1 cup butter
4 (16 ounce) packages sliced mushrooms
salt to taste
1 cup all-purpose flour, or as needed

16 cups beef stock
4 pinches ground black pepper to taste
fresh thyme leaves, to taste (optional)

1 cup butter 4 (16 ounce) packages sliced mushrooms 1 cup all-purpose flour, or as needed 16 cup s beef stock 4 pinches ground black pepper to taste

Heat butter over medium heat in a saucepan until it foams. Stir in mushrooms. Season with salt. Simmer until liquid evaporates, about 20 minutes.
Stir in the flour, cooking and stirring for about 5 minutes. Add about 1 cup of beef stock, stirring briskly until incorporated, then pour in the remaining stock and mix thoroughly. Season with black pepper and thyme. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until thickened, about 30 minutes, stirring often.