Name: Gluten-Free Gravy Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons unsalted butter or olive oil (1½ ounces; 42 grams); 3 tablespoons sweet rice flour or white rice flour (¾ ounce; 21 grams); 2 cups warm turkey, chicken, beef, or vegetable broth (16 ounces; 453 grams); 1 teaspoon gluten-free soy sauce; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon dried thyme; Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

There’s something deeply comforting about a rich, velvety sauce draped over your favorite meal, and this Gluten-Free Gravy Recipe is no exception. It’s simple, dependable, and the perfect finishing touch that brings everything together without any gluten worries.

A white plate holds three slices of light beige turkey arranged side by side on the lower half, with light brown gravy being poured over them from a small white pitcher held by a woman's hand in the top right corner. To the left of the turkey is a neat stack of bright green beans, beside that is a small mound of golden brown stuffing, and a dollop of dark red cranberry sauce. On the right side of the plate, there is a scoop of creamy white mashed potatoes topped with some of the same light brown gravy. The plate is set on a white marbled surface and a gold fork rests on the left edge of the plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Gluten-Free Gravy Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Gluten-Free Gravy Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Gluten-Free Gravy Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, I’m amazed at how luscious and satisfying gluten-free gravy can be when made right. This recipe proves you don’t need complicated tricks or hard-to-find ingredients. It’s approachable, forgiving, and truly tastes like homemade comfort in every spoonful.

Simple Ingredients: Uses just a handful of pantry staples, making it easy to whip up any day of the week.
Rich and Smooth Texture: The sweet rice flour creates a luscious gravy without any grainy feel.
Versatile Flavor: Works beautifully with turkey, chicken, beef, or even vegetable dishes—great for every meal.
Gluten-Free Assurance: No gluten, no worries—perfect if you're cooking for someone with sensitivities or celiac disease.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient here plays a crucial role in delivering that creamy, flavorful gravy without gluten. Sweet rice flour is my go-to thickener because it blends seamlessly and doesn’t leave behind the weird chalkiness that some gluten-free flours can.

Flat lay of a small pat of unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fine white rice flour, a small white ceramic bowl with golden olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl holding warm clear broth, a small white ceramic bowl with coarse sea salt, a small white ceramic bowl of freshly ground black pepper, a small white ceramic bowl of dark gluten-free soy sauce, a small white ceramic bowl containing pale beige garlic powder, a small white ceramic bowl with light tan onion powder, and a small white ceramic bowl of dried green thyme leaves, all arranged in perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter or Olive Oil: Provides the rich fat base that picks up the flavors and ensures a smooth roux.
Sweet Rice Flour or White Rice Flour: Acts as the thickening agent with a gentle taste and silky finish.
Warm Broth (Turkey, Chicken, Beef or Vegetable): Adds depth and body—warmth helps the gravy come together smoothly without lumps.
Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Basic seasonings that balance and elevate the flavors.
Gluten-Free Soy Sauce: Just a splash adds umami and a little complexity—choose one that’s certified gluten-free.
Garlic Powder: For subtle savory hints that round out the taste.
Onion Powder: Adds background sweetness and warmth.
Dried Thyme: Brings a mild herbal note that feels like classic gravy goodness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to keep this Gluten-Free Gravy Recipe as a blank canvas to tweak based on whatever I’m serving alongside. You can easily boost or soften the herbs and spices or swap out the broth based on your mood or pantry.

Variation: On occasion, I add a splash of dry white wine to the broth for extra depth, which I think works beautifully with poultry.
Vegetarian Option: Use a hearty vegetable broth and skip the soy sauce if you want to keep it allergy-friendly.
Herb Swaps: Substitute dried rosemary or sage instead of thyme for a different aroma that suits fall dinners.
Make it Creamy: Stir in a bit of coconut cream or dairy-free milk right at the end for a richer texture without gluten.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Gluten-Free Gravy Recipe

A pale beige creamy sauce with a smooth, shiny texture is being held by a wooden spoon over a light yellowish cream pot with a white inside. The pot sits on a metal cooling rack with a white marbled surface visible underneath. The sauce looks thick but easy to stir, and the pot has green handles, though the inside is the main focus. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Start With a Warm, Buttery Base

Begin by melting your butter over medium-high heat in a small pot. If you prefer olive oil, heat it gently until it shimmers without smoking—that's key to avoid a bitter taste. This step creates the rich foundation and cooks off any raw flour flavor.

