Whole food · Soups, Sauces, and Gravies
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a classic, pourable brown gravy made from a savory beef stock base, thickened with flour and seasoned for a deep, umami-rich flavor. It has a smooth, velvety texture that coats the back of a spoon, perfect for drizzling over roasts or mashed potatoes. Nutritionally, it's a low-calorie, low-fat way to add significant flavor to a meal.
People love it for its comforting, nostalgic flavor that instantly elevates a simple weeknight dinner into a hearty, satisfying meal. Its versatility makes it a staple for everything from classic roast beef dinners to poutine and hot turkey sandwiches.
The primary concern is typically its sodium content, which can be high in commercial preparations, making it a consideration for those monitoring salt intake. To counteract this, use it as a flavor accent rather than a drenching sauce, and pair it with low-sodium sides like steamed green beans or unsalted mashed potatoes.
The word 'gravy' first appeared in English in the 14th century, but it referred to a meat broth or juice, not the thick, flour-based sauce we know today.
| Water | 90.0 g |
| Energy | 39.0 kcal |
| Energy | 165 kj |
| Protein | 1.1 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 1.1 g |
| Ash | 1.6 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 6.2 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.70 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.52 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 6.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.13 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 3.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 10.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 22.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 587 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.15 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.02 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.03 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 2.2 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.01 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.02 mg |
| Niacin | 0.17 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.09 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.01 mg |
| Folate, total | 4.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 4.0 ug |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.09 ug |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.40 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.22 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.13 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.43 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.38 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.05 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 2.0 mg |
| Tryptophan | 0.01 g |
| Threonine | 0.03 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.03 g |
| Leucine | 0.06 g |
| Lysine | 0.05 g |
| Methionine | 0.01 g |
| Cystine | 0.01 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.03 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.02 g |
| Valine | 0.04 g |
| Arginine | 0.06 g |
| Histidine | 0.02 g |
| Alanine | 0.06 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.07 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.44 g |
| Glycine | 0.10 g |
| Proline | 0.08 g |
| Serine | 0.04 g |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.04 g |
Can I use this gravy as a base for other sauces?
Yes, it's an excellent base. You can stir in sautéed mushrooms, onions, or herbs like thyme to create a more complex sauce for specific dishes.
Is this gravy gluten-free?
The standard recipe uses wheat flour as a thickener, so it contains gluten. For a gluten-free version, you would need to use a cornstarch or arrowroot slurry to thicken the beef stock.
How long does opened gravy last in the refrigerator?
Once opened, it should be stored in an airtight container and consumed within 3-4 days for best quality and safety.