Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting out in the kitchen, mastering the art of making white gravy is a valuable skill that can elevate your dishes to the next level. This creamy and flavorful sauce is a staple in many classic Southern recipes and is perfect for smothering chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, biscuits, and more. In this friendly and easy-to-follow guide, we'll walk you through the steps of making white gravy, from gathering the necessary ingredients to serving it up with your favorite dish.
White gravy, also known as country gravy, is a versatile sauce that can be tailored to your taste preferences. Whether you prefer it thick or thin, mild or peppery, the possibilities are endless. So let's get started and learn how to make a delicious and unforgettable white gravy that will impress your family and friends.
Before we dive into the detailed steps, here's a quick overview of the essential ingredients you'll need to make white gravy: all-purpose flour, butter or margarine, milk, salt, and pepper. You can also add herbs, spices, or crumbled bacon to enhance the flavor, but these are optional.
How to Make White Gravy
Follow these simple steps to make a delicious and flavorful white gravy:
- Gather ingredients.
- Melt butter or margarine.
- Whisk in flour.
- Cook until golden brown.
- Gradually whisk in milk.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Simmer until thickened.
- Serve over your favorite dishes.
With these 8 simple steps, you'll be able to master the art of making white gravy and impress your family and friends with your culinary skills.
Gather ingredients.
Before you start cooking, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients on hand. Here's a breakdown of what you'll need:
- All-purpose flour: This is the base of your gravy and will help to thicken it.
- Butter or margarine: This will add flavor and richness to your gravy.
- Milk: Whole milk is typically used for white gravy, but you can also use skim milk or a plant-based milk alternative.
- Salt and pepper: These are essential seasonings for white gravy. You can also add other herbs and spices to taste.
In addition to these basic ingredients, you may also want to have on hand: onion, garlic, celery, bacon, and chicken broth. These ingredients can be added to your gravy to enhance the flavor and create a more complex sauce.
Melt butter or margarine.
Now that you have all your ingredients gathered, it's time to start cooking. The first step is to melt the butter or margarine in a saucepan or skillet over medium heat.
- Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan or skillet: This will help to prevent the butter or margarine from burning.
- Don't let the butter or margarine get too hot: You want it to melt slowly and evenly.
- If the butter or margarine starts to brown, remove it from the heat immediately: You don't want it to burn, as this will give your gravy a bitter taste.
- If you're using unsalted butter or margarine, add a pinch of salt to the pan before melting: This will help to enhance the flavor of your gravy.
Once the butter or margarine is melted, you're ready to move on to the next step: whisking in the flour.
Whisk in flour.
Once the butter or margarine is melted, it's time to whisk in the flour. This is what will thicken your gravy and give it its signature creamy texture.
- Use a whisk to gradually whisk in the flour: This will help to prevent lumps from forming.
- Whisk constantly until the flour and butter or margarine are well combined: You should have a smooth, paste-like mixture.
- Cook the flour and butter or margarine mixture for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly: This will help to cook out the raw flour taste.
- The mixture should be a light golden brown color: If it starts to get too dark, remove it from the heat immediately.
Once the flour and butter or margarine mixture is cooked, you're ready to move on to the next step: gradually whisking in the milk.
Cook until golden brown.
Once you've whisked the flour into the melted butter or margarine, it's time to cook the mixture until it turns a light golden brown color. This step is important because it helps to develop the flavor of the gravy and remove the raw flour taste.
- Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly: This will help to prevent the mixture from burning.
- Cook the mixture for about 1-2 minutes, or until it reaches a light golden brown color: Be careful not to overcook the mixture, as this can give the gravy a bitter taste.
- If the mixture starts to get too dark, remove it from the heat immediately: You can always put it back on the heat for a few more seconds if needed.
- Once the mixture is cooked, remove it from the heat and set it aside: You're now ready to whisk in the milk.
Cooking the flour and butter or margarine mixture until it's golden brown is an essential step in making white gravy. This step helps to develop the flavor of the gravy and remove the raw flour taste. So be sure not to skip this step!
Gradually whisk in milk.
Once you've cooked the flour and butter or margarine mixture until it's golden brown, it's time to gradually whisk in the milk. This is the step where you'll start to see your gravy come together.
Here are some tips for whisking in the milk:
- Use a whisk to gradually whisk in the milk: This will help to prevent lumps from forming.
- Whisk constantly until the milk is fully incorporated: You should have a smooth and creamy mixture.
- Add the milk in small increments: This will help to prevent the gravy from curdling.
- If you're using cold milk, warm it up slightly before adding it to the gravy: This will help to prevent the gravy from curdling.
Once you've whisked in all of the milk, bring the gravy to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until the gravy has thickened to your desired consistency. Stir occasionally to prevent the gravy from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Once the gravy has thickened, season it with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add other herbs and spices to taste, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or dried thyme. Serve the gravy immediately over your favorite dishes, such as chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, or biscuits.
Season with salt and pepper.
Once you've simmered the gravy and it has thickened to your desired consistency, it's time to season it with salt and pepper. This is an important step because it will help to enhance the flavor of the gravy.
Here are some tips for seasoning the gravy with salt and pepper:
- Start with a small amount of salt and pepper and taste the gravy: You can always add more salt and pepper to taste, but it's difficult to remove it once it's been added.
- Use a good quality salt and pepper: This will make a big difference in the flavor of your gravy.
- If you're using unsalted butter or margarine, you may need to add a bit more salt to the gravy: Taste the gravy and adjust the seasoning accordingly.
