Traditional Gravy
Elevate your holiday meals or Sunday roasts with this foolproof recipe for Traditional Gravy, a rich and velvety classic that’s bursting with homemade flavor. Crafted from golden pan drippings, a buttery roux, and a luscious blend of chicken or beef stock, this savory gravy is seasoned to perfection with a touch of salt, pepper, and optional fresh herbs like thyme or parsley for an aromatic finish. Ready in just 20 minutes, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a silky sauce that pairs beautifully with roasted meats, mashed potatoes, or stuffing. Whether you’re hosting a family feast or preparing a cozy comfort meal, this Traditional Gravy will add the perfect finishing touch to your dishes.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons pan drippings
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken or beef stock
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (optional, for extra richness)
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon fresh herbs (optional, such as thyme or parsley, finely chopped)
Instructions
After roasting your meat, carefully spoon off excess fat from the roasting pan, leaving about 4 tablespoons of the pan drippings behind.
Place the roasting pan over medium heat on the stove. If you're using a separate saucepan, transfer the pan drippings into it.
Sprinkle the flour evenly over the drippings. Whisk continuously for 2-3 minutes until the mixture forms a smooth paste and turns golden brown. This is your roux and will help thicken the gravy.
Gradually pour in the stock, about 1/4 cup at a time, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
Once all the stock is incorporated, bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency. This should take about 8-10 minutes.
For extra richness, whisk in the butter until fully melted and incorporated. Taste the gravy, and season with salt and pepper as needed.
If using fresh herbs, stir them in during the last minute of cooking for added flavor.
Strain the gravy through a fine-mesh sieve if you prefer a smoother texture.
Serve the gravy warm over your favorite dishes, and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
406 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 33.7 g | 43% | |
| Saturated Fat | 17.1 g | 86% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 88 mg | 29% | |
| Sodium | 3659 mg | 159% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 19.8 g | 7% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.8 g | 3% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.1 g | ||
| Protein | 6.3 g | 13% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 37 mg | 3% | |
| Iron | 1.8 mg | 10% | |
| Potassium | 154 mg | 3% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
