Portillo’s is a popular fast casual restaurant chain known for its Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, and chocolate cake. One of the hallmarks of Portillo’s menu is the gravy that comes on many of their sandwiches like the Italian beef. So what exactly is in Portillo’s signature gravy? Let’s take a closer look.
Main Ingredients
According to Portillo’s, the main ingredients in their gravy are:
- Beef stock – This provides flavor and is likely made by simmering bones and beef scraps.
- Roasted garlic – This adds depth of flavor and a bit of sweetness.
- Tomato paste – Thickens the gravy and adds seasoning.
- Spices – Likely include things like black pepper, oregano, basil.
So the gravy has an Italian-inspired flavor profile thanks to ingredients like roasted garlic and tomato paste. The beef stock gives it a rich, meaty base. Overall, a simple but tasty combination of ingredients.
Detailed Gravy Recipe
While Portillo’s keeps the exact recipe private, some food bloggers and chefs have tried to replicate it. Here is one such recipe that claims to mirror the Portillo’s gravy:
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely diced
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups beef stock
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 1⁄2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 1⁄2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes until translucent.
- Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef and cook until no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Stir in the tomato paste until combined.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, beef stock, bay leaves, basil, oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 1-2 hours, until thickened and flavors have blended.
- Remove bay leaves before serving.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
This homemade version uses simple ingredients like tomatoes, onion, garlic, and beef to replicate the Portillo’s flavor profile. Simmering it for 1-2 hours allows the flavors to meld together in the rich, meaty gravy.
Nutrition Information
Here are the basic nutrition facts for Portillo’s gravy based on a 2 tablespoon serving:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 45 |
| Fat | 2g |
| Carbohydrates | 4g |
| Protein | 3g |
| Sodium | 125mg |
A few key points about the nutrition:
- Moderate in calories considering the small serving size.
- Relatively low in fat for a gravy.
- Contains a good amount of protein thanks to the beef base.
- Pretty high in sodium, so those restricting sodium need to be mindful.
Overall, while not the healthiest choice, Portillo’s gravy delivers big flavor for a reasonable nutritional trade-off in small quantities.
Cost to Make at Home
If you wanted to replicate Portillo’s gravy at home, here’s an estimate of what it might cost using the recipe above:
| Ingredient | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Olive oil | $0.10 |
| Onion | $0.30 |
| Garlic | $0.15 |
| Ground beef | $3.00 |
| Tomato paste | $0.20 |
| Crushed tomatoes | $1.00 |
| Beef stock | $1.50 |
| Spices | $0.30 |
| Total | $6.55 |
For about $6.50, you can make a large batch of gravy at home. The most expensive item is the ground beef. Buying in bulk could further reduce costs. Overall, a cheap way to replicate the gravy compared to ordering it from the restaurant.
How Long Does it Keep?
When properly stored, homemade gravy can last:
- Refrigerator: Up to 4-5 days in an airtight container.
- Freezer: Up to 4-6 months in an airtight container. Allow to thaw overnight before reheating.
With such a long shelf life, you can make a big batch of this Portillo’s copycat gravy and enjoy it for a week or longer. Just remember to practice good food safety when reheating and don’t let it sit at room temperature too long.
Uses for the Gravy
While often served on Italian beef sandwiches, Portillo’s gravy is versatile and can be used to enhance all kinds of dishes:
- Italian beef sandwiches – Spread gravy on bread and dip sandwich for flavor.
- Pasta – Toss with hot cooked pasta for a sauce.
- Mashed potatoes – Mix in for more flavor.
- Roast beef – Spoon over top of slices for added moisture.
- French fries – Use for dipping fries instead of ketchup.
You could even get creative and try using it in things like gravy fries, gravy pizza, pot pies, etc. Sky’s the limit for uses of this versatile sauce!
Common Questions
Is Portillo’s gravy gluten-free?
Unfortunately no, Portillo’s gravy contains wheat flour so it is not gluten-free. Those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should avoid it.
Is Portillo’s gravy vegetarian?
It is not vegetarian as it contains beef stock. For a vegetarian/vegan alternative, you could substitute vegetable stock.
Is there MSG in their gravy?
Portillo’s states that they do not add MSG to their gravy. However, some packaged stock or spices used may naturally contain small amounts of glutamates.
Can you purchase Portillo’s gravy in stores?
No, Portillo’s gravy is only available from their restaurants. You can, however, make a copycat version at home!
Does Portillo’s sell their gravy recipe?
Unfortunately Portillo’s keeps their exact gravy recipe a secret. But with some experimenting, home cooks have developed close copies like the one found above.
Conclusion
Portillo’s signature gravy has a beefy, garlicky, and slightly tomatoey flavor profile. While the exact recipe is unknown, it likely contains ingredients like beef stock, garlic, tomato, and seasonings. You can recreate it fairly easily and inexpensively at home. The gravy’s versatility makes it perfect for all kinds of Italian beef dishes, pastas, potatoes, and more. Just a couple tablespoons adds a ton of savory flavor. So next time you have a craving for Portillo’s, consider whipping up a batch of this copycat recipe to satisfy it!