Silky Homemade Ham Gravy Recipe to Elevate Every Meal

Comfort seeps through every spoonful of this hearty ham gravy recipe that turns ordinary meals into memorable feasts.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this rich, velvety sauce as a culinary treasure.

Warm, savory aromas fill the kitchen as the gravy simmers gently on the stove.

Whisked to silky perfection, this gravy promises to complement roasted meats with its deep, robust flavor.

Each ladle of this classic sauce adds a touch of homestyle magic to your plate.

The simple ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a sauce that speaks to traditional home cooking.

You’ll want to drizzle this delectable gravy over everything from biscuits to roasted ham slices.

Easy Holiday Sauce Festive Details

• Whip Up Holiday Magic: Create a delicious sauce that transforms your ham dinner into a memorable feast with just a few simple ingredients and basic cooking techniques.
• Master Beginner-Friendly Cooking: Perfect for home cooks of all skill levels, this recipe requires minimal culinary expertise and uses straightforward steps anyone can follow.
• Elevate Everyday Meals: Turn an ordinary ham into a restaurant-quality dish with a rich, flavorful sauce that adds sophistication and depth to your holiday meal.
• Quick Comfort Cooking: Prepare a homemade sauce in minutes, giving you more time to spend with family and less time stressed in the kitchen during busy holiday gatherings.

Ingredients in Easy Holiday Sauce

• Butter: A rich, creamy fat that provides the foundation for the roux and adds depth of flavor.
• Flour: The thickening agent that helps create a smooth, velvety sauce texture.
• Ham Drippings: The flavorful liquid from cooked ham that adds a rich, meaty essence to the sauce.

• Ham Drippings: The natural juices released from cooking ham that serve as the primary liquid for the sauce.

• Salt, Pepper: Classic seasonings that enhance the overall taste profile of the holiday sauce.

Steps for Holiday Sauce Preparation

Step 1: Craft Buttery Base

Grab a saucepan and melt the butter gently over a soft, warm heat.

Sprinkle flour into the melting butter and stir continuously.

This magical mixture will start to bubble and smell wonderfully rich.

Keep stirring and cooking for about two minutes until the flour transforms into a golden, smooth paste.

Step 2: Blend Delicious Liquid

Pour the ham drippings into the buttery mixture.

Whisk enthusiastically to ensure every bit of flour gets absorbed into the liquid.

Your sauce will start to look creamy and smooth, with no lumpy bits hiding anywhere.

Step 3: Simmer and Transform

Boost the heat to a medium setting.

Let the sauce bubble and dance in the pan, stirring occasionally.

Watch as the liquid gradually thickens and becomes more luxurious.

This process takes around 5-10 minutes, during which the sauce will develop a gorgeous, silky texture.

Step 4: Drizzle and Delight

Your holiday sauce is now ready to steal the show!

Drizzle it generously over hot ham, mashed potatoes, or any festive side dishes.

The rich, velvety sauce will elevate your meal from ordinary to extraordinary, bringing smiles to everyone’s faces.

Tips for Perfect Holiday Sauce

• Whisk constantly while adding liquid to ensure a smooth, lump-free sauce.
• Adjust thickness by adding more drippings or simmering longer to reach desired texture.
• Enhance sauce with a splash of white wine or fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary.
• Refrigerate leftover sauce in an airtight container for up to 3 days, gently reheating before serving.
• Use low-sodium ham drippings or substitute with chicken stock to reduce salt content.

Holiday Sauce Recipe Variations

• Vegetarian Gravy: Replace ham drippings with vegetable broth or mushroom stock for a plant-based alternative that's rich and savory.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap wheat flour with cornstarch or rice flour to create a sauce that's safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Low-Sodium Version: Use low-sodium broth and skip added salt, perfect for heart-healthy diets while maintaining delicious flavor.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute butter with olive oil or coconut oil, ensuring the sauce works for those avoiding dairy products.

Serving Easy Holiday Sauce

• Festive Ham Companion: Drizzle this rich sauce generously over sliced holiday ham for a mouthwatering centerpiece that'll impress every guest.
• Leftover Magic: Transform remaining sauce into a delightful gravy for next-day sandwiches, mixing with shredded ham for extra flavor.
• Versatile Side Enhancer: Spoon sauce over roasted vegetables like carrots, Brussels sprouts, or potatoes to elevate their taste and make side dishes more exciting.
• Brunch Boost: Use as a delectable topping for eggs benedict or breakfast casseroles, adding a luxurious touch to morning meals.

Storing Holiday Sauce Effectively

• Store leftover sauce in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before transferring to prevent bacterial growth.
• Warm gently over low heat, stirring frequently to restore smooth consistency. Add a splash of milk or ham drippings if sauce appears too thick.
• Transfer sauce to freezer-safe containers, leaving 1/2 inch space at top. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Whisk sauce thoroughly when reheating to maintain creamy texture and prevent ingredients from separating.

FAQs

• What is a roux and why do I need it for this sauce?

A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that helps thicken sauces and adds rich flavor. It creates a smooth base that prevents lumps and gives the sauce a silky texture.

• Can I use other liquids instead of ham drippings?

Yes, you can substitute chicken or vegetable stock, milk, or white wine if you don’t have ham drippings. Each liquid will slightly change the sauce’s flavor profile.

• How do I know when the sauce is properly thickened?

The sauce is ready when it coats the back of a spoon and leaves a clear path when you run your finger through it. It should have a smooth, velvety consistency that isn’t too runny or too thick.

Ham Gravy Recipe

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4.6 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy ham gravy elevates Sunday dinner with rich, savory flavors that comfort and delight. Southern kitchens showcase this simple yet luxurious sauce as a perfect companion to biscuits, mashed potatoes, or roasted meats you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups ham drippings
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

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Instructions

1. Prepare a smooth base by gently melting butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat, ensuring it doesn’t brown.
2. Gradually sprinkle flour into the melted butter, stirring continuously to create a uniform paste, and cook for approximately 1-2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste.
3. Slowly pour ham drippings into the roux, whisking vigorously to prevent lumps and create a silky, integrated mixture.
4. Elevate the heat to medium, allowing the sauce to gently simmer and develop depth, stirring occasionally until it reaches a rich, velvety consistency, typically 5-10 minutes.
5. Once the sauce has thickened and developed a glossy appearance, remove from heat and transfer immediately to a serving vessel.
6. Present the warm, luxurious sauce alongside roasted ham and complementary side dishes, ensuring each element is enhanced by the sauce’s robust flavor profile.

Notes

• Adjust butter quality by using unsalted butter for better flavor control and sodium management.
• Whisk continuously during roux preparation to prevent lumps and ensure smooth sauce consistency.
• Customize sauce thickness by gradually adding liquid and monitoring desired texture, using extra drippings or stock if needed.
• Try alternative liquid bases like vegetable broth or white wine for different flavor profiles, making the sauce adaptable to various dietary preferences.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 145
• Sugar: 0g
• Sodium: 500mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 30mg