Fast and Easy Gravy Recipe for Busy Cooks

Gravy is one of the most important elements of any traditional meal. Whether it’s served with roasted chicken, turkey, or beef, gravy adds depth and flavor to any dish. But making gravy from scratch can be quite a daunting task, especially if you’re short on time. However, with a few tips and tricks, you can make quick and delicious gravy that will impress your guests and leave them wanting more.

The first step to making quick and tasty gravy is to use the drippings from your roasted meat. The drippings, which are the juices that collect in the bottom of the pan during cooking, contain all the flavor that you need to make a delicious gravy. Simply pour the drippings into a saucepan and heat over medium-high heat. If you don’t have enough drippings, you can always add some chicken or beef stock to the pan. Then, add a tablespoon of butter and whisk in a tablespoon of flour. Cook the flour-butter mixture for a minute or two until it’s golden brown, then gradually whisk in the drippings or stock. Bring the gravy to a simmer and cook until it thickens, stirring occasionally. Finally, season with salt and pepper to taste, and your quick and easy gravy is ready!

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How to Make Quick Gravy: A Simple Recipe

There’s nothing better than a gravy that’s both delicious and quick to make. Here’s a simple recipe that you can try out in your kitchen, whether you’re creating a delicious dinner for your family or entertaining guests.

1. Gather Your Ingredients
The first step to making gravy is to gather all of your ingredients. For this recipe, you’ll need butter, flour, chicken or beef broth, salt, pepper, and any additional seasonings of your choice.

2. Melt the Butter
Start by melting a half stick of butter in a saucepan over medium heat.

3. Add Flour
Once the butter has melted, gradually add the flour while stirring constantly. This will help create a roux, which is a thickening agent that gives the gravy its consistency. The roux should be cooked for a few minutes until it turns a light brown color.

4. Gradually Add Broth
Slowly add the broth to the roux while continuing to stir the mixture. Once the broth has been fully incorporated, increase the heat to medium-high.

5. Add Seasonings
Now it’s time to add any seasonings that you prefer. This could include salt, pepper, garlic powder, or any other herbs or spices that you enjoy. Don’t be afraid to get creative!

6. Bring to a Boil
Bring the mixture to a boil while continuing to stir, then reduce the heat to low.

7. Cook Until Thickened
At this point, you’ll want to let the gravy simmer until it has thickened to your desired consistency. This could take a few minutes, so be patient and keep stirring occasionally.

8. Taste and Adjust Seasonings
Once the gravy has thickened, taste it and adjust the seasonings as needed. You may need to add more salt, pepper, or other spices to get the perfect flavor.

9. Serve and Enjoy
Once your gravy is ready, it’s time to serve it with your favorite main dish. Whether you’re serving it over mashed potatoes, steak, or chicken, this delicious gravy is sure to make any meal even more enjoyable.

10. Experiment with Different Variations
Now that you know the basics of making gravy, feel free to experiment with different variations. You could add onions, mushrooms, or other vegetables to give your gravy even more flavor. The possibilities are endless!

Simple Tips for Making Delicious Quick Gravy

Making delicious quick gravy is easy if you know the tricks. Here are some top tips that will have you enjoying rich, flavorful gravy in no time.

1. Start with a Good Pan

Start with a good pan that is large enough to hold all of your ingredients. A heavy bottomed saucepan will help to evenly distribute heat and prevent your gravy from sticking or burning. A non-stick pan can also work but avoid using aluminum and Teflon pans, which can sometimes react with the ingredients and affect the flavor of the gravy.

2. Use the Right Fat

To make savory gravy, using the right kind of fat is critical. Melting butter, bacon grease, or lard is an excellent choice. These types of fat add flavor and creaminess to your gravy. You can also use vegetable oil if you prefer a healthier option.

3. Get Your Roux Right

A roux is a combination of fat and flour that acts as a thickener for your gravy. Getting the roux right is essential for achieving the perfect consistency. For a light sauce, use equal parts of fat and flour and for thicker gravies, use more flour.

