Best 10 Basic Gravy Recipes

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Are you tired of serving dry and bland dishes at your meals? Elevate your culinary skills and learn the art of making a basic gravy. This simple yet versatile sauce is the secret ingredient that adds richness, flavor, and moisture to any dish. Whether you're roasting a chicken, frying a steak, or preparing a vegetarian casserole, a well-crafted gravy can turn a good meal into an extraordinary one. In this comprehensive guide, we will embark on a journey through the fundamentals of gravy making, exploring the different techniques, ingredients, and tips to create the perfect accompaniment to your favorite dishes.

Here are our top 10 tried and tested recipes!

BASIC OLD-FASHIONED GIBLET GRAVY RECIPE - (4.8/5)



Basic Old-Fashioned Giblet Gravy Recipe - (4.8/5) image

Provided by á-2225

Number Of Ingredients 8

Giblets from 1 turkey or chicken
4 cups cold water
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
2 cups pan drippings or chicken broth
1/2 cup milk or half and half (optional)
1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper
2 hard-cooked eggs, chopped (optional)

Steps:

  • Remove liver from giblets and refrigerate. Place giblets in saucepan, cover with 4 cups cold water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about an hour. Now add the liver and simmer for another 30 minutes. Drain in a colander, allow to cool, chop and set aside. Melt butter in a heavy saucepan and stir in the flour. Cook and stir for 3 to 5 minutes, or until butter barely begins to turn golden. Slowly stir in drippings or chicken broth and milk or half and half. Continue cooking and stirring until thickened. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in hard-cooked eggs and chopped giblets and serve. Makes 3 cups.

BASIC FORMULA FOR GRAVY



Basic Formula for Gravy image

You don't need a recipe when you have this formula. The fat can be crisco, butter, oil, or the fat from your pan drippings. The liquid can be water, broth, milk, the juice from the pan drippings or any flavorful liquid. When I make pan gravy, I pour all of the drippings into a shallow bowl and wait for the grease to rise to the top, so you can seperate the fat from the liquid for measurements. Pan gravy is best made in the pan that the meat was cooked in. All of that brown stuck on stuff adds flavor and gives gravy its golden color. So no more gravy mixes, or heaven forbid, canned gravy for you!

Provided by BETHANY T.

Categories     Sauces

Time 5m

Yield 2 cups, 10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 4

2 tablespoons fat
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups broth (or liquid)
salt and pepper

Steps:

  • In pan, measure and heat fat.
  • Wisk in flour.
  • Cook on low to medium heat until it starts to color. (This is called rue). Wisk constantly.
  • When flour darkens to desired color, slowly wisk in measured liquid.
  • Cook until desired thickness.
  • Season to taste.
  • You can add kitchen boquet or gravy master for added color.

BASIC ROAST BEEF WITH GRAVY



Basic Roast Beef With Gravy image

As a little girl My grandparent's took me to a Restaurant called Picadilly's and I remember having wonderful medium rare roast beef sliced thin like they do now at carving restaurant buffets. And they served it with a very thin ajus. The other day I wanted it so bad that I attempted my first one. and here it is

Provided by Shawn C

Categories     Roast Beef

Time 1h5m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 1/2 lbs boneless bottom round roast
salt and pepper
garlic powder
5 cups water
1 tablespoon beef base
1 (1 ounce) envelope mccormicks au jus mix
cornstarch, to thicken

Steps:

  • in very large cast iron skillet with a metal rack in it lace roast fat side up. season well with salt, pepper and garlic powder.
  • in a preheated 325* oven place roast for 1 hour. turn oven off during last 10 minutes and let sit for 30 minutes while making your addtional dishes like mashed potatoes!
  • once you are ready to make gravy remove roast and let sit on plate not cutting until ready to serve.
  • in cast iron skillet you cooked in pour water and turn up the heat add base and aujus mix and stir well to incorporate the powder.
  • let come to a boil for about 3-5 mionutes thicken with cornstarch and water.
  • and serve with all your favorites!
  • slice the meat thinly almost shaving it against the grain the juices should flow
  • leftovers? how about a open faced derby sandwich- hot roast beef and gravy over toasted bread! or maybe a french dip sandwich to take to work!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 640.6, Fat 42.4, SaturatedFat 16.3, Cholesterol 181.7, Sodium 991, Carbohydrate 3.4, Protein 57.7

BASIC GRAVY



Basic Gravy image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     side-dish

Time 15m

Number Of Ingredients 4

Turkey drippings
8 1/4 cups hot chicken broth
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Pour the turkey drippings into a bowl. Add 1/4 cup of the chicken broth to the roasting pan and scrape up any browned bits; add to the bowl, then freeze the drippings until the fat hardens on top. (Alternatively, use a degreasing cup.)
  • Spoon 1/2 cup of the fat into a saucepan. Add the flour; cook over medium heat, stirring, until golden, 4 minutes. Slowly whisk in the remaining 8 cups hot chicken broth; bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Discard any remaining fat from the drippings; add the drippings to the saucepan. Simmer, whisking, until thick, 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Strain to remove lumps, if needed.

