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.
Table of Contents
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!
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:
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic Powder
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!
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.
Ways to Use White Gravy
Recipes to Use White Gravy With
White Gravy Recipe
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.
