The Little Pot of Gold
Gravy is like a warm hug for your food. It brings everything together. I love the sound of it bubbling on the stove.
My grandson calls it the “little pot of gold.” He is right. A good gravy makes a simple meal feel special. It shows you care. That is why this matters.
My First Gravy Mistake
My first time making gravy was a funny mess. I was so nervous. I added the flour too fast.
Little white lumps were everywhere. I still laugh at that. But I learned to whisk slowly. Now I want to help you avoid my lumps.
Your Gravy’s Best Friend
The secret is the butter and flour mix. This is called a roux. It sounds fancy, but it is simple.
You cook it until it smells a bit nutty. Doesn’t that smell amazing? This little paste thickens your gravy and makes it smooth. Fun fact: A roux is used in many soups and sauces too!
Making It Your Own
This recipe is just the start. You are the boss of your gravy. You can add a little sage or thyme from the garden.
Taste it as you go. What is your favorite herb to add? Adding your own touch makes cooking fun. That is why this matters.
No Pan Drippings? No Problem!
Do not worry if you do not have drippings. A good broth works just fine. I have made it this way many times.
The gravy is still delicious and rich. It is all about that slow whisking. Have you ever made gravy without drippings before?
Let’s Talk Gravy
I love hearing your stories. Did your gravy turn out silky smooth? What did your family think of it?
Come back and tell me all about it. Sharing our kitchen wins helps everyone learn. I cannot wait to hear from you.
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| butter | 1/4 cup | |
| flour | 1/4 cup | |
| broth | 2 cups | |
| drippings | 2 tablespoons | * see notes for seasoning without drippings |
| Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper | to taste | |
| Other flavor add-ins |
My No-Fuss Gravy for a Cozy Table
Hello, my dear. Come sit a while. Let’s talk about gravy. Good gravy makes a meal feel like a hug. I remember my first Thanksgiving. My gravy was a bit lumpy. I still laugh at that. But now I have a simple way. It always turns out smooth and rich. You can do this. I believe in you.
We start with a simple paste of butter and flour. This is called a roux. It sounds fancy, but it’s not. It’s just the secret to thick, delicious gravy. You whisk it until it smells a little nutty. Doesn’t that smell amazing? That smell means it’s ready for the next step.
- Step 1: Melt your butter in a pan over medium heat. Let it bubble just a little. You want it warm, not angry. This is the base of all our flavor. It reminds me of melting butter for popcorn. So simple, but so good.
- Step 2: Now, whisk in your flour. It will look like a thick, yellow paste. Keep whisking for a minute or two. Watch as it turns a lovely golden color. (A hard-learned tip: don’t walk away! This paste can burn if you’re not watching.)
- Step 3: Here is the most important part. Slowly pour in your broth and pan drippings. Whisk, whisk, whisk as you pour. This keeps those pesky lumps from forming. I always think of it as making a little whirlpool in the pan.
- Step 4: Let it bubble gently for a few minutes. It will get thicker. Now, taste it. This is the fun part. Add a tiny bit of salt and pepper. What other herbs do you think would be nice here? Share below!
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Yield: 8 servings
Category: Dinner, Sauce
Give Your Gravy a Little Twist
Once you know the basic way, you can play. Gravy loves a little adventure. Try one of these ideas next time. They are all so tasty. I can never pick a favorite.
- The Cozy Mushroom: Sauté some chopped mushrooms first. Then use a rich mushroom broth. It’s so earthy and warm.
- The Herby Garden: Stir in a spoonful of fresh sage or thyme. It makes the whole kitchen smell like the holidays.
- The Creamy Dream: Right at the end, swirl in a splash of cream. This makes it extra silky and special.
Which one would you try first? Comment below!
Serving Your Masterpiece
Now, where to put this lovely gravy? Of course, it’s perfect on mashed potatoes. I also love it over a warm biscuit. Or try it on some roasted chicken. It makes everything better.
What to drink? A cold glass of apple cider is wonderful. It’s sweet and tangy. For the grown-ups, a glass of white wine pairs nicely. It cuts through the richness.
Which would you choose tonight?
Keeping Your Gravy Gravy-tastic
Good gravy tastes even better the next day. Let your gravy cool down first. Then put it in a jar in the fridge. It will stay good for about three days.
You can also freeze gravy for later. I pour mine into ice cube trays. Once frozen, pop the cubes into a bag. This way you have little gravy portions ready to go.
Reheating is simple. Use a small pot on the stove. Add a splash of broth or water if it seems too thick. Stir it gently until it is warm.
I once made a huge batch for a small family dinner. We ate gravy for a week. It saved me so much time. Batch cooking like this makes busy days easier.
This matters because a good meal should bring joy, not stress. Having gravy ready means a cozy dinner is always close. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!
Simple Fixes for Common Gravy Troubles
Is your gravy too thin? Do not worry. Mix one tablespoon of flour with two tablespoons of cold water. Whisk this into your gravy. It will thicken up nicely.
Is your gravy too thick? This happens to everyone. Just add a little more broth or water. Stir it in slowly until it looks right.
What if your gravy is too salty? I remember my first very salty gravy. I added a peeled, raw potato to the pot. I let it simmer for a bit. The potato soaks up the extra salt.
Fixing these little problems builds your confidence. You learn that mistakes are okay. This matters because good flavor makes the whole meal special. A smooth, tasty gravy brings everyone together.
Which of these problems have you run into before?
Your Gravy Questions, Answered
Q: Can I make this gluten-free? A: Yes, you can. Just use your favorite gluten-free flour instead of regular flour.
Q: Can I make gravy ahead of time? A: Absolutely. Make it up to three days before you need it. Reheat it on the stove.
Q: What if I do not have drippings? A: No problem. Use a little extra butter. It will still taste wonderful.
Q: Can I double the recipe? A: You sure can. Just use a bigger pot. Double all the ingredients.
Q: Any extra flavor tips? A: A tiny pinch of thyme is lovely. *Fun fact: Thyme is a herb from the mint family.* Which tip will you try first?
A Little Note From My Kitchen
I hope you love making this gravy. It is a simple way to make a meal feel like home. I have shared this recipe with my own grandchildren.
I would be so happy to see your creations. Your photos and stories make my day. Please share them with our cooking community.
Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! I cannot wait to see your beautiful gravy. Happy cooking!
—Elowen Thorn.
Easy Homemade Turkey Gravy Recipe
Description
These chewy butterscotch bars mix rich brown sugar with sweet chips for the perfect homemade treat. Bake them fast with simple pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Melt the butter over medium heat in a heavy bottom saucepan.
- When melted, whisk with the flour until a paste forms. Continue to whisk until roux starts to brown and become fragrant.
- Slowly add the broth and drippings while whisking vigorously. Continue to whisk until fully heated.
- Taste test for seasoning. Add the salt and freshly ground black pepper sparingly until desired taste is achieved.
- Add other seasonings, if desired and continue to heat for 5-15 minutes.
- If you run into problems, such as your gravy being too thin, too thick, too salty or having other issues, check this post for common gravy problems and how to solve them!
- If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings!
Notes
- * see notes for seasoning without drippings