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Making delicious simple pan gravy like your grandmother made is easy to do! This recipe is adaptable to any type of poultry or meat drippings, or using canned broth as well.

Simple Pan Gravy from any meat or poultry!

Have you ever made gravy using drippings from chicken, turkey or a pot roast? How about a pork roast? Drippings are the fat and juice leftover in the pan after meat has been cooked and are packed full of flavor!

Whether you make gravy from drippings or canned broth, it will taste better than a package mix, or gravy from a (yikes!) can. There are several different options when using a pre-made broth if you don’t have drippings. My first choice is good quality broth in a carton.

How to choose broth for gravy

I look for a broth without MSG or sugar. Depending on where you live, the choices will vary. My favorites are Swanson’s Natural Goodness Chicken Broth or Trader Joes’ Natural Chicken Broth. I also purchase Costco Kirkland brand chicken or beef stock when it is available.

Should I separate the fat from drippings?

When making Simple Pan Gravy from drippings, I remove most of the fat that rises to the top of the drippings before using the drippings. To do this, pour the drippings into a jar or large measuring cup or container. Place in refrigerator for about an hour. The fat will rise to the top and will be easy to scrape off of the top of the drippings and discard. For more detailed instructions, this Cook’s Illustrated article about separating and skimming fat may be helpful!

Secret ingredient…butter!

Some will argue that scraping the congealed fat off the top of the drippings is blasphemy! But seriously, to me, the fat from the drippings tend to taste greasy in gravy. I opt-out of using the fat in drippings and instead add butter to the pan. It may seem counterproductive, but it works for me, and I love the flavor of the end product!

Step by step tutorial to make the best pan gravy!

Give this recipe a try next time you cook a turkey, chicken, pork or beef roast. I think you will love it and never, ever, go back to pre-made gravy! Here’s my step-by-step photo tutorial for making Simple Pan Gravy, with recipe below:

Simple Pan Gravy
Melt butter in pan on stove top.
Simple Pan Gravy
Sift flour directly into pan with melted butter.
Simple Pan Gravy
Simple Pan Gravy
This flat whisk is my favorite for gravy…




Simple Pan Gravy
Add the broth or drippings from the cooked meat or poultry.
Simple Pan Gravy
Whisk until the gravy is smooth.





Simple Pan Gravy

5 from 5 votes
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Simple Pan Gravy
Author: Si Foster
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients 

  • 5 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup sifted flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 3 cups drippings from turkey, fat skimmed from top (or 3 cups canned broth)
  • plus
  • 1 3/4 cups additional broth, canned or bone broth*
  • 1-2 packets stock see note below*

Instructions

  • Melt butter in pan over medium to mneadium-high heat. Let butter become slightly browned. Be careful to not burn the butter!
  • Add flour, sifting over pan. Use a whisk, and continue cooking butter and flour until smooth. This should cook for about 1-2 minutes, while whisking continually.
  • Add drippings from turkey while whisking. Keep heat on medium to medium high. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until smooth and gravy thickens.
  • Add the additional broth. Continue cooking until gravy is smooth and thickens back up a bit. Taste gravy.
  • If you have only used canned broth, and the flavor is not strong enough, add 1-2 packets of flavor enhancer (see recipe notes).
  • Mix until smooth. Taste and add more pepper if needed.

Notes

-If using all canned broth for gravy, you will need 1-2 packets flavor enhancer or booster. I like Knorr Homestyle Stock. It is sold near bullion, and is sold 4 tubs to a packet. You may also use bullion, or other brands of stock to boost the flavor of your gravy.
-This gravy may be made ahead and refrigerated until using. It may need to be thinned a bit with more stock or a little milk after reheating.

Did you make this recipe?

Be sure to leave a comment and give this recipe a rating, letting me know how you liked it. I’d love to see a photo, tag @abountifulkitchen on Instagram!