BASIC RED GRAVY (MARINARA)



Basic Red Gravy (Marinara) image

This easy to make marinara sauce can be used for a number of recipes. Add meatballs, ground beef & pork, Italian sausage, chicken, shrimp, or anything else you like with red gravy. This is a traditional Italian recipe passed down for generations. The flavors become more intense when it sits in the refrigerator a day or two then...

Provided by Donna Graffagnino

Categories     Other Sauces

Time 3h15m

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 Tbsp bacon grease
1 Tbsp olive oil, or 2 tbsp if you are not using bacon grease
2 medium onions, chopped fine
1/2 bunch green onions, sliced thin
1/2 c bell pepper, chopped fine
1 small (6 oz) can tomato paste
1 medium (15 oz) can diced tomatoes & (8 oz) tomato sauce **or** (15 oz) tomato sauce
2-3 Tbsp garlic, minced
3 c beef broth
1/4 - 1/2 c red wine
2 tsp oregano, dried
1 Tbsp dried basil
1 Tbsp granulated onion
1 Tbsp granulated garlic
2 bay leaves
1 tsp sugar
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • 1. Heat the bacon grease or olive oil in a Dutch oven, over medium heat and add chopped onions, green onions, and bell pepper and saute on low until onions are transparent but don't let them brown.
  • 2. Add tomato paste, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and minced garlic; cook down for about 5 minutes stirring constantly to prevent scorching.
  • 3. Add wine and beef stock, oregano, basil, granulated garlic & onion, bay leaves, sugar and salt & pepper to taste.
  • 4. Simmer stock for about 30-45 minutes, adding more beef stock as needed to keep sauce fairly thin. Cover with a splatter screen or off-set the lid so steam can escape without splattering sauce all over the kitchen; cook for 2-3 hours or until desired thickness is reached. Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed. Serve over pasta or add your favorite meat to red gravy. Buono Appetito!
  • 5. *Options: ,I don't use carrots but if you like them add 2 finely chopped carrots to the onions and bell pepper if desired - it adds to the sweetness. If you like just a little heat in your red sauce then add crushed red pepper flakes to taste when adding tomato paste & sauce.

BASIC FAT FREE GRAVY



Basic Fat Free Gravy image

Several years ago, DH was in the hospital with a heart condition and was placed on a fat restricted diet. This recipe was provided by the hospital and I have used it since to make wonderful gravy, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Browning the flour is the key to rich fat-free gravy

Provided by PaulaG

Categories     Sauces

Time 1h5m

Yield 1 cup, 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 tablespoons whole wheat flour or 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup fat free chicken broth or 1 cup pan dripping
1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
salt and pepper
1/8-1/4 teaspoon Kitchen Bouquet
1/4 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
1 cup fat free chicken broth (optional)
1 egg white (optional)

Steps:

  • Heat a heavy skillet over low heat.
  • Add flour and cook, stirring occasionally until light brown.
  • Before using meat drippings, remove the fat by placing in a seperator or quick chill in freezer for about 30 to 60 minutes and skim visible fat from top.
  • Put 1/2 of defatted drippings/broth in a jar, add the browned flour.
  • Cover tightly and shake until mixture is smooth.
  • Pour into a saucepan, add remaining liquid.
  • Bring to a simmer and cook for a few minutes, stirring constantly until desired consistency.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • If desired add a few drops of Kitchen Bouquet until desired color.
  • Please Note: The cooking time allows for the quick chill method on the broth.

BASIC GRAVY



Basic Gravy image

Make and share this Basic Gravy recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Wendys Kitchen

Categories     Sauces

Time 10m

Yield 1 1/2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 4

1/4 cup pan juices
1/4 cup plain flour
1 1/2 cups beef stock or 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
seasoning

Steps:

  • Skim fat from pan juices. Place dish over heat, cook scraping base of dish for 1-2 minutes.
  • Stir in flour. Cook 1 minute.
  • Remove from heat. Gradually blend in liquid.
  • Return to heat. Cook stirring constantly until gravy boils and thickens.
  • Simmer 3 minutes, blending in seasonings.

1916 BASIC EASY GRAVY RECIPE USING CAMPBELL'S SOUPS



1916 Basic EASY Gravy Recipe Using Campbell's Soups image

Still good and easy but... Can you believe this recipe for using canned soups in recipes dates to 1916? Amazing. And we still use them today. The basic idea is to make a sauce or gravy from the soup, add leftover cooked meats and vegetables, and serve this over rice, noodles, potatoes, or toast. Recipe from Campbell's Soups.

Provided by Kathie Carr

Categories     Other Sauces

Time 20m

Number Of Ingredients 3

1 can(s) (10 3/4 ounces) campbell's condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/3 c water (can substitute milk or white wine)
pepper as desired

Steps:

  • 1. Make gravy in the pan you cooked the meat in. Drain grease. Scrape any bits of browned meat on bottom of pan and use in gravy. Heat the soup and liquid you are using in pan over medium heat until the mixture is hot and bubbling, stirring occasionally. Add black pepper as desired. Serve this gravy over rice, noodles, or potatoes and cooked pork chops, beef, or chicke
  • 2. VARIATIONS: Add one or more of the following: sauted mushrooms, onions, peas, minced garlic, carrots, or other vegetables.

