You don't have to give up gravy if you are following a gluten-free diet, but you do have to be careful about what gravy you eat. While it's best to avoid ordering gravy in restaurants unless the establishment has an official gluten-free menu, it's not difficult to make gravy without gluten at home. You just have to avoid convenience mixes and be picky about the type of thickener you use.
Gluten Free Gravy Using Rice Flour
Rice flour is a great thickener for gravy that is safe for people who are gluten intolerant or sensitive. You can make beef, chicken or turkey gravy simply by changing the variety of stock or broth that you choose. Rice flour is available at most health food stores and in many supermarkets. It can also be ordered from a variety of online retailers, including Amazon.com and Vitacost.
This recipe makes eight servings.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of homemade chicken, beef or turkey stock or store-bought broth (if using store-bought, check label to verify gluten-free status)
- 4 tablespoons of butter
- 1/4 cup of rice flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Allow butter to melt.
- Slowly add the rice flour, stirring constantly.
- Stir until the butter and rice flour mixture are fully combined and form a thick, slightly browned roux.
- Slowly pour in the broth, a little at a time, stirring constantly, until desired consistency is reached (you may not need all of the broth).
- If gravy is still too thick when all broth has been stirred in, add a small amount of water and continue stirring until you are happy with the consistency.
- If gravy gets to thin, stir in a small amount of additional rice flour.
- Stir in salt and pepper.
- Serve and enjoy.
Gluten-Free Gravy Using Sour Cream
Sour cream is also a good thickening agent for gravy, especially if you like rich, creamy gravy. This recipe serves eight people.
Ingredients
- 1 bouillon cube or equivalent granules (Any flavor you prefer, just check label to make sure the brand you choose is gluten-free.)
- 1 cups of water
- 8 ounces of sour cream (Check label to verify that you've chosen a gluten-free variety.)
- 1/3 cup of milk (Use whole milk.)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat.
- Stir in bullion.
- Reduce heat to low.
- Stir in sour cream.
- Stir in milk a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Heat through, approximately five minutes, stirring frequently.
- If gravy is too thick, stir in additional water until desired thickness is reached.
- If gravy is too thin, stir in a little cornstarch or xanthan gum until desired thickness is reached.
Gluten-Free Tomato Gravy
This tasty tomato gravy starts with tomato paste as a base, so it doesn't even need an added thickening agent. This recipe also serves eight.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 clove minced garlic
- 1 can of tomato paste (Check label to be sure that the brand you choose is gluten-free.)
- 2 14.5 ounce cans of crushed tomatoes
- 1 14.5 ounce can of diced tomatoes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Put olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- When olive oil is hot, add the onion and garlic.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is crisp-tender (approximately five minutes).
- Reduce heat to low.
- Stir in tomato paste and crushed tomatoes.
- Drain the tomatoes and add to the skillet.
- Simmer over low heat approximately 45 minutes.
Additional Flavor Options
You can enhance the flavor of any gluten-free gravy recipe that you like by additional seasonings. Adding small amount of dried spices like basil, oregano and thyme can be a great way to boost flavor - just be sure to select seasonings that complement the dishes you are serving with your homemade gravy. You can also add spice by stirring in Creole seasoning mix, cayenne pepper or paprika. The possibilities are only as limited as your imagination.
