If you’ve ever wished you could nail that perfect, rich, silky gravy just like the one at KFC, then you’re in for a treat. This KFC-Style Homemade Gravy Recipe is fan-freaking-tastic and seriously easy—I love this because it captures that nostalgic flavor with a homemade touch that’s a million times better than store-bought. Keep reading, and I’ll walk you through how to make this gravy in just minutes, with tips that’ll ensure it turns out smooth and utterly delicious every single time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ultra Quick to Make: Takes less than 5 minutes from start to finish, perfect for busy weeknights.
Authentic Flavors: Uses both chicken and beef stock cubes for that signature KFC depth of flavor and color.
Easy Ingredients: Pantry staples you probably already have, no need for fancy or hard-to-find items.
Versatile & Crowd-Pleasing: Perfect over mashed potatoes, roasted meats, or your favorite veggies—guaranteed to get compliments!

A close-up shows a white bowl filled with a creamy, pale yellow mashed potato layer that looks smooth and soft. On top, a thick, glossy brown gravy is being poured from a white gravy boat, creating a shiny, flowing layer over the mashed potatoes. The background surface is white with a marble texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - KFC-Style Homemade Gravy, quick homemade gravy, easy gravy recipe, homemade gravy tips, rich flavorful gravy

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients combine to create that rich, smooth gravy with a comforting, meaty flavor. The key is using both chicken and beef stock cubes—the chicken is the base and the beef adds a lovely color and deeper taste. Butter and flour come together for a classic roux, giving you that velvety texture you want in gravy.

Flat lay of two whole uncracked eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of pale yellow unsalted butter cubes, a small white ceramic bowl of plain all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl of finely ground black pepper, a small white ceramic bowl of onion powder, two chicken and beef stock cubes side by side, and a small white ceramic bowl of clear boiling water, 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 awthu7i m7354615311229779997 - KFC-Style Homemade Gravy, quick homemade gravy, easy gravy recipe, homemade gravy tips, rich flavorful gravy

Chicken Stock Cube: I recommend using crumbled cubes for better flavor and texture; they dissolve quickly in boiling water.
Beef Stock Cube: Adds a beautiful brown color and depth of flavor, don’t skip this one!
Boiling Water: Using hot water helps the cubes dissolve instantly and speeds up the cooking process.
Butter (Unsalted): For a rich base without extra salt—gives the gravy that creamy body.
Flour (Plain/All-Purpose): This thickens the gravy—make sure to whisk well to avoid lumps.
Onion Powder: Adds subtle savory sweetness; garlic powder works in a pinch if you don’t have onion powder on hand.
Black Pepper (Finely Ground): Brings a little gentle heat and balances the richness perfectly.
Salt: To taste, since stock cubes can vary in saltiness; always add and taste at the end.

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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.

Variations

I love keeping this gravy classic, but feel free to get creative! A few tweaks here and there can totally change it up, and that’s part of the fun. Don’t hesitate to adjust spices or try gluten-free flour if you need.

Herb-Infused Version: I often stir in a sprinkle of thyme or sage for a herby twist, which pairs beautifully with roast chicken.
Garlic Gravy: Swap onion powder for garlic powder to give it a slightly punchier flavor—my family can’t get enough of this!
Gluten-Free Gravy: Use a gluten-free flour blend instead of plain flour, and just watch the thickening time closely since it might vary.
Vegetarian Option: Use vegetable stock cubes in place of chicken and beef, but keep in mind the flavor won’t be quite as rich and meaty.

How to Make KFC-Style Homemade Gravy Recipe

Step 1: Dissolve the Stock Cubes in Boiling Water

Start by crumbling both the chicken and beef stock cubes into a bowl of boiling water and stir until they’re completely dissolved. I usually use about 2¼ cups of water — hot water speeds up dissolving and helps jump-start the flavor infusion. You’ll see the mixture turn a lovely rich brown color, which is the first sign this gravy is going to be spectacular.

Step 2: Make the Roux with Butter and Flour

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt your butter gently. Once it’s all melted and shimmering, add the flour along with the onion powder and black pepper. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon or whisk to create a smooth, golden roux. This base is what gives the gravy that silky texture, so keep the heat moderate to avoid browning too much or burning it.

Step 3: Gradually Add the Stock Mixture

Slowly pour in half of the hot stock liquid while stirring continuously — you’ll notice the roux thickening quickly as the liquid gets incorporated. Then, add the remaining stock and keep stirring. The key here is patience and constant stirring to avoid lumps; the gravy will come together beautifully in under 2 minutes.

Step 4: Simmer and Season to Taste

Keep stirring your gravy for about 1½ to 2 minutes until it thickens up nicely to a pourable but rich consistency. Give it a quick taste and adjust with salt or extra pepper if needed. Because stock cubes vary in saltiness, I always recommend tasting near the end so you don’t over-salt!

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Pro Tips for Making KFC-Style Homemade Gravy Recipe

Use Crumbled Stock Cubes: I discovered this trick after struggling with pale gravy—crumbled cubes dissolve better and give a nice deep color and flavor.
Constant Whisking: Stirring continuously while adding stock prevents lumps and keeps the texture silky smooth.
Don’t Rush Adding Liquid: Pour in half first, let it thicken, then add the rest to avoid a watery or lumpy outcome.
Adjust Seasonings Last: Since stock varies in salt, I always add salt at the end to get balance just right.