Step 2: Whisk in the Sweet Rice Flour

Add the sweet rice flour and whisk vigorously until it forms a thick paste. Keep whisking for about 3 minutes until it turns a light beige color. This cook time is important—it develops a nutty flavor and ensures the flour doesn't taste starchy.

Step 3: Slowly Incorporate Warm Broth

With your whisk going constantly, slowly pour in the warm broth in a thin, steady stream. This gradual addition prevents lumps and helps the gravy thicken smoothly. Cook until it starts bubbling, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 10 minutes, whisking occasionally to keep that silky texture.

Step 4: Add Seasonings and Adjust

Stir in garlic and onion powders, thyme, and gluten-free soy sauce. Don’t forget to taste and adjust with salt and pepper. This finishing step infuses the gravy with those subtle, cozy flavors that make it irresistible on any plate.

Step 5: Serve Warm and Enjoy!

Once the gravy is perfectly thickened and seasoned, serve it warm over your favorite dishes. It’s best right off the stove but also holds up well in the fridge for a few days.

Top Tip

From my kitchen to yours, I’ve found that the magic of this Gluten-Free Gravy Recipe lies in patience and whisking—it really can’t be rushed.

Warm Your Broth: Adding cold broth straight into the roux causes clumping. Always warm it first, even just slightly, for a smooth pour.
Whisk Constantly: Especially while adding the broth, continuous whisking keeps the texture silky and lump-free.
Cook Out the Flour: Don’t skip the few minutes of cooking the flour paste; it’s what removes that raw flour taste.
Adjust Seasonings Last: Season once your gravy has thickened so you can gauge the flavor perfectly.

How to Serve Gluten-Free Gravy Recipe

Garnishes

I often sprinkle a bit of fresh chopped parsley or thyme leaves on top - it adds freshness and a lovely pop of color. Sometimes just a crack of fresh black pepper right before serving is all this gravy needs to shine.

Side Dishes

This gravy pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes for that ultimate comforting duo. I also love drizzling it over roasted vegetables, gluten-free stuffing, or any baked chicken or turkey. It just elevates every bite.

Creative Ways to Present

For festive dinners, I like to serve the gravy in a small ceramic gravy boat with a sprig of herb tucked on the side. It feels special and invites everyone to add just the right amount to their plate.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover gravy in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Before storing, I let it cool to room temperature. When reheating, a gentle warm-up with a splash of broth keeps it from thickening too much.

Freezing

Freezing this gluten-free gravy works fine if you want to prep ahead. I freeze it in small portions so I can thaw just what I need. Once thawed, give it a good whisk because the texture can separate slightly in the freezer.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring often. If the gravy thickens too much, thin it out with a little warm broth or water. Microwave reheating works too, just stir every 30 seconds to keep it smooth.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other gluten-free flours instead of sweet rice flour?

Sweet rice flour gives this gravy a silky texture that’s hard to match, but you can experiment with other gluten-free flours like tapioca or cornstarch. Just keep in mind the flavor and thickening power may vary, so adjust amounts accordingly and whisk carefully to avoid lumps.

Is this gravy suitable for vegan diets?

By swapping the butter for olive oil and using vegetable broth, this gluten-free gravy becomes completely vegan-friendly. Just double-check the soy sauce is gluten-free and vegan, as some brands include additives.

How can I thicken the gravy if it’s too thin?

If your gravy turns out thinner than you'd like, continue simmering it gently while whisking frequently. If that doesn't help enough, you can mix a small amount of sweet rice flour with cold water to create a slurry and whisk it in gradually to thicken without lumps.

Can I prepare gluten-free gravy in advance?

Absolutely! This Gluten-Free Gravy Recipe can be made a day or two ahead. Just store it in the fridge in an airtight container and reheat gently before serving, adding a bit of broth if it thickened too much overnight.

Final Thoughts

This recipe isn’t just gravy—it’s a little kitchen victory when you realize gluten-free can still mean seriously delicious and satisfying. I hope you enjoy making and sharing this Gluten-Free Gravy Recipe as much as I do. It’s become my reliable fall-back for holiday meals and weeknight dinners alike. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite gravy!