This smooth and creamy peppered homemade white country gravy is the perfect addition to many southern main courses. Savor the comfort and smother your mashed potatoes, hot biscuits, and fried chicken.
In less than fifteen minutes, you, too, can have the ultimate Southern country gravy. My family loves this tasty recipe. We devour this made-from-scratch, homemade gravy like scrape-the-skillet clean kind of love.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Butter: unsalted or salted. For even more flavor, use meat drippings like bacon grease. Substitute 1 tablespoon for every 1 tablespoon of butter.
- Milk: Whole milk is best because it yields a super creamy result with rich flavor. I have used 2% in a pinch, and the results are still good.
- Cayenne pepper: Just a couple of pinches adds flavor and not heat.
How to make White Gravy
This is the summary version; for the complete list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the flour, whisking continuously to remove any lumps.
- Cook for about 3 minutes or until lightly browned. This process is known as making a roux.
- Slowly whisk in the milk until smooth and creamy.
- 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.
Preparation Tips
- 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 the raw flour taste off.
- If the 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.
- You can make this pepper gravy up to 2 days in advance. Reheat in a saucepan, adding 1 tablespoon of milk at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.
Serving Suggestions for Country Gravy
- Potatoes: homemade mashed potatoes, pan-fried potatoes, hash browns, and roasted red potatoes.
- Meat: chicken fried steak, fried pork chops, and slow cooker turkey breast
- Rolls and biscuits: angel biscuits, drop biscuits, beer bread, and dinner rolls.
Store and Freeze
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at reduced power.
Freeze for up to 3 months. For best results, thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at reduced power.
More Comfort Food Recipes
Easy White Gravy Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsalted butter can sub bacon fat
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2-2½ 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
Nutrition
Are you on the hunt for more delicious recipes? Follow Small Town Woman on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
Olga
We love this white gravy recipe. It is so so good over chicken fried steak and chicken fried chicken or even toast. I have made it many times and it is pretty much foolproof, easy, and delicious.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Olga! So glad that you like the gravy!
Stephanie
I make a very similar gravy and it’s so good with so many things! I love to smother it on fried meat like this and a side of mashed potatoes with the gravy, too.
Debbie
My husbands favorite dish is country fried steak. I’ve never made it but inspired to try with the right smooth and creamy peppered homemade white country gravy to add on top.
Brianne
I had white gravy a few years ago when I was visiting a friend in the south, and I fell in love with it. It’s just perfect for anything from breakfast to dinner. I really love it with fried chicken and biscuits.
Beth Pierce
Me too!
Bill Kuiper
I stopped buying the mix, this recipe is every bit as good.
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much, Bill! So glad that you like it!
Linda
I love the taste of sausage gravy but I don’t like sausage. It’s a texture thing. I’m definitely going to make this this weekend !! Thank you for an alternative !!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine!
Fransic verso
Wow, this was so yummy. It’s easy to make and doesn’t take so much time.
Patricia Chamberlain
I love white gravy, but I honestly had no idea how to make it! Thank you for this super easy to follow recipe. I can’t wait to make it again.
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!