Keto Gravy Recipe (Ready in 5 Minutes, No Drippings Needed)

This keto gravy is rich, silky, and ready in just 5 minutes with no pan drippings required. It has the same savory flavor and smooth texture as traditional brown gravy, but it's thickened without flour so it stays low carb, gluten free, and keto friendly.

What This Keto Gravy Tastes Like

This keto gravy tastes just like a classic brown gravy. It's rich, savory, buttery, and packed with deep beefy flavor from the broth concentrates. The texture is smooth and silky, making it perfect for pouring over mashed cauliflower, turkey, roast beef, or pork.

Unlike some low carb gravies that can be thin or gelatinous, this version thickens beautifully and has the same comforting texture you expect from traditional gravy. The combination of beef and chicken broth creates a balanced flavor that tastes like it simmered for hours, even though it's ready in just minutes.

Ingredients You'll Need

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)

How To Make Keto Gravy

This keto gravy comes together in one saucepan and takes just a few minutes to make.

1. Make the broth mixture

In a liquid measuring cup, whisk together the hot water, beef broth concentrate, and chicken broth concentrate until dissolved.

2. Melt the butter and add the xanthan gum

In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the xanthan gum until it is fully incorporated. Mixing the xanthan gum into the butter first helps prevent clumping.

3. Add the broth and simmer

Slowly whisk the broth mixture into the saucepan. Bring the gravy to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, whisking occasionally.

4. Season and serve

Remove the gravy from the heat and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder or onion powder if desired. The gravy will continue to thicken slightly as it cools. Serve immediately over mashed cauliflower, turkey, roast beef, pork, or chicken.

How To Thicken Gravy Without Flour

Traditional gravy is thickened with flour, but there are several options for making a rich, smooth gravy without flour. Whether you're following a keto diet, eating gluten free, or simply out of flour, these alternatives work well depending on your needs.

Not all flour-free thickeners are low carb, so if you're making keto gravy, xanthan gum or glucomannan are your best options.

Xanthan Gum

Xanthan gum is my favorite way to thicken keto gravy because you only need a small amount and it adds virtually no carbs. Whisk it into melted butter before adding the broth to help prevent clumping. Start with ¾ teaspoon and add more if you prefer a thicker gravy.

Glucomannan

Glucomannan is another low-carb thickener made from konjac root. It thickens similarly to xanthan gum and can usually be substituted in equal amounts. It's a great option if you don't like the texture xanthan gum can sometimes create.

Guar Gum

Guar gum is a plant-based thickener that works well in gravies and sauces. It thickens quickly and doesn't require heat to activate, though mixing it into the melted butter first helps avoid lumps.

Arrowroot Starch

Arrowroot starch is not keto-friendly but is a good gluten-free alternative to flour. Mix it with a little cold water to create a slurry before whisking it into the simmering gravy.

Cornstarch

Cornstarch is another common flour substitute for thickening gravy. Like arrowroot, it should be mixed with cold water first to prevent clumping. While it does add some carbohydrates, the amount per serving is still relatively low.

Can You Make Keto Gravy With Turkey Drippings?

Can You Make Keto Gravy With Turkey Drippings?

Yes! Turkey drippings are one of the best ways to add even more flavor to this keto gravy, especially during the holidays. Simply replace some or all of the butter with the drippings from your roasted turkey. The rendered fat adds richness and gives the gravy a more traditional Thanksgiving flavor.

If your drippings include juices from the bottom of the roasting pan, you can use those in place of some of the broth as well. Just be sure to taste before adding extra salt since drippings can already be quite salty.

I still like to use broth concentrate even when making gravy with turkey drippings because it boosts the savory flavor and creates a deeper brown color. The result is a rich, smooth gravy that tastes like it simmered all day but only takes a few minutes to make.

Tips For Smooth, Lump-Free Gravy

Making keto gravy is simple, but a few small tricks will help ensure it turns out silky smooth every time.

• Whisk the xanthan gum into the melted butter before adding the broth. This is the easiest way to prevent clumps from forming.
• Add the broth gradually while whisking constantly to keep the gravy smooth and evenly mixed.
• Don't add too much xanthan gum at once. A little goes a long way, and adding too much can make the gravy overly thick or slightly gummy.
• Let the gravy simmer for a few minutes before deciding if it needs more thickener. It will continue to thicken as it cooks and cools.
• If the gravy becomes too thick, simply whisk in a little extra broth or water until it reaches your desired consistency.
• Taste before adding extra salt. Broth concentrates and turkey drippings can vary in saltiness.
• For the smoothest texture, keep the heat at a gentle simmer rather than a rapid boil.
• If you notice a few small lumps, whisk vigorously or use an immersion blender for a few seconds to smooth everything out.

Why Is My Keto Gravy Too Thin?

If your gravy seems thin, don't panic. Keto gravy often continues to thicken as it simmers and cools. Let it cook for a few more minutes, then allow it to rest briefly before deciding if it needs additional thickener. If it's still too thin, whisk in a tiny pinch of xanthan gum at a time. A little goes a long way.

Why Is My Keto Gravy Too Thick?

If your gravy becomes thicker than you'd like, simply whisk in a little extra broth or water until it reaches your preferred consistency. Add the liquid gradually while whisking to keep the gravy smooth.

Why Did My Xanthan Gum Clump?

Xanthan gum can form small lumps if it's added directly to liquid. The easiest way to avoid clumping is to whisk it into the melted butter first before adding the broth. If your gravy already has lumps, continue whisking vigorously or blend it briefly with an immersion blender.

Why Is My Gravy Slimy?

Using too much xanthan gum is the most common reason keto gravy develops a slimy or gelatinous texture. Start with the amount called for in the recipe and only add more if needed. For a more traditional gravy texture, some people prefer using glucomannan as the thickener instead.

Ways To Use Keto Gravy

This keto gravy is one of those recipes that can instantly make a meal feel more comforting and satisfying. While it's perfect for holiday dinners, I make it throughout the year whenever I want to add extra flavor to simple proteins and side dishes.

• Pour it over Keto Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes for a classic low carb comfort food meal.
• Serve it with Roasted Whole Turkey, Keto Stuffing, and your favorite holiday sides for Thanksgiving dinner.
• Spoon it over Keto Pot Roast or roast beef to add even more rich, savory flavor.
• Drizzle it over Air Fryer Chicken Breast, baked chicken thighs, or pork chops for an easy weeknight dinner.
• Serve it alongside meatloaf and mashed cauliflower for a family-friendly comfort food meal.

One of my favorite ways to serve this gravy is over cauliflower mash with sliced roast beef or turkey. It's simple, comforting, and tastes just like a traditional homestyle meal without all the extra carbs.

Storage Instructions

Leftover keto gravy stores surprisingly well, making it a great recipe to prepare ahead of holiday meals or save for leftovers throughout the week.

• Store cooled gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• As the gravy chills, it will thicken considerably. This is normal.
• To reheat, warm the gravy gently in a saucepan over low heat, whisking frequently. Add a splash of broth or water if needed to thin it back to your desired consistency.
• You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave using 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval.
• Keto gravy can be frozen for up to 3 months. Let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. The texture may separate slightly after freezing, but a good whisk while reheating usually brings it back together.

Frequently Asked Questions

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