So, what’s all the fuss about a Cajun roux? Well, if you ask me, a dark Cajun roux is the secret ingredient that is the single most important building block of Cajun cooking. So important in fact, that we decided to show you in a step-by-step video that will give you every one of Rox’s roux-making secrets. Take a look by clicking below.
And once you’ve mastered the art of the roux, we have it all for your convenience in a jarred product we call Rox’s Roux–the deepest, darkest, and richest commercially available roux. The convenience of this product will add consistency and quality to any Cajun roux-based recipe. That said, until you make a roux from scratch like Rox’s Roux, you will never understand the cultural significance of a Cajun roux.
The dark abyss of a perfectly made Cajun roux is the depth of flavor in Rox’s Roux. (All photos credit: George Graham)
Making a dark Cajun roux from scratch is a dying art. Not too many years ago, there wasn’t a Cajun or Creole household in South Louisiana that didn’t have the unmistakably intense aroma of a dark roux, in all its glory, wafting through the kitchen. Home cooks were taught basic roux-making skills early on, and it was a rite of passage to pass it on to the next generation.
Times have changed.
With the proliferation of jarred and powdered roux products, as well as packaged gumbo mixes, the art of roux making is slowly dying off. Don’t get me wrong, some prepared roux products like Rox’s Roux are very good, and I use them myself. But, there is no substitute for the ritual of making a homemade roux from scratch, and I believe it is the obligation — no, responsibility — of roux makers to hand down this timeless artisan skill to their children. I know my wife has.
Rox can make a roux.
As deep and dark as blackstrap molasses and just as rich.
My wife Roxanne doesn’t cook every night nor does she profess to be a culinary artisan, but she is one of the best natural cooks I know. For her roux, she follows a strict set of guidelines handed down from generations of good Cajun cooks before her. She was born and raised in Jennings, and I sometimes tease her that her grandmother’s black iron pot and well-worn, wooden gumbo spoon were her dowry. Truth be told, to her they are significantly more valuable than anything money could buy.
On a cold January day, she can work magic in that pot with a roux-infused chicken and sausage gumbo like none other I’ve tasted. A roux is the foundation on which gumbo is based. Rox’s roux is nursed and nourished with a serious attention to detail that defies logic. It’s as if my wife goes into a semi-lucid state of consciousness that is mesmerizing. She stirs and stirs. And focuses on color, texture and smell. For over an hour, she stirs. No phone calls, no conversations, no distractions whatsoever.
White, cream, beige, tan, brown, mahogany, and beyond.
There is an instinctive point of departure — a point of no return that she pushes beyond. A less brave or sure-handed cook would stop short of perfection. She has the confidence and courage to pursue that hauntingly dark depth of a rich chocolate-colored roux. Hershey bar chocolate is the terminus, and anything more is burnt and destined for the disposal.
With her wooden spoon scepter in her right hand, my gumbo queen rules the kitchen.
Rox’s Roux: A dark Cajun roux that is chocolate syrupy thick and just as rich. And now you can buy it online by clicking on this photo.
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 cups oil, such as vegetable oil
- A Cajun roux starts out in a large cast iron pot over medium heat. With no distractions and approximately one hour of time at your disposal, begin by adding the flour and oil.
- With a long-handled wooden spoon, begin to stir. Constant stirring and moving the flour around the bottom of the pot is the key to browning the flour evenly to prevent burning. This early stage will go slowly as you begin to see the white flour take on a beige and then a tan color.
- Continue stirring slowly and evenly, scraping the bottom and the circular crevices of the pot to move the flour around in the hot oil.
- At about the half-hour mark, you will begin to see a brown color developing and smell the first hints of toasted flour. This is where the stirring becomes even more crucial.
- At this point, you begin to enter the quickly developing phase where the least bit of inattention could result in burnt flecks of flour appearing – a sure sign you’ve ruined the roux. Watch your heat and lower it if the roux is cooking too fast.
- Constant stirring to keep the flour from staying in one place too long prevents burning. You will begin to smell an even nuttier aroma as you see the color turn darker mahogany. Most stop here, but you will keep going until you achieve a deeper, darker chocolatey consistency and color.
- Forget time at this point since you are now cooking by instinct, sight and smell. The utmost attention is needed to your stirring, and when you see that Hershey chocolate darkness, you will know you have arrived.
- Turn off the heat, but continue stirring until it begins to cool down and quits cooking.
- Spoon the roux into a bowl and let cool.
