Struggling with Thickening Gravy in My Instant Pot – Tips Needed!

[bushra]

Okay all, I need help. I'm relatively new to the IP. I've been using my 6qt IP Duo for about 3 months. With the hot weather, I use it for probably 5 out of 7 dinners each week. My problem is that I cannot get gravy to thicken. Anytime I make a dish that tells me to remove the meat and add a slurry of cornstarch to thicken., I just seem to spend wasted time (and cornstarch) stirring and stirring to still only end up with a thin gravy. I've tried new cornstarch, high/normal/low levels of saute, keeping IP on "keep warm," and I still end up with thin gravy. I'm beginning to think it's psychological/paranormal because I'm not a big fan of gravy (husband is). How are you all getting gravy to thicken?
UPDATE: Thank you all! You have given me some great suggestions. I am going to experiment with Wondra flour, arrowroot, tapioca and/or increasing the amount of cornstarch.

 

[menshajoe]

I use the cornstarch slurry as you mentioned. No issues. Strange.

 

[bushra]

@menshajoe I use it when cooking on the stove and have no problems. The IP seems to dislike my gravy.

 

[menshajoe]

@bushra That’s wild! I do this multiple times per week. How much cornstarch do you add?

 

[bushra]

@menshajoe It depends on howuch liquid the recipe uses. It's usually 2-3 tsp of cornstarch to an equal amount of water or wine, the Saute and boil, boil, boil while stirring/whisking.

 

[bagrm]

@bushra I don’t think that’s enough cornstarch

 

[menshajoe]

@bushra Tablespoons, but yes the rest is correct.

 

[athinkingchristian]

Personally I would use gravy flour in a blue container and turn on the sauté and whisk it in a tiny bit at a time until thick

 

[dstamps]

@athinkingchristian I didn’t know such a thing existed! I have a problem with corn starch gravy too. Only use it in IP and it is thinner than we like. Thank you!

 

[athinkingchristian]

@dstamps

 

[iamacountnotasaint]

@athinkingchristian This probably works well for actual "gravy" but I make a lot of asian dishes that would be weird with flour, so corn starch is better for those.

 

[athinkingchristian]

@iamacountnotasaint that is true.

 

[athinkingchristian]

It’s Wondra ful!

 

[loma]

My first question is whether you make gravy successfully from scratch (no gravy mix) using other cooking methods?

 

[bushra]

@loma Yes. I use cornstarch successfully when I cook on the stove.

 

[losllaves]

There may be too much liquid left in the pot when you are done cooking. You might try removing and saving some of the broth then thickening the smaller amount. You can add the saved liquid back if your gravy gets too thick.

 

[mikemu777]

@losllaves you might want to re-read this post...

 

[losllaves]

@mikemu777 haha. Caught it before your emoji hit

 

[mikemu777]

@losllaves a good laugh tho...

 

[rwiltz]

Maybe you aren’t using enough cornstarch in your slurry. But I understand your struggle. Mine often goes from too thin to too thick.