How To Add Spice To Gravy

Well-spiced gravy complements any meal.

Image Credit: Ryan Benyi Photography/Image Source/GettyImages

In This Article

    Beef Gravy
  
    Chicken and Turkey Gravy
  
    Pork Gravy
  
    Fish Gravy
  
    Vegetable Gravy
  Making homemade gravy is one of the most daunting challenges a new cook can face. Getting the thickness right, making sure there are no lumps and not scorching it are all hurdles.

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 Then, you ‌still‌ have to figure out how to season your gravy. The best time to do that is while it's beginning to thicken. But there are hundreds of spices to choose from, and not every spice goes with every kind of gravy. Don't panic. Choosing gravy spices is a snap once you know the basics.

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  1. Beef Gravy: Strong-Flavored, Savory Herbs

Dried bay leaf, marjoram, sage and thyme add a rich depth to beef gravy. Grated nutmeg adds an unexpected grace note, and coarse pepper of any kind — black, green, pink or white — adds a tangy bite. Onion and garlic powder also work but these can easily overwhelm the other spices.

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 2. Chicken and Turkey Gravy: Lighter Savory Spices.

Premixed poultry seasoning is the simplest choice. It usually contains oregano, rosemary, sage, thyme and pepper. Adventurous cooks can also experiment with ginger, marjoram, paprika and tarragon. Lemon pepper adds a fresh bite to poultry gravy. 3. Pork Gravy: Garlic and Onion Sprinkle generous amounts of strong-flavored spices into pork gravy to complement its richer flavor. Garlic and onion are best with pork, though these also complemented by oregano and sage.

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 4. Fish Gravy: Lemon Juice

Use a light touch when seasoning fish gravies to avoid overwhelming the delicate taste of the main dish. Lemon juice is best unless your gravy is cream-based. To avoid curdling the cream, use lemon zest or dried lemon peel. Curry, dill and mustard go well with fish, as do marjoram and paprika. 5. Vegetable Gravy: Match the Natural Flavors Season vegetable gravy according to the natural flavors of the produce in question. Strong, green vegetables like broccoli and kale can stand up to bold flavors like lemon, garlic and onion.

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 More delicate vegetables like leeks and cauliflower do better with lighter curry, dill, cinnamon and parsley. Carrots and most squash are also complemented by cinnamon, allspice and other so-called baking spices.

Tip Always use a light hand when adding spices to gravy because you can always put more in, but you can’t take any out. Warning Never over-salt gravy because it not only overwhelms the other flavors, but too much sodium can contribute to high blood pressure.

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  references & resources
  
      Real Simple: "Vegetarian Gravy Recipe"
    
      BBC Good Food: "11 Dried Herbs Every Cook Should Own"
    
      Chow-Hub: "Homemade Turkey Gravy"
       




  references & resources
  
      Real Simple: "Vegetarian Gravy Recipe"
    
      BBC Good Food: "11 Dried Herbs Every Cook Should Own"
    
      Chow-Hub: "Homemade Turkey Gravy"
    




Well-spiced gravy complements any meal.

Image Credit: Ryan Benyi Photography/Image Source/GettyImages

Beef Gravy
Chicken and Turkey Gravy
Pork Gravy
Fish Gravy
Vegetable Gravy

Always use a light hand when adding spices to gravy because you can always put more in, but you can’t take any out.

Never over-salt gravy because it not only overwhelms the other flavors, but too much sodium can contribute to high blood pressure.

      Real Simple: "Vegetarian Gravy Recipe"
    
      BBC Good Food: "11 Dried Herbs Every Cook Should Own"
    
      Chow-Hub: "Homemade Turkey Gravy"