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
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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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Stephanie
I am not a good gravy maker – until now! This is a fantastic recipe and the instructions are so helpful.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Stephanie! So glad that you like the gravy recipe!
Marci Smith
I’ve never thought to add cayenne! I bet that tastes amazing, I’ll have to give this a try.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Marci! Enjoy!
Elsie S. Stewart
I tried this recipe, and it’s really good. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to try the recipe.
Giana
I found this to be a bit “floury” so I added a chicken bullion cube and a few other spices and we loved it.. 2 cups of milk is perfect if you serve it immediately. If you need to reheat, add the extra 1/2 cup of milk. I’m not trying to be critical, she’s the only recipe lady I follow. She’s the best
Beth Pierce
Thanks Giana! I am glad that you were able to modify it to your taste.
Ntensibe Edgar
Nnnniiiiccceeeeee….for a change, white gravy should be a good one to try out, for me. I look forward to testing it out with bacon, eggs, sausages or roast turkey! Thanks for sharing about it.
Jei Laine
I am sure my husband and kids will love this. They really enjoy chicken with gravy. Thank you for sharing.
Nilakshi
My mom loves chicken and she will surely love to try this recipe. I will share this with her for sure.
Ebony
This is such a great recipe! Especially with the hints of bacon flavor in each bite! Saving this stellar recipe!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Ebony! So glad that you enjoyed the recipe!
April
This looks so yummy. I’m definitely going to try this.
Thena Franssen
I can’t wait to make this and eat it with some potatoes! I think that homemade bread would be yummy with it, too!
Dani Torr
I made this today with mashed potatoes and it was creamy and delicious. I also added some freshly fried mushrooms to the gravy, since my son lives mushrooms. Amazing!!
Alita Pacio
Ive never had white gravy before. Its my first time making this
Neely Moldovan
One of my husbands favorite things to eat!
Gervin Khan
Wow! That is so easy and delicious. Perfect for my chicken fillet!
HonestMomma
My husband is from Pennsylvania and he said this is the best homemade closest to Amish gravy he’s had since his grandmother made for him as a child!
Beth Pierce
Oh that is so sweet! So glad that he liked it!!
Jacqueline Meldrum
It’s funny how things are so different in other areas of the world. Here in the UK we would call that a white sauce. Always tasty.