Deliciously Creamy Cracker Barrel White Gravy Recipe
Cracker Barrel has always been known for their delicious Southern-style meals, particularly their famous meat entrees and homemade gravies that keep customers coming back for more. Among their delightful menu is their savory sawmill gravy or white gravy, typically served over breakfast items such as buttermilk biscuits and country fried steak, or you can enjoy it over chicken or even mashed potatoes.
If you are a fan of Cracker Barrel’s white gravy, then you are in for a treat! I am happy to share with you this recipe request on how to recreate their mouthwatering gravy from the comfort of your own home.
Not only will you save money by making it yourself rather than ordering out, but you will also have the freedom to adjust the flavors and consistency to your liking. In this recipe, we’ll be using simple ingredients like flour, milk, onion, butter and some spices like salt and black pepper.
So why not try it out? Whether you’re feeling nostalgic about a past Cracker Barrel experience or looking for a new addition to your favorite dishes, this recipe guarantees to satisfy your cravings. It’s time to grab your apron and get started with the magical process of creating homemade country gravy that tastes just as good as Cracker Barrel’s!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Are you tired of the bland, same-old, sawmill gravy that seems to come out of every breakfast joint kitchen? Then look no further than this copycat recipe for Cracker Barrel’s white gravy. This had been a highly-requested recipe, and it’s easy to see why.
Not only does this recipe require only 7 ingredients (which you probably already have in your pantry), but it takes no more than 10 minutes to whip up a batch. The result is a smooth and creamy gravy that perfectly complements your breakfast items like biscuits and scrambled eggs or pairs well with dinner favorites such as breaded chicken or meatballs.
What sets this recipe apart is its simplicity yet deliciousness – no fancy chef techniques or exotic ingredients are necessary. Just butter, flour, onions, milk, salt, and black pepper come together to form this savory dish.
Moreover, with the right balance of flavor and consistency, this homemade gravy can easily compete with the ones on Cracker Barrel’s menu. So if you want to surprise your family and friends at home with a southern-style breakfast or dinner, make sure to give this recipe a try. One bite, and you’ll fall in love with its creamy texture and rich taste – I assure you!
Ingredient List
Making Cracker Barrel’s white gravy recipe requires only 7 ingredients, and you probably already have all of them in your pantry. Here’s what you’ll need:
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Butter: This is the base of your gravy and adds richness and flavor to the recipe. You can use salted or unsalted depending on your preference.
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Flour: Flour serves as the thickening agent and helps to thicken the gravy. You can use all-purpose flour or substitute with gluten-free flour if needed.
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Milk: Milk is the liquid base of your gravy recipe, and adding more or less milk will determine how thick or thin your gravy will be. For this recipe, I recommend using 2 cups of milk depending on how much gravy you want to make.
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Salt: Use just enough to bring out the flavor of the other ingredients. I recommend using 1/4 teaspoon per serving.
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Black pepper: Black pepper gives your gravy flavor and depth, providing a slight kick of spice that balances the buttery richness. Use freshly ground black pepper for best results.
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Onion: Diced onions are an optional ingredient but add great flavor to the recipe. Use one small onion for one serving of this recipe.
–Meat grease: Meat grease is an optional ingredient that adds flavor and richness to your white gravy recipe. Whether you’re making country fried steak, fried chicken, or Southern-style dumplings – meat grease is a must-have!
The Recipe How-To
Now, it’s time to get down to business and make some delicious Cracker Barrel White Gravy! Here are the steps to follow:
Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons of butter
- 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
- 2 cups of milk (depending on how thick you like your gravy)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- First, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Once the butter has melted, gradually add in the flour, stirring constantly with a whisk until smooth.
- Continue whisking the mixture for about 1 minute until it turns a light golden color.
- Slowly add in the milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the gravy simmer for 5-10 minutes until it has thickened.
- Add salt and black pepper to taste.
And that’s it! Your delicious Cracker Barrel White Gravy is ready!
I recommend serving this gravy with some homemade buttermilk biscuits and breakfast meats like country-fried steak or chicken fried chicken for an ultimate Southern-style breakfast experience. Or you could try pairing it with some savory dishes like chicken dumplings or country ham for a hearty dinner option.
Don’t forget to store any leftover gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When reheating, you may need to add a splash of milk and stir constantly to bring it back to its original consistency.
