Name: Gravy Recipe Easy: The Best Homemade Gravy in 15 Minutes
Prep time: 3 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 4 tablespoons unsalted butter; 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 2 cups chicken (turkey, beef, or vegetable broth); ½ teaspoon black pepper; ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (optional); ¼ teaspoon onion powder (optional); Salt (to taste); 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (sage, or rosemary, optional)

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This gravy recipe easy is rich, smooth, and ready in just 15 minutes. Made with butter, flour, broth, and simple seasonings, this homemade gravy is perfect for mashed potatoes, roast chicken, turkey, beef, biscuits, and holiday dinners.

Unlike gravy made only with pan drippings, this easy version can be prepared anytime with ingredients you already have in your kitchen. The basic method uses a roux made from butter and flour, followed by broth that is gradually whisked into the pan.inspiredtaste+1

Why You’ll Love This Easy Gravy Recipe

This homemade gravy is a simple way to add rich, savory flavor to almost any meal. It does not require roasting a turkey or chicken first, so you can make it for a regular weeknight dinner as well as Thanksgiving or Christmas.

The recipe takes about 15 minutes from start to finish and uses basic ingredients. You can use chicken broth, beef broth, turkey stock, or vegetable broth, depending on what you are serving.

The butter and flour create a smooth roux that thickens the broth as it simmers. For extra flavor, you can replace some or all of the butter with meat drippings from roast chicken, turkey, or beef.

This gravy is also easy to customize. Add black pepper and poultry seasoning for chicken or turkey gravy, fresh thyme and rosemary for a roast dinner, or sautéed mushrooms for a vegetarian version.

Ingredients for Homemade Gravy

You need a few simple ingredients to make this easy homemade gravy:

Butter: Use unsalted butter so you can control the amount of salt.
All-purpose flour: This combines with the butter to create the roux and thicken the gravy.
Broth or stock: Choose chicken, turkey, beef, or vegetable broth according to your meal.
Black pepper: Adds a warm, savory flavor.
Salt: Add it gradually, especially if your broth is already seasoned.
Garlic powder and onion powder: Optional seasonings that add extra depth.
Fresh herbs: Thyme, sage, or rosemary can provide a delicious homemade flavor.

Easy Gravy Recipe Card

Prep time: 3 minutes
Cook time: 10–12 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Cuisine: American
Category: Sauce

Ingredients

4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken, beef, turkey, or vegetable broth
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon garlic powder, optional
¼ teaspoon onion powder, optional
Salt, to taste
1 teaspoon fresh herbs or ½ teaspoon dried herbs, optional

For a richer gravy, replace 1 or 2 tablespoons of the butter with pan drippings. If using salty broth or drippings, taste the gravy before adding extra salt.

How to Make Gravy from Scratch

Melt the butter: Place a saucepan or wide skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and allow it to melt without letting it burn.
Make the roux: Whisk the flour into the melted butter. Continue whisking for about 1 minute, until the mixture becomes smooth and lightly golden. Cooking the flour briefly helps remove its raw taste.
Add the broth gradually: Slowly pour in the broth while whisking constantly. Add a small amount first and whisk until smooth before adding more. This helps prevent lumps.
Simmer the gravy: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Continue whisking or stirring occasionally for 6–10 minutes, until the gravy thickens and becomes glossy. Similar homemade gravy methods use a butter-and-flour roux followed by gradual addition of stock and simmering.inspiredtaste+1
Season and serve: Stir in the black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and herbs. Taste and add salt only if needed. Serve the gravy hot over mashed potatoes, roasted meat, biscuits, or stuffing.

The gravy may look slightly thinner while it is very hot, but it will continue to thicken slightly as it cools. If it becomes too thick before serving, whisk in a little extra warm broth.

Tips for Smooth and Flavorful Gravy

For lump-free gravy, whisk the flour into the melted butter until it forms a smooth paste before adding the broth. Pour the liquid slowly and continue whisking, especially during the first minute.

Avoid boiling the gravy aggressively. A gentle simmer is enough to activate the flour and create the right consistency without making the sauce overly thick or grainy.

If your gravy tastes bland, add seasoning gradually. A little black pepper, poultry seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, or fresh herbs can improve the flavor. You can also add a spoonful of pan drippings for a deeper roasted taste.

If the gravy is too thick, whisk in additional broth a little at a time. If it is too thin, continue simmering for a few more minutes. You can also mix equal parts softened butter and flour into a paste, then whisk small amounts into the gravy until it thickens.seriouseats+1

For a silky texture, strain the finished gravy through a fine-mesh sieve before serving. This step is optional, but it can remove small lumps and create a smoother sauce.

What to Serve with Homemade Gravy

This easy gravy is especially delicious with creamy mashed potatoes. Spoon it over the potatoes just before serving so they stay warm and absorb the savory sauce.

Serve it with roasted turkey or chicken for a classic holiday dinner. It also pairs well with roast beef, meatloaf, pork chops, sausages, and roasted vegetables.

For a comforting breakfast or brunch, serve the gravy over warm biscuits. You can use vegetable broth and add sautéed mushrooms for a vegetarian gravy that pairs well with mashed potatoes, stuffing, and roasted vegetables.

This gravy can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container. Reheat it gently in a saucepan, whisking as it warms, and add a splash of broth if it has thickened too much.themodernnonna

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make gravy without pan drippings?

Yes. Butter and broth are enough to make a flavorful homemade gravy. Pan drippings are optional and simply add extra roasted flavor.

How do you make gravy without lumps?

Make a smooth roux first, then add the broth gradually while whisking constantly. Avoid adding all the liquid at once.

Can I use cornstarch instead of flour?

Yes. Mix cornstarch with cold water to create a smooth slurry, then whisk it into the simmering broth. Add a small amount at a time because cornstarch thickens quickly.

How do you fix gravy that is too salty?

Add more unsalted broth or water in small amounts, then taste again. You can also increase the amount of unsalted butter and flour mixture if the gravy needs more body.

How long does homemade gravy last?

Store the cooled gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use it within about 4 days. Reheat it gently and stir well before serving.themodernnonna

This easy homemade gravy is a quick, versatile sauce that can transform simple ingredients into a comforting meal. Once you learn the basic butter, flour, and broth method, you can adapt it for chicken, turkey, beef, vegetables, mashed potatoes, biscuits, and more.