Are you looking for some comfort food that tastes super delicious yet is easy to prepare? What can be better than a homemade warm brown gravy? It is a perfect comfort food for winter dinners or late autumn afternoons.
Enjoy mashed potato casserole, roasted vegetables, turkey, or lamb. It is also an excellent option for your Christmas or Thanksgiving dinners. A thick, brown gravy boat makes your dinner tables more cozy and comfortable.
Children, adults, and even seniors love the creamy, smooth texture of the brown gravy. Also, brown gravy is versatile. You can incorporate several ingredients and create unique flavors according to your preference.
But the traditional method (with drippings) of making thick brown gravy can be a little time-consuming and tricky. Worry no more! Here, we share the most delicious, homemade brown gravy without drippings. You can make it in only 10 minutes with our dedicated brown gravy recipe.
So, without wasting any time, let’s begin.
Requirements for Brown Gravy Recipe (No Drippings)
Tools Required
Homemade brown gravy is a creamy, spicy, and delicious food that brightens your day. And you can prepare it in 10 minutes with the proper tools and ingredients. Here is a list of tools you need to prepare brown gravy-
Essential Ingredients
Check out the list of ingredients you need to make homemade brown gravy
Ingredients | Quality |
Not more than 2 cups | |
2-4 cups | |
As per your taste | |
½ tsp or as per your taste | |
As per requirement | |
As per requirement | |
Seasoning ● Bay leaf ● Ginger (optional) | As per your preference |
Important Ingredients
- Some people like to use more beef broth than chicken stock in their brown gravy recipe. So, if you want, you can increase the amount of beef stock or broth in your brown gravy. But if you don’t want a strong taste of beef in your gravy, you must stick to the measurement given in this instruction.
- You can use different methods to thicken your brown gravy without dripping. You can use the roux slurry method. Also, the list of ingredients required for a brown gravy recipe can change a bit, depending on your chosen method.
- If you use roux, then you will need flour and butter. But if you plan to use the slurry method, you do not need butter or flour; instead, you need thickening agents like corn starch.
- Also, you can add all the seasoning ingredients or remove or replace them to create your version of brown gravy. For instance, you can add red chili or paprika to your gravy if you love the hot, spicy chili flavors. You can also replace black pepper with white paper if you want.
Cooking Time for Brown Gravy Recipe (No Drippings)
Using fats or pan drippings is the most popular and easy brown gravy recipe you will find online. But if you do not have pan drippings or want to avoid the drippings, you can make one without drippings. Most homemade brown gravy recipes incorporate the roux or slurry method.
If you are using slurry, it will take approximately 10-15 minutes. But if you try roux, it will take a little longer than the previous method.
Cooking homemade, no-drippings brown gravy is super fun and easy. You can make mouthwatering, delicious brown gravy with our detailed steps within a few minutes. Follow the below instructions for the brown gravy recipe to make perfect, creamy, thick gravy without drippings at home.
Step 1: Heat Your Broth and Seasonings
Start with heating your beef and chicken broth with seasoning. Place a saucepan over the oven. Turn on the oven at medium to low heat. Pour beef stock, chicken broth, and your seasonings into the pan. Heat the content until it starts to boil.
Step 2: Make Your Gravy Thicker
You can use roux or slurry to thicken your brown gravy
For slurry: To make a slurry, you need thickening agents like corn starch. Corn starch is the most common and widely available ingredient for your slurry. Add a bowl and a sufficient amount of corn starch (as per your gravy’s quantity). Now, add a little amount of cold water to it. Whisk the mixture well with a whisker until the mixture is smooth.
For roux: If you do not have corn starch at your hand or do not want to use it, you can opt for roux. Roux is a smooth, thick mix of butter and flour. To prepare roux for your brown gravy recipe, place a saucepan over the stove or oven and turn it on at mid-high heat.
Add a slice of unsalted butter (2 tbsp) and heat it until the butter melts in the pan completely. Then add 2 tbsp all-purpose flour and whisk well. Now, whisk and cook the mix for 1 to 2 minutes, and the roux is ready.
Step 3: Add Your Gravy Thickener to the Broth
Once you have prepared your gravy thickener, add it to your broth and seasoning. Slowly pour the mixture into the broth and boil if you use slurry. And if you are planning to use a roux, pour your boiling broth into the roux and stir. Roux is easy to store and use later. So, if you have roux balls in your freezer, you can put some in your boiling broth and let it melt.
Step 4: Stir and Boil Your Gravy until the Entire Mix is Smooth
After adding your gravy thickener to the broth, cook it for a while. It is essential to stir and boil your gravy and let the thickener blend well. You should shimmer your brown gravy for 1-2 minutes while stirring. Ensure there are no lumps in your gravy. Turn off the stove when your gravy hits the desired texture.
Step 5: Taste Before You Serve
The brown gravy recipe we have shared is according to general preferences. So, it is important to taste your gravy when the cooking is close to the end. Take a spoonful of your brown gravy to taste. See if it is alright and add salt or pepper according to your choice. You can also use some garnish to decorate your gravy. Always serve hot with side dishes for maximum flavor.
Additional Cooking Tips While Preparing Brown Gravy Recipe
Cooking brown gravy can be fun and easy with the right instructions. This guide will share some additional cooking tips to make your Brown gravy recipe A success.
- Whisk it up: To prepare smooth and creamy brown gravy, whisking is a must. You should always whisk your gravy while cooking to ensure there are no lumps and uneven texture in your gravy.
- Add beef bouillon for richer texture: If you like the rich taste of beef in your brown gravy, you can add more beef stock or bouillon to the gravy. You can get a thicker texture when you use beef bouillon instead of stock. Also, using bouillon is more handy than stock.
