What Is Roux and How Can I Use It?

Roux is easier to cook with than it looks. Here's how to choose, use, and store it, what to substitute, and 11 recipes to get you started.

In Chinese:	糊
British (UK) term:	Roux
en français:	roux
en español:	roux

Recipes using roux

There are 11 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Oysters Au Champagne

Oysters au champagne is a classic French appetizer: fresh oysters poached in champagne and oyster liquor with garlic butter, plated over a bed of wilted spinach, and cloaked in a silky roux sauce.

Cream of Broccoli Soup 4

Creole-style cream of broccoli soup thickened with a blonde roux and seasoned with Creole spices. Bell pepper, celery, and onion round out this Southern take on a classic.

Cream Sauce

A silky cream sauce built on butter-sweated onion, pepper, celery, and garlic simmered in milk, thickened with roux, then strained smooth and enriched with cream. A versatile foundation sauce.

Tex-Mex salsa verde thickened with toasted pumpkin seeds and a quick roux, built on green chilies, parsley and chicken broth. A cooked green sauce for enchiladas, eggs and chips inspired by the El Chico restaurant chain.

Chicken Etoufee

Cajun chicken etouffee with singed onions, the holy trinity, and a dry roux simmered into a thin, flavorful gravy. Served over rice, this Louisiana classic brings bayou flavor home in about an hour.

Sunday's Beef Pie

Ground beef pie with mashed potato crust, mushrooms, shallots, garlic, and sharp cheddar baked until golden. Think shepherd's pie meets meat pie, and it's ready in about an hour.

Burgundy Beef Stew

A deeply flavored beef stew braised in Burgundy wine and rich stock with carrots, potatoes, rutabaga, mushrooms, and caramelized tomato paste. Thickened with a dark roux for velvety body.

Shrimp Bisque

Rich shrimp bisque built from sautéed shells, fish stock, brandy, paprika, heavy cream, and dry sherry. A classic French technique that extracts every ounce of shrimp flavor.

Ranchera Sauce

Ranchera sauce made from scratch with a roux-thickened tomato base, cumin, garlic, and fresh vegetables. A versatile Mexican sauce for rice, enchiladas, and huevos rancheros.

Queen Ida's Chicken & Sausage Gumbo

This traditional Cajun gumbo, inspired by Queen Ida’s Louisiana roots, combines tender chicken, smoky sausage, and a dark, flavorful roux for a soul-warming dish. The holy trinity of onion, celery, and parsley, along with bold seasonings, creates a complex, spicy broth that’s perfect served over rice. Ideal for family dinners or festive gatherings, this gumbo is a labor of love that rewards with deep, authentic flavors.