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
Rosey
Yaaas for the gravy! If the gravy is not good, the whole dish is not good. I found that out the hard way.
Sabrina
Now this is my kind of gravy. Creamy, peppery, and perfect for biscuits or mashed potatoes without being complicated at all. Definitely one of those recipes worth keeping handy.
Carol Cassara
This is such a terrific part of comfort food. It’s a recipe my husband really enjoys but I haven’t made in quite a while. Thanks for jogging my memory! I’ll have to make again soon.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Carol! Enjoy!
Lisa
One of my favorite recipes, I love making white gravy and it adds so much flavor to your dish. I will say the first time I made it; I added too much pepper. When my mom taught me how to make it, I never purchased gravy packets again.
Ebony
This was such a great recipe! I made this for my husband and he loved it! I can’t wait to make this again next week!
Beth Pierce
So happy that you liked it, Ebony!
Jerry G
I like your creamy, comforting, and perfectly classic country-style gravy. I loved how the simple ingredients transform into something so rich, cozy, and versatile for everyday homestyle meals.
Claudia
I made this for my husband and son, and they loved it. I’m doing keto, but the smell of this was enough to make me consider getting off the wagon. LOL
Amber Myers
Yum, I am drooling. I love white gravy like this. I’ll keep it in mind the next time I make some chicken.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Amber! Enjoy!
Yonca Nihal
What a great recipe to try! It was so easy to make and everyone enjoyed it.
Oanh
Great recipe! I like my sauce on the thicker side to make breakfast pizza so I did 2 cups of whole milk!
Dianne S
Yum! No need to buy gravy mix anymore.
Beth Pierce
So happy that you liked it, Dianne!