Bisto gravy granules, powders, and pastes are a quick and easy way to make gravy and thicken sauces. They work the same way as gravy and stew seasoning packets in the spice aisle. Bisto makes more than just gravy. They also make stock melts, which are like bouillon but are a faster way to make stock. Varieties include original, favourite, brown, beef, chicken, turkey, onion and vegetable, as well as reduced sodium options.
In Britain, it’s hard to find a kitchen that doesn’t have some Bisto products. In the US, however, you can only find them in high-end grocery stores and specialty markets. In 1908, the wives of Bisto’s founders put out a challenge to make a product that would make making gravy easier. Bisto has added potato starch and wheat starch as thickeners, as well as yeast powder, spices, and flavorings, to its original brown gravy powder. The favourite, onion and vegetable Bisto products are vegan friendly without the addition of meat drippings. Turkey, chicken and pork Bisto products contain powdered meat, making them unsuitable for vegan diets.
Creating Bisto gravy is as simple as stirring the Bisto mix and boiling water until smooth. Bisto says to mix the gravy with 4 heaping tablespoons of Bisto and 1 cup of water. Change the amount of Bisto or water depending on how thick you want the gravy to be. Use the same ratio when adding meat drippings to the gravy. Remove the meat from the pan and spoon out as much of the fat as possible. To deglaze the pan, add half of the water to the drippings and scrape the sides of the pan. Mix the Bisto with the remaining water until smooth; stir in the drippings and water from the pan. Bisto gravy paste works much the same way but comes in a single-use pouch. Squeeze the pouch to loosen the paste, and then mix 1 1/2 cups of hot water with the powder inside each pouch.
Bisto gravy makes foods like mashed potatoes and roast meat taste better, but Bisto can be used for a lot more than that. It makes chili con carne taste rich and meaty when you add a few tablespoons of original or favorite Bisto. Stir some gravy granules or powder into soups for a flavor boost and some thickening power. Intensify the meat flavor in cottage pie — shepherds pie with beef — with brown Bisto. Stir the Bisto directly into the skillet while making the cottage pie base. It’s also said that bisto granules help make stew’s thin juices into a thick, gravy-like sauce that covers the meat and vegetables.
Bisto stock melts make it easy to make beef, chicken, and vegetable stock. You can use them on their own or with Bisto gravy mix to add more flavor. Stock melts come in gelatinous form in small tubs. In 2 cups of hot water, melt one tub of stock melts. You can also stir it right into food to melt and add flavor. The finished stock works well for making soups, stews, risotto, casseroles and even chicken and dumplings. Use Bisto melts stock to boost the flavor of basic mashed potatoes or cornbread stuffing. Gel form also works well when added straight to stir-fry or other one-pan meals to make a quick sauce.
Amelia Allonsy used to decorate cakes and become a competitive gardener, but she feels most at ease in the kitchen or when she has her hands in the dirt. She received her Bachelors degree from West Virginia University. Her work has been published in the San Francisco Chronicle and on other websites.
Can Bisto Save The Day? Using Gravy Granules As An Emergency Beef Stock
Cooking can take some unexpected turns. Maybe you realize too late that a recipe calls for beef stock and your pantry is bare. Or you find an old family recipe you want to try but don’t have all the ingredients. We’ve all been there. When hunger strikes but something’s missing, is it game over? Not so fast. That familiar tin of Bisto hiding in the back of the cupboard may just save the day.
Bisto gravy granules can work as an impromptu beef stock substitute in many dishes. With a meaty flavor and easy solubility in hot water Bisto can impart savory goodness when you’re stock-less. Read on to learn why Bisto makes a handy backup beef stock how to use it, and when it works best.
Why Bisto Can Sub as Beef Stock
First, what gives Bisto its beefy flavor? Bisto gravy powder and granules are made from yeast extract, wheat flour, salt, flavorings, onion powder, coloring, and monosodium glutamate (MSG). The key ingredients providing meaty flavor are the yeast extract and MSG.
Yeast extract is made by autolyzing yeast cells, breaking them down to release amino acids and glutamates which impart a savory umami taste. MSG is a popular flavor enhancer also known for its strong umami flavor. When dissolved in hot liquid, these ingredients in Bisto granules can mimic the rich, meaty taste of beef stock.
While it can’t fully replicate the complexity of homemade beef bone broth, Bisto can impart more flavor than just plain water or bouillon cubes. Its dark color also adds desirable browning and visual appeal. So while not a perfect substitute, Bisto can fill in when you’re in need of an emergency beef stock.
How To Use Bisto as Beef Stock
Making “beef stock” from Bisto is simple.
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For lighter color and flavor, use 1 teaspoon granules per 1 cup water
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For deeper flavor and color, use 1-2 tablespoons per cup
Bring the water to a boil, then stir in the granules until fully dissolved. Use this Bisto “stock” as you would regular beef stock in soups, stews, gravies, or any recipe calling for beef broth.
The gravy granules dissolve easily in hot liquids, so you can also simply whisk them into a simmering dish or sauce as needed to add a boost of beefy flavor.
If substituting Bisto for beef stock in a recipe, you may need to adjust salt since Bisto contains sodium. Start with half the salt called for, taste, and add more from there. The Bisto flavor should come through nicely with proper seasoning.
How Bisto’s History Set the Stage for Its Versatility
Chances are you’ve got a familiar yellow and red Bisto tin sitting somewhere in your pantry. But what is the story behind this ubiquitous UK brand?
Bisto dates back to 1908, created by the Cerebos food company. Cerebos workers Charles and Edwin Garton were prevailed upon by their wives to develop an easier way to make tasty gravy. The result was Bisto, a powdered gravy mix that quickly found favor for delivering foolproof flavor and thickness.
