Homemade Brown Gravy (No Drippings Needed)

This easy homemade brown gravy recipe will instantly upgrade your Thanksgiving table. Savory beef broth is elevated with the addition of simple ingredients like garlic powder, onion powder, bay leaves, and butter that simmer together to create a rich and decadent brown gravy. Perfect for mashed potatoes, turkey, meatloaf, or roast beef, once you try making it from scratch, you'll never go back to store-bought packets again!

Why This Is The Best Brown Gravy Recipe

Whether it’s Thanksgiving dinner or just a casual weeknight dinner with mashed potatoes as a side, there’s always a reason to make a batch of homemade brown gravy. It’s rich, savory, and incredibly simple—so simple you might wonder why you ever relied on pre-made gravy in the first place!

I’ve been making this brown gravy recipe from scratch for years, and it’s become a staple in my kitchen. It pairs perfectly with everything from twice baked mashed potatoes to roast beef, turkey, or even meatloaf.

My favorite part about this recipe is how effortless it is to make. Most of the cooking time is just letting the gravy gently simmer and thicken on the stovetop, which means you can focus on the rest of your meal—especially convenient for preparing Thanksgiving dinner! It frees up time to make other staples like Pioneer Woman stuffing or this old fashioned sweet potato pie. 

Ingredients

As I mentioned before, the ingredient list for this brown gravy recipe is pretty darn simple. You need just 7 ingredients and about 25 minutes to make it.

Anyway, here's everything you'll need to make this brown gravy recipe:

• 3 cups Beef Stock
• ¼ cup Corn starch
• 2 tbsp. Butter
• 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp. Onion Powder
• 1 Bay Leaf
• Salt and Pepper

Yup, that's it!

And I know I mentioned this homemade gravy is ideal for Thanksgiving and mashed potatoes, but it can be used for so many more meals too.

My favorite things to eat with this beef gravy are these crispy air fryer smashed potatoes, this KFC famous bowl, and this braised beef shank. So you'll definitely want to try pairing this delicious gravy with those recipes, too, along with classic mashed potatoes, of course.

And I know this sounds weird, but this brown gravy recipe also goes great with some french fries too. Honestly, I think it's one of the most underrated pairs out there.

Oh, by the way, if you want to make this a vegetarian brown gravy recipe, just use vegetable broth and add about two tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce.

How To Make Brown Gravy

Now, you're probably tired of me saying that this is an easy brown gravy recipe, but it's the truth. You barely have to do anything. Seriously, measuring out the ingredients is the hardest part of making this stuff. Anyway, let's not waste any more time. Let's get into how to make brown gravy!

Step 1: Dissolve the Corn Starch

First, add a half cup of good-quality beef stock and cornstarch to a small bowl and let it dissolve. Doing this will thicken the gravy later on.

Make sure the corn starch is added to beef stock that is cold or at room temperature, as corn starch won't dissolve properly in hot liquid.

Step 2: Make The Brown Gravy

Now, heat a pot over medium-high heat and add the cold unsalted butter, garlic powder, and onion powder to it. Then, let it cook for a minute or two until the butter melts.

Next, add the rest of the beef stock and bay leaf to the pot and give everything a stir to combine. Once combined, add the cornstarch mixture to the pot along with the salt and pepper. 

Step 3: Simmer The Gravy

Now, cook the gravy for about 15 minutes or until the gravy thickens. Also, just so you know, the longer you let the brown gravy simmer, the thicker and richer it will be. That being said, don't let it cook for too long, as it could burn.

Anyway, once your brown gravy has simmered for long enough, remove the bay leaf and taste the gravy. Then adjust the salt and other seasonings as necessary and, as always, serve hot with mashed potatoes or whatever you want.

Now, I don't know about you, but sometimes I like my gravy on the thinner side. Maybe that's weird, but I do. So, to thin out the gravy recipe, just add a little beef broth until it's reached the consistency that you want. Anyway, however you serve the beef gravy, it'll be delicious, so enjoy!

