Description
Country gravy, a hearty Southern staple, brings comfort and warmth to breakfast tables across the United States. Simple ingredients and classic techniques create a rich, creamy sauce perfect for biscuits, chicken, and country-style meals.
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups (590 ml) whole milk (warm)
- 4 tbsps (¼ cup or 60 ml) unsalted butter
- 4 tbsps (¼ cup or 60 ml) all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp garlic powder (optional)
- 4 tbsps (¼ cup or 60 ml) bacon grease (alternative to butter)
Instructions
- Skillet Preparation: Heat butter or bacon grease in a medium skillet over medium temperature until it sizzles gently.
- Roux Creation: Sprinkle flour across melted fat, whisking continuously to form a smooth, uniform mixture without lumps, cooking until the blend transforms into a golden shade with a nutty fragrance.
- Liquid Integration: Pour warm milk into the roux incrementally, maintaining vigorous whisking to generate a silky, consistent texture without any clumping.
- Seasoning Infusion: Add salt, black pepper, and optional garlic powder, stirring thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly throughout the developing gravy.
- Simmering and Thickening: Reduce heat and allow the mixture to simmer, stirring consistently to prevent scorching while gradually achieving a luxurious, velvety consistency that elegantly coats the back of a spoon.
- Final Refinement: Taste and adjust seasonings, ensuring a perfectly balanced flavor profile before transferring the piping hot gravy to a serving vessel, ready to complement biscuits, chicken fried steak, fried chicken, or creamy mashed potatoes.
Notes
Master Whisking Technique: Create a smooth roux by whisking flour and butter vigorously without stopping to prevent lumps from forming.
Control Temperature Carefully: Maintain medium heat to develop golden color and nutty flavor without burning the butter-flour mixture.
Adjust Liquid Gradually: Pour warm milk slowly while continuously whisking to ensure a silky, creamy gravy consistency.
Season Strategically: Taste and adjust seasonings at the end for balanced flavor, remembering that pepper and salt can transform the entire dish.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 202
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 154 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 38 mg