BASIC GRAVY (W/O PAN DRIPPINGS)



Basic Gravy (W/O Pan Drippings) image

I adapted this recipe from THE JOY OF COOKING and have been making it for more years than I care to remember. It's fast and easy.... fast and easy enough to be able to make a 2nd batch in the middle of dinner b/c folks scarfed up the first batch! NOTE: I'm not sure how 1-2 TEAspoons of Worcestershire got changed to 1-2 TABLEspoons.... which is way too much! I've changed the recipe back to 1-2 TEAspoons of Worcestershire.

Provided by Impera_Magna

Categories     Low Protein

Time 5m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

3 tablespoons butter or 3 tablespoons margarine
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 (10 1/2 ounce) can condensed chicken broth (flavor of your choice, I usually use beef) or 1 (10 1/2 ounce) can condensed vegetable broth, undiluted (flavor of your choice, I usually use beef)
1 -2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, to taste
1/4-1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (do not use garlic salt... results will be too salty)
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper (to taste)

Steps:

  • Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat.
  • Whisk in flour til well blended.
  • Slowly add broth, whisking continually.
  • Add Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and pepper.
  • Cook over medicum heat til thickened, stirring from time to time.
  • Keep an eye on the saucepan, the thickening process goes quickly.

BASIC GIBLET GRAVY



BASIC GIBLET GRAVY image

This is the giblet Gravy I made to accompany our Thanksgiving dinner. It was really good. I used the juices from the turkey to go in the stuffing, & made this meaty gravy to go over the side items. If you don't have hearts & gizzards, you can use chicken parts, just to add a bit of texture to the gravy & have the added flavor. I...

Provided by Rose Mary Mogan

Categories     Gravies

Time 1h40m

Number Of Ingredients 11

TO MAKE THE GIBLET BROTH
1 lb pkg. hearts & gizzards or turkey tails or both
neck & giblets from chicken or turkey
2 medium onions chopped
3 stalk(s) celery, chopped
2-3 tsp steak seasoning, as desired
1 Tbsp granulated garlic
MAKING THE GRAVY
6 c chicken or turkey broth, divided
1/3 c arrowroot starch or corn starch
11/2 c chopped giblets or as desired

Steps:

  • 1. Add hearts and gizzards & turkey tails if using, with turkey/chicken giblets to a large pot, throw in the chopped veggies, cover with water, and add spices & bring to a rolling boil. Then lower heat & cook until meat is tender.
  • 2. Giblets should cook about an hour to 1 1/2 hours, till giblets are tender. Add more water if needed. You will need 6 cups liquid.
  • 3. Strain the giblets when fully cooked, and you can discard the veggies or puree them and add them to the strained broth/ liquid if desired for additional flavor. Only use the lean meaty parts of the turkey tails, discard the fat and bones.
  • 4. Chop all of the giblets and remove the meat from the neck discard bones, and add chopped giblets to a bowl. Divide the giblet mixture between what will be used for stuffing and what you are using for the gravy.
  • 5. In a medium size sauce pan bring 5 cups of the broth & giblets to a rolling boil. Then using a small bowl add the reserved 1 cup broth with the 1/3 cup of Arrow Root Starch, and stir until blended together. Then pour into the boiling broth mixture, lower heat, and stir and simmer until mixture thickens as desired, taste & add additional salt & pepper if desired.
  • 6. May use a bit of Kitchen Bouquet if a deeper richer color of gravy is desired. Serve while still hot. Serve over Stuffing, chicken, turkey or mashed potatoes.
  • 7. NOTE: KITCHEN BOUQUET is used to enhance the colors of gravies and sauces. Comes in a Brown Bottle with a yellow cap. I PREFER USING ARROW ROOT AS A GRAVY THICKNER INSTEAD OF CORN STARCH OR FLOUR, because it doesn't clump up when it is reheated, it stays in the liquid gravy form. But either will work fine.

Tips:

  • Start with a flavorful base: Use browned meat drippings, roasted vegetables, or sautéed mushrooms to create a rich and flavorful base for your gravy.
  • Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients you use, the better your gravy will taste. Use fresh vegetables, herbs, and spices, and choose a high-quality stock or broth.
  • Cook your vegetables properly: If you're using vegetables in your gravy, make sure to cook them until they are soft and flavorful. This will help to thicken the gravy and add flavor.
  • Use a roux or cornstarch to thicken your gravy: A roux is a mixture of flour and fat that is used to thicken sauces and gravies. Cornstarch can also be used to thicken gravy, but it can make the gravy cloudy if it's not cooked properly.
  • Season your gravy to taste: Once your gravy is thickened, season it to taste with salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices. You can also add a splash of lemon juice or vinegar to brighten the flavor.

Conclusion:

Gravy is a delicious and versatile sauce that can be used to enhance the flavor of a variety of dishes. Whether you're making a simple pan gravy or a more complex sauce, following these tips will help you create a delicious and flavorful gravy that will impress your family and friends.

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