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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Simple Gravy Recipe

    Last Published: Oct 24, 2022 · by Seanna Borrows · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. · 4 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Pin This!
    Gravy being poured onto mashed potatoes from a gravy boat.

    Simple Gravy Recipe Without Milk - Elevate your meal with this dairy-free gravy recipe made from pan drippings. This old-fashioned gravy recipe is made with simple ingredients and can be ready in 5 minutes. It's an easy recipe for the most delicious gravy your whole family will love.

    Dripping spoonful of simple pan gravy held over a pan of same.
    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Here's What You Need
    • Pro Tip
    • Simple Gravy Recipe Without Milk
    • 5 Gravy Troubleshooting Tips
    • Can I Freeze Gravy?
    • How To Reheat Gravy
    • Recipes To Serve With Gravy
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Community

    It's super tasty and great to serve with anything you want to pour it over, like beef, chicken, Thanksgiving turkey, pork chops, meatballs, or biscuits. You name it! So good, it's sure to become a family favorite recipe.

    This simple pan gravy recipe is the perfect thing to serve with oven roasted turkey breast, or a Sunday pot roast, and is delicious poured over creamy mashed potatoes. Be sure to check out our other main dish recipes for more pairing ideas.

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    This simple gravy recipe made from pan drippings and a slurry of water and corn starch has been passed down in my family for generations. It's a foolproof recipe and so easy to make following a few simple instructions.

    Here's What You Need

    Individual ingredients for Simple pan gravy recipe.
    • pan drippings - The perfect base for homemade gravies because it provides a richer flavor then just using broth. This simple recipe works great with all kinds of meat drippings, like turkey drippings, roast chicken, roast beef, among others.

      The amount of drippings you get will vary. But no worries, it's the drippings:water ratio of 0.5:1 (½ cup to 1 cup) that you're looking for. Just estimate the amount of drippings in the bottom of the pan and add broth to make it a full half cup.
    • water, cold - The water must be cold in order to dissolve the corn starch. Note: Hot water will make the corn starch clump in the water and cause lumps.

      Substitution Suggestion - May substitute broth or bouillon. Match choice to the type of meat being cooked. Chicken broth will work for most recipes. However, use beef bouillon or broth for beef recipes.
    • corn starch - Corn starch is the thickening agent. Add too much, and the it will be too thick. Add too little and the it will be too thin.

    Pro Tip

    Rotisserie Chicken Gravy - Save the pan juices from the bottom of the rotisserie container and use them to make homemade gravy.

    Freeze these chicken drippings in little individual containers or in ice cube trays. We recommend using those little plastic condiment containers you get with take out orders. They're just the right size. Pop them in the freezer until you need them. Then use them in this recipe!

    When you're ready to use one, just run the bottom of the plastic container under warm water. The container will become just warm enough to be able to pop out the frozen drippings.

    Simple Gravy Recipe Without Milk

    Slurry of water and corn starch being whisked in a liquid measuring cup held above a cast iron skillet of pan drippings.
    1. Make Slurry. Put cold water into a liquid measuring cup and whisk in corn starch (thickening agent) until it dissolves completely.
    Simple Gravy Recipe being whisked together in a cast iron skillet.
    1. Add Slurry to Pan Drippings. Bring the pan drippings up to a simmer over medium heat or medium-high heat in a large skillet. Once the drippings begin to bubble, add the slurry and begin whisking to combine.

      Continue to whisk as the it begins to thicken. The corn starch will reach its full thickening potential once it reaches a boil.

      Once it has reached the desired consistency, turn the heat down to low and continue to let it simmer slowly. Lowering the temperature will prevent it from separating or breaking.
    Dripping spoonful of simple pan gravy held over a pan of same.
    1. Correct Seasonings. Do a taste test here to check the seasonings.

      Rarely, it might be necessary to correct the seasonings. Add a pinch of salt and some black pepper only if necessary.

      Pan drippings have highly concentrated flavor and it might not need any additional seasoning, especially if you have substituted broth for the water.
    Simple pan gravy being poured into a white gravy boat through a fine mesh strainer.
    1. Strain The Gravy. Serve it warm, as is, or make it smooth by running it through a strainer.

      To make smooth gravy, set a fine mesh strainer over a liquid measuring cup and carefully pour it into a serving dish. The strainer will remove any bits and pieces of meat drippings leaving it smooth and lump free.
    1. Serve. Serve the it warm. We recommend serving it in a microwave-safe container like this gravy boat, so that you can reheat it, if necessary.
    Gravy being poured onto mashed potatoes from a gravy boat.

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    5 Gravy Troubleshooting Tips

    Gravy Too Thick? - Thin it out by adding a little more water or broth as it simmers until you reach the desired consistency.

