How to Make Creamy Gravy for Perfect Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes and gravy are the perfect comfort food for any time of the year. Whether it’s for a holiday feast or just a weeknight dinner, a serving of fluffy mashed potatoes and flavorful gravy can make any meal feel extra special. However, many people are intimidated by the thought of making gravy from scratch. Fear not, as making a tasty gravy for your mashed potatoes is easier than you think!

To start, you’ll need to make the mashed potatoes according to your preferred recipe. While they are cooking, you can make the gravy with a few simple ingredients. It’s important to note that the key to making a great gravy is a good base. You can use turkey, chicken, beef, or vegetable broth as the base depending on what you like. So, get ready to learn how to make a delicious, homemade gravy that will take your mashed potatoes from ordinary to extraordinary.

1. Gather the Ingredients

Before you start making mashed potato gravy, the first step is to gather all the ingredients needed for it. The ingredients you will need are potatoes, butter, milk or cream, salt, pepper, flour, chicken or vegetable broth, and a bay leaf. Make sure to use good quality ingredients for the best taste.

2. Boil the Potatoes

The next step is to boil the potatoes. Wash and peel the potatoes and cut them into small pieces. Add the potatoes to a large pot of water and boil them until they are soft and tender. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot.

3. Mash the Potatoes

With the help of a potato masher or a fork, mash the boiled potatoes until they are smooth and creamy. Add some butter and milk or cream to the mashed potatoes and continue mashing until everything is well combined. Season the mashed potatoes with salt and pepper to taste.

4. Prepare the Gravy

To make the gravy, melt some butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add some flour to the melted butter and whisk it until it turns golden brown. Stir in chicken or vegetable broth and a bay leaf, whisking constantly, until it comes to a boil. Lower the heat and let the gravy simmer for a few minutes until it thickens.

5. Combine the Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

Now that both the mashed potatoes and gravy are ready, it’s time to combine them. Pour the gravy slowly over the mashed potatoes and stir gently to combine. Make sure the gravy is evenly distributed.

6. Adjust the Consistency

If the mashed potato gravy is too thick, add some more milk or cream until you reach the desired consistency. If it is too thin, add more mashed potatoes.

7. Taste and Adjust Seasonings

Taste the mashed potato gravy and adjust the seasoning if needed. Add more salt or pepper according to your taste.

8. Serve Hot

Once you’re satisfied with the consistency and taste, serve the mashed potato gravy immediately while it’s still hot. It goes well with many dishes such as chicken, turkey, or beef.

9. Store the Leftovers

If you have any leftovers, store the mashed potato gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat it on the stove or microwave before serving.

10. Experiment with Different Flavors

Once you’ve mastered the basic mashed potato gravy recipe, feel free to experiment with different flavors and ingredients. You can add garlic, rosemary, thyme, or even cheese to your mashed potato gravy to give it a unique taste.

Ingredients for Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

Before we dive into the process of making mashed potato gravy, let’s take a quick look at all the ingredients that are required:

Mashed Potatoes:

• 4 large potatoes
• 1/2 cup milk or heavy cream
• 4 tablespoons of butter
• 1 teaspoon of salt (more or less to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (optional)

Gravy:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups chicken or beef broth (homemade or store-bought)
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (optional)

Preparing the Potatoes

Now that you have all the ingredients, it’s time to prepare the mashed potatoes. Follow the steps below:

Step 1: Peel and Chop the Potatoes

Start by peeling the potatoes and chopping them into small pieces of about 1 inch. This will help them cook evenly and quickly.

Step 2: Boil the Potatoes

Place the chopped potatoes into a large pot and cover them with water. Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and let it cook for around 20 minutes or until the potatoes become tender.

Step 3: Mash the Potatoes

Once the potatoes are cooked, drain the water and return them to the pot. Using a potato masher, mash the potatoes until they are smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Add Butter, Milk and Seasoning

Add the butter, milk, salt, and black pepper (optional) to the mashed potatoes and stir well. The butter will melt and mix seamlessly with the potatoes, making them even creamier and tastier. Taste for salt and add more if needed.

Preparing the Gravy

Now that your mashed potatoes are ready, it’s time to move on to the gravy. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Create a Roux

In a saucepan, melt butter and oil over medium heat. When it’s melted, add the flour and whisk thoroughly. Keep stirring the mixture for a minute or two until it turns golden brown in color.

Step 2: Add Broth

Slowly pour in the broth, continuously whisking to prevent any lumps from forming. Once all the broth has been added, let it cook for a few minutes until the mixture thickens.

