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Home ≫ Breakfast

Southern White Gravy

By Nikole Berg Feb 4, 2023 · Updated: Jun 9, 2024

15.5K shares
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Southern white gravy is staple here in Texas. This simple recipe can be poured over just about everything from homemade biscuits to mashed potatoes. This basic gravy will complete just about any meal and can be ready in about 10 minutes.

Check out this related post: How to make gravy with bacon grease!

a table of biscuits covered in a white gravy with a side of eggs

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Southern white gravy may be called by different names.

You may have heard it called homemade country gravy, white country gravy, southern cream gravy, or southern country gravy.

These are all variations of the same thing- a white creamy sauce made with butter or meat drippings that's a true southern staple comfort food served over hot biscuits on a Sunday morning.

I made this simple white gravy without drippings for those times when I need something super easy and can be ready in under 10 minutes.

This creamy gravy will fill up the family for breakfast or dinner and will become a favorite, easy recipe.

Need more gravy ideas ? Try my White Sausage Gravy!

Ingredients

Butter - I used salted butter but unsalted can also be used.

Flour - all purpose flour gives this southern classic its rich and creamy texture. I find this flour to be the most reliable, but feel free to experiment with another type if you have dietary restrictions.

Black pepper - you can't skip this ingredient. Without it, your gravy will be quite bland. You can always add more or less than the recipe calls for, but you must add some.

Salt - I used kosher salt, so if you use table salt, start by using half a teaspoon.

Whole milk - I prefer whole milk, but 2% is also a great choice. If you choose milk with less fat, your gravy might not come together the same, but it's a great option for those who need or want a delicious gravy with less fat and calories.

ingredients to make the recipe

Equipment

  • Frying pans
  • Small whisk
  • Flat whisk
  • Wooden spoon
  • Salt and pepper grinders
  • Gravy boat
  • Air tight containers

Instructions

Melt butter in a large skillet or medium saucepan over medium heat.

Now we're going to make a simple roux. Sprinkle flour over the melted butter and stir the flour mixture with a flat whisk or wooden spoon until smooth. I make quick motions in the shape of an "o" but a figure 8 is the proper technique! Just be sure you're incorporating all the flour into the melted butter.

Now, slowly add the milk to the roux, stirring constantly to get it well combined.

melting butter to make the recipe
making a roux for the white gravy recipe

Let the gravy come to a low boil (you can turn the heat up a tad, if needed). You want to see some bubbles around the edges of the pan, but you don't want to let it get too hot and scorch. Cook for one minute to cook out the raw flour taste.

Reduce the heat to low and let the gravy simmer until thickened. Season with salt and pepper. It's important to taste the gravy to be sure you have just the right flavor.

Add more milk (or even some water) to make the gravy thinner. Add more salt and pepper to taste.

adding pepper to white cream gravy
the completed southern white gravy recipe in the pan

Quick facts

What do I do if my gravy has lumps?

If your gravy is lumpy, don't fear! Before you're ready to serve, strain gravy through a fine mesh strainer. For best results, use a spoon or silicone spatula to push it through for delicious lump free gravy.

Kitchen tips

  • Sugar can be used to help mask unwanted flavors. If you over salt or burn the flour, try adding a teaspoon or two of sugar.
  • If you prefer a gravy with some pizazz, add a pinch of cayenne pepper, half a teaspoon of garlic powder, and a can of chopped green chiles.
  • Chopped bacon or crumbled, cooked sausage is the perfect addition to make a rich gravy.
  • Leftover pan drippings like bacon fat, can be used in place of butter if you have some on hand. Use equal amounts of fat to flour and add enough milk to desired consistency.

How to store

Store leftover gravy in the refrigerator in airtight containers for three or four days.

Since this recipe contains milk, freezing isn't recommended. Freeze at your own risk!

How to reheat gravy

Take cold gravy and spoon it into a cold skillet or sauce pan. Break it up with a spoon or a whisk.

Turn the heat to low and gently heat it thoroughly while stirring constantly. Serve warm.

If you did freeze, thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

What goes good with southern white gravy?

