Gravy is a delicious sauce known for its rich, savory taste. It's crafted from butter, flour, and broth, and can be made even without meat drippings. You'll often find gravy paired with roasted or fried meats like turkey and chicken, but it's also a fantastic addition to mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, rice, or pasta, making any meal more flavorful.
What You’ll Find On This Page
Around the world, there are countless variations of gravy, each adapted to local tastes and ingredients. Whether it's brown gravy, white gravy, or even vegetarian options, each type brings its own special flavor to dishes.
Here's how I make a simple, tasty gravy from scratch using chicken broth. This creates a light-colored brown gravy, but feel free to swap in beef broth for a richer flavor and darker color.
Ready to give your meals a delicious boost? This easy-to-make gravy is the perfect complement to your favorite dishes. Personalize it with your choice of seasonings to make it uniquely yours.
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Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
Here are the simple ingredients you'll need for this gravy, which you might already have in your pantry. Let's check them out:
- Chicken Broth: I prefer using chicken broth for this gravy because it adds a nice, savory, and complex flavor to the dish. However, you can also use beef broth for a more intense, savory flavor and a deeper color, especially if you're aiming for a vibrant brown gravy.
- All-Purpose Flour: Essential for making the roux with butter, flour is key to thickening your gravy to just the right consistency.
- Butter: Adds a creamy, rich flavor to your gravy. Use unsalted butter to better manage the saltiness of your dish, adding more salt only if needed.
- Seasonings: Simple seasonings like garlic powder, black pepper, and salt are all you need to boost the gravy's flavor. Consider adding a pinch of crushed chicken bouillon for extra zest, though it's optional.
- Worcestershire Sauce: It adds a savory umami flavor to the gravy. For a different savory profile, you can substitute it with a small amount of soy sauce. Both options enhance the overall flavor, so feel free to choose based on your taste preference.
How to Make Gravy at Home?
Let's make smooth and savory gravy from scratch! I'll show you how to create a perfect roux and turn it into delicious gravy with chicken broth. Follow along with each step, which includes a photo and a video to help you out. Let's get started!
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Gravy
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Butter, unsalted
- 2 tbsp All Purpose Flour
- 2 cups Chicken Broth, or beef broth
- 2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 small cube Chicken Bouillon , crushed, optional
- ½ tsp Black Pepper Powder
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
Making Gravy
- In a pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, add the all-purpose flour and whisk continuously until it becomes aromatic and smooth, ensuring no lumps form. This creates the roux, essential for thickening the gravy.
- Gradually pour in the broth, whisking vigorously to combine it seamlessly with the roux. This step helps avoid lumps and ensures a smooth, well-blended gravy.
- Incorporate garlic powder, black pepper, Worcestershire Sauce, and, if you like, a bit of chicken bouillon powder. These seasonings add depth and enhance the flavor of your dish.
- Reduce the heat to low and allow the gravy to simmer until it thickens to a saucy consistency. This not only thickens the gravy but also infuses it with a deep, rich flavor.
- Once the gravy has reached the desired thickness, taste and adjust the seasoning, adding salt if needed. Mix well and remove from heat. Your savory gravy is now ready to enjoy!
Serving
- Serve this smooth gravy with roasted or fried meats, grilled vegetables, or your favorite dishes. For more pairing ideas, be sure to explore our serving suggestions section below.
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Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
- Making Roux: Start with a balanced ratio of butter to all-purpose flour to achieve a medium-thick, pourable consistency. If you prefer your gravy thicker, consider doubling the butter and flour. Keep in mind that gravy thickens as it cools, so adjust accordingly.
- Avoid Burning the Roux: Continuously whisk the roux until it becomes aromatic. This is crucial to prevent it from burning, which can spoil the flavor of your gravy.
- Whisk Continuously, Add Liquid Gradually: When adding broth to the roux, pour it slowly and keep whisking to prevent lumps. This helps keep your gravy smooth and creamy.
- Use Homemade Broth for Best Flavor: Homemade broth typically offers a richer flavor than store-bought options. If you're using store-bought, opt for a low-sodium version to better control the overall saltiness.
- Incorporate Drippings for Extra Flavor: Utilize drippings from roasted meats to elevate the flavor profile of your gravy. As meats roast, they release fats and juices that are rich in savory flavors. Collect these drippings by deglazing the roasting pan with a bit of broth or water, scraping up the browned bits that contain concentrated taste. Strain these liquids and use them in your gravy to infuse it with a deep, robust flavor that enhances its richness and complexity.
- Adjust Consistency: If your gravy becomes too thick upon cooling, simply whisk in a little more broth or water. If it's too thin, create a slurry by mixing equal parts cornstarch or flour with cold water, then stir it into the simmering gravy until it reaches your desired thickness.
- For Brown Gravy: While the recipe uses chicken broth for a light brown color, switching to beef broth can give it a deeper color and richer flavor if you prefer a darker brown gravy.
Nutrition Info
Disclaimer
We're not nutrition experts, and the nutritional information provided is an estimate. Please use it as a guide. For precise details, it's best to consult a professional. To learn more, please view our Detailed Disclaimers.
Serving Suggestions
This gravy is a versatile and classic side for many dishes. Here are some of my favorite pairings for a complete meal.
- Potato Dishes: Enjoy the gravy with creamy mashed or baked potatoes. The savory sauce complements the potatoes well.
- Roasted Meats: This gravy pairs well with turkey, chicken, beef, or pork, adding moisture and flavor to each bite.
- Fried Chicken Dishes: Serve this gravy with fried chicken, chicken tenders, or wings for a comforting meal.
- Stuffing: Drizzling this gravy over savory bread stuffing enhances its flavor, making it even more enjoyable.
- Biscuits: Top fluffy biscuits with this gravy for a comforting treat at family dinners.
- Rice Dishes: Pour this gravy over white, basmati, or brown rice for a flavorful, simple meal.
- Poutine: Pour this gravy over fries and cheese curds to create a classic Canadian poutine.
- Vegetables: Try it with roasted vegetables like potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts to add flavor.
- Schnitzel: Drizzle the gravy over schnitzel to add a savory touch to this crispy, breaded meat dish.
- Egg Noodles: Mix the gravy with egg noodles for a simple yet comforting dish, perfect for a quick and hearty meal.
- Omelets: Enhance omelets by adding a spoonful of gravy inside or on top for extra flavor and a touch of decadence.
- Meatloaf: Drizzle the gravy over meatloaf to add moisture and enhance its flavor. It's a traditional pairing that's always a hit.
Storage Suggestions
This gravy is best enjoyed warm and fresh right after it's made. However, if you have leftovers, here are some tips to keep it tasting great for longer.
- In the Fridge: Store the gravy in the refrigerator in an airtight container or jar for 3 to 4 days. Allow it to cool to room temperature before storing.
- In the Freezer: For extended storage, freeze the gravy in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 6 months. Portion it into individual servings so you can easily thaw only what you need. Don’t forget to label each portion with the storage date and the best-by date to track its freshness.
- To Reheat: Thaw the gravy overnight in the refrigerator and reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave until it’s evenly warmed through.
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