Keto Gravy Recipe

This easy Keto Gravy Recipe makes a smooth, savory gravy without flour or cornstarch. It takes about 15 minutes and works with or without pan drippings.

I usually make this as a quick keto chicken gravy because chicken broth concentrate is easy to find year-round and works with so many meals. You can also use turkey, beef, or vegetable broth concentrate depending on what you’re serving. Pour it over Pressure Cooker Turkey Breast, cauliflower mash, or Air Fryer Green Beans.

Why Make This

• No flour or cornstarch: This low carb gravy thickens with xanthan gum instead of a traditional roux.
• Works with or without pan drippings: Use butter when you do not have drippings, or use the fat from roasted chicken, turkey, beef, pork, or sausage for more flavor.
• Easy to customize: Change the broth base to make keto chicken gravy, keto turkey gravy, keto beef gravy, or a simple no-drippings gravy.
• Ready fast: This homemade keto gravy comes together in one saucepan in about 15 minutes.

Ingredients Needed

Keto gravy can be made with a short list of simple ingredients. The exact amounts are in the recipe card.

• Water: This gets mixed with the broth concentrate to make the gravy base.
• Broth concentrate or bouillon paste: I use chicken broth concentrate most often, but turkey, beef, or vegetable broth concentrate also works. Since broth concentrate already has a lot of flavor, taste the gravy before adding extra salt.
• Butter or pan drippings: Butter works well when you do not have drippings. For more flavor, use pan drippings from roasted turkey, chicken, beef, pork chops, or sausage.
• Xanthan gum: This thickens the gravy without flour or cornstarch. A little goes a long way, so start small and give the gravy a minute to thicken before adding more. If you do not have it, these xanthan gum substitutes can help.
• Salt-free seasoning: I use a salt-free herb seasoning with garlic, onion, black pepper, thyme, and other herbs. A salt-free blend works best because broth concentrate and bouillon paste can already be salty.

How to Make Keto Gravy

This recipe comes together in one small saucepan.

Make the gravy base

Bring the water to a boil. Stir in the broth concentrate, butter or pan drippings, and seasoning. Whisk until the broth concentrate melts into the liquid and the gravy base looks smooth.

Add the xanthan gum

Xanthan gum can clump if it goes straight into hot liquid. To help prevent that, mix it with a small amount of melted butter, pan drippings, warm gravy liquid, or even a drop of olive oil first. Once the xanthan gum is mixed with the fat or warm liquid, whisk it into the saucepan.

Simmer and adjust

Let the gravy simmer briefly while whisking. It will thicken quickly, but it will also continue to thicken as it sits. If the gravy gets too thick, whisk in a splash of warm water or broth. If it seems too thin, give it a minute before adding more xanthan gum.

Keto Chicken Gravy, Turkey Gravy, or Beef Gravy

This recipe is easy to change based on what you are serving:

• Keto chicken gravy: Use chicken broth concentrate, chicken broth, or chicken pan drippings. Chicken is my usual choice because it works with so many meals and is easy to find in the store year-round. It is goes well with simple chicken dinners like Air Fryer Roasted Whole Chicken or Pressure Cooker Whole Chicken.
• Keto turkey gravy: Use turkey broth concentrate, turkey broth, or turkey pan drippings. This is a great option for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or leftover turkey dinners, especially with Air Fryer Turkey Breast or Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin.
• Keto beef gravy: Use beef broth concentrate, beef broth, or beef pan drippings for a deeper flavor that works well with steak, roast beef, or pressure cooker beef roast.
• Gravy without drippings: Use butter, broth concentrate, and water when you want a quick gravy without roasting meat first.

For a classic holiday gravy thickened with flour instead of xanthan gum, try my traditional turkey gravy with a roux.

Top Cooking Tips

• Mix the xanthan gum first: Stir it with a little melted butter, pan drippings, warm gravy liquid, or a drop of olive oil before adding it to the pot. This helps keep the gravy smooth.
• Start small: Xanthan gum thickens quickly, and the gravy will continue to thicken after it comes off the heat.
• Taste before adding salt: Broth concentrate and bouillon paste can be salty, so season at the end if needed.
• Use drippings when you have them: Butter works well, but pan drippings add more flavor.
• Thin it as needed: If the gravy gets too thick, whisk in a splash of warm broth or water until it loosens.

Troubleshooting Keto Gravy

Why is my keto gravy clumpy?

The xanthan gum may have gone into the hot liquid too quickly. Next time, mix it with a little melted butter, pan drippings, warm gravy liquid, or a drop of olive oil before whisking it into the pot. For a quick fix, blend the gravy briefly or strain it through a fine mesh strainer.

Why is my gravy too thick?

Xanthan gum continues to thicken as the gravy sits. Whisk in warm water or broth a little at a time until it reaches the texture you want.

Why is my gravy too thin?

Let it simmer for another minute, then remove it from the heat and give it a moment to thicken. If it still needs more body, add a very small pinch of xanthan gum mixed with a little fat or warm liquid first.

How to Store Leftover Low Carb Gravy

• Store leftover keto gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• To reheat, warm it in a small saucepan over low heat, whisking often. Add a splash of warm broth or water if it thickened too much in the refrigerator.

Substitutes for Bouillon or Broth Concentrate

Broth concentrate gives this gravy a lot of flavor, but you can use broth or bone broth instead. Replace the water and broth concentrate with the same total amount of chicken broth, turkey broth, beef broth, or bone broth. Bone broth usually has a richer flavor, but regular broth works too. If you use broth instead of concentrate, the gravy will need some more seasoning. I typically add my poultry seasoning to taste in place of the salt-free blend in this recipe.

Can I Make This with Pan Drippings?

Yes. Pan drippings are a great option for this gravy. Use the fat from roasted chicken, turkey, beef, pork chops, or sausage in place of some or all of the butter. If the drippings include browned bits from the pan, whisk them into the gravy base for extra flavor.

You can also use a mix of butter and drippings if you do not have enough drippings for the full recipe. If you’re making something like Garlic Butter Pork Chops, those pan juices can add even more flavor to the gravy base.

Recipes to Serve with Keto Gravy

This keto gravy works with holiday dinners, simple chicken meals, beef and pork, and low carb sides that need something savory on top.

• For turkey dinners: Spoon it over Pressure Cooker Turkey Breast or Air Fryer Turkey Breast when you want a quick gravy without making a traditional roux. It also works with Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin, turkey thighs, or leftover turkey.
• For chicken dinners: I usually make this as keto chicken gravy because chicken broth concentrate is easy to find year-round and works with so many meals. Serve it with Air Fryer Roasted Whole Chicken, Pressure Cooker Whole Chicken, or any simple chicken dinner that needs extra sauce.
• For beef and pork: Use beef broth concentrate or pan drippings for a deeper gravy with Ninja Foodi Pot Roast. For pork, it’s especially good with Garlic Butter Pork Chops because the pan juices add even more flavor.
• For low carb sides: Pour it over cauliflower mash when you want a mashed potato-style side without the potatoes. For a rice-and-gravy style side dish, spoon it over cauliflower rice pilaf. It also works with Air Fryer Green Beans or sautéed green beans.

FAQs

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