- Add more chicken and less beef stock for a light texture: If you do not like the rich taste of beef in your brown gravy, you can reduce the beef stock and increase the chicken stock. Increasing your gravy’s chicken stock can help get a light texture.
- Adjust the thickness per your choice: You can always adjust the thickness of your brown gravy recipe according to your preference. For example, limit your broth to 2-3 cups if you want your gravy thick. But if you want it to be thin and light, pour more broth in it.
- Taste your salt level: Always taste your brown gravy when finished. It will help you understand the salt level in it. You can add salt or broth, depending on your liking. The tasting will also help you understand whether you want some pepper in it or your gravy is perfect.
- Use slurry if you do not have much time: You can use slurry if you are in a rush and do not have much time. The slurry method is easy and helps you get thick and smooth brown gravy quickly. It saves your time and helps you get a creamy texture in seconds.
- Always use cold water to prepare slurry: Never add cornstarch directly to your gravy when it is warm or boiling. Adding starch to a boiling broth will create lumps that will never blend with your broth. This will also ruin the texture of your brown gravy.
- A slice of butter for a more creamy and velvety texture: If you want a creamy texture, add a small piece at the end. Take off the pan from the oven and add the butter to it. Stir it continuously until the butter melts away. It will bring a smooth and creamy texture to your brown gravy.
What Can You Serve with Homemade Brown Gravy?
Homemade brown gravy is a versatile side dish with many main dishes. Here are some popular dishes to serve with brown gravy-
- Roasted Chicken Or Turkey: You can serve brown gravy with roasted chicken or turkey. The gravy will work as a sauce and help reduce the roast’s dryness. You can pour the gravy over the roast before serving it.
- With Mashed Potatoes: Another popular dish popular with brown gravy recipe is mashed potato casserole. Pour over the hot mashed potatoes and enjoy the creamy and spicy taste of it
- With roasted vegetables: You can also serve the gravy with roasted vegetables like roasted cauliflower, carrots, and broccoli. It will work as an excellent side dish.
- With French Fries: Love french fries? Replace the tomato sauce with brown gravy. It will add to the taste and give you juicy and crunchy mouthwatering snacks.
Alternative Ways to Make No Drippings Brown Gravy Recipe Tasty
Brown gravy recipe has thousands of versions. You can try several alternative methods to prepare brown gravy without drippings. Here are some popular alternative recipes for brown gravy without drippings-
- Mushroom: If you are a mushroom lover, you must try this—thin slice mushrooms as per your choice/need. Saute with a drizzle of olive oil. Cook for 5 minutes at medium-high heat. Then add your broth and follow the above-mentioned brown gravy recipe.
- Fresh onion: Mice sweet, yellow onions in fine slices. Add to the saucepan and saute in olive oil. When it becomes golden brown, add the broth and seasoning. Follow your brown gravy recipe, and it’s done.
- Fresh herbs: You can find endless versions of brown gravy, including brown gravy with fresh herbs. For this recipe, toss one or two stems of rosemary/thyme in your saucepan. Pour the broth and follow the instructions we have shared. This involves adding a herbal twist to your gravy. But do not forget to remove the woody stems of the herb at the end.
Serving Pattern
The brown gravy recipe we have discussed today is sufficient for 2-4 people. So, you can increase or reduce the amount of ingredients according to the number of people you cook for. But remember to increase or decrease the amount of your roux or slurry according to your ingredients.
The average brown gravy serving measurement is 2.6 oz or ⅓ cup per person. Still, it is wise to stock up a little extra as everyone loves this dish so much.
Nutritional Value
Nutrients | Value per serving (Per cup) |
Calories | 123 |
Total fat | 5.5 g |
Saturated fat | 2.686 g |
Cholesterol | 7 mg |
Total carbohydrate | 11.21 g |
Dietary fiber | 0.9 g |
Sodium | 1305 g |
Protein | 8.74 g |
Calcium | 14 g |
Potassium | 189 g |
Iron | 1.63 g |
Vitamin A | 2 mcg |
Homemade Brown Gravy Recipe Takeaway
Brown gravy is a popular American side dish that most people love. It can go well with mashed potato casserole, pot roast turkey, roasted vegetables, dinner rolls, etc. Plus, you can find various exciting recipes to make mouthwatering brown gravy at home.
Brown gravy with pan drippings is a popular choice. But if you do not have pan drippings at home or are not fond of drippings, you can try without drippings recipes.
Roux and slurry are two popular methods to cook brown gravy without drippings. While the roux is a classic method, the slurry is fast and easy. You can add several optional ingredients, like mushrooms, herbs, fresh onions, etc., to create your version of brown gravy.
So, are you ready to give it a try? Grab your ingredients and try this brown gravy recipe today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is No Dripping Brown Gravy?
No dripping brown gravy means the brown gravy recipe does not include pan drippings or leftover fats. Brown gravy without drippings is equally popular as the pan-dripping brown gravies. Also, you can find various methods to cook tasty brown gravy without dripping.
How to Prevent Lumps in a Homemade Brown Gravy Recipe?
Whisking and stirring continuously is the key to getting a smooth and lump-free gravy. Whether you use roux, slurry, or drippings, you must whisk the mixture until it blends with your broth. Also, use cold water when you prepare your slurry. It will prevent the building of lumps.
How to Reheat Brown Gravy?
You can store your brown gravy for 5 to 15 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Add some beef broth and heat over a stove or microwave to reheat your gravy. Also, stir frequently to prevent lumps.