25 EASY HOMEMADE GRAVY RECIPES FOR EVERY MEAL

A good homemade gravy can turn a simple dinner into something everyone wants seconds of.

These easy homemade gravy recipes include rich, creamy, savory options for chicken, beef, turkey, biscuits, mashed potatoes, and more.

You’ll find classic brown gravy, chicken gravy, turkey gravy, sausage gravy, mushroom gravy, and easy recipes made with pan drippings or simple pantry ingredients.

Many come together quickly, making them perfect for weeknight dinners, Sunday meals, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and family gatherings.

Tthese homemade recipes make it easy to skip the packet and make something flavorful from scratch.

Once you learn the basic method, you can make almost any flavor in about 10 minutes.

Homemade Gravy Recipes

1. Classic Turkey Gravy From Drippings

This is the gravy everyone waits for on Thanksgiving.

The pan drippings give it a deep, roasted turkey flavor you cannot get from a packet.

Skim off most of the fat first so the gravy is not greasy.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup turkey fat from the drippings
• 1/4 cup flour
• 3 cups turkey drippings and broth combined
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Pour the pan drippings into a measuring cup and let the fat rise to the top.
2. Spoon 1/4 cup of the fat into a saucepan over medium heat.
3. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2 minutes until golden.
4. Slowly whisk in the drippings and broth until smooth.
5. Simmer for 5 minutes until thick, then season with thyme, salt and pepper.

💡 Tip: If you do not have enough drippings, top them up with turkey or chicken broth.

2. Easy Brown Gravy Without Drippings

You do not need a roast to make rich brown gravy.

Beef broth, butter and a splash of Worcestershire do all the work.

It is ready in about 10 minutes and great over mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Whisk in the flour and cook 2 to 3 minutes until it turns light brown.
3. Slowly whisk in the broth.
4. Add the Worcestershire, onion powder and garlic powder.
5. Simmer 5 minutes until thick and season to taste.

3. Homemade Chicken Gravy

A simple golden gravy made with chicken broth and butter.

It goes with roast chicken, chicken fried steak, biscuits and mashed potatoes.

A pinch of poultry seasoning gives it that classic flavor.

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/4 tsp poultry seasoning
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes.
3. Slowly pour in the broth, whisking the whole time.
4. Add the poultry seasoning.
5. Simmer until thick and season with salt and pepper.

4. Pot Roast Gravy

Use the juices left after cooking a pot roast to make this rich gravy.

It tastes just like Sunday dinner at grandma’s house.

Strain the juices first for the smoothest gravy.

Ingredients

• 2 cups pot roast cooking liquid, strained
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp cold water
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Skim the fat off the cooking liquid.
2. Bring the liquid to a simmer in a saucepan.
3. Mix the cornstarch and cold water until smooth.
4. Whisk the slurry into the simmering liquid.
5. Cook 2 minutes until thick and season to taste.

5. Homemade Mushroom Gravy

Browned mushrooms and onions make this gravy full of flavor.

It is great over steak, meatloaf, mashed potatoes and even chicken.

Use vegetable broth to make it vegetarian.

Ingredients

• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 4 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp flour
• 2 cups beef or vegetable broth
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp thyme

Instructions

1. Melt the butter and cook the mushrooms and onion until browned, about 8 minutes.
2. Sprinkle the flour over and stir for 1 minute.
3. Slowly stir in the broth.
4. Add the soy sauce and thyme.
5. Simmer 5 minutes until thick.

6. Caramelized Onion Gravy

Slowly cooked onions give this gravy a sweet, rich flavor.

It is perfect with roast beef, burgers and mashed potatoes.

Take your time with the onions since that is where the flavor comes from.

Ingredients

• 2 large onions, thinly sliced
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 tbsp flour
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

1. Melt the butter and add the onions and sugar.
2. Cook over medium-low heat for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring often, until deep golden.
3. Stir in the flour and cook 1 minute.
4. Slowly add the broth and Worcestershire.
5. Simmer 5 minutes until thick.

7. Turkey Sausage Gravy

A lighter take on classic biscuits and gravy made with turkey sausage.

It has all the peppery, creamy flavor of the original.

Serve it over warm buttermilk biscuits for a filling breakfast.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey breakfast sausage
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1/3 cup flour
• 3 cups milk
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• Salt to taste

Instructions

1. Brown the turkey sausage in a skillet and break it into small pieces.
2. Add the butter and let it melt.
3. Sprinkle the flour over and stir for 1 minute.
4. Slowly pour in the milk, stirring constantly.
5. Simmer until thick and season with pepper and salt.

💡 Tip: Turkey sausage is leaner than regular sausage, so the butter helps make the gravy rich.

8. Southern Country White Gravy

Country gravy is a creamy white gravy made with milk and lots of black pepper.

It is the classic topping for chicken fried steak and biscuits.

