11 Easy Gravy Recipes (Turkey, Beef & Vegetarian)

Gravy is the glue that holds the holiday plate together. These 11 recipes — silky turkey gravy, rich beef gravy, and vegetarian options included — ensure nobody suffers a dry bite.

Ladle generously — great gravy makes everything better.

1. Easy Turkey Pan Gravy

Made from real pan drippings — the liquid gold of Thanksgiving.

Ingredients

• 4 cups turkey drippings + broth
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup turkey fat or butter
• 1 tsp thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Pour the turkey drippings into a fat separator; measure out 1/2 cup fat and 4 cups liquid.
2. Whisk the fat and flour in a saucepan over medium heat 2 minutes until golden.
3. Gradually whisk in the drippings liquid until smooth.
4. Simmer 5-8 minutes, whisking, until thickened.
5. Stir in the thyme.
6. Season with salt and pepper; serve hot.

2. Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy

Roast the parts early, make the gravy days ahead — genius holiday hack.

Ingredients

• 1 turkey neck and giblets
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 onion, quartered
• 1 carrot, chunked
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 tsp thyme

Instructions

1. Roast the neck, giblets, onion, and carrot at 425°F for 45 minutes until browned.
2. Simmer in the chicken broth 1 hour; strain.
3. Melt the butter, whisk in the flour, and cook 2 minutes.
4. Whisk in the strained broth; simmer until thickened.
5. Stir in the thyme; season well.
6. Cool, refrigerate up to 3 days, and reheat gently, whisking.

3. Beef Onion Gravy

Rich, savory, and perfect over mashed potatoes or roast beef.

Ingredients

• 3 cups beef broth
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Sauté the onion in butter 8 minutes until golden.
2. Stir in the flour and cook 2 minutes.
3. Gradually whisk in the beef broth.
4. Simmer 8-10 minutes until thickened.
5. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce.
6. Season with salt and pepper; serve hot.

4. Creamy Sausage Gravy

Peppery, hearty, and made for flaky biscuits.

Ingredients

• 1 lb breakfast sausage
• 1/4 cup flour
• 3 cups milk
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp cayenne

Instructions

1. Brown the sausage in a skillet, breaking it up, 8 minutes.
2. Sprinkle the flour over and stir 2 minutes.
3. Gradually pour in the milk, stirring constantly.
4. Simmer 5-8 minutes until thickened.
5. Season with salt, pepper, and cayenne.
6. Serve over split biscuits.

5. Mushroom Vegetarian Gravy

So savory nobody misses the meat — umami in a gravy boat.

Ingredients

• 1 lb mushrooms, sliced
• 3 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp flour
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Sear the mushrooms in butter until deeply browned, 10 minutes.
2. Stir in the flour and cook 2 minutes.
3. Gradually whisk in the vegetable broth.
4. Add the soy sauce and thyme.
5. Simmer 8 minutes until thickened.
6. Season and serve hot.

6. Red Wine Beef Gravy

Elegant and deeply flavored — a steakhouse-worthy pour.

Ingredients

• 3 cups beef broth
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp thyme

Instructions

1. Melt the butter and whisk in the flour; cook 2 minutes.
2. Pour in the red wine and simmer 2 minutes.
3. Gradually whisk in the beef broth.
4. Add the Dijon and thyme.
5. Simmer 8-10 minutes until thickened and glossy.
6. Season and serve.

7. Garlic Herb Gravy

Roasted garlic and fresh herbs make this unforgettable.

Ingredients

• 4 cups chicken or turkey broth
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup flour
• 4 cloves roasted garlic, mashed
• 1 tbsp fresh herbs (thyme, sage)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Melt the butter and whisk in the flour; cook 2 minutes until golden.
2. Gradually whisk in the broth.
3. Add the roasted garlic and herbs.
4. Simmer 8 minutes, whisking, until thickened.
5. Strain if desired for extra smoothness.
6. Season and serve hot.

8. Slow Cooker Beef Gravy

Long-simmered richness with almost no effort.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs beef bones or short ribs
• 6 cups water
• 1 onion, quartered
• 1/4 cup flour
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Brown the beef bones in a hot skillet 8 minutes.
2. Transfer to the slow cooker with water and onion.
3. Cook on LOW 8 hours.
4. Strain the liquid; skim the fat.
5. Whisk the flour with cold water into a slurry; whisk into the hot liquid.
6. Simmer until thickened; season and serve.

9. Vegan Onion Gravy

Caramelized onions create deep flavor — completely plant-based.

Ingredients

• 2 onions, thinly sliced
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp flour
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp thyme

Instructions

1. Caramelize the onions in olive oil over medium-low heat, 25 minutes.
2. Stir in the flour and cook 2 minutes.
3. Gradually whisk in the vegetable broth.
4. Add the soy sauce and thyme.
5. Simmer 10 minutes until thickened.
6. Blend for smoothness if desired; season and serve.

10. Peppered White Gravy

Classic Southern comfort — simple, creamy, and peppery.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 3 cups milk
• 1 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp salt

Instructions

1. Melt the butter and whisk in the flour; cook 2 minutes.
2. Gradually whisk in the milk.
3. Simmer 8-10 minutes, stirring, until thick.
4. Stir in the pepper and salt.
5. Serve over biscuits, chicken-fried steak, or mashed potatoes.

11. Apple Cider Turkey Gravy

A touch of cider adds brightness to the classic.

Ingredients

• 4 cups turkey drippings + broth
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup turkey fat
• 1 cup apple cider
• 1 tsp sage
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Whisk the turkey fat and flour in a saucepan 2 minutes.
2. Gradually whisk in the drippings liquid and apple cider.
3. Simmer 8 minutes until thickened.
4. Stir in the sage.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Serve hot.