Early ads proclaimed Bisto “strength in use” and the ability to “Brown, Season, and Thicken all in one.” Its malty, beefy flavor and gravy-making power struck a chord in English kitchens. Bisto became a trusted household staple for delivering deliciously consistent gravy and sauces.
In 1919, the brand introduced the beloved Bisto Kids, an illustrated boy and girl who appeared in ads for decades. Their “Ah! Bisto” tagline emphasized the satisfaction of a good gravy. Generations grew up enjoying Bisto gravy thanks to these memorable characters.
Today, Bisto offers a range of gravy mixes, granules, concentrates, and sauces to suit any dish. Their versatility and nostalgic place in English cuisine makes them a pantry staple. So never fear – with trusty Bisto on hand, you’re never far from flavor.
Key Differences Between Bisto and Beef Stock
However, there are some important differences to keep in mind when substituting Bisto for real beef stock:
Flavor: Beef stock is made by simmering beef bones, meat, and vegetables for hours, yielding a complex, layered flavor. Bisto has a straightforward meaty taste from MSG and yeast extract. It can’t match the nuance of homemade stock.
Nutrition: Beef stock contains protein, collagen, minerals from bones, and nutrients extracted from ingredients. Bisto is highly processed with less nutritional value.
Texture: Beef stock is liquid. Bisto’s granulated form must be dissolved in hot water first. This can impact the mouthfeel and consistency of dishes.
Color: Beef stock ranges from pale tan to rich brown. Bisto gravy is uniformly dark and may alter the appearance of lighter dishes.
Salt content: Beef stock’s salt depends on what’s added during cooking. Bisto contains salt and may make dishes taste overly salty.
For best nutrition and authentic flavor, homemade beef stock can’t be beat. But Bisto can credibly stand in when time or ingredients are short.
Tips for Using Bisto as Beef Stock
To use Bisto as a makeshift beef stock, keep these tips in mind:
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For lighter color/flavor, use less Bisto – start with 1 tsp per cup of water
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Add savory seasonings – Worcestershire, soy sauce, herbs
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Watch your salt – taste and adjust to avoid overly salty flavor
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Don’t rely too heavily – use other flavorful ingredients as well
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Supplement with vegetables, tomatoes, red wine for more complexity
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Use Bisto judiciously and beef up with aromatics and seasoning
With care, Bisto can sub as beef stock in a pinch to add meaty notes to soups, stews, braises, and more. But homemade stock will always deliver superior nutrition, richness, and nuance of flavor.
Other Handy Emergency Beef Stock Substitutes
While Bisto can work in a gravy emergency, it’s not the only pantry item that can provide makeshift beefy flavor. Consider these handy substitutes:
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Bouillon cubes or granules – Add savory, concentrated flavor when dissolved in water. May be salty.
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Miso paste – Fermented soybean paste that adds hearty umami flavor.
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Worcestershire sauce – Provides tangy umami depth but not the richness of stock.
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Soy sauce or liquid aminos – Use sparingly to avoid over-salting but imparts meaty flavor.
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Tomato paste – Deepens flavor and color nicely when cooked into dishes.
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Dried mushrooms – Rehydrate in hot water for earthy, savory flavor.
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Red or white wine – For complexity and acidity but not the hearty meatiness of stock.
Many common pantry items can pitch hit for stock. Get creative mixing and matching bouillon, wine, umami-rich sauces, and aromatics like mushrooms. With skillful seasoning, you can still achieve delicious results.
From Gravy to Saving the Day: The Versatility of Bisto
As a seasoned Brit might say, Bisto is brilliant for gravy but handy in a pinch for much more. Through skillful marketing emphasizing flavor and convenience, Bisto has secured a spot in English cupboards for over a century.
While it can’t fully replicate from-scratch beef stock, a spoonful of Bisto granules can deliver welcome meaty flavor and rich coloring when needed. Just use a light hand and season other ingredients well for best results. With a little creativity, Bisto can be your secret weapon for improvising when recipes take an unexpected turn.
So next time you’re cooking and realize the beef stock is missing, don’t despair. Odds are you’ve got a familiar red and yellow tin waiting to work some gravy magic. Whisk up some “Bisto beef stock” and carry on with dinner. The flexibility of this pantry staple means you’re never far from flavor.
Making gravy with Bisto gravy powder
FAQ
Can I use Bisto gravy as stock?
Can I use gravy instead of beef stock?
What is a good substitute for beef stock?
Is beef bouillon the same as beef broth?
How do you use Bisto stock melts?
Bisto stock melts create easy vegetable, beef and chicken stock to use independently or with Bisto gravy mix for extra flavor. Stock melts come in gelatinous form in small tubs. Melt a single tub of stock melts in 2 cups of hot water, or stir it directly into food to melt and add flavor.
How do I use beef stock substitutes?
When using beef stock substitutes, keep in mind the following tips: Start with a small amount: Gradually add the substitute until you achieve the desired flavor intensity. Adjust seasonings: Taste the dish and adjust the seasonings, such as salt and pepper, to balance the flavor.
Is chicken stock a good substitute for beef stock?
A: Chicken stock has a lighter flavor than beef stock, so it may not be the best substitute in all cases. However, it can be used in dishes where a milder flavor is desired. Q: What is a good substitute for beef stock for vegetarians? A: Mushroom stock or vegetable broth are excellent vegetarian-friendly substitutes for beef stock.
How do you use Bisto Granules?
Stir the Bisto directly into the skillet while making the cottage pie base. Bisto granules also help to thicken the juices in stew, turning thin juices into a thick, gravy-like sauce that coats the meat and vegetables. Bisto stock melts create easy vegetable, beef and chicken stock to use independently or with Bisto gravy mix for extra flavor.