How to Make Country Gravy from Scratch | Easy Homemade White Gravy
If you've ever wanted to learn how to make country gravy from scratch, this is one of the easiest homemade gravy recipes you can have in your cooking lineup.
This country gravy recipe uses a simple combination of bacon grease, butter, flour, milk, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder to create a creamy, rich homemade white gravy.
The bacon grease is the little secret that gives this gravy its extra depth and smoky flavor. You can make it with all butter, all bacon grease, or use the combination in this recipe to get the best of both.
The result is a smooth, creamy homemade country gravy that's perfect for biscuits, chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes, breakfast dishes, and plenty of other comfort foods.
And the best part? You don't need a packet or a premade mix. Once you understand the basic technique, you can make country gravy whenever you want.
Why You'll Love This Homemade Country Gravy
Easy to Make
This is a straightforward recipe made with ingredients you probably already have in the kitchen.
Rich and Creamy
Milk, butter, and bacon grease come together with the roux to create a smooth, creamy white gravy.
Big Black Pepper Flavor
Black pepper is a major part of what gives traditional country gravy its unmistakable flavor. Don't be shy with it.
No Gravy Packet Needed
There's no packaged gravy mix involved. Just a few simple ingredients and a skillet.
Easy to Customize
You can adjust the amount of black pepper, change the fat combination, or use different types of milk depending on how you like your gravy.
Ingredients You'll Need
Country Gravy Ingredients
2 tablespoons (30 g) bacon grease
2 tablespoons (28 g) unsalted butter
4 tablespoons (32 g) all-purpose flour
2½ cups (625 mL) milk
½ tablespoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon (0.6 g) onion powder
¼ teaspoon (0.8 g) garlic powder
Pinch of salt
Makes: About 2¼ cups (563 mL)
Ingredient Substitutions
If you don't have enough bacon grease, you can replace some or all of it with unsalted butter.
For a lighter white gravy, using all butter is an easy option.
If you want an even richer and creamier gravy, you can substitute some of the milk with half-and-half or heavy cream.
You can also replace part of the milk with chicken broth if you'd like to add another layer of savory flavor.
The beauty of homemade country gravy is that you can adjust it to your taste.
What Gives Country Gravy Its Flavor?
The secret to a good country gravy from scratch isn't a long list of ingredients. It's about getting the basic combination right.
Bacon grease provides the foundation and adds a subtle smoky flavor that makes this gravy stand out.
Butter adds richness, while flour creates the roux that thickens the gravy.
Milk provides the creamy base, and black pepper brings the signature flavor that people expect from a classic country gravy.
A small amount of onion powder and garlic powder rounds everything out without overpowering the gravy.
It's a simple combination, but when everything comes together, you get a rich and satisfying homemade white gravy.
How to Make Country Gravy from Scratch
Make the Roux
Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the bacon grease and butter. Once melted, add the flour and whisk to form the roux.
Cook the roux for a few minutes, stirring frequently, and be careful not to burn it.
Add the Milk
Add the milk and whisk everything together over medium heat.
Continue stirring as the gravy begins to thicken.
Season the Gravy
Add the black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
Bring everything together and allow the gravy to simmer until it reaches your preferred consistency.
Finish the Gravy
Taste the gravy and add salt if needed.
If it's too thick, add a little more milk. If it's too thin, continue reducing it over low heat.
For the full step-by-step recipe, measurements, cooking times, and detailed instructions, Sauce Boss members can access the printable recipe.
Getting the Right Country Gravy Consistency
Texture is one of the most important parts of making good country gravy.
You want the gravy to be creamy and smooth, not gluey or pasty.
A properly thickened country gravy should cling to the back of a spoon or spatula while still falling off easily.
If you take it too far and make it extremely thick, it can become more like a paste once it cools.
On the other hand, if it's too thin, it won't properly coat a biscuit or whatever you're serving it with.
Remember that gravy continues to thicken as it cools, so you don't necessarily want it to be extremely thick while it's still on the stove.
How to Make Country Gravy Without Bacon Grease
Yes, you can absolutely make country gravy without bacon grease.
Simply replace the bacon grease with additional unsalted butter.
You'll still get a creamy and flavorful white gravy, but you'll lose the smoky flavor that bacon grease brings to the recipe.
You can also experiment with different combinations of butter and bacon grease until you find the balance you like.
That's one of the advantages of making gravy from scratch.
You get to make it your way.
What to Serve With Country Gravy
This homemade white gravy is one of the most versatile comfort-food sauces you can make.
Try it with:
Biscuits
Chicken-fried steak
Mashed potatoes
Fried chicken
Breakfast sausage
Country-fried steak
Chicken
Pork
Hash browns
Breakfast potatoes
Eggs
Toast
Of course, classic biscuits and gravy is one of the first combinations that comes to mind.
But don't be afraid to spoon it over other breakfast and comfort-food favorites.
Can You Make Country Gravy Ahead of Time?
Yes. Country gravy can be prepared ahead of time and gently reheated when you're ready to serve it.
The gravy will generally become thicker as it cools, so you may need to add a small amount of milk when reheating to bring it back to the consistency you want.
Warm it gently and stir until smooth.
Tips for the Best Homemade Country Gravy
Don't Rush the Roux
Give the butter, bacon grease, and flour enough time to cook together. Keep the heat under control and stir frequently.
Don't Be Shy With the Black Pepper
Black pepper is one of the defining flavors of country gravy. If you love peppery gravy, adjust the amount to your taste.
Watch the Heat
A roux can burn quickly, so lower the heat if necessary while you're cooking the flour.
Adjust the Consistency
If the gravy is too thick, add a little milk. If it's too thin, let it reduce over low heat for a little longer.
Taste Before Adding Salt
Bacon grease can already contain salt, so taste the finished gravy before adding more.
Remember That Gravy Thickens as It Cools
Don't make it overly thick on the stove. The consistency will continue to change as the gravy cools.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Homemade Country Gravy is proof that you don't need complicated ingredients to make great comfort food.
With bacon grease, butter, flour, milk, black pepper, and a few simple seasonings, you can make a creamy homemade white gravy without relying on packets or mixes.
The bacon grease adds that little smoky flavor, while the black pepper gives the gravy the classic country-style character you're looking for.
Once you learn the basic roux-and-milk technique, you can adjust the recipe to make it exactly the way you like it.
Serve it over biscuits, chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes, or your favorite breakfast foods.
Sometimes the simplest recipes are the ones you come back to again and again.
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