It only takes about 10 minutes.

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp salt
• Pinch of garlic powder

Instructions

1. Melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Whisk in the flour and cook 1 minute without browning.
3. Slowly whisk in the milk.
4. Cook and stir until thick and bubbly.
5. Season with pepper, salt and garlic powder.

9. Southern Chocolate Gravy

Chocolate gravy is a sweet Southern breakfast served over hot biscuits.

It is made with cocoa, sugar and milk, kind of like warm pudding.

Kids think it is the best breakfast ever.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 3 tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp flour
• 2 cups milk
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

1. Whisk the sugar, cocoa and flour in a saucepan.
2. Slowly whisk in the milk until smooth.
3. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until thick.
4. Take it off the heat and stir in the butter and vanilla.
5. Spoon over warm biscuits.

10. Southern Tomato Gravy

Tomato gravy is a Southern classic made with canned tomatoes and a simple roux.

It is tangy, a little sweet and great over biscuits, rice or meatloaf.

This version uses butter instead of bacon grease.

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp flour
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Melt the butter in a skillet.
2. Whisk in the flour and cook 2 minutes.
3. Stir in the tomatoes with their juice.
4. Add the milk and sugar and simmer 5 minutes until thick.
5. Season with salt and pepper.

11. Easy Vegan Gravy

This plant-based gravy is rich, savory and ready in minutes.

Soy sauce and nutritional yeast give it a deep flavor.

It is great for vegan guests at Thanksgiving.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil or vegan butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• Pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Whisk in the flour and cook 2 minutes.
3. Slowly whisk in the broth and soy sauce.
4. Add the nutritional yeast and onion powder.
5. Simmer until thick and season with pepper.

12. Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy

Make your Thanksgiving gravy days ahead using roasted turkey wings.

It takes the stress out of the holiday since the gravy is already done.

Reheat it and whisk in a little of the turkey drippings for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs turkey wings
• 1 onion, quartered
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1 tsp dried thyme

Instructions

1. Roast the wings, onion and carrots at 400°F for 1 hour.
2. Move everything to a pot with the broth and simmer for 1 hour, then strain.
3. Melt the butter, whisk in the flour and cook 2 minutes.
4. Slowly whisk in the strained broth and add the thyme.
5. Simmer until thick, cool and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

💡 Tip: Freeze the gravy up to 3 months and thaw in the fridge the day before.

13. Old-Fashioned Giblet Gravy

Giblet gravy is a Southern tradition made with the turkey neck and giblets.

Chopped boiled egg makes it hearty and old-fashioned.

It is perfect over cornbread dressing.

Ingredients

• Turkey neck and giblets (no liver)
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 hard boiled eggs, chopped
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Simmer the neck and giblets in the broth for 1 hour.
2. Remove them, chop the meat and giblets, and save the broth.
3. Melt the butter, whisk in the flour and cook 2 minutes.
4. Slowly whisk in 3 cups of the broth and simmer until thick.
5. Stir in the chopped giblets and eggs and season.

14. Hamburger Gravy

Ground beef in a creamy brown gravy is cheap, quick comfort food.

Serve it over mashed potatoes, rice, toast or biscuits.

It is a great way to stretch one pound of beef.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Brown the beef and onion and drain the fat.
2. Add the butter and let it melt.
3. Stir in the flour and cook 1 minute.
4. Slowly add the broth, milk and Worcestershire.
5. Simmer until thick and season to taste.

⚠️ Budget Note: Hamburger gravy over mashed potatoes feeds a family of four for just a few dollars.

15. Swedish Meatball Gravy

A creamy, rich gravy made famous by Swedish meatballs.

A little sour cream and a pinch of nutmeg give it its special flavor.

Use it with homemade beef meatballs or all-beef frozen ones.

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp flour
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• Pinch of nutmeg

Instructions

1. Melt the butter and whisk in the flour.
2. Cook 2 minutes until light brown.
3. Slowly whisk in the broth and cream.
4. Simmer until thick.
5. Stir in the sour cream, Worcestershire and nutmeg.

16. Poutine Gravy

Poutine gravy is a thick, savory beef gravy made for pouring over fries and cheese curds.

It is a little thicker than regular gravy so it does not make the fries soggy.

It is also great on mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp flour
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Melt the butter and whisk in the flour.
2. Cook 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown.
3. Slowly whisk in both broths.
4. Add the ketchup, Worcestershire and pepper.
5. Simmer until thick and pour over fries and cheese curds.

17. Copycat KFC Gravy

This tastes just like the gravy from the fried chicken drive-thru.

The secret is a dark roux and a mix of beef and chicken broth.

It is perfect with mashed potatoes and fried chicken.

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp soy sauce

Instructions

1. Melt the butter and whisk in the flour.
2. Cook and stir 5 to 6 minutes until the roux is the color of peanut butter.
3. Slowly whisk in both broths.
4. Add the pepper, onion powder and soy sauce.
5. Simmer until thick.

