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The Ultimate Homemade Brown Gravy (No Drippings Needed): Rich, Velvety, and Ready in Minutes

Close-up of rich, dark homemade brown gravy served in a small white ramekin.
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Make rich, savory brown gravy from scratch without relying on meat drippings. This easy stovetop recipe yields a velvety sauce perfect for mashed potatoes, meatloaf, or roast beef.

Ingredients

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  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups beef broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 1 cup chicken broth or water
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional, for depth)

Instructions

  1. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
  2. Whisk the flour into the melted butter. Cook this roux, stirring constantly, for 1 to 2 minutes until it turns a light peanut butter color. Do not let it burn. This step is key for flavor.
  3. Slowly pour in the beef broth while whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming.
  4. Add the chicken broth (or water), onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, pepper, salt, and Worcestershire sauce if using.
  5. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a simmer, whisking often.
  6. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low and let the gravy cook for 5 to 8 minutes, or until it thickens to your desired consistency. Stir frequently to keep the bottom from scorching.
  7. Taste the gravy and adjust salt and pepper as needed. For an extra smooth texture, you can strain the gravy through a fine-mesh sieve before serving.

Notes

  • For a darker color, cook the roux for an extra minute or two until it reaches a darker brown shade before adding the liquid.
  • If your gravy is too thick, whisk in a tablespoon of warm broth or water at a time until it reaches the right consistency.
  • If your gravy is too thin after 8 minutes of simmering, create a slurry by mixing 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 2 teaspoons of cold water, then whisk it into the simmering gravy until thickened.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookincorner.com/homemade-brown-gravy-recipe-no-drippings/