White Pepper Gravy

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Blending an indulgent, creamy texture with a flavorful hint of pepper, this White Pepper Gravy recipe is one that every home cook should know.

gravy over steak and topped with fresh ground pepper

It’s the perfect accompaniment to a long list of family favorites, including chicken fried steak, fried chicken, biscuits, Southern mashed potatoes and more! Best of all, it’s incredibly easy to make, using simple, store cupboard ingredients and just a little bit of know-how.

Roux

As with any homemade gravy recipe, White Pepper Gravy starts with two key ingredients – butter and flour. When combined together in a pan, this creates what’s known as a roux, that acts as the thickening agent when you start to add your liquids.

It may sound fancy, but a roux can be made in a matter of minutes. Simply melt your butter in a pan and add in the flour, letting it cook for a few minutes before whisking both ingredients together.

gravy over biscuits topped with ground pepper

It’s important that you don’t start adding your liquid straight away, as the short cooking time helps get rid of that raw flour flavor that could ruin your dish.

If you happen to have cooked some meat in your pan, there’s no need to wash up before making your White Pepper Gravy! Any drippings that are leftover can be cooked along with your roux to add in even more flavor.

Milk

Milk is used rather than stock in this White Pepper Gravy recipe as it gives that creamy consistency that goes so well with black pepper.

Whole milk works best in this instance, though if you only have other milks on hand feel free to use them instead.

The key to making any gravy is to add the liquid a little at a time (½ a cup at once is a good rule of thumb) and whisking thoroughly before adding more. This helps ensure that there are no lumps in your gravy.

If you would rather not use milk then any high-quality stock would work too, though naturally the end result will be rather different. If you do go down this route, I recommend whisking through a little extra unsalted butter at the end to enrich the taste and texture.

Seasoning

It goes without saying that white pepper is one of the main flavors of this dish, and is perfectly complemented by a little bit of salt. Using freshly cracked pepper has a much stronger taste, so it’s always preferable to ground pepper if you happen to have it on hand.

If you want to add in an extra complexity, a little garlic powder or dried thyme help enhance the flavor of this White Pepper Gravy and make it all the more delicious.

How To Store

Any leftover gravy can be put in an airtight container once cooled and kept in the fridge for 3-4 days. It will thicken up as it chills, so when it’s time to reheat your gravy, add an additional splash of milk. Then, simply let heat up on the stove until it reaches the desired temperature.

Recipe Ingredients

All you need is a handful of basic ingredients to prepare this gravy:

4 Tbsp. Butter – This will provide richness to the gravy.
¼ Cup All-purpose flour – Is needed to make the roux and is needed to thicken the gravy. If you are gluten free, consider using a gluten free flour.
½ Cup Vegetable broth, or desired broth & 1 Cup Milk – This broth will provide a rich depth of flavor.
½ tsp. Salt & 2 tsp. White Pepper – Is needed to season the gravy and is used as the base.
1 Bay Leaf – Provides an earthy flavor.

Cooking Method

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.

Add in the all-purpose flour, mix until the lumps are no longer visible.

Slowly add in the broth while mixing. Once the roux starts to thicken, add in the salt, pepper, bay leaf, and milk.

Stir and cook until the gravy thickens.

Serve over your favorite biscuits or poultry.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

We’ve included some of the most common questions from readers when preparing our southern white gravy recipe.

What is white gravy made of?

This type béchamel sauce typically made with these ingredients: Flour, Butter, Milk.Once prepared, it can be served with biscuits like in this biscuits and gravy meal, fish, or poultry.

Is white gravy just béchamel?

White gravy is a form of bechamel. Depending on the region it may be prepared in various ways. The main difference is that bechamel is slightly thinner whereas the white gravy is creamy and thicker.

Tips To Make This Gravy Perfectly

There are different ways to make this recipe. Here are a few tips to consider when making this recipe.

If you are allergic to gluten, consider using a gluten free flour. Use yuca flour or cornstarch to help thicken the roux.

You’ll notice that the sauce will start to stick to your spoon; especially if you are using a wooden spoon. This is a great indication that your white gravy is ready.

Feel free to experiment with flavor. Spice things up if you need to. Consider adding dashes of cayenne pepper to enhance the flavor.

Try adding fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or sage to give it an earthy flavor.

More Recipes To Try

If you loved this recipe, here are a few options for you to try.

Poulet en sauce

Pepper steak

Instant pot oxtail

Curry goat

Fried red snapper

Grilled red snapper

Haitian legume

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