Kittencal's Beef Gravy

This is not a fancy beef gravy and I am not claiming it to be the best, but for the ease of this recipe it's sure a great gravy that can be used for many recipes --- my favorite way to use this gravy is prepare as directed then add in slices of cooked leftover beef roast, steak or cooked meatballs to hot gravy, then serve on toasted buns with mashed potatoes--- the amount of flour listed will give you a thick gravy if you prefer a thinner gravy reduce the flour by 1 to 1-1/2 tablespoons --- do not add any salt if desired it may be added in at the end of cooking --- also see my Kittencal's Easy No-Fail Make Anytime Turkey Gravy

• Ready In: 5 mins
• Yields: 5 cups (approx)

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup butter or 1⁄2 cup margarine
• 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
• 1⁄8 teaspoon garlic powder (optional or to taste)
• 1⁄2 cup flour, plus
• 2  tablespoons flour (for a very thick gravy increase to 3 tablespoons)
• 1  tablespoon  oxo beef bouillon powder (or to taste, I use 2 small package OXO beef bouillon powder)
• 4  cups  canned low sodium beef broth (or use beef pan drippings with broth to make up 4 cups, omit the bouillon if using beef drippings)

Directions

1. In a saucepan over medium-high heat melt butter or margarine until bubbly (do not brown).
2. Add in the black pepper, garlic powder (if using) and flour, then whisk for 1 minute.
3. Slowly add in the beef broth and beef bouillon powder (or beef broth mixed with pan drippings) stir over low heat until smooth, thickened and bubbly about 3 minutes).