Gravy 101: How to Make Traditional, Gluten Free, Paleo-Friendly & Keto Gravy

Thanksgiving is here, and while we all love indulging in our favorite traditional main dishes—whether that's turkey, tofurkey or roasted squash—there's one delicious addition that tends to stress people out, and that's gravy. This is likely due to decades of jokes about lumpy, tasteless, wallpaper paste-like gravy. Or blame it on the fact that most people only make it once or twice a year!

Fortunately, it turns out that making delicious, savory gravy can be extraordinarily easy if you follow a few simple instructions, even if you have specific dietary restrictions and need gluten free, paleo, vegan or even keto options. Read on for our top gravy-making tips!

Step 1: Choose Your Broth

You can, of course, make your own homemade stock, but if you're already juggling multiple dishes for Thanksgiving, using a premade variety is a simple way to cut yourself some slack. Choose from a variety of great packaged broths: chicken, turkey, vegetable, or even mushroom broths are available. Bouillon cubes or concentrates are also an option, but take care—although salt is an essential part of any good gravy, cubes or concentrates may be too salty for this use.

Step 2: Choose Your Thickener

All-purpose flour is the traditional choice to give gravy its satiny, pourable texture, but if you're gluten free or have other dietary requirements, it's not your only hope! As you'll see below, we tested making gravy with Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour, Cassava Flour, Chickpea Flour and Xanthan Gum for gluten free, paleo and keto-friendly options.

Step 3: Select Your Seasonings

Salt, as I mentioned above, is necessary to any gravy recipe. Not only does salt bring its own flavor, but it enhances the flavors of everything it touches. Just remember to taste before and while you add it, and keep in mind that some prepared broths (and bouillon cubes and concentrates) may already contain a fair amount of salt. The gravy recipes we created also call for garlic and onion powders, dried thyme, and black pepper, but you can adjust this according to your own personal tastes and menu.

Step 4: Find Your Recipe

We created a selection of newbie-friendly gravy recipes that cater to a host of different dietary restrictions. Each is delicious, and each takes only 10-15 minutes to prepare, which is ideal on Thanksgiving day.

All-Purpose Traditional Pan Gravy: This is a foolproof traditional gravy made with butter or drippings, Unbleached White All-Purpose Flour, the broth of your choice, and seasonings. It has a creamy, velvety texture and is simple enough for a first-time gravy maker!

Gluten Free 1-to-1 Flour Gravy: Gluten free gravy is a snap with Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour! This is just like a traditional wheat flour gravy: thick, creamy and perfect on a bed of mashed potatoes.

Gluten Free Cassava Flour Gravy: Paleo-friendly gravy is easy with this simple recipe, made with gluten free, grain free Cassava Flour. This gravy is creamy and similar in texture to the 1-to-1 gravy.

Gluten Free Chickpea Flour Gravy: Craving country-style gravy? This rich, creamy gravy is made with Chickpea Flour, which adds the perfect heartiness to this gluten free option. It thickens as it sits.

Gluten Free Keto Gravy: Gravy is keto-friendly when it's made with Xanthan Gum! This gravy is thinner and has the texture of an au jus or a light gravy. While you can thicken it by adding more xanthan gum, keep in mind that it may become gelatinous.

Step 5: Upgrade Your Gravy

Here are three simple ways you can take your gravy to the next level. Try one or all three:

1. Drippings: Use the drippings in the bottom of your roasting pan to enhance your gravy. Place your roasting pan on your stovetop over medium heat (if your roasting pan is stovetop safe; otherwise, scrape everything into a large skillet). Sprinkle your flour or gum over the drippings, whisk until smooth, and cook for 2–3 minutes, scraping up all the delicious browned bits in the pan. Whisk in broth until you reach your desired texture and season to taste.
2. Fresh Herbs: Add a sprig or two of your favorite fresh herbs while simmering gravy. Thyme, rosemary or sage are popular choices! Remove before use.
3. White Wine: Substitute about ¼ of your broth with dry white wine.

Step 6: Find Things to Put Gravy On

I almost forgot! The most important part of making gravy is enjoying your rich, delicious, savory gravy. While you can enjoy it by the spoonful, it's even more delightful when you pour it over other delicious things to eat. Here are a few of our suggestions:

Gluten Free Savory Dinner Rolls: Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour, fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese makes these gluten free yeast rolls extra special.

Farro Apple Dressing: Nutty, chewy Organic Farro creates a delicious bread-free dressing with apples and fresh rosemary.

Gluten Free Cornbread Dressing: This moist, flavorful stuffing is made with two breads: cornbread made with White Rice Flour and Gluten Free Cornmeal, and flatbread made with Chickpea Flour.

Dairy and Gluten Free Scalloped Potatoes: These creamy, delicious potatoes feature Yukon Gold potatoes, caramelized onions and Chickpea Flour.

Easy Mashed Potatoes: Our Potato Flakes are made with 100% genuine russet potatoes and make delicious mashed potatoes in less than 10 minutes.

What are your Thanksgiving plans this year? Do you have a traditional gravy recipe you use every year, or do you plan to use one of ours? Let us know in the comments!