How To Make KFC Gravy

Wondering how to make KFC gravy? This article explains how to do that and more.

If you’ve ever eaten at KFC, you’re probably aware of how great their gravy is. While the crispy fried chicken at this famous fast-food restaurant is good, the gravy is what keeps customers coming back for more. 

There is no doubt that KFC gravy is a customer favorite, whether you’re dipping your chicken in it, drowning your mashed potatoes in it, or just drinking it straight up (I won’t judge).

KFC gravy is tasty, and if you want to replicate it at home, you need to follow the recipe to the letter. Stick around to learn more.

KFC Gravy: What Is It and What Makes It So Good?

KFC gravy

For many years, KFC gravy has been a fan favorite, and for a good reason. What is KFC gravy precisely, and why is it so delicious?

It’s a rich, flavorful sauce produced from the drippings of fried chicken. The sauce is then seasoned with a combination of herbs and spices to give it a distinctive flavor that is tangy and flavorful. 

Various herbs and spices, including sage, onion powder, and garlic powder, are used to season the gravy at KFC. The gravy is then given a smooth, creamy texture by thickening it with flour.

The umami flavor of KFC gravy is one of the main characteristics distinguishing it from other sauces. The sweet, salty, sour, and bitter taste—is umami. 

Many continue to order KFC gravy because of its umami flavor, which is derived from the usage of chicken drippings.

The fact that KFC gravy goes so well with the famous fried chicken contributes to its popularity. 

The crunchy breaded chicken and the delicious, thick gravy produce a mouthwatering flavor explosion. KFC gravy is ideal for any dish, whether you dip your chicken or serve it over mashed potatoes.

You may also want to read: This Is How To Make KFC Pepper Mayo

How To Make KFC Gravy at Home

Making KFC gravy at home is far simpler than you would imagine. Even if the recipe may differ slightly from the original, it is still possible to replicate that mouthwatering KFC flavor at home. Here is how you do it:

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup of KFC chicken drippings (if available) or 1/4 cup of unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups of chicken broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon of dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon of dried sage
  • 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
  • Salt to taste

Instructions:

  1. In a saucepan, melt the butter or use the chicken drippings to create a roux.
  2. Add flour to the melted butter or chicken drippings and whisk until combined.
  3. Cook the roux over medium heat, constantly stirring, for about 2 minutes or until it turns golden.
  4. Slowly pour in the chicken broth while whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming.
  5. Add onion powder, garlic powder, dried thyme, sage, and black pepper to the gravy.
  6. Whisk the gravy until all the ingredients are combined.
  7. Allow the sauce to simmer for 10-15 minutes or until it has thickened to your desired consistency.
  8. Add salt to taste.

That’s all! Considering that this recipe yields around 2 cups of gravy, feel free to modify the quantities to suit your need.

One thing to keep in mind is that you should filter any chicken drippings you plan to use in the dish. This will assist in getting rid of any breading that may have come off the chicken while it was being fried.

Tips and Tricks for Making the Best KFC Gravy

There are a few techniques that might help you improve your gravy. Here’s what you should note:

Use chicken drippings: Gravy will have a genuine KFC flavor if chicken drippings are used from KFC chicken. Unsalted butter can be used instead of chicken drippings if you have none.

Drain chicken drippings: Drain them when adding them to the gravy. This will assist in getting rid of any breading that may have come off the chicken while it was being fried.

Stir continuously: To avoid lumps forming while preparing the roux and adding the chicken stock, whisking constantly.

To suit your tastes, adjust the seasoning: You can season the food to your liking. Add extra onion and garlic powder to your gravy if you prefer it to be saltier. Reduce the seasoning if you prefer a lighter gravy.

Give the gravy the ideal amount of time: Let the gravy simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until the desired consistency is reached. Let it simmer for a few more minutes if it’s too thin. Adding a little more chicken broth, you can thin it out if it becomes too thick.

