There’s something so comforting about a rich, silky gravy that brings everything on your plate together. This Gluten-Free Gravy Recipe is not only smooth and flavorful but also easy to whip up using just a few pantry staples. Trust me, making your own gluten-free gravy is a game changer!

A white plate holds a meal with four main parts arranged side by side: bright green whole green beans on the left, a scoop of golden-brown stuffing behind a small pile of deep red cranberry sauce in the center, three slices of light beige turkey meat layered in the front center, and creamy white mashed potatoes with specks of black pepper on the right. A woman's hand pours smooth, golden-brown gravy from a small white pitcher over the turkey slices and mashed potatoes. The surface beneath the plate is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Gluten-Free Gravy Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Gluten-Free Gravy Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Gluten-Free Gravy Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made countless versions of gravy over the years, but this gluten-free version stands out because it’s so foolproof and tastes deliciously homemade. It’s not just for special occasions; it’s perfect anytime you want to amp up your meal with a luscious sauce without worrying about gluten.

Simplicity: It takes just a handful of ingredients that you probably already have on hand.
Versatility: You can use broth from turkey, chicken, beef, or vegetables, making it ideal for any diet or preference.
Texture: Thanks to sweet rice flour, the gravy becomes silky smooth without any grainy bits.
Flavor Boost: A few carefully chosen seasonings give it depth that complements your favorite mains perfectly.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this gluten-free gravy recipe plays a key part in delivering that perfect consistency and flavor. Plus, knowing why helps you pick quality ingredients that elevate the dish.

Flat lay of unsalted butter in a small block, a small white ceramic bowl of sweet rice flour powder, a small white ceramic bowl filled with warm golden turkey broth, a small white ceramic bowl holding gluten-free soy sauce, a small white ceramic bowl with garlic powder, a small white ceramic bowl with onion powder, a small white ceramic bowl with dried thyme leaves, a small white ceramic bowl of coarse salt, and a small white ceramic bowl of freshly ground black peppercorns placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter or Olive Oil: Butter adds richness and depth, while olive oil is a great dairy-free alternative that still delivers a silky texture.
Sweet Rice Flour or White Rice Flour: These gluten-free flours thicken beautifully without clumping, making gravy super smooth.
Warm Broth: Using warm turkey, chicken, beef, or vegetable broth helps the flour mixture incorporate easily and intensifies flavor.
Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to balance and enhance the gravy’s depth.
Gluten-Free Soy Sauce: Adds a savory umami note and a touch of color.
Garlic Powder: Provides a subtle, comforting hint of garlic flavor without overpowering.
Onion Powder: Amplifies the savory qualities and layers the flavor.
Dried Thyme: Brings an earthy, herbaceous note that’s classic in gravy.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

While the classic is fantastic as is, I love experimenting with this gluten-free gravy recipe depending on the season or what’s on hand. Feel free to tweak the herbs, swap the broth, or adjust the thickness to your liking—there’s really no wrong way!

Variation: Once, I stirred in a splash of dry white wine while whisking in the broth for an elegant twist—it added a lovely depth without overpowering.
Dairy-Free Option: Use olive oil instead of butter and vegetable broth to keep it vegan and gluten-free.
Herb Swaps: Try rosemary or sage for a more woodsy flavor, especially great in colder months.
Make It Thicker: Add a bit more rice flour if you prefer a gravy that clings more aggressively to your food.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Gluten-Free Gravy Recipe

A close-up image of a green cast iron pot filled with smooth light brown gravy. A wooden spoon is lifting some gravy, showing its thick and creamy texture. The pot sits on a wire cooling rack over a white marbled surface, with a white and green striped cloth partially visible in the background photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Melt and Whisk the Fat and Flour

Start by melting the unsalted butter over medium-high heat in a small saucepan, or warming the olive oil just until it shimmers but doesn’t smoke. Then add the sweet rice flour. Whisk constantly so no lumps form, and cook until the mixture turns a light beige—about 3 minutes. This step is crucial; it cooks out the raw flour taste and creates a smooth base for your gravy.

Step 2: Gradually Add Warm Broth

Slowly pour in your warm broth in a steady stream while whisking vigorously. This keeps the mixture smooth and helps the gravy thicken evenly. Keep whisking over medium heat until the gravy bubbles and thickens.

Step 3: Simmer and Season

Reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for about 10 minutes. This step deepens the flavor and improves the texture. Stir in your gluten-free soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried thyme. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. This is where the magic happens—adjusting seasonings to suit your palate makes all the difference.

Step 4: Serve Warm and Enjoy

Serve this comforting gravy immediately while warm. It’s fantastic over mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, or any meat (or plant-based) main. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for several days.

Top Tip

From my experience making this gluten-free gravy recipe, a few simple techniques truly elevate it. Here’s what I’ve learned to help you nail it every time:

Warm Your Broth: Cold broth can cause lumps and slow thickening, so warming it beforehand really helps everything come together smooth.
Whisk Constantly: Once you add flour to fat, keep whisking—this prevents clumps and creates that perfect silky texture.
Simmer Gently: Keep the heat low during simmering to avoid burning and ensure the flavors meld beautifully.
Season Gradually: Add your salt and spices bit by bit and taste as you go—gravy can easily become too salty otherwise.

How to Serve Gluten-Free Gravy Recipe

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle a pinch of fresh chopped parsley or thyme leaves on the top—it adds a pop of color and a fresh aroma that brightens the gravy just before serving.

Side Dishes

This gravy pairs beautifully with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted root vegetables, juicy turkey or chicken, and even gluten-free biscuits. It’s one of those sauces that instantly makes everyday meals feel special.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I’ve drizzled this gluten-free gravy over small baked potatoes topped with a dollop of herb cream cheese and a sprinkle of chives. It makes for an elegant appetizer or side that guests always compliment.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover gravy in a glass airtight container in the fridge. It usually stays fresh for up to four days—and sometimes, that means delicious gravy waiting to be reheated for a quick meal.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this gluten-free gravy in small portions using freezer-safe containers. When thawed gently in the fridge overnight, it reheats just fine when whisked over low heat, though the texture may thicken slightly, so just add a splash of broth to loosen it.

Reheating

I reheat gravy slowly on the stove over low heat, whisking often to prevent sticking and smooth out any thickened spots. If it gets too thick, a little extra warm broth or water helps restore the perfect silky consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other gluten-free flours besides sweet rice flour in this gravy?

Yes! While sweet rice flour gives a particularly smooth texture, you can experiment with white rice flour or even gluten-free all-purpose flour blends. Just be sure to whisk thoroughly to avoid lumps and adjust thickening time as needed.

Is this gravy suitable for vegan diets?

It can be easily made vegan by substituting butter with olive oil and choosing vegetable broth. This keeps the recipe both gluten-free and vegan while maintaining rich flavor.

How do I prevent lumps from forming in gluten-free gravy?

The key is to whisk the flour into the fat first to make a smooth paste and gradually add warm broth while continuously whisking. Also, simmer gently and keep stirring to maintain a silky texture.

Can I prepare this gluten-free gravy ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can make it a day ahead and store it in the fridge. When ready to serve, gently reheat it on the stove with occasional whisking, adding a bit of broth if the gravy has thickened too much.

Final Thoughts

This gluten-free gravy recipe has become my go-to for holiday dinners and casual weeknight meals alike. It’s reliably smooth, packed with flavor, and adaptable to whatever you’re serving. Give it a try—you’ll find it’s the kind of recipe you want to keep in your back pocket for that perfect finishing touch.