How To Make Failproof Gravy (GF)

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Hey folk! Looking for something simple to perk up your roasts, fried meats, mashed potatoes, collard greens, roasted veggies and comforting sides that you could eat for daaaaaaaaaaaaaays? Then you need a fail-proof go-to homemade gravy recipe that you can pull out at the drop of a hat.

Good news is that learning how to make gravy is really quite easy and #totallyworthit. It is made with everyday basics you already have. This downhome brown gravy really is fail-proof and will totally become your go to gravy recipe.

The secret ingredient is the buttermilk which really amps up the flavor, makes it *lick your plate clean* delicious, and brings a southern twist to your table.

It is rich, velvety, oniony and full of aaaaaaall the flavors. Just pull out and pour over everything for sunday suppers, weeknight dinners, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Friendsgiving, Easter, and more.

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Brown Gravy

• It’s easy to make with minimal prep and done in 20 mins.
• It cooks up in one pot and full of flavor.
• It is affordable and made with everyday staple ingredients.
• You can assemble ahead for easy fridge friendly or freezer-friendly meals.

How To Make Gravy From Scratch

1. Heat oil in a skillet, add onions and sauté for about 7 minutes until tender.
2. Then stir in the minced garlic and creole seasoning and cook till fragrant for 1 minute.
3. Add in the cornstarch, stirring with spatula constantly while cooking for 2-3 minutes, until the flour changes to a rich toffee color. 
4. Next, stir in the reduced-sodium chicken broth and buttermilk. Mix together, making sure to scrape the bottom of the skillet so the cornstarch and brown bits get combined into the liquid.
5. Reduce heat and let simmer for about 15-20 minutes until it thickened.
6. Switch off the heat, adjust seasonings, and serve.

It really is easy to learn how to make failproof gravy….

FAQ’s

Recipe Tips

Make it Sweet – This is a buttermilk gravy so it has a very slight tanginess that works well with classic dishes like fried chicken and fixins. If you prefer a sweeter version, you can add in some brown sugar or honey. Or alternatively, you can use half and half instead of the buttermilk.

Thicken it  – If too thin, make a roux in another saucepan and add it to the gravy and cook it some more.

Thin it out – If too thick, simply add in a couple of tablespoons of water or broth (one at a time) to thin it out.

Add a different flavor. This uses a homemade creole seasoning but you can add other flavors to suit your taste. I have used:

• homemade poultry seasoning.
• ground allspice (pimento).
• homemade steak seasoning.
• a pinch of cayenne.
• nutmeg.
• sautéed mushrooms and bell peppers.
• coconut milk.
• crispy bacon.
• ham pieces.

Add drippings. Before starting your gravy, feel free to fry up your seasoned pork chops, chicken, etc. in the skillet. Then remove the meat, sieve the drippings, and then add the onions.

Best Baseline Recipe

This really is the best gravy recipe you need. It makes a great baseline for everything, and with a few very simple modifications you can make:

• Chicken Gravy – use chicken broth or drippings.
• Turkey Gravy – flavor it with turkey broth or drippings.
• Pork Chop Gravy – use pork broth or drippings.
• Beef Gravy – start with beef broth or drippings.

Prep Ahead and Meal Prep

Prep Ahead – Make ahead and refrigerate for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

Time-saving shortcut – If cooking with recipes like smothered pork chops or smothered chicken, cook the gravy until it is half done, let it cool, and store it in the refrigerator. Then just before serving, add in the cooked meats and thicken the gravy just before serving.

Freeze – Follow the handy tips below on how to freeze this.

• Let the gravy cool down, then transfer into these very handy Ziploc freezer bags.
• Squeeze out all the extra air and seal the bags.
• Label the bags and then lay them flat in the freezer.
• Store in the freezer for 3 months.

A Few Ingredients Tips

Thickening Agents

There are various ways you can thickening this sauce. To keep it gluten-free you should use cornstarch. However, you can also use regular all-purpose flour. Or if you follow a low carb or keto diet, you can use arrowroot powder.

Make Your Own Buttermilk

Head over to my how to make buttermilk post, so you can make your own and use it in this gravy recipe.

Weight Watchers Points

There are 2 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this along with:

• Southern Squash Casserole.
• Creamy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes.
• Air Fryer Whole Chicken.

More Southern Recipes

• Salmon Croquettes.
• Shrimp Creole.

Thank you for reading my homemade brown gravy recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue dreaming up recipes, traditional African recipes, African fusion recipes, Sierra Leone recipes, travel plans and much more for you. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

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