Gravies – All You Need to Know | Instacart’s Guide to Groceries

What are gravies?

Gravies are rich sauces popular in American cuisine. In a nutshell, they’re a mixture of fat, flour, and liquid. Although most recipes use the juices that flow from slow-cooked meat, vegetarian gravies exist, too.

There are hundreds of gravy recipes out there. Because they’re such a staple in American homes, it’s not uncommon for families to have their tried-and-true recipes. Gravies usually accompany meats, potatoes and vegetables, grits, biscuits, toast, and even waffles—both at breakfast and during feast-like meals.

Making gravy from scratch isn’t too difficult, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t more convenient options available. Several brands now sell gravy sauce preparations that are easy and quick to whip up at home. They can come in the form of a powder mix, granules, bouillon cube, or in a can.

What are the different types of gravy?

Each gravy type has its unique texture and flavor profile. Different dishes call for different types of gravy. These are some of the most popular ones:

1. Brown gravy: Made with the juices of roasted meat (such as beef) or fowl (like chicken) and onions, this gravy gets its name from its color. 
2. White gravy: Creamy and thoroughly spiced, this one is made either with butter or meat drippings, milk, and black pepper.
3. Red-eye gravy: This gravy calls for ham juices and strong coffee (but no flour)—a seemingly odd, runny combination that’s a classic in Southern states.
4. Sausage gravy: Another creamy gravy, this one gets its rich flavors from sausage and its fat.
5. Shrimp gravy: Popular along South Carolina’s coast, shrimp gravy is the only one on this list made with seafood. Its main ingredients include vegetables, bacon, and low country seasoning.
6. Mushroom gravy: Butter, chopped mushrooms, flour, and vegetable broth come together to make a delicious vegetarian-friendly gravy.
7. Onion gravy: This gravy builds uses bacon fat, caramelized onions, and wine to build flavor.
8. Tomato gravy: This summer staple makes the most of butter, juicy ripe tomatoes, and stock.

Grab it now on Instacart:

McCormick® Brown Gravy Mix (0.87 oz)

Spring Creek White Gravy Sausage (480 oz)

Wild Boar Red Eye Gravy Mix (1.7 oz)

Libby's Country Sausage Gravy Canned Gravy (15 oz)

Tropics Pancit Palabok Shrimp Gravy Mix (2 oz)

Best Yet Mushroom Gravy (0.7 oz)

McCormick® Onion Gravy Seasoning Mix (0.9 oz)

Jersey Italian Gravy Tomato Gravy, the Original (25 oz)

Where did gravies originate?

The first mentions of gravies show up in English medieval cookbooks, though what was served back then was more of a soup than a thick sauce. It wasn’t until the late 1700s—in England and the United States—that home cooks started adding flour and liquid to this old-timey “gravy” to make the side we love.

Nowadays, gravies are eaten in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other Commonwealth countries. Of course, it is also enjoyed in the U.S., the only country where the non-meaty versions of this sauce are also called gravy.

How are gravies made?

Gravy recipes vary a lot between countries, regions, and even from family to family. But most follow the same barebones recipe, changing up proportions and seasonings used.

1. First, fat is added to a pan. Usually, this is meat drippings, but it can also be butter or even lard.
2. Then, flour (or another thickening agent, like cornstarch or potato starch) is stirred in until it forms a paste.
3. After a minute or so, cooks add a liquid—broth or stock are most common, but some types of gravy use milk or even wine.
4. This mixture cooks on low heat until it thickens and is then served while it’s still hot.

How do you pick gravies at the grocery store?

With so many gravies on the market, it’s important to choose the right one for your meals.

Start by choosing what type of gravy you’re after. Focus on consistency (thick or runny) and flavor profile (meaty or creamy). For example, white gravy goes along nicely with chicken fried steak, while brown gravy pairs well with meatloaf.

Then, pick one type of gravy preparation. Gravy mixes and granules both require some prep work, while canned gravies are ready to serve as-is.

If you have food allergies, you’ll need to read the labels carefully. Many gravies contain gluten, lactose, and other allergens (such as shellfish, in the case of shrimp gravy) that could trigger a reaction.

Lastly, keep in mind that many commercial gravies have significant amounts of salt. If you’re on a special diet that restricts sodium intake, choose one that fits your needs.

If you’re looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for gravies via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products.

How to store gravy

Pre-packaged gravies can be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. They’ll stay good for many months as long as the packaging is closed. Manufacturers will typically include a disclaimer of a gravy’s shelf life.

Once they’re prepared, gravies need to be refrigerated in an air-tight container. They’re safe to eat for 1-2 days after being made. After that, they’ll go bad.

To keep your gravies good for longer, freeze them. Pour them into a glass or plastic container, a freezing bag, or an ice cube tray. Then, use them up within 2-3 months.

How to tell if gravies have gone bad

Gravies that have spoiled smell sour or rancid. Their texture is also off and you may be able to see the fat coagulate or separate from the rest of the sauce. On top of that, spoiled gravy can develop moldy spots. If you see any of these signs, throw the gravy away.

What can I substitute for gravies?

Some gravies are almost interchangeable. For example, you can substitute chicken gravy for turkey gravy and vice-versa. Or you could swap out beef gravy for mushroom or onion gravy (especially if those were made with beef broth).

Bechamel sauce can also work in recipes that call for white gravy. Just make sure to taste it and adjust the seasonings as you see fit (for starters, black pepper is probably needed).

Take your dishes to the next level with gravies

Home-cooked meals are so much better with gravy, but you don’t have to make it from scratch yourself. Stock up on convenient gravy preparations you can add to just about any supper via Instacart.

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