Brown Gravy

This homemade brown gravy recipe is smooth, creamy, rich, and so flavorful! This quick and easy recipe takes just 10 minutes. Great for Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday dishes. Use this gravy on chicken, pot roast, turkey, steak, beef, mashed potatoes, and more!
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This homemade brown gravy recipe is so rich, flavorful, and creamy! This quick and easy recipe takes just 10 minutes to make. Pour over chicken, turkey, mashed potatoes, beef, steak, and more. It is the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving or Christmas menu. This gravy can be made with or without pan drippings.

Brown gravy.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • This recipe for brown gravy is very easy to make.
  • It only requires a few simple ingredients.
  • This easy gravy can be used with a variety of different dishes, including roast beef, mashed potatoes, turkey, and biscuits.
  • This recipe is packed with flavor.
  • Great for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
  • The gravy is thick and glossy and it pours perfectly.
  • This recipe is gluten-free and sugar-free.
  • Check out How to Make Gravy for another delicious recipe!

Ingredients & Substitutes

These are the ingredients for homemade brown gravy. Scroll down to the bottom for the full recipe.

Butter and flour create the roux. Use unsalted butter. For the flour, we love Paleo flour or whole wheat flour.

Beef broth adds a hearty flavor and a brown color. Feel free to use pan drippings from pork, pot roast, or another meat instead.

Sea salt and pepper add flavor.

Garlic powder adds a delicious garlicky flavor.

Coconut aminos add richness. This ingredient is the soy-free version of soy sauce.

Ingredients for brown gravy.

Taste & Texture

This brown gravy has a rich and savory flavor!

It is also slightly sweet, thanks to the caramelized beef drippings if using.

The gravy is creamy and smooth.

How to Make

Step 1

First, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.  Once the butter is melted, sprinkle in the flour.  Use a whisk to continuously mix until it starts to turn golden, about 3 minutes.

Step 2

Then, pour in the broth (or pan drippings).  Allow this mixture to come to a low boil.  Lightly boil for 1 minute, or until gravy has reached desired thickness.  Whisk constantly to prevent burning.

Bubbly brown gravy.

Step 3

Remove from heat.  Stir in the seasonings and coconut aminos.

Smooth gravy in skillet.

Step 4

Lastly, pour into a gravy boat and serve.

Expert Tips for Success

Follow these tips to make the best brown gravy recipe!

Whisk the butter and flour together to prevent burning.

Beef drippings add a lot of flavor to the gravy. If you don’t have any beef drippings, you can use beef broth instead.

Constantly whisk as the gravy cooks. This creates a smoother result and prevents burning.

You can add your favorite herbs and spices to the gravy for extra flavor. Some good options include thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Creamy sauce in cup.

Flavor Variations & Add-Ins

Here are some fun ways to add flavor to this homemade brown gravy.

Red wine gravy: Add a splash of red wine to the gravy for a more complex flavor.

Mushroom gravy: Add some sliced mushrooms to the gravy while it is simmering for a richer flavor.

Onion gravy: Add some chopped onions to the gravy while it is simmering for a sweeter flavor.

Herbed gravy: Add some fresh herbs to the gravy, such as thyme, rosemary, and parsley, for a more flavorful gravy.

How to Serve & Store

Beef gravy can be served immediately or stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Serve with turkey, chicken, pork, beef, or steak. This gravy goes well with mashed potatoes and mashed cauliflower too.

It can also be frozen for up to 2 months. To reheat the gravy, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and then heat it over low heat on the stovetop until it is warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best way to thicken beef gravy?

There are a few different ways to thicken beef gravy. You can add a roux, which is a mixture of equal parts flour and butter, to the gravy. You can also add cornstarch or arrowroot powder to the gravy. To add cornstarch or arrowroot powder to the gravy, simply mix it with a little bit of cold water and then whisk it into the gravy until it is thickened.

How can I make beef gravy without drippings?

If you don’t have any beef drippings, you can use beeef broth instead. To make beef gravy without drippings, simply heat the butter or oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Then, add the flour to the saucepan and whisk until it is combined. Add the beef broth to the saucepan and whisk until it is smooth. Bring the gravy to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, or until it has thickened.

How do I store beef gravy?

Beef gravy can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. To reheat the gravy, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and then heat it over low heat on the stovetop until it is warmed through.

What is brown gravy made of?

It is made with beef broth, some kind of flour, butter, and seasonings.

What is the difference between brown and beef gravy?

The difference between brown and beef gravy is that brown gravy can be made with any type of meat drippings or stock, while beef gravy is specifically made with beef drippings or stock.

What is the difference between brown and country gravy?

Brown gravy can be made with any type of meat drippings or stock. On the other hand, country gravy is made with sausage drippings.

How do I prevent lumps in my gravy?

To prevent lumps in your gravy, whisk the flour and butter together until smooth before adding the liquid. Then, add the liquid slowly and whisk constantly until the gravy is smooth and thickened.

Smooth beige sauce.

Equipment Needed

Gravy Boat: Serve this gluten-free gravy in this gravy boat.

Skillet: Use a large nonstick skillet for this recipe.

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