This smooth and creamy peppered homemade white country gravy is the perfect addition to so 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 just loves this tasty recipe. We absolutely 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
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.
Recipe notes and helpful 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.
- 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.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze for up to 3 months. For best results, thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
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
More comfort food recipes you will love!
Easy White Gravy Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter can sub bacon fat
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2-2 1/2 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.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze for up to 3 months. For best results, thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Nutrition
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Tavo
I used this gravy on my vegan schnitzel yesterday and I loved it!
Cathleen
I LOVE gravy but I don;t make it nearly enough because my husband hates it. But he’s out of town for a couple of days, which means that I am going to be making this on repeat. Thanks so much for the recipe 🙂
Shashi
Wow – this white sauce looks simply scrumptious – so creamy and the perfect consistency!
Megan Ellam
This looks so good! Why have I never tried white gravy?
Sandra
This is such an amazing gravy recipe! My kids loved it! Thanks for sharing!
Cathy
I’ve never made white gravy before now! Thank you for the delicious recipe!
Amanda Livesay
We’re obsessed with this gravy! I want to put it on everything.
Catalina
The right gravy makes the dish a lot better! This white gravy is exactly what I was looking for!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
This white country gravy is looks delicious!
Krystle
This brings back memories of home. Turns out perfect every single time.
Dorothy Reinhold
Is it really a comfort food meal without a great gravy? Soooo many delicious uses!
Caroline
Such a classic sauce and so versatile too.
Shadi Hasanzadenemati
This was amazing and such a treat! Thank you!
Sherry Ronning
This was the perfect topping for my fried chicken! I have been looking for the perfect creamy gravy to go along with my family’s favorite fried chicken and this is the best recipe. I made it with a little bit of bacon grease like you suggested and the flavor was “out of this world, delicious”!! I will definitely be making this recipe again!
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Sherry! The bacon grease adds a little more delicious flavor! So glad that you like it!
Claudia Lamascolo
Wow that looks so good and creamy great for so many uses!
Beth Sachs
I love how creamy this gravy is. Perfect with mashed potato!