Whether it’s for the holidays or just Sunday dinner—I beg you to please not use those highly-processed store-bought packets of gravy mix to make your gravy! The ingredient list is full of refined additives you would not cook with at home, even including “corn syrup solids.” No, thank you! Plus it’s SO super easy to make your own homemade gravy from scratch!
What is gravy anyway? At the most basic level, gravy is a simple pan sauce that requires liquid and a thickener. Traditional turkey gravy usually has fat, flour, and stock. You can make excellent turkey gravy with just those ingredients, plus salt and pepper for seasoning.
How to Make Gravy Roux
A roux is a mixture of equal parts fat and flour. It’s used to thicken a variety of stews and sauces, including homemade gravy. For this recipe, you can either use some of the skimmed fat from your pan drippings or butter and whole wheat flour to make your gravy roux.
Here’s how to make a perfect roux for gravy every time:
- Don’t overheat your pan, medium-low heat is perfect.
- Cook for about 1-2 minutes while stirring, until darkened.
- Stir constantly and scrape the pan to avoid burnt flour.
- Break up lumps as you cook to avoid lumpy gravy.
- If your roux smells like burnt popcorn it’s overdone.
Bonus: Seasoning for Tasty Gravy
I only season my homemade gravy with salt and pepper, and it’s delicious! If you want to add more spices, avoid anything with large pieces (such as dried rosemary) to keep gravy smooth. Thyme, onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, paprika, and oregano all taste great.
The Best Gravy You’ll Ever Make | Epicurious 101
FAQ
What is regular gravy made of?
What was gravy originally made of?
What is American gravy made of?
What is gravy made of?
Gravy is typically made of a combination of fat, flour, and liquid (such as stock, milk, or wine) that is seasoned with salt, pepper, and herbs. The fat is often derived from meat drippings, such as those from roasts or fried foods, and the flour is used to thicken the liquid into a sauce.
What are the ingredients in gravy?
Gravy is a versatile sauce that can complement any meal by adding flavor and texture. The basic ingredients of gravy generally include fat, flour, and liquid. The fat can come from meat drippings, butter, or oil, and it serves as the base for the sauce. After the fat is heated, flour is added to create a roux, which is a thickening agent.
How do you make homemade gravy from scratch?
These are the basic ingredients you’ll need to make this recipe for gravy from scratch: Pan drippings or butter: This flavorful gravy recipe starts with pan drippings from roasted chicken. If you don’t have pan drippings, you can use butter as the fat. Flour: Whisking all-purpose flour into the fat creates the base of the homemade gravy.
What makes a Good Gravy?
No matter what type of gravy you’re making, you need the right ingredients. “The foundation of a good gravy is good drippings,” says Nora Singley, food stylist, culinary producer, and author of Noodle: A Recipe Newsletter. “Good drippings are nicely browned, which will impart that savory, rich flavor to a gravy.”