Easy Homemade Brown Gravy (no drippings needed!) (2024)

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This easy brown gravy recipe has only FIVE ingredients, is made without drippings, and is perfect on meatloaf, potatoes, or whatever you like to pour gravy over!

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As much as I love the packets of powdered gravy, I wanted to graduate to homemade gravy. A version I could make from scratch without drippings, because I never have those.

My first gravy-making experience was as a dipping sauce for my and while it was delicious, I wanted a darker, beef gravy for meatloaf and mashed potatoes and came up with this recipe that is so good & so easy!

If you’re serving turkey, check out my make ahead turkey gravy!

Ingredients needed to make brown gravy from scratch

Brown gravy is made of onion, butter, beef broth, water, and corn starch. That’s it! Minimal ingredients and so easy to make.

Possible gravy additions

Want to jazz up your gravy? Here are some additions that would be really good:

• Mushrooms (or try my easy mushroom gravy)
• Fresh herbs – thyme, sage, parsley…
• Splash of wine
• Splash of soy sauce – will darken the gravy & add flavor

How to make brown gravy without drippings:

1. STEP ONE: First, to a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat and add the minced onion. Cook and stir until the onion is tender.
   
2. STEP TWO: Next, add the beef broth and stir occasionally for 5 minutes.
   
3. STEP THREE: Then, in a small bowl, make a slurry by adding the water and cornstarch and mixing together until smooth. Once fully mixed, pour the slurry into the gravy & stir to distribute and thicken.

How to thicken brown gravy

You’ll make a slurry of water and cornstarch then add it to the beef broth. That is what thickens it up beautifully. If you don’t have cornstarch, you can substitute flour.

How long does gravy last?

Gravy should be used within 2-3 days of making it. Any longer than that, you’ll want to either freeze it (up to a few months) or toss it.

Equipment used to help you make gravy

• Sauce Pan – A good non-stick, dishwasher safe covered sauce pan is a great addition to the kitchen.
• Silicone Spatulas – I love these one-piece, heat safe, silicone spatulas. I use them daily.
• Onion/Vegetable Chopper – This chopper makes dicing onion easy and tear-free.
• Gravy Boat – There are so many pretty gravy boats! My local HomeGoods store had many to choose from and most were around $5.

See Also

Ree's Restaurant-Style Salsa Is Ready in 10 Minutes100 Best Thanksgiving CasserolesHow To Make Whipped ButterCreamy Italian Dressing - Pretty Little Apron