roux: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “roux” mean?
A mixture of equal parts fat and flour cooked together and used as a thickening agent in sauces and soups.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A mixture of equal parts fat and flour cooked together and used as a thickening agent in sauces and soups.
In culinary arts, roux serves as the base for many classic sauces, and its cooking level (white, blond, brown) influences flavor and color.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; both varieties use the term identically in culinary contexts.
Connotations
Neutral in both, associated with professional and home cooking.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to culinary media influence, but overall low in general language.
Grammar
How to Use “roux” in a Sentence
used as a thickening agentmade with fat and flourcooked until desired colorVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; limited to culinary industry discussions.
Academic
Common in culinary studies and food science texts.
Everyday
Used in cooking recipes and home kitchen conversations.
Technical
Essential in professional cooking for sauce and soup preparation.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “roux”
- Misspelling as 'rou' or 'row', mispronouncing as /raʊ/ instead of /ruː/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It comes from French, meaning 'reddish-brown', referring to the color of cooked roux.
Yes, roux can be made with any fat, including oil, butter, or lard, depending on the recipe.
No, it is most common in French and Cajun cuisines, but variations appear in other culinary traditions.
Leftover roux can be cooled, stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or frozen for longer use.
A mixture of equal parts fat and flour cooked together and used as a thickening agent in sauces and soups.
Roux is usually specialized in register.
Roux: in British English it is pronounced /ruː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ruː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'roux' rhyming with 'blue'—it's the 'glue' that thickens your sauce to a perfect hue.
Conceptual Metaphor
Foundation or base, as in 'the roux is the foundation upon which the sauce is built'.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary culinary purpose of a roux?