Step 3: Season the Gravy

Add the onion powder, garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper (optional) to the gravy and stir to mix well. Let the gravy simmer for around 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, to let the flavors meld together.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Once the gravy and mashed potatoes are ready, serve them together and enjoy! You can pour the gravy over the mashed potatoes or serve it alongside the potatoes.

Conclusion

Making mashed potato gravy is not as complicated as it might seem. By following the above-mentioned steps, you will be able to create a delicious and creamy mashed potato gravy that will be perfect for a family dinner or a holiday gathering. So, get your apron on and give it a try!

Choosing the Right Gravy for Your Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes and gravy go together like peanut butter and jelly. It’s important to choose the right kind of gravy to complement your fluffy and creamy mashed potatoes perfectly. Here are five types of gravy to consider:

Classic Gravy

Classic gravy is a staple in most households, and it’s the perfect go-to for your mashed potatoes. Classic gravy is made using meat drippings, flour, chicken or beef broth, salt, and pepper. The meat drippings give the gravy a savory and meaty flavor, and the flour acts as a thickener to give it a velvety consistency. Here’s how to make classic gravy:

1. After you have cooked your meat, remove it from the pan and pour the drippings into a saucepan. Heat the saucepan over medium heat, then add flour and whisk to combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the flour is lightly browned.
2. Add chicken or beef broth gradually to the saucepan, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue to cook the gravy, whisking constantly, until it thickens and starts to boil.
3. Reduce the heat to low, add salt and pepper to taste, and cook the gravy for an additional 3-5 minutes. Serve hot.

Mushroom Gravy

If you’re looking for a vegetarian gravy option that packs a lot of flavor, mushroom gravy is the way to go. The buttery mushrooms give the gravy an earthy, umami flavor that pairs well with mashed potatoes. Here’s how to make mushroom gravy:

1. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add sliced mushrooms and cook for 4-5 minutes until they are browned and tender.
2. Add flour to the saucepan and whisk to combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the flour is lightly browned.
3. Gradually add chicken or beef broth to the saucepan, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue to cook the gravy, whisking constantly, until it thickens and starts to boil.
4. Reduce heat to low, add salt and pepper to taste, and cook the gravy for an additional 3-5 minutes. Serve hot.

Onion Gravy

If you’re a fan of caramelized onions, you’ll love onion gravy. The sweetness of the onions goes perfectly with the creamy mashed potatoes. Here’s how to make onion gravy:

1. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook for 10-15 minutes until they are caramelized and tender.
2. Add flour to the saucepan and whisk to combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the flour is lightly browned.
3. Add beef broth to the saucepan gradually, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue to cook the gravy, whisking constantly, until it thickens and starts to boil.
4. Reduce heat to low, add salt and pepper to taste, and cook the gravy for an additional 3-5 minutes. Serve hot.

Cream Gravy

For a rich and indulgent gravy, try cream gravy. The combination of whole milk and heavy cream gives the gravy a creamy texture that’s perfect for mashed potatoes. Here’s how to make cream gravy:

1. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk to combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the flour is lightly browned.
2. Add whole milk and heavy cream to the saucepan gradually, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue to cook the gravy, whisking constantly, until it thickens and starts to boil.
3. Reduce heat to low, add salt and pepper to taste, and cook the gravy for an additional 3-5 minutes. Serve hot.

Vegan Gravy

For a plant-based option, try vegan gravy. This gravy is made with sliced mushrooms, onion powder, garlic powder, soy sauce, vegetable broth, flour, salt, and pepper. Even if you’re not a vegan, this gravy is a tasty and healthier option. Here’s how to make vegan gravy:

1. Heat vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add sliced mushrooms and cook for 4-5 minutes until they are browned and tender.
2. Add onion powder and garlic powder to the saucepan and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
3. Add soy sauce and flour to the saucepan and whisk to combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the flour is lightly browned.
4. Add vegetable broth and whisk constantly to prevent lumps. Continue to cook the gravy until it thickens and starts to boil.
5. Reduce heat to low, add salt and pepper to taste, and cook the gravy for an additional 3-5 minutes. Serve hot.

Time to Dig In

There you have it, folks – a simple and delicious recipe for mashed potato gravy that is sure to warm your soul on a chilly day. Now it’s time to gather around the table, share this comforting dish with your loved ones, and enjoy each other’s company. Thanks for reading and be sure to come back for more tasty recipes and cooking tips!