- You can also add other herbs and spices to taste, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or dried thyme: Be careful not to add too many spices, as you don't want to overpower the flavor of the gravy.
Once you've seasoned the gravy to taste, it's ready to serve. You can serve it immediately over your favorite dishes, such as chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, or biscuits. You can also store the gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Seasoning the gravy with salt and pepper is an essential step in making a delicious and flavorful white gravy. Be sure to taste the gravy and adjust the seasoning accordingly.
Simmer until thickened.
Once you've whisked in the milk and seasoned the gravy with salt and pepper, it's time to simmer it until it has thickened to your desired consistency. This step is important because it will help to develop the flavor of the gravy and make it creamy and smooth.
- Bring the gravy to a simmer over medium heat: A simmer is a gentle boil, where small bubbles break the surface of the gravy.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer the gravy for 5-10 minutes, or until it has thickened to your desired consistency: Stir the gravy occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- If the gravy is too thick, you can add a little bit more milk: Whisk the milk into the gravy until it reaches the desired consistency.
- If the gravy is too thin, you can simmer it for a few more minutes: The longer you simmer the gravy, the thicker it will become.
Once the gravy has thickened to your desired consistency, it's ready to serve. You can serve it immediately over your favorite dishes, such as chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, or biscuits. You can also store the gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Serve over your favorite dishes.
Once you've made your delicious white gravy, it's time to serve it over your favorite dishes. Here are a few ideas:
- Chicken fried steak: This is a classic Southern dish that is made with steak that is breaded and fried, then smothered in white gravy.
- Mashed potatoes: Mashed potatoes are the perfect comfort food, and they're even better when they're topped with creamy white gravy.
- Biscuits: Biscuits are another Southern staple, and they're perfect for sopping up all the delicious gravy.
- Country fried chicken: Country fried chicken is another classic Southern dish that is made with chicken that is breaded and fried, then smothered in white gravy.
Of course, you can also serve white gravy over other dishes, such as pork chops, meatballs, or vegetables. Get creative and experiment with different dishes to find your favorite way to enjoy white gravy.
FAQ
If you have any questions about making white gravy, check out our FAQ below:
Question 1: What is the best type of milk to use for white gravy?
Answer 1: Whole milk is the best type of milk to use for white gravy because it has a higher fat content, which makes the gravy richer and creamier. However, you can also use skim milk or a plant-based milk alternative if you prefer.
Question 2: How can I make my white gravy thicker?
Answer 2: There are a few ways to make your white gravy thicker. You can simmer it for longer, add more flour, or use a cornstarch slurry. To make a cornstarch slurry, mix equal parts cornstarch and water until smooth, then whisk it into the gravy until it reaches the desired consistency.
Question 3: How can I make my white gravy smoother?
Answer 3: To make your white gravy smoother, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve before serving. This will remove any lumps or solids from the gravy.
Question 4: Can I make white gravy ahead of time?
Answer 4: Yes, you can make white gravy ahead of time. Simply let it cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you're ready to serve, reheat the gravy over low heat until warmed through.
Question 5: What are some common variations of white gravy?
Answer 5: There are many different variations of white gravy. Some popular variations include adding herbs and spices, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or dried thyme. You can also add vegetables, such as diced onions or bell peppers. And finally, you can add meat, such as cooked chicken or sausage.
Question 6: What are some tips for making the best white gravy?
Answer 6: Here are a few tips for making the best white gravy:
- Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan or skillet to prevent the gravy from burning.
- Don't let the butter or margarine get too hot before whisking in the flour.
- Whisk the flour and butter or margarine constantly until the mixture is smooth and golden brown.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
- Bring the gravy to a simmer and cook for 5-10 minutes, or until it has thickened to your desired consistency.
- Season the gravy with salt and pepper to taste.
We hope this FAQ has answered your questions about how to make white gravy. If you have any other questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.
Now that you know how to make white gravy, here are a few tips for using it:
Tips
Here are a few tips for using white gravy:
Tip 1: Use white gravy as a dipping sauce: White gravy is a delicious dipping sauce for chicken fried steak, fried chicken, and other fried foods.
Tip 2: Use white gravy as a topping for mashed potatoes: White gravy is the perfect topping for mashed potatoes. It adds a creamy and flavorful richness to the potatoes.
Tip 3: Use white gravy as a base for soup: White gravy can be used as a base for soup. Simply add your favorite vegetables and meat to the gravy and simmer until heated through.
Tip 4: Use white gravy as a binder for casseroles: White gravy can be used as a binder for casseroles. It helps to hold the ingredients together and create a creamy and flavorful sauce.
White gravy is a versatile sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes. Get creative and experiment with different ways to use white gravy. You're sure to find many delicious ways to enjoy it.
Now that you know how to make and use white gravy, it's time to start experimenting with different recipes. You can find many delicious white gravy recipes online or in cookbooks.
Conclusion
In this article, we've walked you through the steps of making a delicious and flavorful white gravy. We've also provided you with some tips for using white gravy in a variety of dishes.
White gravy is a versatile sauce that can be used to enhance the flavor of many different dishes. It's perfect for smothering chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, biscuits, and more. It can also be used as a dipping sauce, a soup base, or a binder for casseroles.
So next time you're looking for a delicious and easy way to add flavor to your meal, give white gravy a try. You won't be disappointed.
We hope you've enjoyed this article on how to make white gravy. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.