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    Home » Recipes » Soul Food Classics

    Easy White Country Gravy

    Published: Jan 20, 2023 · Modified: Mar 24, 2023 by LaKita · This post may contain affiliate links · 18 Comments

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    overhead view of finished gravy in glass jar
    close up side view of chicken fingers topper with gravy in white bowl

    This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Try making this Easy White Country Gravy that is the perfect addition to so many southern dishes. It's a simple gravy that is made with five basic ingredients for a thick, creamy, and delicious gravy the whole family is sure to love.

    This southern gravy can be paired with so many other recipes including some Homemade Biscuits or Cheddar Biscuits. It can also be used as a dip for Chicken Alfredo Biscuit Pizza.

    close up side view of gravy in a glass jar

    A staple classic southern or soul food recipe is gravy!

    It can be made in so many different ways and is called so many different names. The good news is that no matter what you call it, it can be made in minutes with just a few basic ingredients.

    It's such a delicious recipe that is thick and creamy and forms a perfect blanket over things like fried chicken, pork chops, and hot buttery biscuits. For me personally, it's a comfort food that reminds me of home. The key to making the best white gravy is to watch it and make adjustments to the roux as needed.

    But no worries, I'm here to break it down and make the process simple and easy. 

    Let’s get started!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients You'll Need
    • Step By Step Instructions
    • Recipe Tips & Tricks
    • Variations
    • Storage
    • Recipe
    • More Recipes You'll Love

    Ingredients You'll Need

    Overhead view of ingredients needed to make gravy in separate bowls
    1. Fat - If you are pairing this white pepper gravy with meat, then you can cook the meat first and reserve the fat leftover in the pan and use it as the base of the recipe. You may also cook some bacon beforehand and use the bacon fat to make this gravy recipe. Melted butter may also be used instead. 
    2. All-Purpose Flour - Plain all purpose flour is needed to make the gravy thick and helps to create the simple roux.
    3. Milk - For this recipe, be sure to use whole milk or 2% milk. The milk helps to make the gravy creamy and pairs with the flour to make the roux smooth. Try not to use any other milk alternative other than the two that are suggested.  
    4. Salt - Brings out the flavors of the gravy and prevents the gravy from tasting flat or having that flour taste. It may be adjusted to fit your preference.
    5. Ground Black Pepper - Try using freshly ground black pepper to add spice to the gravy. This gravy is also sometimes referred to as black pepper gravy or white pepper gravy.

    See the recipe card below for ingredient quantities and instructions.

    Step By Step Instructions

    Begin this country-style gravy recipe by cooking the meat and reserving the meat drippings (pan drippings) or melt butter in a cast iron skillet (or large skillet) over medium-high heat.

    bacon drippings in a glass measuring cup

    While the fat is hot or the butter has completely melted, sprinkle the all-purpose flour evenly over the fat. 

    Whisk together to create a blonde colored roux. Add more flour if the roux looks overly fatty and add more fat if it becomes too clumpy. Continue whisking and cooking the flour mixture until it becomes deep golden brown in color. 

    bacon drippings and flour combined in cast iron skillet

    Slowly pour in the whole milk while whisking constantly. Add in the salt and ground black pepper. Continue whisking until the gravy is thick and smooth, about 5 to 10 minutes. If you notice that it’s becoming too thick, then add a little milk at a time until it reaches your desired consistency. 

    milk, bacon dripping, seasoning, and flour combined in cast iron skillet with whisk

    Carefully remove the gravy from the heat and serve warm with chicken tenders, country fried steak, or some hot biscuits. Enjoy!

    gravy on top of chicken tenders in white bowl

    Recipe Tips & Tricks

    • For best results, constantly whisk the gravy and adjust the ingredients as necessary. Add more milk and fat as needed.
    • A small whisk helps to give the gravy a creamy texture, but you may also use a wooden spoon.
    • If not beginning with meat, then use salted or unsalted butter instead.

    Variations

    • Make sausage gravy by cooking some pork sausage or breakfast sausage first, then use the reserved grease to make the gravy.
    • Cook some ground beef and use the grease to make the gravy, add the cooked beef before serving over biscuits.
    • Fry some bacon first and leave the bacon grease in the pan to make the gravy. Chop the bacon and add it to the gravy before serving.
    • To make brown gravy, add in a few dashes of Kitchen Bouquet. This will make the white color of the gravy brown.
    • Add a bit of heat by adding in some cayenne pepper along with the salt and ground black pepper.

    Storage

    If you have any leftover homemade country gravy, be sure to store it in an airtight container or jar with a lid in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When ready to serve reheat it in a small saucepan over the stovetop on medium heat until warm. It may also be reheated in the microwave if you’re short on time. 