  • Air fryer biscuits and breakfast sausage
  • Air fryer hash browns
  • Air fryer steak fries from scratch
  • Air fryer bacon
  • Air Fryer French fries (for dipping)
a plate with a breakfast meal of biscuits, gravy, and scrambled eggs

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southern white gravy pouring off a ladle

Southern White Gravy

Recipe by Nikole Berg
Southern white gravy can be poured over just about everything from homemade biscuits to mashed potatoes.
4.69 from 16 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 101 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 4 tablespoon butter
  • 4 tablespoon all purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk whole preferred or 2%
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon salt, kosher or to taste
US Customary - Metric

Instructions
 

  • Melt butter in a sauce pan or skillet over medium heat.
  • Add flour to butter and whisk constantly until smooth, about one minute.
  • Slowly whisk in milk until well combined. Bring mixture to a low boil then lower the heat and simmer until thickened. Add more milk if thinner consistency is desired.
  • Stir in salt and pepper.
  • Serve warm.

Notes

  • Store leftover gravy in the refrigerator in airtight containers for three or four days.
  • If gravy is frozen, let it thaw in the refrigerator first.
  • Take cold gravy and spoon it into a cold skillet or sauce pan. Break it up with a spoon or a whisk.
  • Turn the heat to low and gently heat it thoroughly while stirring constantly. Serve warm.

Nutrition

Calories: 101kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 68mgPotassium: 101mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 275IUCalcium: 78mgIron: 0.2mg
Keyword comfort foods, cream gravy, homemade biscuits, homemade grits, southern
Tried this recipe?Click here to leave a helpful tip!

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About Nikole Berg

Nikole is the creator and photographer behind The Travel Palate, a food and travel blog featuring quick and flavorful recipes and getaway guides. Nikole hopes to inspire your inner foodie whether you're in the kitchen or traveling on your next adventure.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Teresa Walton

    April 28, 2025 at 8:54 pm

    5 stars
    Best I’ve tasted!!!!! Made for my husband who’s from the south in US…. We are in Canada. He loved it! I held back a bit on the pepper, but he said not to for future…lol

    Reply
    • Nikole Berg

      April 28, 2025 at 9:00 pm

      So happy this was a hit with you and your husband! Enjoy!!

      Reply
  2. Tia

    March 30, 2025 at 1:19 pm

    Can I substitute whole or 2% milk for heavy cream?

    Reply
    • Nikole Berg

      April 01, 2025 at 6:15 am

      Hi Tia, this recipe calls for whole or 2% milk. I don't think heavy cream would work well, but if you give it a try let me know!

      Reply
      • Name

        May 12, 2025 at 5:41 pm

        This recipe passed my husbands gravy test. (This is a man who literally just eats the gravy!) out of the bowl.

        I would start with half n half, as heavy cream would make it to rich and almost greasy tasting.
        I do half whole milk and half cup of half n half. I use 1/4 cup potato water in it as well.
        It gives the gravy a silky texture.

        Excellent recipe!!

        Reply
        • Nikole Berg

          May 12, 2025 at 11:12 pm

          Thank you so much for your thoughtful review along with some tips. I have never heart of using potato water, so I need to give that a try next time. Love learning something new!

          Reply
  3. Nita

    February 27, 2025 at 10:01 am

    I have a problem with the name of this recipe, I live in Texas and what Texas makes is not Southern white gravy. Texas makes Texas white gravy. Which is as the recipe indicates is essentially a black pepper gravy. I grew up in Arkansas and my grandma's gravy had so many more dimensions you would want to eat it with a spoon. It had onion, garlic and herbs in addition to the black pepper.

    Reply
  4. Tamara

    January 27, 2025 at 3:54 pm

    5 stars
    This came out really good. I used butter and bacon grease.

    Reply
    • Nikole Berg

      January 28, 2025 at 10:32 am

      I'm glad you liked it Tamara! Butter and bacon is about as good as it gets!

      Reply
  5. Frankie

    February 17, 2024 at 6:38 pm

    Love this recipe sooo good follow directions and it comes out great every time . ❤️

    Reply
  6. Carolina

    October 24, 2023 at 12:08 pm

    5 stars
    This gravy remind me when I was in Georgia, thank you very much to share this recipe ♥️

    Reply
4.69 from 16 votes (13 ratings without comment)

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