Erin’s Recipe Rundown
Texture: Smooth and creamy.
Taste: Packed with savory flavors.
Ease: Easy to make with pan drippings or boxed broth/stock.
Top Tips: Gluten-free Worcestershire sauce is the secret ingredient in this recipe to achieve the most flavorful gravy. Don’t skip this step!
Recommended GF Flour: Any gluten-free flour blend will work in this gravy. I like to use King Arthur.
Would I make these again? Absolutely! Gravy is a Thanksgiving staple and this recipe pairs nicely with mashed potatoes, turkey, stuffing, you name it. I love how quickly I can throw it together and the flavor never disappoints!
xoxo erin
This post was originally published in November 2022. It was updated with new photos and instructions in October 2024.
This gluten-free gravy turns out perfectly every time, thanks to a couple easy tricks — like whisking butter and flour together before adding the stock.
Whether you’re cooking for a holiday dinner, Sunday meal, or a weeknight serving of mashed potatoes, this homemade gravy is the only recipe you need!
Featured Comment
From Kara: “Just made your gf turkey gravy and it is great! My daughter is thrilled to have a gravy option for Thanksgiving that is also delicious! I also made a non-gf turkey gravy and they taste very similar. Thanks for posting a great recipe, super appreciate it. Have a great Thanksgiving holiday!“
Table of Contents
- Erin’s Recipe Rundown
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- How to Make Gluten-Free Gravy
- Make-Ahead/Storage/Freezing Instructions
- Can this gluten-free gravy be made dairy-free?
- Does gravy typically contain gluten?
- How can the gravy be thickened without adding gluten?
- What is the best substitute for the gluten-free flour in this recipe?
- Gluten-Free Gravy Tips
- More Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Recipes
- Gluten-Free Gravy (5-Minutes!) Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here are a few notes on some of the key ingredients to make this gluten-free gravy. Jump to the recipe card below for the exact measurements.
- Chicken stock: You can use strained turkey or chicken drippings, homemade broth or stock, or boxed chicken stock or broth from the grocery store. If you go store-bought, just make sure to choose a flavorful, high-quality brand. Check out this article on is chicken broth gluten-free.
- Butter: Butter adds essential fat and flavor to the gravy. It’s important for lump-free, flavorful gravy, so don’t skip this ingredient! You can use salted or unsalted — if you use salted, you may need less salt at the end of the cooking process. For dairy-free, you can use olive oil or vegan butter, but you won’t get exactly the same buttery flavor!
- Gluten-free flour: Any gluten-free flour blend will work for this recipe. I like to use King Arthur Gluten-Free Measure-for-Measure Flour.
- Worcestershire sauce: This is the secret ingredient for getting the most flavorful gravy! In the U.S., Lea & Perrins brand is gluten-free. If you don’t have any Worcestershire sauce, you can use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari sauce, though they will add a slightly different flavor profile to the gravy. For more, check out this article on is Worcestershire sauce gluten-free?
- Spices: Salt and freshly ground black pepper help enhance the savory flavor of the gravy. Add more at the end for for the best balance of flavor!
You’ll love drizzling this gluten-free gravy over gluten-free mashed potatoes, turkey, roasted chicken, green beans, stuffing, and more!
How to Make Gluten-Free Gravy
Here’s an overview of how to make this gravy. You can jump to the recipe for the full instructions!
- In a medium saucepan: Melt butter over low-medium heat. Whisk in gluten-free flour.
- Keep whisking: Cook for another 2 minutes while contantly whisking.
- Add liquid: Keep whisking constantly as you slowly pour in 1/2 cup of the pan drippings, broth, or stock. You want it to form a paste. Add in the rest of the liquid, a 1/2 cup at a time. Whisk the gravy after adding each 1/2 cup. Stop adding liquid once it’s smooth.
- Over medium heat: Let the gravy simmer until it thickens.
- Season and serve: Take the gravy off the heat. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and season with salt and pepper. You want it well seasoned! Remember, if you used salted butter, it may not need as much salt. The gravy will continue to thicken as it cools. Enjoy!
You also might like these recipes for gluten-free scalloped potatoes and roasted sweet potatoes.
Make-Ahead/Storage/Freezing Instructions
To Make-Ahead: You can easily make this gravy ahead of time then refrigerate or freeze it until the day of. Reheat when ready to serve.
To Store: Let the gravy cool completely, then store it in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove on medium heat. Stir the gravy until it is warmed through. You can add a little more drippings, broth, or stock if it’s too thick.
To Freeze: Let cool completely, store in an airtight container or freezer bag, leaving some room for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat on the stove.
Can this gluten-free gravy be made dairy-free?
