Savory Popovers — Yorkshire Pudding is a wonderful addition to any comfort food dinner you might serve. This savory bread rises tall in the oven and is crisp and golden on the outside, with a soft, eggy interior. It’s perfect for sopping up gravy from a beef pot roast or meat pie.
Gather the ingredients so you have everything close at hand on the counter or table. Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a microwave-safe dish for 20-30 seconds in the microwave until melted.
Mix the Batter
In a large bowl, whisk 3 large eggs until frothy. Stir in 1 cup whole milk, melted butter, and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Whisk to combine. Using a fork or batter whisk, add in 1 cup all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon dried thyme. Mix well. (The batter will be similar to pancake batter, somewhat thick, but pourable. If necessary, you may add 1-2 tablespoons of water.)
Prepare to Bake the Popovers
Preheat oven to 450°F. Spoon 2-3 teaspoons of bacon grease, lard, or beef drippings into each of the popover cavities.
Place the pan in hot oven and allow to pre-heat for 10-12 minutes until the grease is smoking hot.
Working quickly, remove the popover pan from the oven and place on a baking sheet or range top. Fill each of the cavities 1/2 – 2/3 full.
Return the pan to the hot oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until they are golden brown, crisp to the touch, and have nearly tripled in size. (Do not open the oven door early or you may cause the popovers to collapse.)
Serve popovers warm from the oven with a pot roast, meat pie, or other saucy dish. Popovers go especially well with gravy, so be sure to prepare extra for the meal. Serves 6.
Store cooled popovers in a freezer bag or tight lidded container for up to 3 days at room temperature. Or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in oven until warm and crisp.
Notes
*Unless otherwise indicated, all butter used on this recipe site is salted.**If you are using a standard muffin tin to bake the popovers, you will only need to bake for 12-15 minutes.***You may easily convert this recipe into a sweet bread by omitting the dried thyme, and using butter or vegetable oil instead of the bacon fat. Bake as directed. Remove from oven and brush 1/4 cup melted butter over the popovers, then dip each into a cinnamon-sugar mixture (1/3 cup granulated sugar + 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon).