Tex Mex Chili Gravy (Mexican Brown Gravy) Recipe
This Tex Mex Chili Gravy, also known as Mexican Brown Gravy, is a flavorful and rich sauce made with bacon fat, aromatic spices, and beef broth. Perfect as a topping for meats, rice, or beans, this gravy brings a smoky, spicy twist to traditional brown gravy with the essence of chili powder, cumin, and Mexican oregano.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: About 2 cups 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1/4 cup bacon fat (lard or vegetable oil)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Spices
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt (optional, check before adding due to bacon fat)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp Mexican oregano
Liquids
- 2 cups beef broth
Instructions
- Heat bacon fat and make roux: Heat the bacon fat over medium-high heat in a skillet or saucepan. Whisk in the all-purpose flour continuously and cook until the mixture turns a light yellow to golden brown color, approximately 3-5 minutes. This forms the base roux which will thicken the gravy.
- Add spices and broth: Stir in the chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt (if using), black pepper, and Mexican oregano. Gradually whisk in the beef broth until the mixture is smooth.
- Simmer and thicken gravy: Reduce the heat to low and let the gravy simmer gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent lumps. If the gravy becomes too thick, thin it by adding more beef broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
Notes
- Use bacon fat for authentic smoky flavor; substitute with lard or vegetable oil if preferred.
- Adjust chili powder amount to balance spiciness according to taste.
- Add salt cautiously because bacon fat can be salty.
- This gravy pairs excellently with roasted meats, rice dishes, or beans.
- For a smoother gravy, strain after cooking if desired.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: Tex Mex gravy, Mexican brown gravy, chili gravy, savory sauce, beef gravy, spicy gravy, bacon fat gravy
