Condiments

Homemade White Gravy

By Samira Kazan

updated October 13, 2023

Learn how to make white gravy – ready in just a few minutes and will add a little Southern charm to your table. My easy white gravy recipe is perfect for the holidays.

With the holidays right around the corner, indulging in some all-American cooking is the perfect way to create a memorable meal. Even if you’re not an American. I’ve always been intrigued by the flavors from the American south.

So I made this easy white gravy in a homage to this Southern staple. I think it’s one of the best white gravy recipes out there.

Not so far removed from a b√©chamel sauce, most white gravy recipes use just four ingredients. There’s no one right way how to make milk gravy. It’s adaptable for friends with dietary restrictions ‚Äì or if you want to experiment with flavor.

Let’s turn that gravy recipe white and make this easy country gravy.

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What is white gravy
What is white gravy made of
How to make homemade white gravy
How long does homemade white gravy last in the fridge
How to reheat white gravy
What goes with white gravy
FAQs
More homemade sauce recipes
Homemade White Gravy Recipe

What is white gravy

There’s no kitchen in the American South that doesn’t have an easy white gravy recipe. They really know how to make white gravy taste even better than its traditional brown counterpart. Sometimes it’s better known as butter gravy, milk gravy, or cream gravy.

This simple white gravy has its roots in a white sauce ‚Äì but with a few extra ingredients. It is usually served with Southern dishes like chicken fried steak or biscuits.

White gravy vs. brown gravy

A white gravy mix and brown gravy are very different. Brown gravy typically begins in the same way as homemade white gravy ‚Äì with a roux. But it is then flavored and colored using broth (chicken or beef) and seasoning, like Worcestershire sauce. It tends to have a meaty, rich flavor.

A classic ceam gravy recipe keeps a similar texture, taste, and color to a roux, keeping it an off-white color.

Bechamel sauce vs. white gravy

Though very similar, the key difference in making white gravy vs bechamel is texture and seasoning. White gravy is much thicker than bechamel and will often be served with only black pepper. Bechamel often contains nutmeg and onion.

What is the difference between white gravy and country gravy

Country gravy and white gravy are very similar, bar one exception. White gravy from scratch can often have meat incorporated into it, whereas country gravy from scratch is entirely meat-free.

What is white gravy made of

Homemade country white gravy is made of simple pantry staple ingredients.

Unsalted butter: You can use a dairy-free alternative, but whole-fat cow‚Äôs milk butter is best.
All-purpose flour: Plain white flour is a key part of white gravy ingredients. You can use wholemeal if you prefer. Gluten-free flour or rice flour also works just as well.
Milk: I recommend using whole milk for a creamy texture and velvety mouthfeel. Though you can use soy or an unsweetened, unflavored non-dairy alternative.
Salt and pepper: add salt and cracked black pepper to taste.

How to make homemade white gravy

For this quick creamy gravy recipe, heat a pan over medium heat. Add butter and let it melt.

Then, add flour, salt, and freshly cracked pepper to the melted butter. Whisk well. Keep cooking for about 2 minutes to fully cook out the raw flour taste.

Steps for for melting butter and mixing in flour - 8

Add a bit of milk (about ¬Ω cup) and whisk well to incorporate it. Then, add some more and whisk again. Repeat with the rest of the milk.

Stir constantly to make sure there are no lumps in the butter and flour mixture. This is how you will have the creamiest milk gravy recipe.

Bring the mixture to an almost boil. Keep whisking often. Let it simmer (vigorously) for about five minutes ‚Äì the milk gravy should become smooth and creamy as it cooks. Cook until it thickens to desired consistency and serve.

How long does homemade white gravy last in the fridge

Homemade white gravy can last for up to four days when tightly sealed in the refrigerator. You can also freeze it for up to 4-6 months.

How to reheat white gravy

Pour the cream gravy recipe into a saucepan over low heat. Stirring consistently, reheat the gravy slowly until it starts to simmer. Remove from the heat and serve. You may need to add a little more milk or water to bring back the creamy texture.

A spoon dripping white gravy over a bowl - 10

What goes with white gravy

There are so many delicious ways to serve this homemade gravy.

Biscuits and gravy: making white gravy for biscuits is a Southern tradition! Pour homemade white gravy all over freshly baked biscuits. You can also serve it with bacon or sausage ‚Äì that’s how to make gravy for biscuits even better.
Chicken Fried Steak: A beef steak breaded and fried like chicken, another Southern favorite. Pour over the milk gravy and enjoy.
Green Beans : Another popular thanksgiving dish, green beans are a great carrier for this easy white gravy recipe.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes : instead of using brown gravy, enjoy your pureed potatoes with this recipe.
It’s also great as a flavorful sauce for meat (including chicken tenders, pork, and turkey). And it can be mixed with mushrooms and veggies for a delicious, meat-free option.

The flour hasn’t been mixed properly. To make white gravy smooth, add the flour a little at a time and whisk vigorously before adding the milk.

For a thinner texture, add a splash of water or milk to your homemade white gravy.

For thicker white gravy, add a little more flour. Or stir in a small amount of cornstarch, tapioca flour, or potato starch with water.

More homemade sauce recipes

Brown Gravy Recipe
Buffalo Wing Sauce
Alabama White BBQ Sauce
Hollandaise Sauce
Garlic Alfredo Sauce
Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

IngredientsUS CustomaryMetric1x2x3x

▢ 4 oz butter 1 stick or 1/2 cup
▢ 2.2 oz white flour 1/2 cup
▢ 2.5 cups milk
▢ 1 tsp salt
▢ 1/2 tsp black pepper

This will yield about2.5 cups/600ml of white gravy.

Instructions

Heat a pan over medium heat. Add butter and let it melt.
Add flour, salt, and freshly cracked pepper to the melted butter. Whisk well. Keep cooking for about 2 minutes to fully cook out the flour.
Add a bit of milk (about ¬Ω cup) and whisk well to incorporate it. Then, add some more and whisk again. Repeat with the rest of the milk.¬†Stir constantly to make sure there are no lumps in the butter and flour mixture.
Bring the mixture to an almost boil. Keep whisking often. Let it simmer (vigorously) for about five minutes ‚Äì the milk gravy should become smooth and creamy as it cooks. Cook until it thickens to desired consistency and serve.

Storage Instructions

Fridge: store in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freeze: freeze in an airtight container, ice cube tray, or Ziplock bag for up to 4-6 months. Reheat: Pour the cream gravy recipe into a saucepan over low heat. Stirring consistently, reheat the gravy slowly until it starts to simmer – you may need to add a little more milk or water to bring back the creamy texture.

Video

Notes

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.