Homemade white peppercorn gravy is a perfect topping for chicken fried steaks for dinner, or to go with biscuits for brunch, or for topping any number of things – fries dipped in gravy anyone? And you’ll never believe how easy it is to make homemade gravy!
Last week Five Ingredient Friday came and went, but it totally didn’t get enough attention – I mean, 5 ingredient slow salsa chicken and quinoa? What’s not to love?
You know what else is worth checking out and making? This homemade peppercorn gravy!
I went to college in kind of the south. I say ‘kind of’ because it was southern Illinois. That counts, right? People had accents and the weather was really hot, and there was this one little place that served homemade biscuits and gravy that was only open on the weekends, and only accepted cash. Southern enough, right? So on weekends my best friend and I would throw on some sweats and head on over to this little hole in the wall to try and be one of the lucky customers that actually got to eat there. When they ran out, they closed the place down.
[Tag me on Instagram, @philiakelnhofer if you make this homemade peppercorn gravy!]
The place was tiny, maybe 6 tables and had a little wrap around bar with individual seating. The bathrooms were also something with character. Instead of signs with ‘boy’ and ‘girl’ they had a little picture of a rabbit on the doors…to this day I’m still not 100% sure I was using the correct restroom.
Their biscuits and gravy were worth the wait and gamble of getting seated or not. Their gravy was white gravy with pepper flecks and went sooo good topped on anything. Truly delish!
Ever since moving away (13+ years ago) I still think about that gravy. I have actually never thought of making it at home or trying to replicating it. That was until I was on the phone with my grandmother-in-law, Grandma Rita (you might remember her from these white chocolate peanut grape bites), and she was telling me how she had just made homemade white gravy.
I was a little hesitant when Grandma Rita told me how easy it was to make homemade gravy. I thought there was some super-secret that I didn’t know. Nope, it was easy as whisking a few ingredients together in a sauce pan and letting it thicken. That’s it! And the flavor! OMG, sooooo good! Never will I ever question anything Grandma Rita says (not that I ever did before, I mean, she can COOK!)
Homemade gravy goes great over chicken fried steaks which have a super crispy crust and need that gravy to make them really taste great!
Other recipes you might enjoy:
- Easy Mushroom Gravy
- Hot Honey Baked Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
- 5 Ingredient Baked Chicken Parmesan Pasta
Homemade White Peppercorn Gravy
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 2 teaspoons fresh cracked ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- 2 ½ cups milk
Instructions
- To make the gravy-melt the butter in a medium sauce pan and then whisk in flour and pepper, and while continuously whisking stir in the salt and garlic salt.
- Slowly pour in the milk and turn heat to medium, whisk occasionally and it will thicken (about 5 minutes) then remove from heat and serve.
- You can serve this over chicken fried steaks, simply cook them according to package instructions and pour about 2-3 tablespoons of gravy over a steak and serve.
Omaha Steaks compensated me for my time to develop this recipe. As always, thank you for reading and for supporting the brands that make the SweetPhi blog. All thoughts and opinions are as always, mine alone. Happy cooking!
NANCY CONLEY says
Ohmygosh! Thank you thank you so much for this recipe! We have been self isolating for two weeks so far and to make this gravy for our chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes last night was such a “comfort food “ meal. We also had corn – that’s the way it’s often served in restaurants. And I am telling you this was “RQ = Restaurant Quality”!!!
Sweetphi says
Oh my goodness, thank you so much, this made my day!!! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe, you’ve inspired me to make a comfort food – RQ – meal for dinner 🙂
NANCY CONLEY says
And you know what??? I just saw that you said Omaha Steaks compensated you. Wtheck!!! That’s where I got chicken fried steaks!
Sweetphi says
Ha, no way! What a coincidence! Thank you for sharing!!
Kevin Morrison says
Mary Lou’s???
Sweetphi says
OH MY GOODNESS, YES!!!!! I just googled it and that’s it!! Thank you for that little trip down memory lane.
Megan says
My daughter eats mashed potatoes and this gravy everytime her braces get tightened. We love it anytime though – its perfect
Sweetphi says
Oh I love that sweet story, thank you for sharing! So glad you guys love this recipe!
Ian Shaw says
I’m from the south, but I never learned how to make southern white gravy since my parents always try to eat healthy. This was definitely richer and had more of a buttermilk flavor than the typical gravy I’ve had made from sausage or bacon grease. I cut down on the salt by about half and skipped the garlic salt, since I was making this for biscuits. For my stovetop on medium heat, I’d pull it off after whisking no longer than 4 minutes (pull it off the heat before it thickens to desired consistancy). Overall not bad, but not quite the traditional taste I’m used to.