    How To Make Gravy Thicker - Thicken it by adding a little more of the corn starch and water slurry. Start by whisking together a mixture of 1 teaspoon of corn starch and ½ cup of cold water.
    Note: Hot water will make the corn starch clump in the water and cause lumps.
    Then bring it up to a low boil and whisk in the mixture a little at a time. Allow it to thicken before you add any more. Keep adding and checking until it reaches the desired consistency.

    Gravy Too Salty? - Adjust the saltiness by adding a little more water or slurry (if it gets too thin) while it simmers.

    Gravy Too Greasy? - Fastest way is to simply skim off the grease that has floated to the top. If you have time, refrigerate it until it solidifies. The grease will float to the top and form a solid layer that can be easily removed. Alternatively, follow the instructions below on how to fix a broken gravy.

    How To Fix Separated Gravy - In a separate pan, make a roux of 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of flour. Let that bubble for 3 minutes to eliminate the taste of the flour. Lower the heat to a simmer. Then add the broken gravy to the roux a little at a time, whisking the two together as you go. The result should be smooth and emulsified.
    Note: Gravy or sauce will break if it reaches too high a temperature. So, lower the heat!

    Can I Freeze Gravy?

    You can absolutely freeze leftover gravy in an airtight container, or resealable bag. We recommend freezing it right with the other leftovers in these handy restaurant storage containers. Another great trick is to freeze it in ice cube trays and then transfer them to a resealable bag for convenient use later.

    Be sure to check out our "Can I Freeze Gravy?" post for full detailed instructions.

    Gravy poured into ice cube tray to freeze.

    How To Reheat Gravy

    You can reheat gravy 3 different ways. For best results, be careful not to let it come to a boil or it will break and separate. See note above on How To Fix A Separated Gravy.

    1. Microwave Oven - Place it in a microwave-safe container. Put it in the microwave and reheat it on high for 1 minute increments, stirring in between.
    2. Stovetop - Put it into a small saucepan covered with a lid and reheat it on medium-low heat. Stir as it slowly comes up to temperature.
    3. Oven - Reheat in an ovenproof dish at 375°F.

    We use this simple gravy method to make Swedish Meatballs, and Bison Meatballs. It would also make a thick and creamy gravy for Pot Roast.

    Recipes To Serve With Gravy

    • A small white platter of sliced oven roasted turkey breast garnished with lemons and fresh parsley.
      Simple Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
    • Juicy Pot Roast served on top of mashed potatoes pictured on a white plate with a fork.
      Easy Pot Roast Recipe
    • Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes shown in white serving bowl with melting tabs of butter and fresh chopped Italian Parsley garnish.
      Mashed Potatoes (Make Ahead + Reheat Tips)
    • Crispy Oven Roasted Potatoes piled in a white bowl on a striped kitchen towel.
      Crispy Oven Roasted Potatoes

    Did you love this recipe? If you make this recipe and love it, stop back, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Seanna's Kitchen and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, and subscribe to my Newsletter for ALL the latest recipes! We'd love to hear from you!

    📖 Recipe

    Dripping spoonful of simple pan gravy held over a pan of same.

    Simple Gravy Recipe

    Simple Gravy Recipe Without Milk - elevate your meal with this dairy-free gravy recipe made from pan drippings. This old-fashioned gravy recipe can be ready in 5 minutes.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Save Recipe!Saved!
    Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 3 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 Servings
    Calories: 141kcal
    Author: Seanna Borrows

    Equipment

    • cast iron skillet
    • sauce whisk
    • liquid measuring cup
    • measuring spoons
    • fine mesh strainer
    • gravy boat

    Ingredients 

    • 1 cup water cold
    • 1 tablespoon corn starch
    • ½ cup pan drippings
    Get Recipe Ingredients
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    Instructions

    • Make Slurry. Put cold water into a liquid measuring cup and whisk in corn starch (thickening agent) until it dissolves completely.
      1 cup water, 1 tablespoon corn starch
    • Add Slurry to Pan Drippings. Bring the pan drippings up to a simmer over medium-low heat. Once the drippings begin to bubble, add the slurry and begin whisking to combine. Continue to whisk as it begins to thicken. The corn starch will reach its full thickening potential once it reaches a boil. Once it has reached the desired consistency, turn the heat down to low and continue to let it simmer slowly. See Notes for gravy troubleshooting tips.
      ½ cup pan drippings
    • Correct Seasonings. Do a taste test here to check the seasonings. Pan drippings have highly concentrated flavor and it might not need any additional seasoning, especially if you have substituted broth for the water. Rarely, it might be necessary to correct the seasonings. Add a pinch of salt only if necessary.
    • Strain The Gravy. Serve it warm, as is, or make it smooth by running it through a strainer. To make smooth gravy, set a fine mesh strainer over a liquid measuring cup and carefully pour it into it. The strainer will remove any bits and pieces of drippings leaving it smooth and lump free.
    • Serve. Serve it warm. We recommend serving it in a microwave-safe container like this gravy boat, so that you can reheat it, if necessary.

