Gravy, brown instant, dry
Whole food · Soups, Sauces, and Gravies
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a shelf-stable, dehydrated powder that transforms into a rich, savory brown sauce with a glossy, velvety texture when mixed with water and heated. It delivers a deep, umami-forward beef or mushroom flavor with a distinct, comforting saltiness. Nutritionally, it's a calorie-dense, carbohydrate-heavy condiment that provides a quick energy boost.
Calorie split: 9% protein · 63% carbs · 28% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore it for its unparalleled convenience and the instant comfort it brings to weeknight meals like poutine or mashed potatoes. It's a nostalgic staple that delivers a reliable, savory punch with minimal effort.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
It is often very high in sodium and can contain additives like modified food starch, which may cause blood-sugar spikes due to its high carbohydrate content. To counteract, use it sparingly, pair it with a lean protein and fibrous vegetables, or opt for low-sodium versions.
Key benefits
- Extremely long shelf life for pantry storage
- Provides instant, consistent flavor and texture
- Convenient base for quick sauces and gravies
- Adds moisture and richness to dishes
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'instant' gravy mix was popularized in the mid-20th century, with brands like Heinz and Bisto capitalizing on the post-war demand for convenience foods that could replicate traditional, slow-cooked sauces.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 5.5 g |
| Energy | 380 kcal |
| Energy | 1590 kj |
| Protein | 8.5 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 11.8 g |
| Ash | 14.3 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 59.8 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 3.2 g |
| Total Sugars | 9.2 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 116 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 7.4 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 32.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 212 mg |
| Potassium, K | 367 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 5053 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.96 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.15 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.20 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 9.3 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 1.9 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.24 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.47 mg |
| Niacin | 2.3 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 1.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.28 mg |
| Folate, total | 69.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 43.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 26.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 99.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 47.3 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.33 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 1.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 1.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 10.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.38 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.30 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 5.9 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.40 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 3.0 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 2.2 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 5.5 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.33 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 5.0 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.06 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.50 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.45 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 12.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Gravy, HEINZ Home Style, savory beef — USDA does not publish this profile for Gravy.
| 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 |
FAQ
How do I make it lump-free?
Whisk the dry powder into a small amount of cold water or stock to form a smooth paste before slowly whisking in the remaining hot liquid while constantly stirring.
Can I use it as a soup base?
Yes, it works well to add depth and body to simple soups like vegetable beef or mushroom barley. Use it in place of part of the stock.
What's the difference between 'brown' and 'chicken' instant gravy?
Brown gravy is typically flavored with beef stock, yeast extract, and browning agents, while chicken gravy uses chicken stock and has a lighter color and flavor profile.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 3.80 kcal/g · 9% calories from protein · 3.2 g fiber · 9.2 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 13.77 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.