Expert Tips To Follow

• Toast the roux for flavor. When you whisk the flour into the melted butter, cook it for at least 2–3 minutes until it turns golden brown. This step removes the raw flour taste and gives your brown gravy from scratch a nutty, rich base and deeper flavor.
• Add broth slowly. Pour in your beef stock a little at a time while whisking constantly. This keeps the mixture smooth and lump-free. If you add liquid too quickly, you risk clumps that are harder to fix later.
• Season in layers. Salt and pepper are essential, but don’t stop there. Onion powder, garlic powder, and a splash of Worcestershire sauce add depth and umami flavor. Taste as you go—different broths vary in saltiness, so adjust accordingly.
• Adjust thickness. If your gravy is too thin, let it simmer longer to reduce and concentrate the flavor. If it’s too thick, whisk in a splash of extra broth until it reaches the consistency you like. This flexibility is what makes it the best brown gravy recipe for any dish.

How To Store Homemade Brown Gravy

This recipe for brown gravy will make about 3 cups worth. So, that means it's the perfect amount for a big Thanksgiving dinner with mashed potatoes!

And, I have a feeling that it'll be gone by the end of dinner, but if it's not, it stores really well. You can keep the leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 2 days. However, if you want to keep it for even longer, you can put the leftover gravy in a freezer bag, an airtight container, or an ice cube tray and freeze the gravy for up to 4 months.

How To Reheat Brown Gravy

Now, after making brown gravy, it will separate a little bit when stored. So you'll definitely want to reheat it after it's been stored. The quickest way to reheat brown gravy it is to put it in the microwave in 15-second increments, stirring between each one until it's thoroughly heated.

Alternatively, you can heat the brown gravy up in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat on the stove. Just make sure to stir it every so often to keep it from burning. Then serve with mashed potatoes or whatever you want and enjoy!

Brown Gravy Recipe FAQS

Can I make brown gravy without beef broth?

Yes. While beef broth gives traditional brown gravy from scratch its deep, rich flavor, you can substitute chicken broth for a lighter taste or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version. Just note that the flavor will be milder, so consider adding a splash of soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce to boost the savory depth.

How do I fix lumpy gravy?

Lumps usually happen when the broth is added too quickly to the roux. To fix it, whisk vigorously or use an immersion blender to smooth it out. Straining the gravy through a fine-mesh sieve also works. To prevent lumps in the first place, always whisk continuously while slowly adding the broth.

Can I make brown gravy ahead of time?

Absolutely. Homemade brown gravy can be made up to 3 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop, whisking in a splash of broth or water to restore the silky texture if it thickens. Be sure to whisk frequently as it reheats.

Why is my brown gravy too thin or too thick?

Gravy thickens as it simmers and as it cools. If your gravy is too thin, let it simmer longer to reduce, or whisk in a slurry of 1 teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon of cold water. If it’s too thick, whisk in a little extra broth until it reaches the consistency you want.

What’s the difference between brown gravy and turkey gravy?

Brown gravy is made with a butter-and-flour roux and beef stock (or another broth), while turkey gravy is usually made with pan drippings from roasted turkey plus broth. Both are thickened with flour, but the base flavors differ depending on the protein. This brown gravy without pan drippings is more conveinent to make since you don't need the pan drippings.

Wrapping It Up

Well, that's how to make brown gravy from scratch! This stuff is so much better than any gravy you can find at the store or any gravy packets. Plus, this easy homemade brown gravy recipe not only tastes great, but it's also quick and simple to make, perfect for mashed potatoes and many other dishes.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this brown gravy recipe as much as my family and I do! As always, don't forget to check out our Youtube, Instagram, and TikTok for more quick and easy recipes like this one. And leave a comment and review if you give this recipe a try. 

More Thanksgiving Recipes To Make

If you're looking for more Thanksgiving dinner and dessert recipes, we have a ton on the blog that you have to try making this year! Check some of these out next:

• White country gravy 
• Seafood stuffing
• Ocean Spray cranberry sauce
• Southern cornbread
• Asparagus casserole
• Pumpkin custard pie
• Custard pie