    Recipe

    overhead view of finished gravy in glass jar

    Easy White Country Gravy

    LaKita Anderson
    Try making this Easy White Country Gravy that is the perfect addition to so many southern dishes. It's a simple gravy that is made with five basic ingredients for a thick, creamy, and delicious gravy the whole family is sure to love.
    5 from 9 votes
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    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Sauce
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 179 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 cast iron skillet

    Ingredients
      

    • ¼ cup fat
    • ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
    • 3 to 4 cup whole milk
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Begin this country-style gravy recipe by cooking the meat and reserving the meat drippings (pan drippings) or melt ¼ cup butter in a cast iron skillet (or large skillet) over medium-high heat.
    • While the fat is hot or the butter has completely melted, sprinkle the ⅓ cup all-purpose flour evenly over the fat.
    • Whisk together to create a blonde colored roux. Add more flour if the roux looks overly fatty and add more fat if it becomes too clumpy. Continue whisking and cooking the flour mixture until it becomes deep golden brown in color. 
    • Slowly pour in the 3 cups whole milk while whisking constantly. Add in the ½ teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon ground black pepper.
    • Continue whisking until the gravy is thick and smooth, about 5 to 10 minutes. If you notice that it’s becoming too thick, then add in a little of the 1 cup of milk at a time until it reaches your desired consistency. 
    • Carefully remove the gravy from the heat and serve warm with chicken tenders, country fried steak, or some hot biscuits. Enjoy!
    • If you have any leftover gravy, be sure to store it in an airtight container or jar with a lid in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

    Notes

    • For best results, constantly whisk the gravy and adjust the ingredients as necessary. Add more milk and fat as needed.
    • A small whisk helps to give the gravy a creamy texture, but you may also use a wooden spoon.
    • If not beginning with meat, then use salted or unsalted butter instead.
    • Make sausage gravy by cooking some pork sausage or breakfast sausage first, then use the reserved grease to make the gravy.
    • Cook some ground beef and use the grease to make the gravy, add the cooked beef before serving over biscuits.
    • Fry some bacon first and leave the bacon grease in the pan to make the gravy. Chop the bacon and add it to the gravy before serving.
    • To make brown gravy, add in a few dashes of Kitchen Bouquet. This will make the white color of the gravy brown.
    • Add a bit of heat by adding in some cayenne pepper along with the salt and ground black pepper.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 179kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 5gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 241mgPotassium: 201mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 201IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 153mgIron: 0.4mg

    *All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.

    Keyword easy white country gravy
    Tried this recipe?Mention @SimplyLaKita or tag #SimplyLakita
    chicken tender, gravy, and a fork in a white bowl

    More Recipes You'll Love

    • Homemade Biscuits
    • Cheddar Biscuits
    • Chicken Alfredo Biscuit Pizza
    • Instant Pot Brown Rice Recipe

    Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ideas and ways to enjoy this Southern White Gravy? Please share them in the comments below!


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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gloria

      January 30, 2023 at 10:36 am

      5 stars
      I love a good gravy recipe. Canned and powered mixes are not tasty at all. This is versatile and can be used on potatoes, rice and more.

      Reply
      • LaKita

        January 30, 2023 at 6:22 pm

        Thank you Gloria! I agree, so versatile and just as easy to make as the powdered gravy 🙂

        Reply
    2. Kathryn

      February 01, 2023 at 10:38 am

      5 stars
      This is such an easy and delicious gravy! Made it over the weekend with biscuits and it was such a hit, thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • LaKita

        February 02, 2023 at 5:47 pm

        Thank you so much Kathryn! Glad to hear that you enjoyed the gravy and with biscuits sounds perfect!

        Reply
    3. Jessica

      February 03, 2023 at 10:36 am

      So excited to try this over the weekend! Biscuits and gravy are my husband's fave, and this recipe looks easy-peasy. Thanks!!

      Reply
      • LaKita

        February 03, 2023 at 12:17 pm

        Thank you Jessica, hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    4. Ann

      February 03, 2023 at 1:00 pm

      5 stars
      This was a very easy gravy to make! Made it with chicken fried steak, and was delicious! Thanks for the recipe share!

      Reply
      • LaKita

        February 08, 2023 at 11:09 am

        Thank you Ann, I love pairing it with chicken fried steak as well 🙂

        Reply
    5. Silvia

      February 04, 2023 at 11:17 am

      5 stars
      I didn’t have meat drippings but we were craving gravy so I followed your recommendation and used butter instead. It was easy, fast and flavorful.

      Reply
      • LaKita

        February 08, 2023 at 11:09 am

        Thank you Silvia, butter works just as well 🙂

        Reply
    6. Liz

      February 04, 2023 at 5:41 pm

      5 stars
      My husband LOVED this! I couldn't believe how creamy it was and it wasn't hard to make!

      Reply
      • LaKita

        February 08, 2023 at 11:10 am

        Thank you Liz! I'm happy to hear the gravy is husband approved 😉

        Reply
    7. Danielle

      February 04, 2023 at 8:10 pm

      5 stars
      Served this Gravy with some biscuits and everyone was raving about it. I used bacon fat (and some butter) and the smell was heavenly. Love this recipe for Gravy

      Reply
      • LaKita

        February 05, 2023 at 5:24 pm

        Thank you Danielle, glad to hear you and your family enjoyed the gravy recipe!

        Reply
    8. Erin

      February 05, 2023 at 1:58 pm

      5 stars
      This was so quick and easy! This will be my new go-to gravy recipe. Thanks so much!

      Reply
      • LaKita

        February 05, 2023 at 5:25 pm

        Thank you so much Erin!! Happy to hear the gravy was a success and you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    9. Alex

      February 05, 2023 at 3:24 pm

      5 stars
      I made this for some biscuits yesterday. Yum! I was already too intimidated to make gravy but this was easy!

      Reply
      • LaKita

        February 05, 2023 at 5:26 pm

        Thank You Alex, glad to hear you didn't find this gravy recipe too intimidating 🙂

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm LaKita, a food blogger living in Northwest/Panhandle Florida. I love creating and sharing recipes that are simple to make and comforting to eat. Follow me for more delicious recipes.

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