Enjoy your homemade version of Cracker Barrel’s famous white gravy recipe straight from their menu!
Substitutions and Variations
Now that you have the basic recipe down for Cracker Barrel’s white gravy, let’s talk about some substitutions and variations you can make to this recipe.
First, let’s talk about the meat grease. While the original recipe calls for bacon grease, you can substitute it with any other meat grease that you have on hand. For example, if you just cooked up a batch of fried chicken or country-fried steak, you can use that meat grease instead.
If you want to switch up the flavor of your gravy, consider adding different herbs and spices. A pinch of thyme or sage can give your gravy a savory edge, while a dash of cayenne pepper can add some heat. Experiment with different spices to find a combination that fits your taste buds.
Not a fan of onions? No worries! Simply omit them from the recipe or replace them with another vegetable, such as bell pepper or celery. You could also add in some diced mushrooms for extra texture.
While the original recipe calls for regular milk, you could try using buttermilk instead for a tangy twist. Another variation is to use half-and-half instead of milk for a creamier consistency.
For an indulgent breakfast dish, try serving your white gravy over warm buttermilk biscuits and fried chicken, just like they do on the Cracker Barrel menu. Or create a classic Southern-style breakfast by pairing the gravy with country ham or sausage patties.
Lastly, if you’re craving some texture in your gravy, add in some crumbled cooked bacon bits or coarsely ground black pepper for a little extra crunch.
Overall, there are numerous ways to play around with this recipe and customize it to fit your personal preferences. Don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with new flavors and ingredients!
Serving and Pairing
Now that you have made the mouth-watering Cracker Barrel White Gravy, it’s time to dig in and indulge! This creamy and savory white gravy is a versatile addition to any meal. Its southern charm pairs perfectly with many classic dishes like fried chicken, chicken-fried steak, or country ham.
For breakfast, this homemade gravy tastes heavenly over a plate of warm buttermilk biscuits and crispy bacon. The biscuits will allow the gravy to seep into every nook and cranny, creating an explosion of flavor in every bite. The dish is a perfect pick-me-up on lazy weekend mornings.
But this savory white gravy isn’t just for breakfast; it can be paired with lunch or dinner as well. For lunch, smother it over a juicy, meaty sausage patty cooked to perfection or sprinkle some coarsely ground black pepper over the dish, and you get the classic pepper gravy.
For dinner, serve the white gravy with Southern-style chicken dumplings, pork chops, or beef cutlets. It turns ordinary dishes into extraordinary meals that your family and friends will love.
And if you want to replicate Cracker Barrel’s famous Sawmill Gravy from their menu at home, use this recipe to make biscuits and top them with a few spoonfuls of the homemade gravy—delicious!
This easy-to-make white gravy will be sure to enhance any dish you desire. Its rich flavor will have everyone coming back for more. So go ahead and pour on this flavorful white sauce and enjoy all its creamy goodness!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
The best thing about this Cracker Barrel White Gravy recipe is that it can be made ahead of time and reheated perfectly without losing any of its flavor. Whether you’re planning breakfast for the week or hosting a weekend brunch, this recipe can be your saving grace.
To make ahead, simply prepare the gravy as instructed and allow it to cool completely. Once cooled, transfer the gravy to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
When ready to reheat, use a saucepan over medium heat and slowly warm the gravy until it is heated through. Be sure to stir frequently to ensure that the gravy reheats evenly and doesn’t burn at the bottom of the pan.
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating leftovers, again use a saucepan over medium heat but this time add 1-2 teaspoons of milk to loosen up the gravy before warming it up. Stir often while reheating.
One caution when storing white gravy is that if you happen to refrigerate it when still warm and seal tightly your container, chances are high it will release gas that will lead to fermentation or even explode. To prevent this, make sure your gravy has cooled down completely before refrigerating.
Now let’s talk about how versatile this amazing gravy is: You can use leftovers as the perfect accompaniment for many dishes like meatloaf or roasted potatoes, just make sure you reheat with proper guidance like using microwave with a lid vented or reheating in a saucepan as mentioned in instruction above .
Pro tip: If you want to save time on busy mornings but still need a yummy breakfast fix, cook some fluffy biscuits ahead of time also by freezing biscuit dough in advance and then bake them off fresh when needed using your freezing asset instead of freckly home-made one. Drizzle generous amounts of white gravy over your Buttermilk Biscuits and voila! Breakfast dreams come true without sacrificing too much time or flavor!
