cooked, you don’t have to worry about the flour clumping and ruining the texture of your sauce. (If you’ve ever tried to add flour directly into a hot liquid, you know what I’m talking about.)
A roux should only be used to thicken sauces that are not meant to be clear, as it will turn a clear liquid cloudy. It’s the go-to tool for thickening pot pie filling, mac and cheese, and rich dairy sauces.
In less common instances, a roux can also be used to add flavor to a dish (such as gumbo and stews). In this case, the roux is slowly cooked down and heat causes a Maillard reaction which creates and intensifies its nutty flavor. It transforms from a pale white color to dark mahogany and takes on a strong toasted flavor. These types of rouxs are used more for their flavor, not their thickening power; the longer you cook a roux the less thickening power it has.
The 3 Types of Roux
Depending on how long you cook your roux, the color can range from pale white to dark brown. Each roux has its own unique use, and they are not interchangeable, so it’s important to know the differences.
White Roux
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. It does not impart a noticeable color or flavor. It’s also somewhat thicker and more textured than darker rouxs. The longer you cook it, the smoother it becomes.
Blonde Roux
Similar to a white roux, a blonde roux can be used to thicken any white sauce. It’s cooked for a few minutes longer than a white roux and develops a mild, nutty flavor. A blonde roux is traditionally used to thicken velouté (stock thickened with a roux) and has slightly less thickening power.
Brown Roux
A brown roux is the least common type of roux and is used for only a handful of cooking applications. The flavor is strong and imparts a nutty, toasted flavor to whatever it is added to. Traditionally brown roux is used to thicken rich sauces such as sauce espagnole, and is one of the main flavoring components in gumbo. Brown roux has the least thickening power out of all three rouxs.
How to Make a Roux
A simple step-by-step recipe for making a roux.
Cook time 5 minutes to 12 minutes
Makes 1/2 cup
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons
(1/2 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup
all-purpose flour
Equipment
Measuring spoons
Large regular or cast iron skillet
Wooden spoon
Instructions
Show Images
Melt the butter. Melt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large regular or cast iron skillet over medium-low heat.
Add the flour. As soon as the butter is melted, add 1/2 cup all-purpose flour and immediately stir with a wooden spoon in a figure-eight motion until the flour has completely absorbed all of the butter, 30 seconds to 1 minute. There should be no dry pockets of flour left in the mixture.
Cook the flour. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until the mixture is smooth, slightly thickened, and small bubbles begin forming, 30 seconds to 1 minute. The roux should smell nutty and there should be no unincorporated flour left. If any lumps of flour remain, break them up with the spoon.
Cook to the desired color. At this point, you have a white roux that is perfect for using in light sauces such as béchamel. For a blonde roux (which can be used interchangeably with a white roux but has a slightly nutty flavor), continue cooking over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the roux is a pale golden color, 3 to 4 minutes. For a brown roux (most commonly used to thicken gumbo), cook until the roux is dark brown and very fragrant, 10 to 12 minutes.
Recipe Notes
Make ahead: Roux can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 30 days, and will harden into a firm mass. To use, break off the desired amount and whisk directly into soups, sauces, and gravies until completely dissolved.
Butter substitutes: Cooking oil can be substituted for the butter. Olive oil, canola oil, and vegetable oil would all work well in this recipe.
Filed in:
easy
french
How To
Make Ahead
sauce
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