4. Add Broth or Stock

Broths or stocks are a necessary component of gravies. For a richer flavor, use homemade stock. Beef, chicken, and vegetable stock are all great options but depending on the flavor you want to achieve, you can use whatever you like. You can also use store-bought beef or chicken bouillon or vegetable cubes if you’re in a rush.

5. Flavoring with Herbs and Spices

Herbs and spices add flavor and depth to your gravy. Some of the popular options include thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, sage, and black pepper. Always taste your gravy before serving and add more seasoning if necessary.

6. Straining the Gravy

Gravy often has small bits and pieces of food such as herbs, spices, and meat. Straining the gravy before serving will give it a smooth and appetizing texture. Using a fine-mesh sieve is the best way to achieve the desired texture.

7. Thinning and Thickening Gravy

Overdoing the thickening element or not adding enough liquid can make your gravy too thick or thin. Thinning your gravy can be done by adding water, wine, or broth. If it’s too thin, add more flour or cornstarch mixed with water to get your desired consistency.

8. Preparing Gravy Ahead of Time

In a busy kitchen, you may not have time to prepare gravy from scratch while trying to cook other dishes. The solution is to make gravy earlier in the day or a day before you serve. Store the gravy in the fridge in an airtight container. When you want to use it, gently reheat it on a stovetop or in the microwave.

9. Serving Suggestions

Gravy goes well with various dishes, including roasted meat, mashed potatoes, or bread. Serve it warm or hot to complement the meal. Add fresh thyme, rosemary, or a sprinkle of black pepper to garnish it.

10. Practice Makes Perfect

Making quick gravy is all about practice. Experiment with different flavors, herbs, and spices to find what works best for you and your family. Don’t be afraid to try various techniques and recipes to perfect your gravy-making skills. With time, you’ll become a pro at making delicious gravy in no time.

Ingredients for quick gravy

Making gravy does not require a lot of ingredients. You will need just a few things to make a quick gravy. The good thing is, most of these ingredients are readily available in your kitchen. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

Steps to make quick gravy

Now that we have all the ingredients sorted, let’s move on to the next step of making quick gravy. Here are five simple steps to follow:

Step 1: Collect drippings

Collect the drippings from your roasted meat. In case you don’t have drippings, you can use butter or oil instead. You can heat the butter or oil in a pan and wait until it starts to melt.

Step 2: Add all-purpose flour

Once the drippings are heated, add the all-purpose flour to the pan and whisk it until it combines and turns into a paste. This paste is known as roux. Make sure that you whisk it continuously to avoid lumps.

Step 3: Add water or broth

Now it’s time to add water or broth to the paste. Gradually pour the water or broth while whisking continuously to form a smooth gravy. Remember to add the liquid in small portions to avoid lumps. Keep whisking until you get a smooth and silky consistency.

Step 4: Season the gravy

Season the gravy with salt and pepper according to your preference. You can always taste the gravy and adjust the seasoning accordingly.

Step 5: Serve hot

Once your quick gravy is ready, serve it hot with your favorite dish. You can also refrigerate the leftover gravy in an airtight container for up to three days. Just reheat the gravy before serving.

Things to keep in mind while making quick gravy

While making quick gravy, keep the following things in mind:

1. Choose the right consistency

The consistency of your gravy depends on the amount of liquid you add. If you want a thick gravy, add less liquid. If you want a runny gravy, add more liquid.

2. Keep whisking

Whisk the gravy continuously to avoid lumps. If you still find lumps, you can always strain the gravy before serving.

3. Adjust the seasoning

Season the gravy according to your preference. Taste the gravy and adjust the seasoning accordingly.

4. Use the right pan

Use a non-stick or stainless steel pan to make the gravy. Avoid using aluminum or copper pans as they may react with the ingredients and alter the color and taste of the gravy.

5. Reheat the gravy properly

When reheating the leftover gravy, make sure to reheat it properly. Bring it to a boil while whisking continuously to ensure the smooth texture of the gravy.

That’s it!

And now you know how to make quick gravy that’s sure to impress your family and friends. Remember, the key is to use good quality ingredients and to constantly stir the gravy to prevent lumps. Thanks for reading and be sure to check back for more easy and tasty recipes. Happy cooking!