This Keto Gravy Recipe couldn't be any easier and is ready in under 5 minutes. That's all you need to make a gravy that requires no pan drippings, has amazing color, and the perfect consistency. No gloopy gravy here!
I will also show you how to thicken this gluten free gravy recipe with and without Xanthan gum. This low carb gravy is only 57 calories and 1 total carb per generous serving!
Keto Gravy
Traditional gravy is made with combing a fat (such as meat drippings) with regular flour to make a roux. Then a liquid is whisked into the roux and a thick gravy is the result. You can see where this could be an issue with the keto diet and for someone who is gluten free.
This keto gravy is pretty similar to a regular brown gravy recipe, we just need to use a different thickener other than flour. My personal choice is Xanthan gum, but I will gives some alternatives. Also pictured above is my Keto Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes. The two make an amazing combo!
What you need
You really can have a multitude of combinations when it comes to making delicious gravy, so feel free to experiment! Different fats, different broths, and different seasonings all come together to make different flavor combinations. Here's what I think makes the best keto gravy. The printable recipe card is further down the page.
2 cups water combined with 3 teaspoons beef and 2 teaspoons chicken stock concentrate (use low sodium like in the photo): This will make our low-carb gravy rich in flavor and color. You can use carton beef broth or chicken broth, but honestly, the resulting flavor will have less oomph, and the color will be pale.
4 tablespoons butter: This is our necessary fat for our gravy. For weeknight dinners, this or bacon fat is what I would recommend. For the holiday season, you can substitute with turkey drippings.
¾ teaspoon Xanthan gum: You only need a little bit of this thickening agent to make the perfect consistency gravy. If you like thick gravy, add up to 1 teaspoon. What is Xanthan gum? See below for substitutes.
Salt, black pepper, ½ teaspoon onion powder or garlic powder (optional)
The best way to make keto-friendly gravy
Let's take these simple ingredients, a small saucepan, and make this homemade keto gravy in 5 minutes.
- Measure out 2 cups of hot water into a liquid measuring cup and stir in both broth concentrates. Set aside.
- Add the butter to the small sauce pan and heat over medium heat. Whisk in the Xanthan gum (this is a great way to keep your Xanthan gum from clumping together!) The Xanthan gum will melt into the butter.
- Whisk the water into the melted butter mixture. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat and let simmer for a couple minutes. Remove from the heat.
- Season to taste. The gravy will thicken as it cools. Pour in a gravy boat to be fancy!
Keto gravy without Xanthan gum
Instead of the ¾ teaspoon of Xanthan gum this recipe calls for, you could use these others as a keto thickener. Note: 4 tablespoons of all purpose flour will add just under 3 carbs per serving, so if none of these options sound appealing, AP flour isn't a terrible option unless you need gluten-free.
- Glucomannan - use ¾ teaspoon in the recipe just as the Xanthan gum is used. This will not add to the carb count.
- Tapioca Starch or Arrowroot Starch - Mix 2 tablespoons with cold water to make a slurry. Add to the gravy and bring to a boil to thicken. These will add about 1.5 carbs per serving to the gravy.
- Guar gum powder - Use 1 teaspoon. It mixes into liquids without needing heat to activate, but mixing with the melted butter helps with clumping.
- Cornstarch - Mix 2 tablespoons with cold water to make a slurry. Add to the gravy and bring to a boil to thicken. This will add about 1.75 carbs per serving to the gravy.
Delicious ways to use gravy
- Cauliflower mash is always going to be great with gravy as well as keto stuffing and a roasted whole turkey for a perfect holiday meal. (Use the turkey pan drippings to make the gravy!)
- Chicken gravy like this one is amazing over Air Fryer Chicken Breasts.
- Try my Keto Biscuits and Sausage Gravy for a breakfast treat.
- Gravy on your Keto Pot Roast or roast beef would be a perfect combo.
Easy Keto Gravy Recipe - With or Without Xanthan Gum
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Ingredients
- 2 cups Hot water
- 3 teaspoons Low Sodium Beef Broth Concentrate
- 2 teaspoons Low Sodium Chicken Broth Concentrate
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ¾ teaspoon xanthan gum, Alternatives in the post above
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder or onion powder, if desired
Instructions
- Measure out 2 cups of hot water into a liquid measuring cup and stir in both broth concentrates. Set aside.
- Add the butter to a small sauce pan and heat over medium heat. Whisk in the Xanthan gum (this is a great way to keep your Xanthan gum from clumping together!) The Xanthan gum will melt into the butter.
- Whisk the broth into the melted butter mixture. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat and let simmer for a couple minutes. Remove from the heat.
- Season to taste. The gravy will thicken as it cools.
Notes
- Store extra gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- This recipe yields approximately 2.5 cups of gravy
- See the post above for alternatives to Xanthan gum
Nutrition per serving
Nutrition is provided as a courtesy only. Please re-calculate on your own with the ingredients and amounts you used for the most accurate data.
Teri says
Thick, smooth, delicious and easy gravy!
Janet B says
I have been sad I could no longer eat gravy the way I made it. But found this recipe and it is awesome. I made a roast in the Instant Pot and there were lots of juices left in the pot. So cut the recipe in 1/2 since it was just me using the gravy and used the juices from the roast for my water and seasonings. The measurements were perfect and the gravy was thickened perfectly. Thank you!! My tummy is happy!!
Donna says
Love your cauliflower mashed potatoes! I make them often. Thanks for a great recipe
Kristin Lannum says
Jennifer, made your keto mashed "potatoes" and my son just wolfed them down and could not get enough. Will try the gravy next!!
Jennifer Banz says
That is so great to hear!