By Laurel Perry
Published Nov 20, 2024
Brown gravy might be the single most versatile topping for any meal. Made with rich beef broth (no drippings required!), bouillon, Worcestershire, and spices, this brown gravy recipe is virtually foolproof. Learning how to make brown gravy has upped my meal game and saved the day more times than I can count!
Ever since I learned how to make brown gravy, my dinners have changed for the better. This gravy is so easy to make– just 5 minutes of prep and 5 minutes of cooking– and it adds so much flavor to everything it touches. If I could, I’d put this gravy on everything!
What’s in This Brown Gravy Recipe?
- Butter: Unsalted butter adds richness to the gravy.
- Flour: All-purpose flour cooks with the butter to form a roux that thickens the gravy.
- Broth: Low-sodium beef broth creates a rich and savory base of flavor– no drippings required!
- Worcestershire Sauce: Enhances the umami flavor of the gravy.
- Beef Bouillon: Adds depth of flavor and richness.
- Spices : Onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper enhance the overall flavor of the gravy.
Tips for Success
- If you happen to have beef drippings, add them to your measuring cup and simply top off with broth until you reach 2 cups.
- Add the beef broth slowly and stir constantly to avoid creating a lumpy gravy.
- If the gravy does turn out lumpy, you can always strain it over a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover brown gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding water or beef broth to thin to the desired consistency.
Serving Suggestions
This brown gravy is so yummy drizzled over mashed potatoes , buttermilk biscuits , ribeye steak , or beef Wellington . I also love it with chicken fried steak instead of the more traditional white gravy. So yummy!
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ ¼ cup unsalted butter (½ stick)
- ▢ ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ▢ 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- ▢ 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ▢ 1 teaspoon beef bouillon paste or powder
- ▢ 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ▢ ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Video
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a medium pot set over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring, until there is no raw flour visible. ¼ cup unsalted butter, ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- Slowly whisk in the beef broth. 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, beef bouillon, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon beef bouillon paste, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Increase the heat until the gravy begins to simmer. Reduce the heat to maintain the simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until thickened, stirring often. Remove from the heat and serve.
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Brown Gravy Step by Step
Make a Roux: Melt ¼ cup of unsalted butter in a medium pot set over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in ¼ cup of all-purpose flour. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring, until there is no raw flour visible.
Thin the Roux: Slowly whisk in 2 cups of low-sodium beef broth.
Thicken the Gravy: Stir in 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon of beef bouillon paste, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper. Increase the heat until the gravy begins to simmer. Reduce the heat to maintain the simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until thickened, stirring often. Remove from the heat and serve.
More Gravy Recipes To Try
Make Ahead Turkey Gravy
Ham Gravy
Homemade Sausage Gravy Recipe for Biscuits
Brown Gravy Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (½ stick)
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon beef bouillon paste or powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a medium pot set over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring, until there is no raw flour visible. ¼ cup unsalted butter, ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- Slowly whisk in the beef broth. 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, beef bouillon, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon beef bouillon paste, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Increase the heat until the gravy begins to simmer. Reduce the heat to maintain the simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until thickened, stirring often. Remove from the heat and serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
