Homemade Gravy

Homemade gravy is incredibly simple to make and will be the perfect addition to your holiday dinner menu. This easy gravy recipe is a game changer!

Mashed potatoes topped with gravy and sprinkled with herbs, served with a side of green beans and fresh thyme on a plate.

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Homemade Gravy Recipe

Skip the store-bought powder packets of gravy that always taste like nothing. This incredible homemade gravy is so easy to make and has the best savory flavor! It'll be a star at your Thanksgiving dinner.

Serve it alongside all of your favorite Thanksgiving side dishes like green bean casserole and sweet potato casserole. Drizzle this creamy gravy over your delicious turkey and mashed potatoes and you'll never go back to store-bought.

This amazing homemade gravy is only made with simple ingredients. And the basic method is easy enough for any home cook to follow. So really, anyone can make this gravy by following step-by-step instructions.

The result is a tasty gravy with lovely flavor and a smooth, silky texture. It's the perfect addition to your menu this holiday season! My secret ingredient is fresh herbs it truly makes all the difference.

Why You'll Love this Recipe

You're going to love this incredible homemade gravy recipe:

  • The fun thing about a good gravy is that it has so many more uses than just being drizzled on roast turkey. This easy gravy is super versatile!
  • When you make gravy with fresh ingredients, it ensure that the flavors are fresh and delicious. No need for those artificial flavors and preservatives!
  • Make gravy ahead of time and then reheat when you need it. It's a great way to save some prep time when you're cooking a ton of food for Thanksgiving dinner.
Four bowls on a gray surface contain chicken broth, flour, butter, and chopped herbs.

Ingredients

This easy homemade gravy recipe only requires a few simple ingredients:

  • unsalted butter
  • fresh rosemary
  • fresh thyme
  • flour
  • turkey or chicken broth
  • salt
  • pepper

Substitutions and Variations

While the flavor won't be as strong, you can use dried rosemary and dried thyme in place of fresh.

You can use a gluten-free 1:1 flour substitute, such as King Arthur Measure for Measure Flour, to make a gluten-free gravy.

For a lower sodium content, use some low sodium chicken or turkey broth. Both homemade broth and store-bought broth will work!

How to Make Homemade Gravy

Follow these simple instructions and you'll have the perfect gravy every single time:

Pour the broth into a saucepan and heat on low to medium heat. This will help keep the the gravy from clumping up later.

In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat, then add fresh herbs to the melted butter. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.

A stainless steel pan with bubbling melted butter on a gray surface.
A skillet on a stove with melted butter and flour being added from a measuring cup, appearing to start a gravy.

Gradually whisk in the flour, stirring constantly to create a roux out of the flour and butter. It will be thick, that's normal! Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the mixture turns golden brown.

Whisk stirring flour into melted butter in a metal pan on a gray surface.
A mixing bowl containing a thick, yellow gravy with visible swirls.

Slowly pour the broth into the roux, whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming.

Bring the gravy mixture to a simmer, stirring frequently. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper, then taste and adjust seasonings if needed.

If the gravy becomes too thick, thin it out with a little more broth or water. If it's too thin, continue simmering until it reaches the thickness you like. Serve warm and enjoy!

A hand pours gravy onto mashed potatoes on a plate with green beans, next to a striped napkin on a gray surface.

How to Store Leftover Homemade Gravy

Transfer this gravy to an airtight container and allow to cool completely before storing in the fridge. Refrigerate for 2-3 days, or store in the freezer for a few months. For easy portioning in the freezer, pour leftovers into ice cubes and reheat a few at a time when you need a serving of gravy!

How to Use Homemade Gravy

This creamy, luscious gravy goes wonderfully on some mashed potatoes and goes great with turkey tenderloin too. And don't forget to soak up that gravy on the plate with some easy drop biscuits.

This gravy even goes well with some roast chicken! Leftover gravy can be used on fun dishes like poutine too. So many uses for perfect gravy recipe.

Plate with mashed potatoes topped with gravy, garnished with herbs beside green beans and a sprig of rosemary on a textured surface.

Tips for Success

With these simple tips, you can ensure that your homemade brown gravy is absolutely perfect:

  • Continuously whisk the flour and butter so that it doesn't burn. Once it turns that golden brown color, you can add the warm broth!
  • Add extra extra flavor to your gravy by using the meat drippings from the bottom of the roasting pan of your turkey or chicken.
  • If you end up with a thick gravy that isn't easy to use, just add some extra broth and whisk until it thins out.

FAQ

What thickener is best for gravy?

All purpose flour or cornstarch are the best thickeners for gravy. It'll make it thick but won't get lumpy!

Can you make gravy with cream?

Yes! This brown gravy doesn't require any kind of dairy product. The combination of fats from the butter and broth with flour as thickener makes it perfectly creamy.

Plate of mashed potatoes with gravy, garnished with herbs, served alongside green beans on a light-colored dish.

More Thanksgiving Recipes

Did you make this recipe?

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Plate of mashed potatoes topped with gravy and sprinkled with herbs and black pepper.

Homemade Gravy

Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
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Skip the store-bought packets and make homemade gravy instead! This recipe is super simple and has the most amazing flavor.
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Ingredients

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme removed from stems
  • ¼ cup flour
  • 2 ½ cups turkey or chicken broth
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  • Pour your broth into a saucepan and heat on low to medium heat. This will help the gravy not be clumpy later.
  • In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
  • Add fresh herbs to the melted butter. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Gradually whisk in the flour, stirring constantly to create a roux of the flour and butter. It will be thick! Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the mixture turns golden brown.
  • Slowly pour the broth into the roux, whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming.
  • Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring frequently. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency.
  • Season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
  • If the gravy becomes too thick, thin it out with a little more broth or water. If it's too thin, continue simmering until it reaches the desired consistency.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25cup | Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 1340mg | Potassium: 72mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 614IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg
A woman with long brown hair wearing a gray shirt smiles in front of a background featuring green foliage and yellow fruit.
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