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When you think of Southern food, what is the first thing that comes to mind? For me, it is homemade biscuits topped with country white pepper gravy and a thick slice of tomato fresh out of the garden!

When I first moved out on my own in my first year of marriage (at the age of 22), I tried to make from scratch white gravy without a recipe. This was silly considering I had never made it before in my life, but I figured that it couldn’t be too difficult to figure out on my own.

While making gravy isn’t difficult, you do have to understand how the flour, milk, and butter work together or you will end up with a gravy that is way too thick or way too thin.

In my case, I didn’t realize that the gravy would thicken as it cooks with the flour…. So I kept adding flour… and more… and more…

What I served to my then husband was essentially a bowl of flour and, bless his heart, he choked it down and pretended to like it.

Eventually, I got up the nerve to try cooking gravy again and my recipe got progressively better.

Now I have, in my opinion, the BEST homemade gravy recipe around!

Simple Country White Pepper Gravy Recipe

This homemade white gravy recipe will serve 1-2 people depending on how much gravy you like to use.

However, you can easily modify it to feed more people. Just be sure to keep the butter/grease and flour at a 1:1 ratio (so if you use 4 TBSP butter use 4 TBSP flour). Increase the milk accordingly.

White Pepper Gravy may also be referred to as country gravy, homestyle gravy, or sawmill gravy.

White Pepper Gravy Ingredients:

2 TBSP Unsalted Butter or Bacon Grease
2 TBSP Flour
1 cup Milk
salt & fresh ground black pepper

>>Customize Your Homemade White Gravy

Make it spicier by adding more fresh black pepper or even a little cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
Add ground sausage for white sausage gravy.
If you have dietary restrictions, the butter/grease can be replaced with vegetable oil and the milk can be replaced with a non-dairy milk. Please note that the flavor and texture will be slightly different with these modifications.
Increase the milk if you like a thinner gravy.
Add in fresh herbs like thyme for a fresh flavor.
Use traditional buttermilk or a buttermilk substitute instead of milk.
Sausage grease, shortening, pan drippings from fried foods, and lard can be substituted in place of butter.

White Pepper Gravy Directions:

STEP 1: Melt Butter or Bacon Grease

Melt 2 TBSP of butter or bacon grease (you could even use sausage grease here) in a medium saucepan over low heat.

STEP 2: Add Flour

Add the flour to the melted butter 1 TBSP at a time to create a roux. Cook over medium heat and whisk.

STEP 3: Pour Milk

Gradually pour the whole milk into the flour and butter mixture. Whisk the buttery clumps into the milk.

Don’t worry during this step like I did when I first made country gravy. The gravy will thicken quickly and the clumps will clear. Don’t add more flour.

Continue to heat and whisk until the gravy meets the creamy texture that you want.

STEP 4

Add in salt and fresh black pepper to taste.

White Pepper Gravy in a Skillet | Mama on the Homestead

Now you need to decide HOW you want to enjoy your white country gravy. Check out the ideas below!

Delicious Recipes Using White Pepper Gravy

1. Southern White Gravy and Homemade Biscuits

These Fluffy Homemade Biscuits are the perfect addition to this white country gravy. Pour gravy over the hot biscuits and eat up!

Add a slice of fresh tomato for a little extra southern charm.

Homemade Biscuits covered in country gravy on a white plate | Mama on the Homestead

2. Country Sausage Gravy

To make a simple sausage gravy recipe, just toss some cooked ground sausage into the white creamy gravy.

3. Chicken and Gravy

Cover chicken strips, chicken tenders, or fried chicken with white pepper gravy for a true Southern treat!

To take this one a step further, place the chicken and gravy on top of homemade biscuits! Chicken and Biscuits is a favorite around here!

4. Breakfast Hash

Smother this breakfast hash recipe with white pepper gravy. You won’t regret it!

Breakfast Hash with Egg & Bacon on top | Mama on the Homestead

5. Pork Chops

White pepper gravy is AMAZING with pork chops…especially if they are breaded and fried! Give it a try!

6. Country Fried Steak

Top your country-fried steak with this white gravy and serve with a side of green beans and mashed potatoes!

7. Country Smothered Covered Hash Browns

Cover hot hash browns with white pepper gravy, sauteed onions, and cheddar cheese for this country dish.

8. Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

Mashed potatoes topped with white gravy can’t be beat! Serve these as a side dish in your next meat and three.

9. Breakfast Pizzas

Use homemade white pepper gravy as the sauce on your breakfast pizza. Yum!

Close up of white gravy | Mama on the Homestead

How to Store Leftover Gravy

If you have leftover white gravy, it can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a week.

How to Reheat Leftover White Pepper Gravy

Place the gravy in a small saucepan and add a little milk. Heat on low for 2-5 minutes until it is heated through.

You can also reheat white gravy in the microwave. SImply pour the gravy into a microwave safe bowl, add a little milk, stir, and heat for 1-2 minutes.

Printable Recipe Card: