Effortless 3-Ingredient Gravy Recipe Ready in Minutes!

One Thanksgiving, my mom was in a bind with no turkey drippings available for gravy. The turkey mishap is a story for another time, but she was visibly stressed, hustling around the kitchen, blaming the burnt turkey on our unreliable oven.

With the turkey turning out drier than expected, a quick fix was necessary, and that fix was some sort of gravy. It was then I really appreciated her culinary skills as she whipped up a gravy using just three simple ingredients.

Being an experienced cook, my mom was adept at adapting to kitchen disasters. With the unusable turkey, she had to think fast. Her time watching Julia Child paid off as she knew exactly how to start a great sauce with a roux—a cooked mix of butter and flour. She also knew the longer she cooked the roux, the more flavor it would have, so she quickly set to work.

She began by melting a substantial amount of butter, then stirring in an equal measure of flour until the mixture turned a rich golden color and smelled amazing. The final touch was adding chicken broth, simmering it to the perfect thickness before serving. She finished the gravy with some fresh herbs she had on hand from preparing the turkey, and it was a hit.

This gravy-making trick isn’t just for emergencies. Remember, the secret to a fantastic roux is cooking it long enough and using a high-quality broth or chicken base.

Guidelines for Crafting 3-Ingredient Gravy

• Master the roux. Spend time cooking the butter-flour mix until it achieves a golden or deep golden hue. This not only adds a beautiful color but also enhances the flavor. Aim for at least 5 minutes, or up to 15 minutes, to achieve a blonde or golden-brown roux.
• Select your base carefully. While broth works, a Roasted Chicken Base usually offers more depth of flavor, which is preferable for this gravy. Keep it stocked for convenience, preferably the low-sodium kind to control the saltiness. You’ll need about two cups of it.
• Manage expectations. Understand that this gravy won’t mimic the traditional turkey gravy made from drippings. It’s still delicious but will taste different, which is perfectly fine.
• Incorporate drippings if available. If you have drippings from any cooked meat, add them in at the end for an enhanced flavor profile.
• Enhance with herbs. If you have dried or fresh herbs in your pantry, add a bit to the gravy to elevate its taste. Use about 1/4 teaspoon of dried herbs like thyme, parsley, or sage, or about 1 teaspoon if they’re fresh.

How to Prepare 3-Ingredient Gravy

To make just over 2 cups, you’ll need:

• 1 teaspoon roasted chicken base
• 2 cups of warm water
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cubed
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• Salt, as needed

Mix the chicken base with hot water in a measuring cup. Alternatively, you could opt for 2 cups of chicken or turkey broth.

Heat the butter in a saucepan over medium-low until melted. Stir in the flour and whisk until the roux is smooth. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until it reaches a golden to golden-brown color, about 5 to 10 minutes.

Slowly add the chicken base or broth, whisking to prevent lumps. Simmer to develop the flavors, about 10 minutes. Check the seasoning, then serve hot.