Yes, this recipe can be made dairy-free by using olive oil or vegan butter in place of the butter. You won’t get quite the same rich, buttery flavor, but you’ll still end up with some delicious gravy!
Does gravy typically contain gluten?
Most gravy recipes use wheat flour making them not gluten-free. You can easily make gluten-free gravy by using gluten-free flour or cornstarch instead of wheat flour. I love my gluten-free flour recipe because it’s easy, flavorful, and flexible!
How can the gravy be thickened without adding gluten?
This recipe uses gluten-free flour to thicken the gravy without gluten. It will thicken more as it cools. If you want to make the gravy even thicker, you can add cornstarch. Whisk 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of cold broth vigorously together, ensuring no clumps. Add it to the gravy and let it continue to simmer until it thickens.
What is the best substitute for the gluten-free flour in this recipe?
If you don’t have any gluten-free flour on hand, cornstarch is the best substitute to thicken the gravy. It’s naturally gluten-free too!
Gluten-Free Gravy Tips
- Add some greenery. Top your gluten-free gravy with fresh herbs (like oregano, parsley, thyme or sage) for a pretty touch of green and some extra flavor. You could also add these fresh herbs to the gravy base and let it simmer for added flavor. (Just remove the simmering herbs before serving.)
- Substitute cornstarch. If you don’t have any gluten-free flour on hand, you can use cornstarch instead to thicken the gravy base. You could also use arrowroot, if you’re in a pinch! You also might like this gluten-free pot roast.
- Make your gravy thicker. If you want to thicken the gravy after you’ve already added the stock, you can do so by mixing in a tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold broth. Whisk vigorously and make sure there aren’t any clumps. Then you can add this mixture to the gravy and continue boiling until it’s as thick as you’d like it to be.
- Enhance your store-bought stock. Homemade stock or pan drippings lend a richer flavor than store-bought stock, but you can boost the flavor of the boxed version before making the gravy. Just place the stock in a pot, add carrots, celery, and dried herbs (like bay leaf), and let it simmer for 30-45 minutes. Strain the stock, and then proceed with the recipe as instructed.
More Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Recipes
Gluten-Free Gravy (5-Minutes!)
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 – 2 1/2 cups chicken stock or pan drippings strained if using pan drippings (top up with chicken stock if needed – you can also use all chicken stock if preferred!)
- 1/4 cup butter
- 3 tablespoons gluten-free measure-for-measure flour any brand will work
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce Lea & Perrins is gluten-free
- Kosher salt and pepper if needed
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low-medium heat. Whisk in the gluten-free flour and allow to cook for 2 minutes, while whisking.
- While whisking constantly, slowly pour in 1/2 cup of the pan drippings from the roast turkey and whisk until it forms a paste. Add the remaining liquid in 1/2 cup increments, whisking in between, until the gravy is smooth.
- Allow the gluten-free gravy to simmer over medium heat until thickened. Take off heat, stir in the Worcestershire sauce and season with salt and pepper. (This is important! Make sure it’s well seasoned. I like to add a pinch of salt and a few good cracks of pepper.)
- The gravy will continue to thicken as it cools. Enjoy!
I made this gravy without the Worcestershire sauce, & my husband & I thoroughly enjoyed it ! It was delicious! The best gravy I have ever made!
Yay! We’re so pleased you and your husband both loved the recipe, Sheila! Thank you for sharing your positive feedback with us!
Would this work with ham drippings?
Hi Christin, it may work, but would most likely need other ingredient adjustments since ham drippings are generally saltier and contain more fat. It would also change the flavor profile. If you decide to give it a try, we’d love to hear how it goes!
Mine keeps breaking when I add the liquid. Any advice?
Hi Foster, that usually happens when the temperatures are off or the liquid is added too quickly. Add the liquids very slowly while whisking constantly. Make sure you keep the burner on low-medium so that it cooks low and slow. High temperatures will cause it to break. You could even try warming the chicken stock/pan drippings if they are cold so the fat doesn’t clump up. We hope these ideas help!
I have not tried any of these yet. I totally intend to. My man is allergic to Gluten and he likes to cook. So I got these recipes for him, hopefully he will make at least one or two. So I will let you know !
We hope you both enjoy the recipes!
Made this on Thanksgiving. Turned out great! Thanks.
Great! I’m glad you enjoyed the gravy!
Just made your gf turkey gravy and it is great! My daughter is thrilled to have a gravy option for Thanksgiving that is also delicious! I also made a non-gf turkey gravy and they taste very similar. Thanks for posting a great recipe, super appreciate it. Have a great Thanksgiving holiday!
do you have a favorite chicken broth?
I like to use the boxed chicken stock from Costco!
I love all of your recipes. Thank you so much
My husband is allergic to coconut so when I have to use coconut oil in recipes l what can I substitute.