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
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https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
Wanda
I used a little chicken bouillon and wow was this fantastic
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Wanda and thanks for the tip!
Leslie Fish
My husband is vegan. I used margarine and coconut milk. I also cooked vegan sausage, cut it up into tiny pieces and added it to the gravy. It was outstanding. Only used 2 cups of coconut milk.
Beth Pierce
So glad that you liked it. Thanks for the tips, Leslie!
Allison
Easy and really tasty! Thanks!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Allison!
Kathy
Just made this with some sausage for biscuits and gravy. My son loved it!!! Said it’s much better than our usual go to package mix. And it’s so easy!!!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Kathy!
Lisa
I just made your gravy recipe with North Carolina smoke ham and drippings with butter wow wow wow!! This will forever be in rotation. You are a God!! Ty so grateful! Easy and delicious!
Beth Pierce
That is so sweet! Thank you!
Patrick
Excellent you just have to add salt and pepper to your desired taste and I made mine spicy with the cayenne pepper so good
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Patrick! I am so happy that you liked the gravy! I like a few pinches of cayenne, myself!
Lisa
I agree so good! With the cayenne pepper
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Lisa! I am glad that you liked it.
Fransic
My grandma used to make a similiar white gravy. I did not know it was this easy to make. It was delicious served over some pan fried chicken. Thanks for reminding me of my grandmas delicious cooking.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Fransic!
Ned
Hhhhmmmm….pork chops it is, for me. I will give it a try with my chicken, over the weekend. Thanks for this recipe.
Ebony
I tried this recipe today with some fried pork chops and it was amazing! It’s so creamy, savory and easy to make. Saving this recipe as another keeper! Thank for sharing awesome recipe.
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Ebony!
Sammie
This gravy is great on so many things. Have you tried it on toasted English muffins? I also use it as a base for my sausage gravy and biscuits. Delicious and easy!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Sammi! So glad that you liked the gravy!