Tips for Perfect Results
To achieve the perfect Cracker Barrel white gravy, it is crucial to pay attention to the details. Follow these tips for an unforgettable dining experience.
First and foremost, use meat grease instead of butter to add flavor to the gravy. Meat grease from country fried steak or chicken fried chicken will make a noticeable difference in the taste of the gravy. Additionally, be sure to use all-purpose flour and not self-rising flour, as self-rising flour could cause the gravy to become too thick.
When adding the flour, make sure it has fully dissolved into the meat grease before gradually pouring in the milk. This will prevent lumps from forming in the gravy.
To achieve a smooth and creamy texture, use whole milk or 2% milk instead of skim or low-fat milk. However, if you prefer a thinner consistency, you can add more milk depending on your preference.
In terms of seasoning, salt and black pepper are essential ingredients for white gravy. It’s best to use freshly ground black pepper instead of pre-ground pepper fom a shaker as it gives a fresher taste to the gravy.
Keep tasting your gravy as you cook and adjust your seasonings accordingly. Remember that good seasoning is what separates mediocre from excellent food.
Finally, give the sauce enough time to thicken before serving. Generally, it takes about 10 minutes for white gravy to thicken over medium heat. But don’t forget to stir your gravy every 1-2 minutes as this helps distribute the heat evenly throughout and avoid sticking on bottom of pan.
If you follow these tips closely, you will be able to create a delicious homemade version of Cracker Barrel’s white gravy with perfection every time!
FAQ
As a culinary explorer, I have gathered some of the most common questions about this delicious recipe. Here are the answers to these frequently asked questions that will help you create the perfect Cracker Barrel White Gravy at home. So, let’s get started!
What is Cracker Barrel gravy made of?
The key ingredients of this recipe are milk or cream, meat grease, flour, salt, and a generous amount of pepper.
Does Cracker Barrel sell gravy mix?
Get your hands on Cracker Barrel Old Country Store’s Classic Brown Gravy Mix (1 oz) through Instacart’s delivery or pickup services.
What are the ingredients to make white gravy?
Creating a simple yet delicious sauce is within your reach using common ingredients that are probably already in your kitchen. With just butter, flour, milk, salt, and pepper, this recipe can be quickly put together. And for those who prefer a little spice, a dash of cayenne can be thrown in.
Why is white gravy called sawmill gravy?
Sawmill Gravy got its name from its origin in Southern Appalachia during the late 1800s. It was a staple breakfast dish for sawmill workers who needed a hearty and protein-packed meal to give them energy for the laborious work ahead.
Bottom Line
If you’re in search of homemade gravy that tastes just like Cracker Barrel’s, look no further than this recipe! Whether you’re a fan of their classic country fried steak or chicken and dumplings, this white gravy recipe will take your meal to the next level.
By following these detailed instructions and helpful tips, you’ll be able to create a perfect batch of white gravy every time. And with its versatile nature, you can serve it up with breakfast dishes like buttermilk biscuits and sawmill gravy, or pair it with your favorite Southern-style entree for dinner.
So next time you find yourself longing for the flavors of Cracker Barrel’s menu in the comfort of your own home, grab those ingredients and whip up a batch of this delicious white gravy recipe. Trust me, your taste buds (and maybe even your family and friends) will thank you.
Cracker Barrels White Gravy (Request) Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 slices maple bacon
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/4 cup diced onion
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 2 1/2-3 1/2 cups milk (depending on how thick you like it)
- 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Brown the bacon in a large skillet, over medium-high heat, and then remove and crumble.
- Add the butter and onions to the pan, and cook until onions are just browning.
- Turn the heat to low and add the flour. Cook for about 3 minutes or until the roux smells nutty.
- Whisk in the milk, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil over low heat, stirring often.
- Add the crumbled bacon.
Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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Mishra Vikas is a digital nomad who loves to explore the world and learn about its cultures. As a programmer, backpacker, and cook, he enjoys sharing his adventures and cooking up delectable dishes. Writing about his experiences, creating tasty recipes, and discovering new places are some of his favorite activities. He’s an avid traveler and passionate chef, always on the lookout for an exciting new journey.