This country gravy recipe is an incredibly tasty, homemade condiment that only takes a few minutes to make from scratch. It's the perfect base for making black pepper gravy (peppered gravy) or sausage gravy. This recipe makes a staple sauce that is also known as white gravy, cream gravy, sawmill gravy, and milk gravy.
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White Country Gravy Recipe
Whatever name you call it, this tasty country gravy is what makes so many meals our favorites. From the super simple, classic biscuits and gravy to the hearty country-fried steak there are so many dishes that just wouldn't be the same without some white gravy.
The best part is that because it really is to make country gravy, you can whip it up in no time even if you make something last minute. Just a few ingredients and about 5 minutes, then you're ready to enjoy that amazing breakfast, brunch, or dinner!
Southern-style white country gravy is the one gravy you need to know by heart!
❤️ Why I Love This Recipe
- Easy and fast! So simple, and it only takes about 5 minutes to make from start to finish.
- It's a base sauce recipe. This is a basic gravy made with flour and butter roux. See my tips for how to adjust this easy recipe for sausage gravy or peppered gravy.
- Amazing with so many dishes! I love country gravy over mashed potatoes, hash browns, biscuits, or country-fried steak. Yum!
🥘 Ingredients
This recipe only requires a few kitchen staple ingredients. You just might already have them in your pantry already.
- Butter - 3 tablespoons of butter (salted or unsalted). You can use salted or unsalted. If using unsalted butter, you may need to add more salt to season the country gravy later.
- All-Purpose Flour - 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. You can substitute gluten-free AP flour.
- Whole Milk - 2 cups of whole milk (*see notes). You can substitute whole milk for 1% or 2% milk but will have to adjust the amount of flour to thicken the gravy.
- Salt & Pepper - Salt & pepper (to taste). For a twist, you can add other seasonings like my Cajun seasoning!
Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!
How To Make White Country Gravy
White country gravy is incredibly easy to make and will be ready to serve in only 5 minutes. To begin, take out a silicone whisk, a frying pan, some measuring utensils, and a saucepan.
This homemade country gravy will make about 2 cups. You can easily double the ingredients if you need more.
- Melt the butter. In a medium frying pan or small saucepan, add your 3 tablespoons of butter and melt over medium heat.
- Cook the flour. When your butter has melted, sprinkle in the 3 tablespoons of flour and whisk until well blended and somewhat of a paste. Allow the roux to cook for about 2 minutes so that your gravy does not taste the flour.
- Whisk in the milk. When the butter and flour have fully combined, slowly pour in your 2 cups of milk, whisking until there are no clumps. Bring to a low boil while whisking.
- Season. When the country gravy begins to boil, remove it from the heat then add seasoning to your preference. Serve immediately.
This thick and delicious gravy would go well with your favorite breakfast, brunch, or dinner meals. Serve it over some Bisquick biscuits or roasted potatoes & onions. Enjoy!
💭 Tips & Notes
- For making a sausage country gravy, add a few pieces of sausage to the frying pan first and cook until completely browned. Remove from your pan and follow the directions for the country gravy. Chop up the sausages and add them back into the country gravy and voila sausage gravy!
- To make a peppered gravy, use freshly cracked black pepper about ¼ tablespoon per cup is a good place to start.
- To make a cheesy gravy just add about a cup of shredded cheddar with the milk. Great for topping vegetables like broccoli!
- Allow the flour to cook for a couple of minutes when you add it to the butter. That will help remove the flour taste.
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🥡 Storing & Reheating
You can store this for later but be aware that it will thicken a ton. Store your leftover gravy in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
I wouldn't recommend freezing this gravy because it is milk based. It will separate when you go to thaw it.
Reheating
To reheat simply add the county gravy to a saucepan with a little additional milk and butter and over medium heat whisk till smooth. Don't forget to offset the additional liquids with more seasoning.
❓ Recipe FAQs
If your gravy tastes chalky or doughy, that means you didn't cook the flour long enough. You will need to cook it for at least 2 minutes when making a roux.
Gravy can taste bland if you didn't add enough salt and pepper. You can try using kosher salt and fresh ground pepper for a more flavorful taste. Also, feel free to add your favorite seasoning to give it more flavor.
Absolutely! You can substitute the milk for water if you want a dairy-free version. The milk will make the gravy taste richer. You can also a broth if you'd like.
😋 Recipes That Love Country Gravy
- Air Fryer Biscuits - These simple air fryer biscuits only require 2 ingredients and are ready to serve in 12 minutes.
- Red Skin Mashed Potatoes - Red skin mashed potatoes with roasted garlic and cream cheese are perfect for any occasion.
- Hash Brown Patties - Hash brown patties are a wonderful breakfast side to slather gravy on.
- Pork Chops - Caramelized pork chops cooked on the stovetop are tender, flavorful, and super delicious.
- Country Fried Steak - Cook up some air fryer country fried steak in just 10 minutes for breakfast or dinner.
- Chicken Fried Cube Steak - This Southern classic dinner is delightfully crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
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📖 Recipe Card
Country Gravy
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon butter (salted or unsalted)
- 3 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk (see tips/notes)
- salt & pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- In a frying pan or sauce pan add your butter and melt over medium heat.
- When your butter has melted sprinkle in the flour and whisk till blended about 2 minutes.
- When the butter and flour have fully combined, slowly pour in your milk and whisk until there are no clumps. Bring to a low boil while whisking.
- When the gravy begins to boil remove from heat add seasoning to your preference. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- For making a sausage country gravy, add a few pieces of sausage to the frying pan first and cook until completely browned. Remove from your pan and follow the directions for the country gravy. Chop up the sausages and add them back into the country gravy and voila sausage gravy!
- To make a peppered gravy, use freshly cracked black pepper about ¼ tablespoon per cup is a good place to start.
- To make a cheesy gravy just add about a cup of shredded cheddar with the milk. Great for topping vegetables like broccoli!
- Allow the flour to cook for a couple of minutes when you add it to the butter. That will help remove the flour taste.
Erika says
I want to make this for dinner today but I only have 1 percent milk. Will this recipe still work?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Yes, you can sub for 1% or 2% milk but will have to adjust the amount of flour to thicken the gravy.
April says
Thank you! Loved it!
T Krebbs says
Hello, A.
So Pleased to say that my first attempt at chicken fried steak was delicious! I found your blog/ recipe and followed your great directions! That's it. Mashed potatoes and "scratch":country gravy. Perfect for our early Sunday supper. TY so much for your efforts, and wonderful directions, looking forward to more deliciousness!
~tk
Mike says
Perfect!
Amy says
Great old fashioned white country gravy I added some ground sausage to it. This recipe is a keeper!
K. Scott says
My mistake I didn't scroll all the way down. Recipe was great quick easy and good!