Southern White Gravy Recipe

Introduction

Southern White Gravy is a classic comfort food staple perfect for drizzling over biscuits, fried chicken, or mashed potatoes. This creamy, peppery gravy comes together quickly with simple pantry ingredients.

A close-up view of a thick, creamy white sauce lifted on a shiny silver spoon, with small black specks of pepper scattered throughout the sauce. The sauce has a smooth, rich texture that gently drips off the spoon back into the bowl below, and the background shows the same sauce in a shallow container with a slightly rough, creamy surface. The setting uses a white marbled texture as the base. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 4 tbsp all purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk (whole preferred or 2%)
  • 1 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
  • 1 tsp kosher salt (or to taste)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Melt the butter in a saucepan or skillet over medium heat.
  2. Step 2: Add the flour to the melted butter and whisk constantly until smooth, about one minute.
  3. Step 3: Slowly whisk in the milk until fully combined. Bring the mixture to a low boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer until thickened. Add more milk if you prefer a thinner consistency.
  4. Step 4: Stir in the salt and black pepper to taste.
  5. Step 5: Serve the gravy warm over your favorite dishes.

Tips & Variations

  • For extra richness, use whole milk or add a splash of heavy cream.
  • Adjust the pepper amount to suit your heat preference; some like it spicier.
  • If lumps form, strain the gravy through a fine sieve for a smoother texture.
  • Add cooked sausage crumbles to make a hearty sausage gravy version.

Storage

Store leftover gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently and adding a splash of milk to loosen the gravy if it thickens too much.

How to Serve

A white plate holds two biscuit halves at the left side, each topped with a thick layer of smooth white gravy speckled with black pepper; the biscuits are golden and flaky, slightly visible under the gravy. On the right side of the plate is a fluffy pile of yellow scrambled eggs with soft white streaks mixed in, showing a moist texture. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with a red-striped white cloth partially visible in the bottom left corner. In the background, there is a white bowl filled with gravy and a small wooden bowl with black pepper. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of milk for this gravy?

Yes, you can use 2%, whole, or even non-dairy milk such as almond or oat milk. Keep in mind that whole milk provides the creamiest texture and most authentic flavor.

How do I fix gravy that is too thick or too thin?

If the gravy is too thick, add more milk gradually while stirring until you reach the desired consistency. If it’s too thin, continue simmering gently to reduce and thicken it further.

Print

Southern White Gravy Recipe

This classic Southern White Gravy is a rich and creamy sauce made from a simple roux of butter and flour, combined with milk and seasoned with salt and black pepper. Perfect for topping biscuits, mashed potatoes, or fried chicken, this gravy is a staple in Southern comfort food.

  • Author: Sana
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: About 1 1/2 cups 1x
  • Category: Sauce
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Southern

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 4 tbsp all purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk (whole preferred or 2%)
  • 1 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
  • 1 tsp kosher salt (or to taste)

Instructions

  1. Melt Butter: Melt butter in a saucepan or skillet over medium heat until fully melted and bubbly.
  2. Add Flour: Add the flour to the melted butter and whisk constantly until the mixture is smooth and golden, about one minute, forming a roux.
  3. Add Milk: Slowly whisk in the milk to the roux until well combined and smooth, ensuring no lumps form. Bring the mixture to a low boil.
  4. Simmer: Lower the heat and simmer the gravy, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency. Add more milk if you prefer a thinner gravy.
  5. Season: Stir in kosher salt and black pepper to taste, blending well.
  6. Serve: Serve the gravy warm over biscuits, chicken, or your choice of dish.

Notes

  • Use whole milk for the creamiest texture, but 2% milk works fine as well.
  • Keep whisking constantly when adding flour to butter to avoid lumps.
  • Adjust salt and pepper to taste after cooking.
  • If gravy becomes too thick, add a little more milk slowly while stirring to reach desired consistency.
  • This gravy pairs wonderfully with classic Southern biscuits or fried chicken.

Keywords: Southern white gravy, biscuit gravy, comfort food sauce, creamy gravy, Southern cooking, roux gravy

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