Des

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Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.

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Homemade Brown Gravy

Looking for the perfect homemade brown gravy to drizzle over mashed potatoes? This easy recipe shows you how to make it without pan drippings!

When it comes to a home cooked meal, nothing says “comfort food” quite like a plate of creamy mashed potatoes with a savory, thick gravy drizzled over the top. I don’t know about you, but I could (and have on several occasions), make an entire meal out of them. 

Overhead photo of mashed potatoes and gravy on a white plate.

I kid you not, when I was a kid, my BFF and I would make mashed potatoes (the boxed kind) and brown gravy just like my favorite diner (from a mix) and that would be our afternoon snack. Oh to have the metabolism of a kid again! 

Close up side photo of mashed potatoes with gravy.

As I got older and a little more comfortable cooking, I ditched the instant mashed potatoes began making my own Creamy Mashed Potatoes and have now ditched, the brown gravy mix and make my own homemade version. And with this recipe you can make this diner style brown gravy at home too!

What do you need to make brown gravy without pan drippings?

Overhead photo of ingredients needed to make brown gravy from scratch without pan drippings.
  • BUTTER: When you use “pan drippings” it’s basically the fat that cooks off while the meat cooks. We still need that so we use butter here. 
  • FLOUR: To thicken the gravy. 
  • CHICKEN AND BEEF BROTH: I have made this recipe with only chicken broth and only beef broth. The combination of the two really works the best! 
  • BEEF BOUILLON CUBE: Adds more intense beef flavor. 
  • WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE: Don’t skip this! It adds a rich, deep umami flavor to the gravy and is a must. 
  • GRANULATED GARLIC (OR POWDER)/ POWDERED ONION
  • BROWNING SAUCE: This is the one thing that you might not readily keep in your pantry but I use it here to add more depth of flavor as well as a darker color. A little goes a long way so be careful! 

How do you make homemade brown gravy?

Step by step photo collage showing how to make brown gravy.

It’s pretty easy, actually! Check out these step by step photos to see it come together. 

  • STEP #1: Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. 
  • STEP #2: Whisk flour into the butter. Cook 1 – 2 minutes or until the flour starts to brown slightly. 
  • STEP #3: Slowly whisk in the chicken and beef broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook  3 – 5 minutes or until it starts to chicken. 
  • STEP #4: Add in remaining ingredients. Whisk together. Simmer another 5 minutes or until it coats the back of a spoon. 

See! How easy is that? This has quickly become one of our favorite gravies to serve when we don’t have pan drippings handy. 

A spoonful of mashed potatoes and gravy.

Storing leftovers: 

Brown gravy will last a couple days in the refrigerator. It will thicken as it sits so you may need to add a bit more water or broth to thin it out when you reheat it.  

If you love this brown gravy recipe, check out these other gravy recipes: 

If you want even more comfort food recipes, you’ve got to check these out: 

 

Close up side shot of gravy on mashed potatoes

Homemade Brown Gravy

Looking for the perfect homemade brown gravy to drizzle over mashed potatoes? This easy recipe shows you how to make it without pan drippings!
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Course Condiments
Cuisine American
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 85 kcal

Ingredients
  

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup low sodium beef broth
  • 1 beef bouillon cube
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic or garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon browning and seasoning sauce

Instructions
 

  • Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
  • Whisk flour into the butter. Cook 1 - 2 minutes or until the flour starts to brown slightly. 
  • Slowly whisk in the chicken and beef broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook  3 - 5 minutes or until it starts to chicken. 
  • Add in remaining ingredients. Whisk together. Simmer another 5 minutes or until it coats the back of a spoon. 

Notes

Nutrition facts for estimation purposes only.

Nutrition

Calories: 85kcalCarbohydrates: 4.5gProtein: 2.4gFat: 6.2gSaturated Fat: 3.8gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 417mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 0.8g
Tried this recipe?Mention @lifesambrosia or tag #lifesambrosia!
Keywords: basic gravy, comfort food

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Des

Hey! I'm Des!

Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.

Read more »

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