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Home » recipes » Dinner » How to Make Gravy

How to Make Gravy

10 minutes
Posted:2/2/22
Updated:8/1/22
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This easy homemade gravy recipe is made with chicken broth and simple seasonings. It’s ready in 10 minutes and perfect for mashed potatoes, chicken, biscuits, and more!

homemade gravy in a bowl with wooden spoon in it.

Easy gravy from scratch

Learn How to Make Gravy from scratch using 5 ingredients! Ready to eat in just 10 minutes, this chicken gravy is so delicious and mashed potatoes best friend.

Gravy is a salty, savory sauce that has the ability to make simple foods POP with flavor. A traditional gravy recipe is made from pan drippings (usually from the Thanksgiving turkey) and is elevated with fresh herbs and butter.

This homemade gravy recipe has been simplified so you don’t need drippings, complicated ingredients, or special equipment. Instead, it’s stirred together in 1 pot using just chicken broth, milk, cornstarch, salt, and onion powder.

This recipe is made with a chicken broth base but can easily be made with beef broth or vegetable broth for a vegetarian alternative. The best part? Any version you make can be poured over basically anything, like mashed potato patties, rotisserie chicken, Salisbury steak, Thanksgiving stuffing or Stuffing Balls.

mashed potatoes with gravy on top next to salisbury steak and mac and cheese on plate.

How to make homemade gravy from scratch

This is a chicken gravy recipe but can easily be adjusted to be made with beef or vegetable broth instead. Once you’ve decided on which broth to use, it’s easy to put the gravy together:

Ingredients on table with text on image.

Pour your broth into a saucepan and bring it up to a low boil over medium high heat.

Stir the milk and cornstarch together in a small bowl until it’s no longer clumpy.

cornstarch and milk mixed together in measuring cup.

Pour the cornstarch slurry into the broth, along with the salt, onion powder, and black pepper. Stir it all together.

Once the gravy comes up to a boil, lower the heat and let it simmer until it thickens up.

gravy simmering in saucepan.

Pour the hot gravy over mashed potatoes, turkey, or biscuits and enjoy!

homemade chicken gravy in saucepan on burner.

How to thicken gravy with cornstarch

For that silky smooth consistency, you’ll need a thickening agent like cornstarch or all purpose flour. Cornstarch is a powerful thickener compared to flour. Stir it together with milk or water to make a slurry, then add it to the gravy to achieve the perfect consistency.

Gravy add ins and variations

  • Add ins – Stir in 1/2 cup of chopped mushrooms, sautéed onions, or fresh or dried herbs to enrich the gravy with savory and earthy flavors.
  • For a richer gravy – Stir in 2 tablespoons of butter.
  • Change up the broth – If you want a beef gravy, use beef broth. If you want vegetable gravy, use vegetable broth.
  • Vegan – Swap the milk for your favorite unsweetened dairy free milk.
  • Instead of broth – Use bouillon cubes dissolved in hot water for a more intense flavor (also more economical!).
  • Instead of milk – Swap it for half-and-half or heavy cream.
  • For an ​​umami flavor – Add 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce.
blue bowl filled with creamy homemade gravy.

Ways to use homemade gravy

Gravy is a magical condiment you can slather on plenty of meals and side dishes or serve as a savory dipping sauce. These are my favorite ways to use it (besides eating it with a spoon – hah):

  • It’s an obvious one, but gravy is mashed potatoes best friend!
  • For a lighter option, pour it over cauliflower mash or dairy free mashed potatoes
  • Serve the gravy with Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner
  • Enjoy it in chicken and gravy sandwiches
  • Make this leftover Thanksgiving casserole extra delicious with some gravy on top
  • It’s a must for biscuits and gravy
  • Pour it over roasted vegetables or potatoes
  • Serve it next to this whole roasted chicken

Storing, freezing, and reheating gravy

To store: The gravy can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

To freeze: Freeze the gravy in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months. Let it thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat in a saucepan the next day.

To reheat: Pour the gravy into a saucepan and reheat over medium heat. While it heats up to a boil, continuously whisk the gravy until it’s smooth and warmed through.

More recipes to enjoy with homemade gravy

  • Amish Potato Stuffing
  • Thanksgiving Turkey
  • Roasted Vegetable Sandwich
  • Rotisserie Chicken
  • Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

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This easy homemade gravy recipe is made with chicken broth and simple seasonings. It’s ready in 10 minutes and perfect for mashed potatoes, chicken, biscuits, and more!
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5 from 1 vote

How to Make Gravy in 10 Minutes

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Easy 10 minute homemade gravy recipe for mashed potatoes made with broth, milk and cornstarch. It’s so quick to make a creamy gravy from scratch!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
serves 8

Ingredients

  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • pinch of black pepper

Instructions

  • Add chicken broth to a saucepan and bring to a low boil over medium high heat.
  • In a small bowl add milk and cornstarch, whisking together until no longer clumpy. Pour this mixture into the chicken broth.
  • Add salt, onion powder and pepper into saucepan, stir and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5-10 minutes or until a thickened gravy forms.
  • Pour on mashed potatoes and enjoy!

Video:

Notes

This makes about 2 cups of gravy. 
Note: This makes chicken gravy. If you want a beef gravy, use beef broth. If you want a vegetable gravy, use vegetable broth.
Course:Side Dish
Cuisine:American
Keyword:chicken gravy, how to make gravy
Did you make this?I love seeing what you’ve made! Tag me on Instagram at @BrooklynFarmGirl and don’t forget to leave a comment & rating below.

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  1. Cathy Fiel says

    March 16, 2022 at 9:49 am

    I loved the gravy.

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      March 16, 2022 at 11:53 am

      So happy to hear that Cathy, thanks for commenting! đŸ™‚

      Reply

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Hi! I'm Pamela, an artist Mom who shares family recipes. My farm is a 1,000 sq ft apartment in NYC. Let's make dinner together.

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