Step by step directions to make easy homemade gravy with pan drippings. Perfect for any meal, it’s ready in only 10 minutes and you’ll never buy a store-bought packet again!
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Homemade Gravy from Scratch
Growing up, one of my favorite jobs was to help my grandma make the mashed potatoes and beef gravy with our Sunday pot roast. This recipe is adapted from hers but with the addition of rich, flavorful butter.
The key to making an easy homemade gravy is creating a creamy roux before adding the liquids. The roux helps to thicken the consistency and give it perfect gravy-like texture. It tastes amazing over roasted turkey, sides, and even dipped in a homemade dinner roll or biscuit.
3 Ingredients for Easy Homemade Gravy
Simple to make and perfect for beginners, you’ll never purchase store-bought gravy again!
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Butter: I like to use unsalted butter. That way I can control the amount of salt used and my gravy isn’t overly salty.
- Flour: This helps thicken the gravy. Flour is my first choice, although corn starch also works great.
- Pan drippings: Use the pan drippings (every last bit) from cooking your meat. You can also use chicken broth.
How to Make a Gravy Roux
Making a perfect roux (or slurry) for homemade gravy is very simple with these tips!
- Melt butter over medium-low heat in a large saucepan. Allow to start to bubble but don’t overheat.
- Whisk in flour and continue whisking until it has darkened, thickened and formed a paste. Stir constantly to avoid burnt flour!
- Cook for 3-5 minutes breaking up any lumps to avoid a lumpy homemade gravy recipe. It should be smooth and creamy.
How to Make Homemade Gravy
- Make the roux. Use the following steps above to make your roux with flour and butter.
- Whisk in broth. Slowly whisk in the broth from the meat. Alternate whisking and adding liquid until you reach the consistency you like.
- Simmer, then season. Simmer for a few minutes. Season with salt and pepper (or additional seasonings), to taste. Add a dash or two of Worcestershire if desired.
Tips for the Best Gravy
- Fat is essential for perfect gravy! Strain the drippings in a mesh strainer to separate fat from drippings.
- If you don’t have 3 cups of drippings, pour in some beef broth or chicken broth to compensate.
- Whisk, whisk, whisk! You’ll basically be whisking the entire time until the consistency is just right.
- I used pot roast pan drippings to make a brown gravy, but you can also use pan drippings from a roasted turkey breast like I do in this turkey gravy or use roasted chicken.
- Add in poultry seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder or fresh herbs like parsley, sage, rosemary or thyme for additional flavor.
Recipe FAQs
Really any type of meat you roast will make a wonderful gravy, including chicken, turkey, rack of lamb or prime rib.
You sure can! Simply use cornstarch in place of the flour and you should be good to go.
Cook the roux until it reaches a medium brown color for a regular brown gravy. It will smell somewhat like popcorn cooking (but not burnt popcorn!). For a dark brown gravy, you will need to cook the roux for a longer time over very low heat. It will have a dark appearance and smell nutty.
Everything! Ok, maybe not everything, but I pour it over mashed potatoes, sausage stuffing, turkey, and even Parker House rolls.
Storing and Freezing Homemade Gravy
Storage: This gravy will keep in an airtight container in the fridge up to 4 days.
Freeze: Because this is not a cream-based gravy, you can absolutely freeze it for up to 3 months without it separating. Freeze in individual portions and only thaw what you need!
More comfort food recipes we love include homemade biscuits and gravy, Swedish meatballs and this homemade meatloaf recipe !
More Ways to Use Gravy
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Easy Homemade Gravy
Ingredients
- 2-3 cups pan drippings (can subsidize with chicken broth)
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour or cornstarch
Optional seasonings: Salt & Pepper, Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Pour the meat drippings, getting every last drop and loosening any browned bits, from the roasting pan into a fat separator, or through a fine-mesh sieve. If you don't have 2 to 3 cups, add chicken or beef stock until you do.
- Make the roux. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat until it starts to bubble. Whisk in flour until thickened and formed a paste. Cook 2 minutes or until smooth and creamy, but not browned. Wait to add any seasonings until after the broth has been added.
- Slowly whisk in the meat drippings. Alternate whisking and adding liquid until you reach the consistency you like. Bring to a light simmer. Cook 3 to 5 minutes, or until it has thickened. If you'd like a thicker gravy, add less liquid. Add more liquid for a thinner gravy.
- Season with salt and pepper (or additional seasonings), to taste. Add 1 to 2 dashes Worcestershire, if desired. Pour into a gravy boat. Serve warm over meat and mashed potatoes.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Enjoy!
Categorized as: 5 Ingredients Or Less, American, Christmas, Condiments, Low Carb, Nut-Free, Sauces, Stovetop, Thanksgiving
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.
Perfect! Used some turkey broth I had frozen instead of pan drippings and it was great!
It was so good thanks 👍 for the recipe 😄 made my mom so happy
So glad your mom was loved it! Thanks for sharing!
You had me at 3 ingredients and 10 minutes! Such an easy recipe that is perfect for the busy holidays!
I love the idea of butter in the gravy! I haven’t tried that before. Can’t wait to test it!
This gravy recipe was so delicious! Loved this one.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I think I will finally make my own gravy this Christmas and this looks really easy. Thanks!
This looks so smooth and delicious; will be perfect on some mashed potatoes! Yum!
Loved this and it was so easy! Thank you1
This is perfect timing! I just made a roast for tonight and this actually will go perfectly with the potatoes thanks!
My family is such a fan of mashed potatoes + gravy!
Homemade gravy is the best! I have to try yours!
Homemade gravy is the BEST!! The store bought stuff just doesn’t compare.
Looks great! This gravy would be the perfect addition to my Christmas dinner!
This gravy was delicious! Also so easy! I’m so glad to finally have a wonderful gravy recipe. Thanks, as usual, a winner!
I have to put this on my menu!
Super easy to make and looks delicious! This homemade gravy is perfect for the holidays or any time a comfort food dinner is on the menu!