Homemade Brown Gravy from Scratch

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If you have ever wondered how to make brown gravy from scratch, the process is actually very simple. Homemade gravy only requires a few ingredients and a couple of minutes on the stove.

This recipe shows how to make a smooth and flavorful brown gravy using butter, flour, and broth. It is perfect for serving over mashed potatoes, roast beef, meatloaf, or any comfort food dinner.

Once you make brown gravy from scratch, you may never go back to store bought gravy mixes. You don't even need a packet to make this!

If you love Thanksgiving recipes check out these other recipes for Air Fryer Turkey Breast, Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin, and Turkey Cranberry Paninis.

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Ingredients Needed
How to Make Homemade Gravy from Scratch
Roux Vs Slurry for Brown Gravy
No Meat Drippings
Uses for Homemade Brown Gravy
Tips for Homemade Gravy
Storage Tips
Brown Gravy Recipe FAQs
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Homemade Brown Gravy from Scratch

Ingredients Needed

Beef Broth - Beef broth is a flavorful and versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. To make the best beef broth, start with high-quality beef bones and vegetables such as carrots, onions, and celery.
Flour - regular flour, self rising flour, or cornstarch can be used to help thicken the gravy
Butter - I always use unsalted to control the amount of salt used.
Worcestershire sauce - is a condiment with a savory, umami flavor. It was first made in the city of Worcester, England in the 19th century. The sauce is made from a blend of vinegar, molasses, anchovies, tamarind, onions, garlic, and various spices
Onion Powder - Is dehydrated, ground onion that is commonly used as a seasoning. Some people do not like the taste of freshly chopped onion so onion powder is a great substitute if you have a picky eater like that in your house.
Garlic Powder - is made from dehydrated garlic cloves and like the chili powder above it gets pulverized into a powder or flour consistency.
Salt and Black Pepper to Taste
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

How to Make Homemade Gravy from Scratch

Step 1: Add butter and flour to a large pot and stir continuously until a roux is formed about 2 minutes

Butter and flour cooking together in a pan.

Step 2: Slowly pour in half the beef broth while stirring vigorously with a whisk. This will help prevent lumps. Once the gravy is smooth and lump-free, add the rest of the beef broth, onion powder, garlic powder, and Worcestershire.

Beef broth simmering with butter and flour in a pan.

Let the gravy boil until thick and smooth, about 3 minutes—taste and season with salt and pepper. Enjoy!

Roux Vs Slurry for Brown Gravy

When making homemade brown gravy, there are two common ways to thicken it: a roux or a cornstarch slurry. Both methods work well, but they create slightly different textures and are used at different stages of cooking.

A roux is made by cooking equal parts fat and flour together, usually butter and flour. This is the classic method used for traditional gravies because it creates a rich, smooth texture and deeper flavor. The flour cooks in the fat for a minute or two before broth is added, which removes the raw flour taste and helps the gravy thicken evenly.

A slurry, on the other hand, is made by mixing cornstarch with cold water before stirring it into hot broth or drippings. This method thickens gravy quickly and is helpful if your gravy is already simmering and needs a little more body. Slurries also create a slightly glossier gravy and are naturally gluten-free if that matters for your recipe.

No Meat Drippings

You can absolutely make delicious homemade brown gravy without using meat drippings. While drippings add extra flavor from roasted meat, many home cooks make gravy using broth and pantry staples instead.

For extra flavor, you can add a few pantry ingredients that mimic the richness of meat drippings. A small splash of Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, onion powder, or garlic powder helps deepen the savory flavor and gives the gravy a darker color.

Uses for Homemade Brown Gravy

Homemade brown gravy is incredibly versatile and works well with many classic comfort food dishes. Its rich, savory flavor pairs perfectly with meats, potatoes, and hearty meals. Here are some popular ways to use brown gravy:

Greek Yogurt Mashed Potatoes with Garlic - One of the most classic uses for brown gravy is spooned over creamy mashed potatoes.

Ina Garten Meatloaf Recipe - Brown gravy adds extra flavor and moisture to slices of meatloaf.

Air Fryer Poutine (3 Ingredients) Pour brown gravy over french fries and cheese curds to make the Canadian dish poutine.

Tips for Homemade Gravy

To prevent lumps from forming in your gravy you must vigorously stir that flour with a whisk until it is smooth. This is not the time to be texting Grandma about your Christmas list.
If your gravy tastes like flour you didn’t cook the flour long enough with the butter when whisking it on the stove top.

Storage Tips

Never put hot gravy straight into the fridge. Large amounts of trapped heat can raise the temperature of your refrigerator and lead to uneven cooling. Instead, let it sit at room temperature for no more than 2 hours before chilling and storing in a container.

Brown Gravy Recipe FAQs

What makes brown gravy darker?

Brown gravy gets its deeper color from ingredients like beef broth, pan drippings, or a small splash of Worcestershire sauce. Cooking the roux slightly longer can also create a darker, richer gravy.

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