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White Gravy

5 from 1 vote

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Homemade White Gravy recipe is a perfect condiment sauce. Made with milk, butter, and seasonings for a versatile Southern staple sauce. Fast and easy.
A spoon pouring white gravy over Corn and Zucchini Fritters

This simple homemade White Gravy recipe is a perfect condiment sauce! Made with just a few ingredients and ready in 10 minutes. A great topper for Southern style food.

Pin image of White Gravy being poured on chicken with title at top.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Homemade white gravy, also known as country gravy or sawmill gravy, is a classic American comfort food that is often served with biscuits, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, or country-fried steak. It’s a creamy and flavorful sauce that’s relatively easy to make at home.

This homemade pan gravy is a great sauce to make when you need something neutral in flavor.

It goes great with chicken like my Parmesan Air Fried Chicken Tenders, steaks, and vegetables. I also love making it for my Corn and Zucchini Fritters!

White plate with White Gravy on Parmesan Chicken Tenders and Zucchini Corn Fritters with Green Beans

Ingredients

Full quantities and recipe details can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

You only need a few ingredients for this sauce:

Corn and Zucchini Fritters with White Gravy on top in a large bowl

Instruction Overview

Start off with melting the butter in a large skillet, or use the same amount of pan drippings if you are making something like fritters or chicken.

Then add the flour and cook until slightly brown.

Add the milk and seasonings, and simmer until the sauce is thickened. Season to taste as needed.

That’s it!

Parmesan Air Fried Chicken Tenders with White Gravy on top on a white plate

Modifications and Substitutions

Use pan drippings instead of butter for extra flavor.

If too thick, add a little more milk or water.

If too thin, cook longer or add more flour.

FAQs

Is white gravy a southern thing?

Yes, very much so. It is very common for families to have their own signature white gravy recipe that they are proud of.

What is the difference between brown gravy and white gravy?

Both gravies are very similar in the basic ingredients, however the biggest difference is that brown gravy is made with stock and white gravy is made with milk.
This difference also results in a brown gravy being lighter and a white gravy being heavier, although there are variations of each.

Is white gravy actually gravy?

Technically, white gravy is a type of bechamel sauce, which is a white milk based sauce.
There is traditionally no meat drippings in the sauce which would make it a traditional gravy.
Pin image of White Gravy being spooned onto fritters with title at top

Ways to Use White Gravy

Recipes to Use White Gravy With

A spoon pouring white gravy over Corn and Zucchini Fritters

White Gravy Recipe

Homemade White Gravy recipe is a perfect condiment sauce. Made with milk, butter, and seasonings for a versatile Southern staple sauce. Fast and easy.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate Save Recipe
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: American
Keyword: 30 Min or Less, Vegetarian
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2 cups
Calories: 449kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter (or drippings, see note)
  • ¼ cup flour
  • 2 ½ cups milk (whole milk is best)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  • Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat (or use pan drippings if available).
  • When melted, add the flour and mix to combine so no dry flour is left. Cook for 2 minutes.
  • Whisk in the milk, black pepper, salt, and garlic powder. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce begins to thicken, approximately 8-10 minutes.
  • Season to taste as desired and serve.

Notes

Traditionally, white gravy uses drippings from meat such as chicken or pork instead of butter as the fat. If you have drippings, use them! Use as much as the recipe calls for and discard the rest. If not, butter works great.
If the gravy gets too thick, add a little water. If too thin, continue to cook.
The gravy will thicken a little as it sits.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 449kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 1495mg | Potassium: 451mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 1202IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 361mg | Iron: 1mg
By on October 16th, 2021

About Kim

Kim has grown up with a passion for cooking good food! You can find her in the kitchen experimenting with new recipes, making dog treats, and eating Italian food!

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