My wife Rox, and her roux rocks, too. Buy it by clicking on this photo.
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Just made my first dark roux (1:1 ratio) and it was on the thin sideafter it was done- except once I poured it in the storage container it started to settle on the bottom but the top layer was still thin but not separated. Is this how it’s supposed to be? I saw other videos of paste like roux and note I’m thinking I’ve made a mistake.
Yes
I just made my first roux with equal parts of coconut oil and almond flour. Your narrative is true. The dark chocolate color was the reward. It was the base of my first gumbo (chicken, andouille sausage and shrimp). It took hours to make and lots of dishes and pans, but my diners were very pleased. I plan to make it again.
Hey Eileen-
This keto-friendly version is interesting to those who embrace a low-carb diet. One question: Once it darkens, do you lose the coconut and almond flavors? Let us know. Thanks for the comment.
Thank U
How do you feel about lard for the fat?
Hey John – I like the way you think, but be sure to understand that pork lard is not a neutral flavor oil. For the right roux-based recipe it will be excellent, but I would not use it in some more delicate dishes like a seafood gumbo. By the way, in my travels I’ve run across only one store that sells jarred roux made with lard in Mowata, Louisiana called The Mowata Store. All the best.
Making a good roux should be learned by every cook.
Bet lard was used by all of the original Cajun roux cooks. I’ve never lived in South Louisiana, I’m a North Louisiana redneck, but I’ve been married to a little Cajun girl from Eunice for over 56 years. I believe she may have made a roux once.. or, thrice.
Nolan – I bet you are correct, and I do know one store that still sells jarred roux made with pork lard. All the best.
Mine is foamy. What does this mean?
Polly- In the beginning stage, sometimes the flour and oil will become bubbly and frothy (foamy), but as it cooks and takes on a darker color, the mixture should cook down into a smooth texture. Give it another try and be sure to watch the video. All the best.
How to you reheat cold roux
Shene- Either cold or room temperature, roux is always added to liquid and dissolved over heat. Once it fully melts into the the stock or water it will work its flavor and thickening magic. All the best.
Just got back from New Orleans yesterday. I decided to make gumbo for the kids. I’ve made many a roux in my day but never a dark Cajun roux. It looks like smooth melted chocolate. I used 1/2 bacon fat and 1/2 light olive oil. Roux cooked for about an hour or so. Now to add the trinity and some chicken & shrimp with some homemade shrimp stock. Thanks for the tips. Should be delicious!!!!
How much of Rox’s Roux will I need to make 4 gallons of gumbo? Also, do I mix the jarred roux with some stock before adding it into the gumbo or just scoop out a certain amount and add it to the gumbo? Trying her roux for the first time as I am a little short on time and this will really help!
Hey Jonzey – Roux is not an exact science, but based on 2 tablespoons of roux per quart of liquid, my estimation is 2 cups of roux by volume or 1 16-ounce jar of Rox’s Roux. This should make a gumbo of medium thickness, so if you like it thicker, add more roux. All the best.
Do you use/keep the oil from the top of the jar or discard it?
John – Really good question that prompts a discussion for the many folks out there that are new to roux. When molten-hot Rox’s Roux is first poured into a glass Mason-type jar, the heat seals the lid once it is screwed into place; this ensures that your jar of roux will keep safe for months or up to 3 years if unopened. As the roux cools in the jar, the oil rises to the top which adds an additional “seal” for the cooked flour underneath. This is all a natural and normal process, and not a “separated” roux as some might think.
Now on to the question of what to do with the oil: There is flavor in the oil, and if I am using the whole jar of roux, I like to pour the oil into my pot to saute my trinity (onions, celery, bell pepper) as I begin making my gumbo. However, if I am only using some of the jar, I will spoon out my roux and leave the oil to coat the top of the remaining roux in the jar for safe-keeping. With the screw-top tightly back in place, the jar of leftover roux will keep for months at room temperature, or some folks prefer to place it on the door of the refrigerator or even the freezer–all good.
I hope this answers your question, and I wish you all the best.
I love making Shrimp & Crab Gumbo! Yes, it does take some time to make a chocolate roux, but with a nice glass of wine & good listening music it’s worth the time invested!
This was a fabulous article! I love making a roux as it is a soulful endeavor.
Bobby D’Roux
Hey Bobby – I thank you and my wife thanks you. We urge you to pass on this skill to the next generation of rouxmakers. All the best.
Great post. I’m still trying to get there with the Roux. I usually settle for dark Carmel color