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Homemade Beef Gravy is simply going to win you over. Made in one pan, it is super easy to make and can be served in so many different ways. 

Beef with noodles in a bowl

Homemade Beef Gravy is savory, smooth and simple. Sometimes referred to as “brown gravy”, it has a rich texture and a light to dark brown color. 

Beef Gravy is awesome because you can make a huge batch of it and use it throughout the week for various different meals. During the wintertime, it is one of my go-to comfort sauces for everything from chicken to traditional mashed potatoes. 

What Goes Well With Beef Gravy?

Beef gravy is so versatile. Pour it over your favorite grain or starch, pair it with a side of sauteed veggies and have yourself a well-rounded meal! 

  • Noodles: Growing up, I ate a dish called “lapsha”. It consisted of noodles and a meaty beef gravy. I remember coming home from school and my mom having this dish waiting for us as a snack before dinner. It always hit the spot! Simply brown some ground beef and add it to your gravy to make this simple and savory meal.
  • Mashed Potatoes: This might seem like a pretty obvious choice! Whip up my Mashed Potatoes for a tried-and-true combination. 
  • Rice: I don’t know what it is about the way that the gravy covers the white rice, but it is so irresistible. Feel free to use brown rice here if it suits your fancy! 
  • Quinoa: Follow my guide for cooking the perfect quinoa and smother this powerfood with gravy.  
  • Buckwheat: Buckwheat is an Eastern European staple! I grew up eating this grain and loving how well it pairs with beefy flavor. 

Tips for Making Beef Gravy

Here are all my tips and tricks for making the best beef gravy. 

Add Beef Stock to The Gravy

Although this recipe calls for 1 quart of water, you can substitute a quart of beef stock or broth to up the flavor. If you don’t have homemade stock on hand, I highly recommend using Better Than Bouillon Roasted Beef Base. This broth concentrate tastes amazing and adds a depth of flavor similar to homemade stock. 

Add Flour to Beef Gravy

Flour is the thickening agent in this gravy. It melds all the flavors together and creates that signature gravy texture. Just make sure you still your flour in well enough so that there are no unwanted lumps!

Tip: If you don’t have any flour on hand, use cornstarch instead. 

Best Beef To Use for The Gravy

Honestly, you really can’t go wrong with any cut of beef here. However, I would avoid using fatty, expensive cuts, since you will be covering the meat in gravy. Plus, you don’t want an overwhelming amount of fat in your gravy. Try using a chuck roast or sirloin for best results. 

Beef in a frying pan

How Long Can You Keep Beef Gravy?

Refrigerating Gravy

Refrigerate your gravy by storing it in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay fresh up to four days. You may notice a layer of solid fat that forms at the top as it cools in the fridge. This is perfectly normal! When you reheat your gravy (in a saucepan or microwave) this fat will melt and reincorporate into the sauce! 

Freezing Gravy 

Allow your gravy to completely cool. Then, pop it in an airtight container that is freezer friendly for up to 3 months. When you are ready to reheat it, allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight before heating it in a saucepan. If you want a quicker reheat, microwave it, making sure to stir it occasionally until completely heated through. 

If you Love Beef, Try Some of Our Other Favorite Recipes: 

Recipe

Beef gravy in a pan with noodles

Beef Gravy Recipe

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Servings
12 servings
Prep Time 25 mins
Cook Time 45 mins
Total Time 1 hr 10 mins
Homemade Beef Gravy is simply going to win you over. Made in one pan, it is super easy to make and can be served in so many different ways.

Ingredients

  • 3 lb beef cut into bite-size cubes
  • 2 tbsp light olive oil
  • 1 tbsp salt adjust to taste
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 onion dice onion
  • 2 carrots grated
  • 1 qt water
  • 1/4 cup flour
US Units – Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat oiled skilled, brown meat on all sides and season it with salt and pepper.
    Browned beef in a pan
  • Add diced onions and grated carrots to the mixture. Cook until the vegetables soften.
    Beef carrots and onion in a frying
  • Stir in flour to the mixture.
    Beef with veggies and flour in a pan
  • Add in one quart of water or broth. Turn the heat on low and leave it simmering for at least an hour.
    Gravy in a pan
  • Serve over pasta or any grain of your choice.
    Beef gravy in a pan with noodles
Nutrition Facts
Beef Gravy Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 326 Calories from Fat 225
% Daily Value*
Fat 25g38%
Saturated Fat 9g45%
Cholesterol 81mg27%
Sodium 87mg4%
Potassium 352mg10%
Carbohydrates 4g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 20g40%
Vitamin A 1700IU34%
Vitamin C 1.2mg1%
Calcium 28mg3%
Iron 2.4mg13%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Posted January 13, 2020

About Author

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Natalya Drozhzhin

Natalya founded Momsdish to demonstrate that placing a homemade meal on the table is not hard at all. Natalya makes cooking easier and approachable, by simplifying the ingredients, while still producing the same great taste.