18. Apple Cider Gravy

Apple cider adds a sweet, fall flavor to classic turkey gravy.

Use regular non-alcoholic apple cider from the juice aisle.

It goes really well with turkey and chicken.

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 1/2 cups chicken or turkey broth
• 1/2 cup apple cider
• 1/2 tsp dried sage
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Melt the butter and whisk in the flour.
2. Cook 2 minutes.
3. Slowly whisk in the broth and apple cider.
4. Add the sage.
5. Simmer until thick and season to taste.

19. Roasted Garlic Gravy

A whole head of roasted garlic makes this gravy sweet and mellow.

It is not sharp or spicy like raw garlic.

Try it with roast beef, chicken or mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

• 1 head garlic
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 cups chicken or beef broth
• 1/2 tsp thyme

Instructions

1. Cut the top off the garlic, drizzle with oil, wrap in foil and roast at 400°F for 40 minutes.
2. Squeeze the soft garlic out and mash it.
3. Melt the butter, whisk in the flour and cook 2 minutes.
4. Slowly whisk in the broth and add the garlic and thyme.
5. Simmer until thick.

20. Gluten-Free Gravy

This gravy uses cornstarch instead of flour, so it is gluten-free.

It comes out smooth and glossy every time.

Check that your broth is gluten-free too.

Ingredients

• 2 cups chicken or turkey broth
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 3 tbsp cold water
• 1/4 tsp poultry seasoning
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Bring the broth and butter to a simmer.
2. Mix the cornstarch and cold water until smooth.
3. Whisk the slurry into the simmering broth.
4. Cook 1 to 2 minutes until thick.
5. Season with poultry seasoning, salt and pepper.

💡 Tip: Never add cornstarch straight to hot liquid or it will clump.

21. Slow Cooker Turkey and Gravy

Turkey breast cooks in the slow cooker and makes its own juices for gravy.

It frees up your oven for sides on Thanksgiving.

The turkey stays very moist.

Ingredients

• 1 bone-in turkey breast (5 to 6 lbs)
• 1 onion, quartered
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tbsp butter, softened
• 1 tsp poultry seasoning
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp cold water

Instructions

1. Place the onion in the slow cooker and set the turkey on top.
2. Rub with butter and poultry seasoning and add the broth.
3. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours until 165°F.
4. Strain the juices into a saucepan and bring to a simmer.
5. Whisk in the cornstarch mixed with water and cook until thick.

22. Peppercorn Gravy

A creamy, peppery gravy that is perfect over steak.

Crushed black peppercorns give it a bold kick.

It is also great with burgers and roast beef.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 shallot, minced
• 1 tbsp crushed black peppercorns
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

Instructions

1. Melt the butter and cook the shallot for 2 minutes.
2. Add the peppercorns and cook 1 minute.
3. Stir in the flour.
4. Slowly whisk in the broth and cream.
5. Simmer until thick and stir in the mustard.

23. Chip Shop Curry Gravy

This British curry sauce is served with fries at fish and chip shops.

It is mild, a little sweet and very easy to make.

Try it on fries, chicken or rice.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 tbsp mild curry powder
• 2 tbsp flour
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tsp sugar

Instructions

1. Cook the onion and garlic in the oil until soft.
2. Stir in the curry powder and flour and cook 1 minute.
3. Slowly whisk in the broth.
4. Add the ketchup and sugar.
5. Simmer 10 minutes and blend until smooth.

24. Keto Brown Gravy

A low-carb gravy thickened with a tiny bit of xanthan gum instead of flour.

It tastes just like regular brown gravy.

It is great for anyone eating keto or low carb.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1/4 tsp xanthan gum
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp coconut aminos or soy sauce
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Melt the butter in a saucepan.
2. Add the broth and bring to a simmer.
3. Sprinkle the xanthan gum over slowly while whisking.
4. Add the onion powder and coconut aminos.
5. Simmer 3 minutes until thick.

25. Brown Butter Gravy

Browning the butter first gives this gravy a nutty, toasty flavor.

Fresh sage makes it perfect for turkey and stuffing.

It is a nice twist for holiday dinners.

Ingredients

• 6 tbsp butter
• 4 fresh sage leaves, chopped
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 1/2 cups turkey or chicken broth
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Melt the butter and cook over medium heat until it turns golden brown and smells nutty.
2. Add the sage and cook 30 seconds.
3. Whisk in the flour and cook 1 minute.
4. Slowly whisk in the broth.
5. Simmer until thick and season to taste.

💡 Tip: Watch the butter closely since it goes from brown to burnt very quickly.

Once you get the hang of a simple butter and flour roux, you can make gravy for any meal, so pick a few of these and keep them in your recipe box for the holidays and beyond.

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