If you’ve ever craved that rich, comforting drizzle of KFC’s signature gravy, you’re in for a treat. I’m excited to share my KFC Style Homemade Gravy Recipe that tastes just like the real deal—but honestly, I think it’s even better! This gravy comes together in just minutes, with ingredients you might already have in your pantry. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll never want to buy the canned stuff again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 5 minutes using simple pantry staples.
- Authentic Flavor: Combines chicken and beef stock cubes for a perfectly balanced, rich taste.
- Versatile: Pairs beautifully with everything from mashed potatoes to roast meats.
- No Fancy Ingredients: Uses basic items you probably already have on hand.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This KFC Style Homemade Gravy Recipe is all about blending savory flavors with a silky, smooth texture. The key is using both chicken and beef stock cubes—the beef adds richness and color, while chicken brings that classic gravy base. Butter and flour come together for the perfect roux that thickens the gravy just right. A little onion powder and black pepper round out the flavor.
- Chicken stock cube: Adds a gentle, familiar chicken flavor that compliments the beef perfectly.
- Beef stock cube: Gives the gravy that deep, rich taste and beautiful brown color.
- Boiling water: Helps dissolve the cubes quickly, so your gravy is smooth and lump-free.
- Unsalted butter: Creates a rich base for the roux without adding extra salt.
- Plain/all-purpose flour: Thickens the gravy to that luscious consistency we all love.
- Onion powder: Adds subtle sweetness and depth; you can swap it for garlic powder if you prefer.
- Black pepper: For a gentle kick of warmth and spice.
- Salt: To taste—start small, and adjust as you go!
Variations
I love how easy it is to tweak this KFC Style Homemade Gravy Recipe to suit your mood or dietary needs. Playing around with the spices or adding extras can make each batch feel fresh and special—plus, it’s a great way to use what you have on hand.
- Make It Gluten-Free: I’ve swapped plain flour for gluten-free flour blends, and the results are just as smooth and tasty—perfect if you’re gluten sensitive.
- Herb Boost: Sometimes I sprinkle in a bit of dried thyme or sage to give it a homey, herby twist that pairs wonderfully with roast chicken.
- Garlic Flavor: If you’re a garlic lover like me, try substituting onion powder with garlic powder—it adds a little extra punch.
- Extra Creamy: For a richer gravy, splash in a tablespoon of cream or whole milk at the end—my family goes crazy for this version!
How to Make KFC Style Homemade Gravy Recipe
Step 1: Make Your Flavorful Stock Base
Start by crumbling one chicken and one beef stock cube into 2 1/4 cups of boiling water. Stir well until fully dissolved—this is your flavor-packed gravy base. The hot water helps the cubes melt smoothly and release their savory goodness.
Step 2: Whip Up the Roux
In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted, add 4 tablespoons of plain flour along with ½ teaspoon onion powder and ¼ teaspoon finely ground black pepper. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon or whisk to combine everything into a thick paste. This roux is the magic that thickens your gravy.
Step 3: Slowly Add the Stock Mixture
While stirring continuously, pour in half of the hot stock liquid slowly, letting it fully incorporate into the roux. You’ll see it thicken quickly. Then add the remaining liquid and keep stirring to stop lumps from forming. Within about 2 minutes, your gravy will thicken perfectly to that silky, pourable consistency.
Step 4: Taste and Adjust
Give your gravy a taste and add salt if needed—it usually depends on your stock cubes’ saltiness. You can also add a bit more black pepper if you like a little extra kick. Once it’s just right, remove from heat and get ready to pour on your favorite dishes!
Pro Tips for Making KFC Style Homemade Gravy Recipe
- Use Crumbled Cubes: I discovered using crumbled stock cubes instead of powdered stock gives a richer color and deeper flavor—especially with the beef cube.
- Stir Constantly: To avoid lumps, keep the whisk or spoon moving when adding liquid—it helps keep everything silky smooth.
- Don’t Overcook: The gravy thickens fast since the water’s boiling, so take it off heat once it reaches the right texture to avoid it becoming gloopy.
- Adjust Seasoning Last: I always taste once it’s fully thickened—sometimes stock cubes can be salty, so be cautious before adding extra salt.
How to Serve KFC Style Homemade Gravy Recipe
Garnishes
Honestly, this gravy doesn’t need much fuss. But sometimes I like to throw on a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or a tiny pinch of freshly cracked black pepper just before serving. It adds a fresh pop without overpowering the classic flavor.
Side Dishes
This gravy is a match made in heaven with mashed potatoes—especially my KFC copycat mashed potatoes recipe, which is extra creamy and light. It’s also fantastic drizzled over roast chicken, pork chops, beef steaks, sautéed veggies, or even sausages. My family practically licks the plate clean!
