White gravy is a classic, creamy recipe that can be served over biscuits, chicken potatoes and more. Make this gravy from scratch in minutes to add flavor and texture to many dishes.
We love serving biscuits and gravy with air fryer bacon and farmers casserole for a full breakfast or brunch.
White gravy in America is a little different for everyone. When I think of it, my mom’s cooking, especially her biscuits and gravy come to mind.
Growing up in Virginia, there seemed to always be gravy in the house. We pretty much put in on everything like chicken, pork chops, mashed potatoes, and of course biscuits.
What is white gravy made of?
Just a few simple, kitchen staple ingredients are needed for this white gravy recipe.
Flour – All-purpose flour is best.
Butter – Sweet cream, unsalted butter. You can use salted butter and just adjust the amount of salt you add to the recipe.
Milk – I think whole milk works best but feel free to use 2% or heavy cream or half and half.
Seasoning – Salt and pepper.
How to make white gravy from scratch
Scroll to the bottom for full, printable recipe, ingredients and video.
- Cook: Add butter to large saucepan or skillet and melt over medium heat. Whisk in flour and then slowly pour in milk. Keep whisking to make sure to get out lumps.
- Stir in salt and pepper and cook until desired thickness, about 3 minutes.
- Serve: Serve warm.
How to store
Let the gravy completely cool. Store in an airtight container for 4-5 days. To reheat, pour back in a saucepan and add a little extra milk to help thin it out. Heat over medium heat until warmed.
How to serve white gravy
Gravy can be poured on just about anything in my humble opinion but here are some of our favorites:
- Instant pot pulled chicken
- Over mashed potatoes
- Biscuits
- Fried chicken or chicken tenders
- Texas toast
Substitutions
There are few ingredient substitutions you can use for this gravy recipe.
Fat: My mom would often replace butter with sausage or bacon grease. You can use 4-5 tablespoons of grease.
Liquid: You can use your favorite milk, half and half or whipping cream. If you want to avoid dairy, you can make gravy with water or chicken/vegetable broth. Substitute equal amounts.
Seasoning: I love just the classic salt and pepper but feel free to try other seasoning like seasoned salt, a pinch of cayenne or even a pinch of ground dried sage.
More easy breakfast recipes
- Yogurt parfait – Layers of yogurt, fresh fruit and granola.
- Cinnamon toast – How to make cinnamon toast, 3 ways.
- Pancake mix muffins – Easy muffins made with pancake mix.
- Cake mix waffles – Easy waffles made with cake mix.
- Air fryer hash browns – Make crispy hash browns in the air fryer.
- Cinnamon butter – Whipped cinnamon butter.
*** If you made this recipe, please feel free to leave a comment and star rating below.
*** You will notice in the pictures and video that the gravy is a little thick. That is how my family likes gravy. To get thinner gravy, add more milk, up to 1 cup more.
White Gravy
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 5 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once melted whisk in the flour. Whisk until combined.
- Slowly pour in the milk and keep whisking until it thickens. Let simmer for about 3 minutes. Stir in salt and pepper.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Brown gravy uses broth instead of milk.
White gravy is sometimes referred to as sawmill gravy. It’s called that because it was a popular dish at old time sawmill camps. It was originally made using cornmeal which gave it a gritty consistency similar to sawdust.
katrina Kroeplin
this looks really good. i’ll have to save this recipe for next weekend.
Margarita Ibbott ~ DownshiftingPRO
As appealing as white gravy is, I think I need to avoid it as I am lactose intolerant… however, I did see you could substituted in water or chicken broth, so I might have to try that. Thanks for the recipe.
Ruth I
This white gravy looks yummy! I’ve never tasted this before so I’m excited!
rika
This is a wonderful white gravy recipe! It’s one of my favorite sauces to put on biscuits!
Catalina
My kid loves everything with gravy! I am sure he will love this one!
Nathalie Porbes
Even the sauce screams that this recipe is good. With recipes that is convenient and easy to find, I will try it soonest
Swathi
This white sauce looks delicious perfect treat anyday. I will try this. over chcken.
Lois
That is better than I thought, could not imagine white gravy until I saw the recipe. It’s great.
Debra Schroeder
Ooh, white gravy, I recently had a fried chicken meal with white gravy and it was pretty tasty. Was curious how they made it so excited to have found your blog post. Looking forward to trying this.
Kita Bryant
White gravy is the king of gravies. I would love to have some of this on biscuits.
Kathy
This is one of my favorite gravys. It’s so delicious. I’m going to have to give this recipe a try too.
Lynndee
Biscuits and gravy…one of my husband’s favorites. We didn’t have this in my home country, though so I didn’t know it’s a thing until I got here in the U.S. 🙂
Paula Schuck
Well that’s a new one to me. I have never made white gravy but it looks delicious. I love light gravy and brown gravy so stands to reason I’d enjoy this too.
Jennifer Van Haitsma
Biscuits and gravy sounds amazing right now! I’ve really been in the mood for hearty comfort foods. Thanks for the inspiration!
Chef Dennis
Hmm yum! This White Gravy is perfect! It will be perfect for literally everything! I can’t wait to make this at home.
Tasheena
I’ve never tried making white gravy before. Looking forward to giving this recipe a try
Pam Wattenbarger
I love white gravy! We don’t get to have it often but it’s always a treat. I’m trying your recipe tonight!
Joline
I don’t think I’ve ever had white gravy before. Would love to try this! Looks perfect with fried chicken.
Amber Myers
I haven’t had white gravy in forever. This looks so incredible! I would put it over some biscuits.
melissa chapman
That gravy seems like it goes well with everything. It is a great way to make basic foods less bland and really pop
robin rue
We call that supreme sauce here and we always eat it over chicken (on chicken supreme). it is one of my favorites.