How to Serve KFC-Style Homemade Gravy Recipe

A white plate is filled with sliced roasted chicken with a shiny, golden-brown skin. The chicken is cut into thick pieces, showing tender, white meat inside. At the center, smooth brown gravy is being poured from a spoon, slowly flowing over the chicken slices, adding a glossy layer. Some shredded chicken pieces with light beige tones are placed around the sliced chicken, creating a mix of textures. In the background, part of a roasted chicken drumstick with crispy skin is visible. The entire scene is set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - KFC-Style Homemade Gravy, quick homemade gravy, easy gravy recipe, homemade gravy tips, rich flavorful gravy

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle just a touch of freshly cracked black pepper over the top right before serving. Sometimes, a few finely chopped fresh parsley leaves add a pop of color and a subtle fresh note that cuts through the richness.

Side Dishes

This KFC-Style Homemade Gravy Recipe shines over fluffy mashed potatoes (try my extra creamy copycat KFC mashed potatoes!), roasted pork chops, crispy fried chicken, or even simple steamed veggies like green beans or carrots. Trust me, it’s the ultimate companion to many comfort food classics.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served this gravy in mini gravy boats alongside individual plates, letting guests drizzle as they please. It also looks stunning poured over a baked potato topped with chives and cheese for a casual but decadent meal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover gravy in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Before reheating, give it a good stir to recombine any thickened parts. This gravy reheats beautifully without losing its richness.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this gravy successfully in smaller portions for up to 2 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove with a splash of water or stock to loosen the consistency.

Reheating

Reheat your gravy slowly over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking or burning. You might need to whisk in a little extra water or stock to get it back to that perfect pourable texture.

FAQs

Can I make this KFC-Style Homemade Gravy Recipe without stock cubes?

While this recipe relies on stock cubes for flavor and color, you can substitute homemade or store-bought broth instead. Just adjust seasoning accordingly and you might need to increase the butter and flour slightly to achieve the right thickness.
Is this gravy gluten-free?

Not as written, because it uses plain flour for the roux. However, you can easily substitute gluten-free flour blends or a cornstarch slurry to thicken if you need a gluten-free version.
How do I prevent lumps in my homemade gravy?

Whisk constantly while adding liquid slowly to the roux, and make sure your butter and flour mixture is smooth before you start adding stock. Using warm or hot liquid also helps the flour incorporate without clumps.
Can I make this gravy ahead of time?

Absolutely! Make it ahead, refrigerate, and gently reheat when ready to serve. Just give it a good stir and add a splash of water if it’s thickened too much in the fridge.

Final Thoughts

This KFC-Style Homemade Gravy Recipe is one of those comfort food secrets that I’m thrilled to share with you. It’s quick, reliably delicious, and brings that classic nostalgia right to your kitchen without the fuss. Whether you’re topping mashed potatoes, pork chops, or roasted veggies, this gravy makes everything better—and I promise your family and friends will go crazy for it. Give it a try, tweak it to your taste, and enjoy the smiles it brings around the table.

KFC-Style Homemade Gravy Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 72 reviews

Author: Jaden
Prep Time: 1 min
Cook Time: 3 min
Total Time: 4 min
Yield: 6 servings
Category: Sauce/Gravy
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

This rich and flavorful gravy recipe delivers a taste reminiscent of KFC gravy, but with enhanced depth and homemade goodness. Made quickly using both chicken and beef stock cubes dissolved in boiling water, combined with a buttery roux seasoned with onion powder and black pepper, it’s perfect for elevating chops, steaks, sausages, vegetables, and roasts.

Ingredients

Stock Base

1 chicken stock cube / bouillon cube (or substitute 2 tsp powder)
1 beef stock cube / bouillon cube (or substitute 2 tsp powder)
2 1/4 cups (565ml) boiling water

Roux

60g / 4 tbsp unsalted butter
4 tbsp plain / all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp onion powder (optional, can substitute garlic powder)
1/4 tsp finely ground black pepper
Salt, to taste (if needed)

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Instructions

Dissolve Stock Cubes: Crumble the chicken and beef stock cubes into the boiling water and stir well until completely dissolved to create a flavorful broth base.
Melt Butter: In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter until fully liquefied, preparing it for making the roux.
Add Flour and Seasonings: Stir in the plain flour, onion powder, and black pepper. Use a wooden spoon or whisk to blend these into the butter, forming a smooth paste (roux).
Incorporate Broth Gradually: While continuously stirring, slowly pour in half of the hot broth into the roux. Mix thoroughly to combine and allow the mixture to thicken quickly.
Add Remaining Broth: Once the initial roux and broth mixture thickens, add the rest of the broth gradually, stirring constantly to keep the gravy smooth.
Simmer and Adjust: Continue stirring the gravy for 1.5 to 2 minutes until it thickens to your preferred consistency. Taste and add salt or more pepper if needed.
Serve: Pour the hot gravy over meats like chops, steak, sausages, or vegetables, and enjoy a delicious homemade complement to your meal.

Notes

The secret to this tasty gravy is using both chicken and beef stock cubes; beef adds color and depth of flavor while chicken provides a solid base.
Using crumbled cubes rather than powder ensures a better brown color and richer taste as some beef powders can result in a paler gravy.
This recipe is incredibly fast, ready in about 4 minutes, using boiling water to speed up the process.
It’s perfect for serving with pork, beef, lamb, roast chicken, or your favorite sides.
For a gluten-free version, substitute the plain flour with a gluten-free flour blend.