Sweetphi says
Thanks for your feedback Ian, so glad you enjoyed this.
Brittney watson says
Made this for breakfast just now and I almost started freaking out because it wasn’t thickening. Turned the heat up and it was perfect. I didn’t measure the salt or pepper and it was AMAZING!!! My boyfriend was skeptical because he comes from the country! I also added everything but the bagel seasoning to put my own spin on it. Thank you so much
Sweetphi says
I’m so happy to hear that it turned out for you – yay! I also love the addition of the everything but the bagel seasoning. I have some of that so next time I make this I’ll have to try adding it!
Sasha says
I tried this today and it was amazing. I reduced the amount of salt and pepper and just added to taste once the base was made. But it was hella good 10/10!
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much for your feedback, so glad you enjoyed the recipe!!
Aaron says
Taste was good but way to salty. I’m gonna have to cut down the salt
Sweetphi says
Thanks for the feedback, I haven’t had that experience, but I do know that everyone’s salt preferences are a little different. Glad you enjoyed the taste 🙂
Tiffany E says
Crazy, I stumbled upon this recipe. I was born and raised in Southern Illinois. I’m kind of curious of the area you were in?
Can’t wait to try your recipe. Thank you!
Sweetphi says
I lived in Carbondale! I hope you enjoy this recipe.
Zoë says
The first time I made this gravy and it turned out a little weird but I kind of made it wrong. this time I did it right and it was great!
Sweetphi says
So happy to hear that!! I love this gravy and I’m glad you enjoyed it as well.
Kathy says
I’ve been looking for a recipe for gravy to duplicate my late mother in laws and this is it! It is great!
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much – so happy you enjoyed the recipe!
Sam says
I made this gravy with eggs and biscuits for the wife and kids sunday morning and it was a hit! I was looking for an alternative to my usual sawmill gravy with 1/4 cup bacon grease instead of butter. This is much better for me im sure! Tastes better too.
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much for your awesome feedback, so happy to hear how you much you enjoyed this homemade gravy!!
Hal says
I bet you went to SIU. I went there for 2 years. Southern Illinois is an interesting blend of midwestern and southern culture that varies from town to town.
Sweetphi says
I did go to SIU 🙂 Go Salukies. This white peppercorn gravy is definitely a favorite I learned about there 🙂
Scott says
Can this be made with all vegetable shortening? How much would I use instead of butter?
Sweetphi says
Sorry, I’ve never tried this recipe with shortening instead of butter
Craig says
Hey this is Craig here from Oklahoma down around the Red river being born and raised here biscuits and gravy was breakfast about 3 out of 7 days of the week either white gravy with or with out ground sausage in it and then my favorite Chocolate gravy but with the white in my opinion the best way is bacon grease or sausage grease some flour and milk and of course salt n pepper my grandma never used exact measurements so neither do I but it’s the best I love it ! And it’s good with biscuits, Texas toast, chicken fried steak , chicken strips , fried livers and gizzards , fries, mashed potatoes, fried potatoes and I guess any thing else you wanna it lol but I will be tryin your recipe
Sweetphi says
Thanks for sharing craig, hope you enjoy this recipe as much as everyone else 🙂
Carol Holtsclaw says
I made this tonight – it turned out great. It took longer than 5 minutes to thicken but the seasonings and consistency were perfect. I’m so tickled that I made white peppercorn from scratch and it TASTED SO GOOD! Thanks
Sweetphi says
So happy to hear that you loved this homemade gravy Carol!!
Tanya says
I made your gravy just this morning. I used it for panfried biscuits and gravy.. it was very very good!! Thank you for sharing… 😉
Sweetphi says
I’m so happy to hear that you liked it! Thank you for sharing your feedback!
Julie Summers says
Best gravy ever and I made it from scratch.. no one believed me … lol
Sweetphi says
Your comment made my day Julie, so glad you loved it, and that’s such a cute story no one believed you made it lol 🙂
Jeff says
I tried this as my family loves the Omaha Country Fried Steak and we usually purchase a package gravy in the grocery that everyone likes……but this recipe had them all fooled and they never knew the difference! Tastes great!
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much for the feedback Jeff, so glad you and your family loved this recipe!
