This smooth and creamy peppered homemade white country gravy is the perfect addition to many southern main courses. Savor the comfort and smother your mashed potatoes, green beans, hot biscuits, fried chicken, chicken tenders, and pan-fried pork chops. In less than fifteen minutes, you, too, can have the ultimate Southern gravy.
My family loves this tasty recipe. We devour this made-from-scratch homemade gravy like scrape-the-skillet clean kind of love. I enjoy serving it with all my favorite southern dishes like Southern Green Beans, Homemade Biscuits, and Pan Fried Chicken.
How to make White Gravy
This is the summary version; see the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and the instructions.
Start by melting the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Then add the flour to the melted butter, whisking continuously to remove any lumps. Cook for about 3 minutes or until lightly browned. This process is known as making a roux.
Next, slowly whisk in the milk until smooth and creamy. This is known as a béchamel sauce. Then, whisk in the cayenne pepper, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Continue to cook and stir frequently until the gravy has thickened to your desired consistency.
Preparation Tips
- For even more flavor, use meat drippings like bacon grease. Substitute 1 tablespoon for every 1 tablespoon of butter.
- When cooking the butter and flour, whisk it constantly over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes. The mixture will brown just a touch and cook that raw flour taste off.
- If gravy becomes too thick, thin it out with a few tablespoons of milk at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
- Season with cayenne pepper (remember just a couple of pinches to start), salt, and fresh ground black pepper to taste.
- You can make this pepper gravy up to 2 days in advance. Reheat in a saucepan, adding 1 tablespoon of milk at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.
What to serve with white Country Gravy
- Chicken Fried Steak
- Biscuits
- Mashed Potatoes
- Pork Chops
- Fried Chicken
- Roasted Turkey
- Pan Fried Potatoes and Onions
- Bacon and Eggs
- Hash Browns
Store and Freeze
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at reduced power.
Freeze for up to 3 months. For best results, thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at reduced power.
More Comfort Food Recipes
Easy White Gravy Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsalted butter can sub bacon fat
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2-2½ cups whole milk or 2% milk see notes
- 1-2 pinches of cayenne pepper
- salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the flour, whisking continuously for about 3 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Slowly whisk in the milk until smooth and creamy. Whisk in the cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
- Continue cooking while whisking frequently until the gravy has thickened to your desired consistency.
Notes
- For even more flavor, use meat drippings like bacon grease. Substitute 1 tablespoon for every 1 tablespoon of butter.
- When cooking the butter and flour, whisk it constantly over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes. The mixture will brown just a touch and cook that raw flour taste off.
- If gravy becomes too thick, thin it out with a few tablespoons of milk at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
- Season with cayenne pepper (remember just a couple of pinches to start), salt, and fresh ground black pepper to taste.
- This pepper gravy can be made up to 2 days in advance. Reheat in a saucepan, adding 1 tablespoon of milk at a time until desired consistency.
Nutrition
Are you on the hunt for more delicious recipes? Follow Small Town Woman on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
Wanda
I used a little chicken bouillon and wow was this fantastic
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Wanda and thanks for the tip!
Leslie Fish
My husband is vegan. I used margarine and coconut milk. I also cooked vegan sausage, cut it up into tiny pieces and added it to the gravy. It was outstanding. Only used 2 cups of coconut milk.
Beth Pierce
So glad that you liked it. Thanks for the tips, Leslie!