Food and Recipes Dish Gravy Ultimate Make-Ahead Gravy 4.0 (1) 1 Review Thanksgiving in the South wouldn't be complete without a helping of delicious gravy, and this make-ahead version is the easiest way to get it there. By Southern Living Test Kitchen Southern Living Test Kitchen The Southern Living Test Kitchen has been publishing recipes since 1970, four years after the first issue of Southern Living Magazine appeared on newsstands. The Southern Living Test Kitchen team includes a team of professionals with deep expertise in recipe development, from pastry chefs and grilling experts to nutritionists and dietitians. Together, the team tests and retests, produces, styles, and photographs thousands of recipes each year in the state-of-the-art test kitchen facility located in Birmingham, Alabama. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on December 18, 2022 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Active Time: 20 mins Total Time: 30 mins Yield: 4 cups Jump to recipe Gravy Stir-Ins Mushroom Gravy: Heat 1 1/2 Tbsp. olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 (8-oz.) package sliced cremini mushrooms; sauté 6 minutes or until tender and browned. Stir in 1 Tbsp. butter and 1 Tbsp. minced shallot; sauté 2 minutes. Add salt and ground black pepper to taste. Prepare recipe as directed through Step 1 or Add mushrooms. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Hands-on 35 min., Total 45 min. Fresh Herb Gravy: Prepare recipe as directed through Step 1 or Stir in 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, 1 tsp. thinly sliced fresh chives, 1/2 tsp. chopped fresh tarragon, and 1/2 tsp. fresh lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Hands-on 25 min., Total 35 min. Sherry Gravy: Prepare recipe as directed through Step 1 or Remove pan from heat; stir in 1/4 cup sherry, bourbon, or brandy. Return to medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Hands-on 25 min., Total 35 min. Emily Laurae/Southern Living Ingredients 1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 4 cups Homemade Chicken Stock 1 teaspoon rubbed sage 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 5 to 6 tablespoons chicken stock (optional) Directions Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat; whisk in flour, and cook, whisking constantly, 3 to 4 minutes or until mixture is light brown and smooth. Emily Laurae Slowly whisk in 4 cups stock. Increase heat to high; bring to a boil, whisking occasionally. Emily Laurae Reduce heat to medium; stir in sage and next 4 ingredients. Simmer, stirring occasionally, 10 to 15 minutes or until desired thickness. Emily Laurae / Southern Living To make ahead, cool gravy completely. Cover and chill up to 3 days. Cook gravy and, if desired, 5 to 6 Tbsp. stock in a Dutch oven over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, 15 to 20 minutes or until hot. Emily Laurae / Southern Living Chef's Notes Rate it Print