Easy Homemade Gravy Recipe (2024)

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Delicious homemade gravy is the cornerstone of traditional holiday meals. And once you learn my simple easy recipe, you’ll be whipping up batches of goodness all year long! With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I’m so excited to share my family’s secret for how to make homemade gravy from scratch, both with drippings and without drippings. It’s a quick and simple recipe that you’ll absolutely love.

This scrumptious family recipe is not only perfect for making turkey gravy, it’s also ideal for making delicious chicken gravy too. So there’s no need to hold onto multiple recipes. This is the only gravy recipe you’ll ever need.

INGREDIENTS FOR THE BEST HOMEMADE GRAVY

More than likely, right now in your pantry you already have most of the ingredients needed to make this homemade gravy recipe: one stick butter (8 tablespoons), 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon sea salt, 4 cups of strained pan drippings OR 4 cups of organic chicken stock. Often, the most flavorful recipes are those traditional favorites that are simple, straightforward and without a series of gourmet twists. They’re the ones that are handed down from generation to generation.

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE GRAVY

Here’s how to make perfect homemade gravy: Start by melting the butter over medium-high heat. As soon as the butter’s melted, lower the heat to medium-low. Slowly add in the flour as you continuously whisk, whisk, whisk. By slowing adding in the flour instead of adding it to the pan all at once, it’s so much easier to whisk away any potential lumps. Add in the pepper and half the salt. You can do a taste test later on to see if you’ll need the full amount of salt or if just half the amount is perfect. Continue to whisk the mixture for a few minutes just until the flour has become fully incorporated into the butter. While still continuing to whisk, slowly add in 4 cups of strained turkey drippings or chicken drippings. The deep-brown colored drippings are what will provide that classic brown color of traditional Thanksgiving gravy. However, if you don’t have any chicken or turkey drippings to work with – no problem! Instead add in 4 cups of organic chicken stock. Your gravy will be lighter in color, but still super scrumptious. Or you can use just a little bit of drippings and make up the rest of the 4-cup measurement in chicken stock – which is exactly what I did today. This recipe is very versatile!

Once everything is well combined and the gravy is smooth, allow the gravy to simmer for just a few minutes so it can thicken up nicely. If somehow your gravy is too thick, simply whisk in some more melted butter. When the gravy reaches the thickness you desire, remove the pan from heat. Do a taste test and see if you need to add in more salt. If you notice a few lumps, simply pour the gravy through a basic mesh strainer. It only takes a few minutes to do. Transfer the gravy to a serving dish and get ready to enjoy this traditional Thanksgiving favorite. From start to finish, this homemade gravy recipe can be made in about 10 minutes flat. How wonderfully convenient is that?

KITCHEN TOOLS FOR HOMEMADE GRAVY > SHOP THIS POST

Only a few basic kitchen tools are needed to make and serve this homemade gravy recipe: A medium saucepot, measuring cups, measuring spoons, whisk, mesh strainer, a gravy boat or simple serving bowl with a ladle.

HELPFUL TIPS: When purchasing new measuring spoons it’s essential to look for a set that includes a measuring spoon for 1/2 tablespoon. Not all sets include this! For measuring cups, look for a stainless steel set that won’t bend and has engraved US and metric markings that will never wash off. Also look for a set that has the full SEVEN measuring cups – it’s especially helpful to have that awesome 3/4 measuring cup! I use it all the time. The 1/8 cup is perfect as a scoop for measuring coffee. For whisking gravies in a saucepot it’s super helpful to have a flat whisk that’s best suited for this task.

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RECIPE FOR HOMEMADE GRAVY >> YOUR THOUGHTS

How often do you make homemade gravy? Do you have a favorite gravy recipe that’s been handed down through the generations? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!