Jerri says
I love this recipe. Thank you so much. I am from Florida, born and raised and we do love gravy of all types. Above I read where someone spoke of tomato gravy. I wanted to take the time to recommend adding about 1/4 cup of brewed coffee and 1 tsp beef paste to your tomato gravy. This adds a kick to it that is to die for.
Sweetphi says
That’s such a neat addition, thank you for sharing.
May says
I’m from NY. I never had white gravy over biscuits until I married and went to California. Then we moved to Coos Bay, OR and ate in a little bar/diner that made them perfectly. We were regulars for breakfast. And now in FL, my husband is an expert at tomato gravy, and it’s marvelous; but then I discovered this gravy recipe. It’s my go to. So I’m here typing away with a recommendation that you try this recipe, because there’s none better. EASY PEASY. You can’t go wrong with this one.
Sweetphi says
Oh my goodness, so happy to hear you love this recipe, now you have me craving this for breakfast tomorrow 🙂
Jill says
Delicious! Made with whole milk – spot on! Poured over homemade biscuits yum yum yum…
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much for leaving that feedback, you’re making me crave biscuits and gravy now 🙂
Susan says
This looks perfect! Can you say how well it freezes?
Sweetphi says
I have never frozen it, sorry!
Katherine U says
We’ve been experimenting lately with different country gravy recipes, and I have to say you win! I was starting to wonder if it would thicken up and then I turn around and it’s perfect. My husband was emphatic about how good the mashed potatoes and gravy were. A rare occurrence. Thank you!!
Sweetphi says
Oh my goodness, I’m so happy to hear you loved this recipe, thank you for your feedback 🙂
Trina O says
I just tried this recipe as I have been struggling to find a good white gravy. This was by far one of the better recipes. It was a tad bit to peppery for my taste-buds but the hubby loved it. Going in my recipe box as we speak. Thank you
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much for the amazing feedback Trina, so happy to year your hubby loved it (mine does too!)
Sheila says
I got the Omaha chicken fr steaks in the package and honestly didn’t have a clue what to do with them. This sounds so good and EASY I’m going to do them tonight. Thank you, thank you!
Sweetphi says
So happy to hear that, hope you love this recipe as much as I do 🙂
Paula Bowser says
Look forward to trying it soon very simple recipe. Thank’s
Sweetphi says
I think you’ll love this recipe Paula, it’s so easy and delicious!
Diana Paris says
Hi Phi,
I made your peppercorn gravy tonight. It was delicious. I’d baked a ham and was going to put it with veggies. Hubby asked for eggs instead. Of course I had to bake biscuits but needed a quick gravy dish. I came across yours and it is now my go-to gravy mix. Thank you so much.
Sweetphi says
Hi Diana, thank you SO MUCH for your wonderful comment, really appreciate it, and so glad you like the gravy!!
Little Cooking Tips says
This is very similar to Bechamel, but a lot thinner. What an interesting idea to try that as a gravy with fried chicken or -even better- French fries!:):) Another delicious idea to indulge ourselves! Thanx so much Phi, both for the recipe as well as for the wonderful story! We didn’t know you lived South-ish:) And we never saw a rabbit as a sign in any restroom:)
Have an amazing Super Bowl weekend dear!xoxoxo
Sweetphi says
You’re so right, this gravy is very similar to a bechamel (a sauce I LOVE by the way) and goes perfectly with fried foods – especially like fries and chicken fried steak. The south is totally different than the midwest 🙂
Sarah says
Ooo this looks amazing. Was thinking about making biscuits and gravy soon and this has inspired me. Yum!
Sweetphi says
Homemade gravy is amazing, I’m so glad I inspired you, you should totally make biscuits and gravy!
Sharon says
Well, I AM from the south (Lafayette LA) and Cajun to the bone, and I have struggled for years when it comes to making a perfect gravy for chicken fried steak. Trusting grandmothers, especially when it comes to cooking, is in my genes, so this recipe is my new go-to for white gravy. It sounds divine. Thanks Phi!
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much Sharon. I think you will definitely love this homemade white peppercorn gravy – it truly is delicious over chicken fried steak!
Mary says
Omaha Steaks makes chicken fried steaks? They look amazing and so does that gravy! (P.S. Thanks for stopping by the blog. Everyone needs to be on snapchat, right?!)
Sweetphi says
They do make chicken fried steaks – honestly it was one of my fave products I tried! And yes, agreed! Everyone should be on snapchat!