This White Gravy recipe is a basic white sauce that is easy to make and can be used in so many ways. Serve over biscuits or add cheese for a cheese sauce.
I titled this recipe white gravy but it is also called white sauce, Béchamel sauce, country gravy, peppered gravy, and homestyle gravy. My whole family loves the white gravy from Dairy Queen so I decided to make this a copycat recipe of that gravy.
How To Make White Gravy From Scratch
Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.
Can I use bacon grease to make white gravy?
Yes, this white gravy recipe is very adaptable. You can substitute bacon grease, fried chicken drippings, sausage grease, shortening, vegetable oil, or lard for the butter. Or you can use a combination of oils.
Add the flour, coarsely ground black pepper, and salt.
What other seasonings can be added?
This white gravy recipe can be seasoned to fit whatever dishes you are serving it with. Here are a few things you could experiment with adding:
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- cayenne pepper
- cajun seasoning
- chicken bullion
- beef bullion
- parsley
- basil
- oregano
- nutmeg
Whisk the flour into the melted butter until the mixture is smooth.
Slowly whisk in the milk until combined.
Can I use water to make white gravy?
Yes, you can use water to make white gravy. Substitute the milk an equal amount of water, chicken stock, beef stock, or vegetable stock.
Then, bring the mixture to a boil. Lower heat and cook until thickened, stirring constantly. Gravy will thicken more as it cools.
How can I fix white gravy that is too thin?
If the gravy is too thin, continue boiling it until it thickens.
You can also use flour or cornstarch to thicken it if boiling isn’t working. Mix a tablespoon of flour or cornstarch into a little water to form a paste. Then, gradually whisk it into the gravy.
What should I do if my gravy is too thick?
It is easy to make the gravy too thick since it thickens more upon cooling. Thankfully, it is easy to thin gravy. Simply whisk in additional milk, a little at a time, until it is the right consistency.
How can I make a cheese sauce from this white gravy?
This white gravy recipe is the perfect base for so many sauces. If you want to make a cheese sauce, stir in 1 cup of shredded cheese once the gravy has thickened.
Can white sauce be made in advance?
Yes, you can make this white sauce recipe in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You’ll want to make it on the thinner side since it will thicken upon cooling. When ready to serve, reheat the gravy over low heat and stir in additional milk if needed.
Looking for ways to use white gravy? Try these recipes:
Mini Biscuits are just plain fun to eat! Dip them in gravy, serve them as a side, or use them to make bacon eggs and cheese breakfast sliders.
This recipe for Ham and Cheese Pull Aparts with Gravy is a great way to start the day. Enjoy this hearty breakfast with holiday guests before your busy day.
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders are oven baked and so easy to make. They are crunchy and flavorful on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. Dip them in gravy just like at Dairy Queen!
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes are an easy, hands-off way to make mashed potatoes. Top the mashed potatoes with white gravy.
White Gravy
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoon butter
- 4 tablespoon flour
- 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups whole milk
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a sauce pan over medium heat.
- Add the flour, pepper, and salt. Whisk until smooth.
- Slowly whisk in the milk until combined.
- Bring the gravy to a boil. Then, lower the heat and cook until thickened, stirring constantly. Gravy will thicken more as it cools. You can thin gravy with additional milk, if needed.
- Serve immediately. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Frank says
I’ve been looking for a simple white gravy to use for biscuits and gravy. I have read many, many recipes. For some reason this one made sense to me. Maybe it’s because throughout the description it was highlighted how I could make this my own. That’s why the title is a wonderful canvas. This basic recipe will serve me well whenever I need a flavorful white sauce. Thank you very much for posting it.
Gayla Daniels says
This was an easy recipe to fix. I made in just a few minutes. It was very tasty but next time I will add about one half teaspoon instead of 1 teaspoon. It was too salty for me but It’s definitely one of those keeper recipes.
Elsie S. Stewart says
I tried this recipe and it’s really good. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to try the recipe.
Robert Oliver says
Love the gravey, I made it w butter and water , salt , pepper, was great.
Jay says
Does it taste just like dairy queens?
sheryl goulart says
going to make tonight with calamari steaks… can’t wait to try it out.
Jay says
Ooh sounds good.. can I get that recipe? You should post it on here