Store the gravy appropriately: If you have extra gravy, keep it in the fridge for 3–4 days by placing it in an airtight container. It can be warmed up in a pan over low heat while you thin it up, if necessary, with a bit of chicken broth.

Using the tips in this guide, you can produce excellent KFC gravy that rivals the original. Also, you can personalize the gravy based on your taste.

Variations on KFC Gravy

Although the traditional KFC gravy recipe is delectable on its own, you may modify it to your tastes in a few ways.

 Here are some suggestions for enhancing your KFC gravy’s heat, creaminess, or thickness.

  1. Spicy KFC Gravy: If you enjoy spice, consider sprinkling the gravy with cayenne pepper or hot sauce. You can also use chicken broth flavored with spices like paprika or chili powder for a richer flavor.
  2. Creamy KFC Gravy: You can add a little heavy cream to your KFC gravy to make it creamier. Your gravy will taste richer and more luscious as a result. You can add a dollop of sour cream or cream cheese for added creaminess.
  3. Thick KFC Gravy: More flour can be added to the roux to make the gravy thicker, or the gravy can simmer longer to decrease and thicken. A tablespoon of cornstarch can also be added to the gravy to help thicken it.
  4. Mushroom KFC Gravy: Try incorporating sautéed mushrooms into the traditional KFC gravy recipe for a new spin on the dish. Prepare the mushrooms in a different pan until they’re cooked, and then add them to the sauce at the end.
  5. Bacon KFC Gravy: Bacon makes everything better, including KFC gravy. To add even more salty and smokey flavor to the gravy, fry some bacon and crumble it.

You can experiment with different herbs, spices, and ingredients to make this traditional gravy your own. You can improve your KFC gravy by adding some unique flavors.

FAQS

How do they make the KFC gravy?

KFC gravy’s specific ingredients are kept a closely-guarded secret. Still, it’s generally accepted that it’s produced from fried chicken drippings, a roux (a mixture of flour and fat), and a combination of spices and seasonings. The savory and scrumptious KFC gravy we are all familiar with and adore is made by simmering it until it thickens.

What does KFC gravy contain?

Although the specific ingredients for KFC gravy are kept a carefully guarded secret, it includes a combination of spices and seasonings, flour, and fried chicken drippings. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and biscuits go well together when served with KFC gravy because of its flavor, which is savory and just a little bit sweet.

What is KFC mash and gravy made from?

The gravy is savory and somewhat sweet since it is made with spices, seasonings, flour, and fried chicken drippings. Boiling potatoes are then mashed and combined with butter, milk, and herbs to give the mashed potatoes a creamy and smooth texture. KFC mash and gravy combine to create a delectable, soothing side dish that goes well with any dinner.

How is gravy made from scratch?

By first making a roux, a blend of flour and fat, gravy can be produced from scratch. The liquid (such as chicken or beef broth) is gradually added while stirring continually to avoid lumps from forming after the roux has been cooked until it acquires a light golden color. After that, the mixture is simmered and cooked until the right consistency is achieved. Seasonings like salt, pepper, and herbs can be added to taste. In the end, you’ll have a rich, savory gravy that you can use to make meats, veggies, and potatoes taste even better.

What is the secret to good gravy?

Starting with a nice roux, a mixture of fat and flour heated until it takes on a light golden hue, is the key to making good gravy. To prevent lumps from developing and burning, the roux must be cooked over low heat while regularly stirring. It’s also crucial to incorporate delicious liquids, like chicken or beef broth, and cook until the consistency is reached. The flavor of the gravy can be improved by seasoning it to taste with salt, pepper, and herbs. 

Does KFC gravy contain milk?

Milk is not usually a component of the gravy formula at KFC. The drippings from the fried chicken are combined with flour, spices, and other unidentified ingredients to create the gravy, which gives it its distinctive flavor. 

Final Thoughts

KFC gravy is a tasty and well-liked accompaniment to any meal. There is no doubting the delectable and filling taste of KFC gravy, whether you’re eating it with fried chicken, mashed potatoes, or biscuits.

Now you know how to make it. Have fun cooking!

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