Gravy, instant beef, dry
Whole food · Soups, Sauces, and Gravies
Photo: Wikipedia
Instant beef gravy is a dehydrated powder that transforms into a savory, umami-rich sauce with a smooth, slightly glossy texture when mixed with water. It delivers a robust, meaty flavor profile with a hint of onion and black pepper, designed for quick preparation. Nutritionally, it's a concentrated source of carbohydrates, primarily from starches and added sugars.
Calorie split: 11% protein · 66% carbs · 23% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its instant, comforting, and familiar savory flavor that instantly elevates simple dishes like mashed potatoes or meatloaf. Its versatility and speed make it a staple for weeknight meals and holiday feasts alike.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high carbohydrate content, including significant added sugar (23.9g per 100g dry), can contribute to blood-sugar spikes. It is often very high in sodium. To counteract, use a measured portion (e.g., 2 tablespoons) as a flavor accent rather than a main sauce, and pair it with protein and non-starchy vegetables to balance the meal.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick, convenient savory flavor boost to meals.
- Adds moisture and richness to dishes like mashed potatoes and roasts.
- Offers a small amount of dietary fiber.
- Shelf-stable and requires no refrigeration before preparation.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'instant' gravy concept became a widespread household staple in the mid-20th century, heavily marketed alongside the rise of convenience foods and TV dinners.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 4.7 g |
| Energy | 369 kcal |
| Energy | 1544 kj |
| Protein | 9.8 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 9.5 g |
| Ash | 15.0 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 61.1 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 4.3 g |
| Total Sugars | 23.9 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 141 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 6.3 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 41.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 239 mg |
| Potassium, K | 450 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 5203 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.76 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.15 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.15 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 18.0 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.90 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.19 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.51 mg |
| Niacin | 1.1 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 1.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.14 mg |
| Folate, total | 34.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 20.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 15.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 48.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 47.8 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.62 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 2.0 ug |
| Retinol | 2.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 8.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 2.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.01 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) | 0.40 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 4.9 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 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.45 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 4.0 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 3.7 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.39 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 3.1 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.09 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.94 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.87 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.07 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 | 11.0 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 instant beef gravy?
Typically, you whisk the dry powder into cold water or broth in a saucepan, then bring to a simmer while stirring until it thickens, usually within 5-10 minutes.
Can I use milk instead of water?
While water or broth is standard, using milk will create a richer, creamier gravy, but it may alter the final flavor and texture profile.
Is it gluten-free?
Most instant gravy mixes contain wheat flour as a primary thickener and are not gluten-free unless specifically labeled. Always check the ingredients list.
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 3.69 kcal/g · 11% calories from protein · 4.3 g fiber · 23.9 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: 11.56 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.