Brown Gravy Recipe

Learn how to make brown gravy with a few common ingredients. This is delicious served on mashed potatoes and more. Skip the store bought gravy packets and make this delicious homemade gravy instead.

Around here, dinner isn’t complete without gravy.

Homemade gravy is even better. Don’t let the idea of making gravy from scratch intimidate you. It is actually very easy to do.

Plus, I promise it tastes so much better than anything store bought. You probably already have what you need to make brown gravy.

This is fast and effortless but the results are amazing comfort food.

Ingredients and Substitutions:

• Beef Broth – You can use beef bouillon with water instead of beef broth. You can also substitute
• Garlic Powder – you can also add in onion powder as well.
• Salt and Pepper
• Worcestershire Sauce – You don’t have to have this, but it enhances the flavor.
• Cold Water – The water has to be cold in order to make the slurry.
• Corn Starch – This will be used to thicken your gravy to the desired consistency. Scroll down to learn more about why we use corn starch.

I told you the ingredient list was simple! Scroll down to the recipe card for the ingredient amount and the full recipe instructions.

How to make brown gravy from scratch

Step 1. Bring the beef broth or beef stock to a boil. I like to use medium high heat.

Step 2. Once it comes to a boil, add the garlic powder, salt, pepper and the Worcestershire Sauce.

Step 3. Next, you need a small bowl. Mix together the cold water and corn starch. The corn starch needs to be fully dissolved.

Step 4. Then, pour this mixture into the saucepan with the broth. Keep whisking over medium heat and bring to a boil again.

Step 5. Continue to simmer on the stovetop until the gravy has thickened.

Step 6. Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.

It is that simple. Enjoy!

I think you are really going to love the flavor and how delicious this gravy is.

How to serve Brown Gravy

Gravy is best served warm. It really makes everything even better. Here are a few of my favorite ways to serve brown gravy.

• Brown gravy is my favorite over Mashed potatoes.
• Crock pot Roast Recipe – Brown Gravy is amazing drizzled over roast and crock pot potatoes and carrots.
• Serve over buttered egg noodles.
• Serve with your favorite steak or crock pot steak bites.

What if your gravy is too thick

Tip: If your gravy is too thick, add more beef broth until the gravy is the consistency that you prefer. You might also need to do this if you are reheating the gravy and serving later.

What if your gravy is lumpy?

If you find the gravy lumpy, use a strainer to strain out the lumps. Then whisk together the gravy until the lumps are gone.

How to make gravy from beef drippings

Using beef drippings enhances the depth of flavor. Substitute the beef drippings or the pan drippings for the beef broth. Then follow the recipe as normal.

If you have made a beef roast, you definitely don’t want to let all that flavor go to waste in the drippings. You can turn it into beef gravy.

What to do if you don’t have enough liquid from the beef drippings for what the recipe requires? You can add the broth with the beef drippings until you have the amount needed.

It is super easy to make this beef gravy recipe.

Using a Roux vs. a Slurry for Gravy

What is a Roux

A roux is used at the beginning of cooking and is a slower process. It involves a type of fat like butter and all purpose flour.

What is a Slurry

A slurry does not need to cook but can be added at the end of the gravy process. After stirring, the blend of cornstarch and water will make the gravy thick.

Brown gravy typically uses a slurry to thicken since it does not call for flour. Whereas, white gravy uses a roux.

A Roux or a Slurry both have the ability to thicken gravy, but give you slightly different results.

What to Serve with Brown Gravy:

• Mashed Potatoes
• Beef tips
• Slow Cooker Roast Recipe
• Meatballs
• French Fries – Our Homemade French Fries are amazing with gravy.
• Rolls – We love to soak up gravy from the plate with a soft dinner rolls. Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe and our Quick 30 Minute Dinner Rolls are some of our favorite roll recipes.

Can you make brown gravy ahead of time?

Brown gravy can be stored safely in the refrigerator for three to four days.

How to Store Brown Gravy

Allow the gravy to cool completely. Then place the cooled gravy in a refrigerator safe airtight container with a lid. It will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Freezing

Can you freeze gravy? Brown Gravy Freezes great. Place in a freezer safe container or a freezer bag. You can freeze it three to four months.

How to reheat gravy

When you are ready to reheat the gravy, heat on the stove top over medium heat until heated through. I like to use a whisk to whisk the gravy to make sure there is no lumps. You can also microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between.

More easy gravy recipes:

• How to make turkey gravy
• White Gravy
• How to Make Sausage Gravy

Homemade brown gravy is the best!

This easy recipe is a game changer. It will turn a plain dish into something amazing. Perfect for a weeknight but nice enough for Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Once you try it, you will not believe how easy it is. Impress your family with this homemade gravy in literally minutes!

Please come back and let us know how it turned out for you. Leave a comment and a star rating. I love hearing from you!