Low carb keto gravy is a creamy, flavorful addition to roasted meats, sausage, holiday turkey dinners, and mashed cauliflower. This recipe is ready in just 5 minutes and contains less than 2 net carbs! Flour-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free options make this a versatile and cozy favorite for any meal.
Why Keto Gravy?
Traditional gravy often relies on flour as a thickening agent, making it unsuitable for low-carb diets. This keto gravy recipe provides a delicious alternative, allowing you to enjoy the ultimate condiment without the carb overload. It tastes like traditional gravy while remaining low-carb.
Ingredients and Substitutions
This easy keto gravy recipe uses just a few simple ingredients:
- Stock/Broth: The foundation of your gravy. Chicken broth or beef broth will work, depending on what kind of gravy you're making. For the best flavor, use homemade bone broth. If using store-bought, Kettle + Fire is a good option. Alternatively, a concentrated broth can be used, diluted with water. Using concentrated broth eliminates the need for stock and often provides a richer flavor. A combination of beef and chicken stock concentrate can also be used to create a rich color and flavor. For example, 2 cups of water combined with 3 teaspoons of beef and 2 teaspoons of chicken stock concentrate.
- Fat: Butter is essential for flavor and texture. You can use 4 tablespoons of butter. For a lactose-free option, use ghee. For a completely dairy-free/vegan option, use vegan butter or triple filtered coconut oil. Dairy-free butter tends to be saltier, so adjust seasoning accordingly. Bacon fat can also be used for weeknight dinners.
- Thickening Agent: Tapioca starch is a great keto thickener that remains effective even after extended heating. Tapioca is the recommended thickener. You can also use arrowroot flour, all-purpose flour, or cornstarch. If using arrowroot powder, consume the gravy soon after simmering, as it may lose its thickening ability if heated for too long. Xanthan gum is another popular choice. Use ¾ teaspoon of Xanthan gum. If you like thick gravy, add up to 1 teaspoon. Glucomannan or Guar gum powder can also be used.
- Seasoning: A salt-free seasoning blend with garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and thyme. Depending on the broth and pan drippings, you may not need to add any salt.
- Optional Additions: Chopped onions (½ cup, about 7 carbs) add great flavor; other herbs like fresh rosemary, bay leaves, and thyme.
Making Keto Gravy: Step-by-Step Instructions
This keto gravy recipe is incredibly easy and ready in just 5 minutes. Here are a few different methods.
Method 1: Xanthan Gum
- 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.
Method 2: Tapioca Flour
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Once the butter is completely melted, add in the tapioca flour and whisk vigorously until combined and there are no lumps. Cook for 30 seconds.
- While whisking constantly, slowly pour in the stock.
Method 3: Using Drippings
- Strain the turkey drippings through a fine mesh sieve. This removes any small bones or meat pieces.
- Add the butter to a shallow saucepan over medium heat.
- Once the butter has melted, whisk in the turkey drippings and chicken stock.
- Slowly sprinkle the xanthan gum in as the stock mixture is simmering, whisking the entire time.
- Continue to simmer until the gravy has thickened and slightly reduced, about 8-10 minutes.
Detailed Instructions (General)
- In a medium skillet, over medium high heat, melt butter.
- Add xanthan gum and garlic powder. Whisk to combine.
- Add chicken broth and tamari. Whisk to combine.
- Increase heat to high. Bring mixture to a boil, whisking frequently. Cook for 1 minute, whisking frequently.
- Serve immediately.
Tips for Success
- Don't rush the process: Allow the gravy to simmer and thicken, developing flavor as it cooks. Be careful not to let it scorch. A wide skillet helps the gravy reduce and thicken more quickly.
- Whisk constantly: When adding the thickening agent (especially xanthan gum), whisk vigorously to prevent lumps from forming.
- Adjust thickness: If the gravy is too thick, thin it with hot broth. Add a couple of tablespoons at a time until you reach your desired consistency. If the gravy is too thin, add a tiny bit more xanthan gum. If you have added too much xanthan gum add a little more stock and whisk really well until it’s the consistency you’re looking for.
- Use room temperature ingredients: To avoid separation or lumps, let the broth or meat drippings come to room temperature before adding them to the gravy.
- Taste and adjust: Season to taste with salt, pepper, and other herbs as desired.
Variations and Additions
- Meat Drippings: Use turkey, chicken, or beef drippings for a richer flavor. Pour meat drippings into a fat separator. You'll need 2 cups. If you don't have enough drippings, supplement with chicken broth or beef stock to reach 2 cups.
- Sausage Gravy: Cook sausage in a medium skillet over medium heat until well-browned. Use the rendered fat to make the gravy.
- Herb Infusion: Add fresh rosemary, bay leaves, or thyme for a more complex flavor. Strain the gravy before serving to remove the herb bits.
- Add Protein and Texture: Add small pieces of chopped chicken or turkey. Chopped boiled eggs can also be added for protein and minimal carbs.
- Onions and Celery: Add onions and celery, stirring occasionally until the veggies begin to sweat. Reduce the heat to low and let simmer until tender and golden brown. Do not burn. When the veggies are browned add the garlic, broth and pan drippings and let simmer on medium low heat. Measure in the sage and thyme.Simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. As the gravy thickens, lower heat to a low simmer.
Serving Suggestions
This keto gravy is incredibly versatile and can be served with a variety of dishes:
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- Roasted Meats: Perfect over turkey, chicken, beef, or pork.
- Mashed Vegetables: Pairs well with mashed cauliflower, kohlrabi, or turnips.
- Keto Stuffing and Biscuits: A must-have for holiday meals.
- Meatloaf, Meatballs, and Pot Roast: Elevates these dishes to an extra special meal.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
- Make-Ahead: You can make this keto gravy recipe up to 5 days in advance and store it in an airtight container (a mason jar works well) in the refrigerator.
- Freezing: You can freeze for at least 6 months in the freezer. Wide-mouth mason jars are great for freezing.
- Reheating: Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat until simmering, or in the microwave at low heat. If refrigerated, bring it to room temperature before reheating. It will separate a little.
Common Questions
- Is gravy keto-friendly? Gravy made without flour as a thickener is safe for low carb diets.
- My gravy is too thick! How do I fix it? Thick gravy can be thinned with hot broth. Add a couple of tablespoons at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
- How long will gravy last in the refrigerator? Properly stored in an airtight container, refrigerated gravy will stay fresh for 2 to 3 days.
- Can I make gravy without turkey drippings? Yes! You can use Roasted Chicken drippings or even the juice from a cooked beef or pork roast. If you don’t have any of those things, you can use bone broth.
- Do I have to strain the pan drippings first? It is recommended to strain the pan drippings. This is not to catch any small bits of meat that may be in the drippings, it’s more about straining it to catch any little bones that may have broken loose from the turkey. No one wants bony gravy!
- I forgot to add the xanthan before I cooked the other ingredients, what do I do? If you forgot to add the xanthan before cooking, mix the xanthan in a bowl with 2 tablespoons of cold broth or cooled turkey drippings, then add it to the hot ingredients. Keep boiling the low carb gravy, and stirring until you reach the desired thickness.
Nutritional Information
This keto gravy recipe is ready in just 5 minutes and less than 2 net carbs! The nutrition facts come from entering the recipe ingredients into Spoonacular API, a database of food ingredients. They may vary for any recipe based on the exact product used. Nutritional data is provided as a courtesy and is accurate to the best of your knowledge. You can verify it using the nutrition calculator of your choice.
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