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, I like to serve this gravy in a small gravy boat alongside a beautifully roasted meat platter. Another fun idea is using it as a base for a loaded mashed potato bar where everyone adds their own toppings—gravy included, of course!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually pour leftover gravy into an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just give it a good stir before reheating, as the flour can settle. This way, you can enjoy it again with next day’s dinner without starting from scratch.
Freezing
Freezing this gravy works well too! I portion it into small freezer-safe containers or bags, label them, and freeze for up to 2 months. When you thaw it, it might separate slightly, but a gentle rewhisk over low heat brings it back to life beautifully.
Reheating
I prefer reheating gravy gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently until warmed through. This keeps the texture smooth. If you’re in a rush, a quick blast in the microwave works fine—just be sure to stir halfway through so it heats evenly.
FAQs
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Can I make this KFC Style Homemade Gravy Recipe without stock cubes?
Absolutely! If you prefer, you can use homemade chicken and beef stock instead of cubes. Just reduce the amount of salt added since homemade stocks vary in saltiness. The flavor might be slightly different, but it will still be deliciously rich.
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What if my gravy is too thick or too thin?
If your gravy ends up too thick, simply whisk in a little more hot water a tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, melt a small bit more butter, add an equal amount of flour to make a quick roux, and whisk that into your gravy to thicken.
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Can I prepare the gravy in advance?
Yes! You can make this gravy up to a day ahead and keep it refrigerated. Reheat gently before serving. Just be sure to stir to recombine any thickness that might have developed in the fridge.
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Is this gravy recipe gluten-free?
The recipe as written uses plain flour, which contains gluten. However, you can easily make a gluten-free version by swapping in a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. The taste and texture remain close to the original.
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Why do you use both chicken and beef stock cubes?
Using both gives the gravy a layered flavor. Chicken stock brings a light, savory base, while beef stock adds that deeper, meaty richness and dark brown color, mimicking the classic KFC gravy taste. Together they balance beautifully.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this KFC Style Homemade Gravy Recipe turns out every single time. It’s quick, reliable, and versus store-bought options, the flavor is just next level. When I first tried this combination of stock cubes and roux method, I realized gravy doesn’t have to be complicated to be incredible. So next time you’re craving that perfect gravy for dinner, give this one a shot—you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
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KFC Style Homemade Gravy Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 4 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This rich and flavorful gravy recipe combines the savory depth of both chicken and beef stock cubes to create a taste reminiscent of KFC’s famous gravy, but even better. Ready in just 4 minutes, this easy-to-make gravy is perfect for serving over chops, steak, sausages, veggies, and various roasts.
Ingredients
Stock Base
- 1 chicken stock cube or bouillon cube (or 2 tsp powder)
- 1 beef stock cube or bouillon cube (or 2 tsp powder)
- 2 1/4 cups (565 ml) boiling water
Roux
- 60 g (4 tbsp) unsalted butter
- 4 tbsp plain/all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp onion powder (optional; can substitute with garlic powder)
- 1/4 tsp finely ground black pepper
- Salt, to taste (if needed)
Instructions
- Prepare Stock Mixture: Crumble the chicken and beef stock cubes into the boiling water and stir well until fully dissolved to create a flavorful liquid base.
- Melt Butter: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter until it’s fully liquid but not browned.
- Create Roux: Add the flour, onion powder, and black pepper to the melted butter. Using a wooden spoon or whisk, combine thoroughly to form a smooth mixture.
- Incorporate Stock Liquid: While stirring continuously, slowly pour in half of the hot stock liquid, mixing constantly to avoid lumps. Once incorporated and thickened into a roux, gradually add the remaining stock liquid, stirring to combine smoothly.
- Thicken Gravy: Continue to stir the mixture for 1.5 to 2 minutes as it thickens to a gravy consistency, taking advantage of the already hot water for rapid thickening. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding salt or pepper if necessary.
- Serve: Pour the finished gravy over your choice of dishes such as chops, steak, sausages, vegetables, roast chicken, pork, beef, or lamb.
Notes
- The secret to this gravy’s exceptional flavor is using both chicken and beef stock cubes—beef provides rich color and depth, while chicken offers a solid flavor base.
- Using crumbled stock cubes instead of powder can improve color and results as some beef powders don’t brown as nicely.
- This gravy pairs exceptionally well with KFC-style mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
- To make gluten-free gravy, substitute the plain flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- The recipe can be prepared quickly in about 4 minutes total, making it ideal for weeknight meals.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 90 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 392 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
