How to make really rich gravy from granules?

[sandalsinthebin]

I normally use Bisto granules (red tub) and just add water because we don't generally cook meat so don't have the juices to add. Do mumsnetters have any tricks for enriching gravy granules to make shop bought gravy darker and tastier?

Butter. More granules to taste. A dab of mustard if it’s for beef. That sort of thing

Dried parsley also. Some would disagree

A splash of red wine, a dash of Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce and a good grind of black pepper.

Heap a bit more in and use the vegetable water instead of boiling a kettle.

Thanks Owl. I'm after extra taste and darkness so butter / mustard ideas sound great I'll definitely try. Wondering also about red wine, I'll do some experimentation

I add a bit of a stock pot or cube sometimes, fried onions or mushrooms (cut up small and strained), herbs fresh or dried, bits of other condiments eg. A dash or Worcester sauce or some mustard. For Turkey I add a little bit of cranberry sauce to it. Meat juices if there are any. A touch of butter if not. To give it that fatty element, make it really thick and creamy. I have known people add milk or cream, but I'm not a fan of this.

Half an oxo

A little bit of marmite works well as well for added depth but can be a little salty. Doesn't bother me because I love salty foods though.

Use the bisto in a jar rather than the tubs!

Thanks for these ideas I've got a huge tub of bisto to test them out.

Fry onions in butter until there's plenty of colour on them. Add stock made up with beef oxo, fresh chopped sage and rosemary, then use the Bisto granules to thicken it.

That's what I do for sausages.

I sweat down onions, in butter, then deglaze with red wine, then add bisto for a quick veggie gravy.

Add oxo cube to bisto, stir well- yummy.

My standard gravy - granules with a bit of water, add butter, thyme, splash of soy sauce, nutritional yeast. Cook up, thin with milk if necessary. It’s delicious.