    Notes

    What is Dairy Free?

    This is a Dairy-Free recipe, as defined by the USDA - MyPlate.gov.

    Ingredient Notes

    • ½ cup pan drippings - The perfect base for homemade gravies because it provides a richer flavor then just using broth. This simple recipe works great with all kinds of meat drippings, like turkey drippings, roast chicken, roast beef, among others.
      The amount of drippings you get will vary. But no worries, it's the drippings:water ratio of 0.5:1 that you're looking for. Just estimate the amount of drippings in the bottom of the pan and add broth to make it a full half cup.
    • 1 cup water, cold - The water must be cold in order to dissolve the corn starch.

      Substitution Suggestion - May substitute broth or bouillon. Match choice to the type of meat being cooked. Chicken broth will work for most recipes. However, use beef broth or bouillon for beef recipes.
    • 1 teaspoon corn starch - Corn starch is the thickening agent for the gravy. Add too much, and the gravy will be too thick. Add too little and the gravy will be too thin.

    Pro Tip

    Rotisserie Chicken Gravy - Save the pan juices from the bottom of the rotisserie container and use them to make homemade gravy.

    5 Gravy Troubleshooting Tips

    1. Gravy Too Thick? - Thin it out by adding a little more water or broth as it simmers until you reach the desired consistency.
    2. How To Make Gravy Thicker - Thicken it by adding a little more of the corn starch and water slurry. Start by whisking together a mixture of ½ teaspoon of corn starch and ½ cup of cold water.
      Note: Hot water will make the corn starch clump in the water and cause lumps.
      Then bring it up to a low boil and whisk in the mixture a little at a time. Allow it to thicken before you add any more. Keep adding and checking until it reaches the desired consistency.
    3. Gravy Too Salty? - Adjust the saltiness by adding a little more water or slurry (if it gets too thin) while it simmers.
    4. Gravy Too Greasy? - Fastest way is to simply skim off the grease that has floated to the top. If you have time, refrigerate it until it solidifies. The grease will float to the top and form a solid layer that can be easily removed. Alternatively, follow the instructions below on how to fix a broken gravy.
    5. How To Fix Separated Gravy - In a separate pan, make a roux of 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of flour. Let that bubble for 3 minutes to eliminate the taste of the flour. Lower the heat to a simmer. Then add the broken gravy to the roux a little at a time, whisking the two together as you go. The result should be a smooth, emulsified gravy.
    Note: Gravy or sauce will break if it reaches too high a temperature. So, lower the heat!

    Can I Freeze Gravy?

    You can absolutely freeze leftovers in an airtight container, or resealable bag. We recommend freezing it right with the other leftovers in these handy restaurant storage containers. Another great trick is to freeze it in ice cube trays and then transfer them to a resealable bag for convenient use later.

    How To Reheat Gravy

    You can reheat gravy 3 different ways. For best results, be careful not to let it come to a boil or it will break and separate. See note above on How To Fix A Separated Gravy.
    1. Microwave Oven - Place it in a microwave-safe container. Put it in the microwave and reheat it on high for 1 minute increments, stirring in between.
    2. Stovetop - Put it into a small saucepan covered with a lid and reheat it on medium-low heat. Stir as it slowly comes up to temperature.
    3. Oven - Reheat in an ovenproof dish at 375°F.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 141kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 124mg | Potassium: 5mg | Fiber: 0.01g | Sugar: 0.01g | Vitamin A: 473IU | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 0.01mg
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Mention @SeannasKitchen and tag #seannaskitchen!

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    Comments

      5 from 2 votes

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jessica Robinson says

      October 25, 2022 at 4:23 pm

      5 stars
      My mom used a gravy measuring cup separator to help skim off excess fat. This is such a great and well-laid out instructions and details on making homemade gravy! Love your detailed images and a visual for steps.

      Reply
      • Seanna Borrows says

        October 25, 2022 at 4:27 pm

        That's a great suggestion! Thanks so much, Jessica!

        Reply
    2. Russ B says

      October 24, 2022 at 3:51 pm

      5 stars
      Awesome on turkey and potatoes!

      Reply
      • Seanna Borrows says

        October 24, 2022 at 3:52 pm

        Thanks Russ. It's the easiest thing ever to make. And so delicious!

        Reply
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