5 Gravy Recipes That’ll Make Your Holiday Roasts Taste Special

gravy recipes
Photo by Emanuel Ekström on Unsplash

December is finally here! And between those family potlucks, festive soirees, or a small get together with friends, chances are you’ll need to roast a turkey/ham/meatloaf or two. And yes, pot roasts can be delicious on their own. But just a splash of gravy can take them to a whole new level. So, if you want to elevate your roasts (or even your side dishes) this year, the following gravy recipes are definitely worth the try.

1. Onion Gravy

This gravy recipe will be your new gold standard – for good reason! You see, despite its complex (almost restaurant-worthy) flavor, the sauce is very simple to make. In fact, all you need to do is add the ingredients to a saucepan and simmer to perfection. Who said making gravy was a hassle?

Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter (plus 2 tbsp)
  • 2 cups dried onions
  • 2 ½ cups beef stock
  • ¼ cup red wine
  • ½ tsp mustard powder
  • ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1½ tsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

  1. Add the onions to a bowl along with 4 cups of warm water. Soak for 15 minutes. Squeeze away excess liquid and set aside.
  2. In a large saucepan, melt the butter (minus the 2 tablespoons) over medium heat. Add the onions and the sugar, turn the heat to low, and cook until the onions are caramelized (about 15-20 minutes).
  3. Add the wine and thyme, turn the heat back to medium, and simmer for 5 minutes.
  4. Then, add the stock, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce and reduce the heat to low. Season the gravy with salt and pepper to your taste and simmer for 20 minutes.
  5. Stir in the vinegar and cornstarch and simmer for a couple of minutes or until the gravy has thickened. Keep stirring during this step to prevent the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the saucepan.
  6. Whisk in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and stir until it’s dissolved. Remove from the heat, let cool for a while, and serve.

Best paired with: Beef, pork, or lamb roast.

2. Mushroom Gravy

A great source of umami, the mushrooms in this gravy will boost the flavors of your roast, especially if we’re talking about a turkey. To spare yourself the workload, you can prep the gravy a day in advance and store it in the fridge until ready to use.

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Add the mushrooms and onions to a bowl along with 3 cups of warm water. Soak for 15 minutes. Squeeze away excess liquid and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the mushrooms, onions, thyme, and garlic and sauté for 5-6 minutes or until the mushrooms are nicely browned.
  3. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Add the stock, stir, reduce the heat to low, and simmer until the gravy thickens.
  4. Remove from the heat, season with salt and pepper, and serve.

Best paired with: Turkey, beef, or pork roast.

3. Cherry Gravy

An unexpected twist on the classic sauce, this gravy recipe uses cherries’ sweetness to add a kick to your roasts and side dishes (hello, mashed potatoes!). It also doesn’t hurt that it requires just 5 ingredients and takes less than 30 minutes to make.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 1 cup frozen cherries
  • 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
  • 2/3 red wine
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

  1. In a bowl, add the cherries along with 2 cups of warm water. Soak for 15 minutes. Once hydrated, squeeze away excess liquid and set aside.
  2. Add the vinegar and sugar to a saucepan and simmer over medium heat until you have a sticky caramel-like sauce.
  3. Pour in the stock and the wine and keep simmering for 20-25 minutes or until the gravy has reduced by 2/3.
  4. Then, add the cherries and simmer gently for a couple of minutes more.
  5. Remove from the heat, season with salt and pepper, puree with an immersion blender and serve.

Best paired with: Duck, chicken, or pork roast.

4. Apple Gravy

From salads to pancakes, apples can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. But just as we thought we cooked with the fruit in any way possible, we came across this gravy recipe. The dressing proves there’s yet another way to enjoy apples, and this time (not next to) with your holiday roast.

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Add the apples and onions to a bowl along with 2 cups of warm water. Soak for 15 minutes. Once hydrated, squeeze away excess liquid and set aside.
  2. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Sautée the apples, onion, garlic, and thyme for 15 minutes until fork-tender.
  3. Pour in the stock and simmer for 10 more minutes.
  4. Whisk in the cornstarch and stir until the gravy has thickened.
  5. Remove from the heat, season with salt and pepper, puree with an immersion blender and serve.

Best paired with: Chicken, turkey, duck, or pork roast.

5. Blueberry Sage Gravy

Perfect for a holiday roast with a gourmet twist, this gravy is so aromatic. It’ll put your whole house into a festive mood. The blueberries will also add a pop of color to your main dish – making your food not only taste but look good, too.

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Add the blueberries to a bowl along with 2 cups of warm water. Soak for 15 minutes. Once hydrated, squeeze away excess liquid and set aside.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the dried onions and garlic and sauté for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
  3. Pour in the wine and sugar, turn the heat to high, and simmer until the gravy has reduced by half.
  4. Add the stock and cook for another 10 minutes.
  5. Whisk in the cornstarch and stir until the mixture thickens.
  6. Remove from the heat, season with salt and pepper, puree with an immersion blender and serve.

Best paired with: Duck, beef, or pork roast.

Which of these innovative gravy recipes would you like to try out this year? Let us know in the comments down below!

References:

  1. https://www.daringgourmet.com/onion-gravy/
  2. https://www.countrysidecravings.com/easy-mushroom-gravy/
  3. https://www.gressinghamduck.co.uk/recipes/cherry-red-wine-sauce/
  4. https://www.countrygrocer.com/recipe/roasted-apple-onion-chicken-gravy/
  5. https://www.deliciousliving.com/old-nh360/food-and-beverage/blackberry-sage-sauce/