For those embracing the carnivore diet, finding suitable condiments and sauces can be a challenge. Traditional gravy, often thickened with flour or cornstarch, is off-limits due to its plant-based ingredients. However, with a few clever substitutions and the right techniques, you can create a delicious and satisfying carnivore-friendly gravy that perfectly complements your meat-centric meals.
Why Carnivore Gravy?
Gravy is a versatile sauce that can add flavor and richness to a variety of dishes. On the carnivore diet, it can be especially helpful for:
- Adding Fat: Many lean meats, like chicken or turkey breast, benefit from the addition of fat. Gravy made with drippings or butter provides a delicious way to increase your fat intake.
- Enhancing Flavor: Gravy can elevate the taste of your meals, making them more enjoyable and satisfying.
- Reducing Waste: Using drippings from roasted meats to make gravy is an excellent way to minimize food waste.
Key Ingredients for Carnivore Gravy
The foundation of any good gravy lies in its ingredients. For a carnivore-friendly version, focus on these key components:
- Animal Fat: This is the base of your gravy and provides the rich flavor and texture. Options include:
- Meat Drippings: The drippings from roasted chicken, turkey, beef, or pork are ideal. They are packed with flavor and rendered fat.
- Butter: Use grass-fed butter for the best flavor and nutritional profile.
- Tallow: Rendered beef fat, also known as tallow, adds a distinct richness to gravy.
- Lard: Rendered pork fat, or lard, is another excellent option for a savory gravy.
- Bacon Fat: Bacon fat adds a smoky flavor to gravy.
- Bone Broth: Bone broth provides a flavorful liquid base and adds valuable nutrients like collagen and gelatin.
- Dairy (Optional): Heavy cream or cream cheese can be added for a creamier texture.
- Thickening Agents: Since traditional thickeners like flour and cornstarch are not allowed on the carnivore diet, consider these alternatives:
- Gelatin: Gelatin is a protein derived from collagen and can be used to thicken gravy. It needs to be bloomed in cold water before being added to the hot liquid.
- Egg Yolks: Egg yolks add richness and help to thicken gravy. Be careful not to overheat the gravy after adding egg yolks, as they can scramble.
- Reduced Liquids: Simmering the gravy for an extended period allows the liquid to reduce and naturally thicken.
- Seasonings: Salt is essential for enhancing the flavor of gravy. Other carnivore-friendly seasonings include:
- Pepper: Use black pepper sparingly, as some stricter carnivore dieters avoid spices.
- Rosemary: Fresh or dried rosemary adds a savory and aromatic flavor.
- Thyme: Thyme is another classic herb that pairs well with meat.
- Garlic Powder: A small amount of garlic powder can add depth of flavor.
- Onion Powder: Similar to garlic powder, onion powder can enhance the savory notes of the gravy.
Basic Carnivore Gravy Recipe
This recipe provides a simple and versatile base that you can customize to your liking.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup animal fat (drippings, butter, tallow, or lard)
- 2 cups bone broth
- 1 teaspoon gelatin (optional, for thickening)
- Salt to taste
- Optional seasonings: pepper, rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder
Instructions:
- Bloom the gelatin (if using): Pour 2 tablespoons of cold water into a small bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over the top. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it forms a thick jelly-like paste.
- Melt the fat: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the animal fat.
- Add bone broth: Pour in the bone broth and bring to a simmer.
- Simmer and reduce: Reduce the heat to low and let the gravy simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until it has reduced slightly and thickened to your desired consistency.
- Add gelatin (if using): If using gelatin, whisk the bloomed gelatin into the gravy and stir until it is fully dissolved.
- Season: Season with salt and any other desired seasonings to taste.
- Serve: Serve hot over your favorite carnivore-friendly meats.
Variations and Tips
- Creamy Gravy: For a creamier gravy, add 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of heavy cream or a tablespoon or two of cream cheese to the gravy during the last few minutes of simmering. Stir until smooth.
- Sausage Gravy: Brown 1 pound of ground sausage in the saucepan before adding the fat and bone broth. This adds a hearty flavor and texture to the gravy.
- Egg Yolk Gravy: Whisk 1-2 egg yolks in a bowl. Temper the egg yolks by slowly whisking in a few tablespoons of hot gravy. Then, pour the tempered egg yolks into the saucepan and stir constantly over low heat until the gravy thickens slightly. Do not boil.
- Make Ahead: Carnivore gravy can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop before serving.
- Adjusting Consistency: If the gravy is too thin, continue simmering it to reduce the liquid. If it is too thick, add a little more bone broth.
- Using Leftovers: Don't throw away leftover cooked meat! Chop it up and add it to your gravy for a heartier meal.
Addressing Common Concerns
- "My gravy is separating!" This can happen if the gravy is heated too quickly or if the fat and liquid are not properly emulsified. To fix this, try whisking the gravy vigorously or using an immersion blender to re-emulsify the sauce.
- "My gravy is bland!" Don't be afraid to experiment with different seasonings. Salt is crucial, but herbs, spices, and even a small amount of Dijon mustard can add depth of flavor.
- "I don't have drippings!" If you don't have drippings, you can use butter, tallow, or lard as a base. You can also add a small amount of pre-cooked ground meat to the fat to add flavor.
Alternative Carnivore Gravy Recipes
Carnivore "Egg Gravy" Recipe
This recipe is a carnivore adaptation of a popular egg gravy recipe.
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Ingredients:
- 6 slices bacon
- 1 teaspoon gelatin
- 4 large eggs
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Remove bacon from the skillet, leaving the drippings. Set bacon aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Crumble the bacon.
- Add gelatin to the bacon grease in the skillet. Stir and let dissolve over medium-low heat for about 1 minute.
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs and add cream, softened cream cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Slowly pour the egg mixture into the bacon grease mixture in the skillet.
- Heat slowly until thick, stirring constantly. If the gravy separates, use a blender or immersion blender to puree until smooth.
- Add crumbled bacon.
Simple Drippings and Cream Gravy
This recipe utilizes the drippings from roasted poultry.
Ingredients:
- Drippings from a roasted chicken or turkey
- Heavy cream (equal amount to drippings)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Combine equal amounts of drippings and cream in a small pan.
- Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for about ten minutes, until the liquid is reduced by about half, whisking occasionally.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Keto Mushroom Gravy (Modified for Carnivore)
This recipe uses mushrooms for thickening and flavor, but can be modified for a stricter carnivore diet. Omit the onion, garlic, herbs and Worcestershire sauce or balsamic vinegar.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup dried Porcini mushrooms
- 1/2 cup boiling water
- 2 tbsp ghee or duck fat
- 2 cups bone broth
- Sea salt and ground pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions:
- Place the dried porcini mushrooms in a bowl and cover with boiling water.
- Heat the ghee in a pan over medium heat.
- Add the bone broth, and soaked porcini mushrooms along with their soaking liquid.
- Remove from the heat and blend until smooth and creamy using an immersion blender (or transfer to a blender).
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- If itâs too thin, return to the stove and simmer until thickened. If itâs too thick, add a few tablespoons of water.
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