• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Diabetes Strong

Healthy Life With Diabetes

  • Home
  • Diabetes
    • Type 1 Diabetes
    • Type 2 Diabetes
    • Prediabetes
    • Diabetes Devices
    • Diabetes Products
    • Diabetes Medication
    • Diabetes Complications
    • Mental Health
  • Diet
    • Meal Plans
    • Low Carb Foods
  • Exercise
    • Workout Videos
    • The Fit With Diabetes eBook
  • Recipes
    • The Diabetes Strong Cookbook
  • About

Home » Recipes » Keto Gravy (Easy 30-Minute Recipe)

Christel OerumBy Christel Oerum on November 24, 2019, Updated May 24, 2020
Recipes

Keto Gravy (Easy 30-Minute Recipe)

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Keto Gravy

Keto Gravy made from meat drippings is a rich, delicious sauce that’s perfect for topping your turkey, roast, or sides! This recipe is ready in under 30 minutes and only uses 6 ingredients.

Spooning thick keto gravy out of a gravy boat

Is there anything better than pouring a rich, thick, creamy gravy over your turkey or roast dinner?

Because gravy is made from the concentrated meat drippings of your main course, it’s a natural way to deepen the flavor. And of course, you have to pour a little extra over your sides, too!

Most gravy recipes use flour to thicken the sauce, which includes unnecessary carbs. So the trick to making a keto and low-carb gravy is to simply swap out the flour for another thickening agent.

I find that xanthan gum is a perfect substitute. Just 1/4 of a teaspoon does the trick! You could also use coconut flour, or simply reduce the gravy on the stove for longer. Thankfully, there are quite a few ways to achieve that perfect, thick consistency.

You’ll end up with a rich gravy that’s full of flavor without the added carbs!

How to make keto gravy

This delicious recipe comes together in just 5 simple steps!

Step 1: Collect meat drippings from your roast or turkey. Alternatively, you can roast 2 – 4 pounds of turkey legs, wings, or neck at 400ºF for 1 and a half hours to gather enough drippings. Pour through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl.

Step 2: Heat a saucepan over medium-low heat. When the pan is warm, add the butter, salt, and pepper.

Butter, salt, and pepper melting in a pot

Step 3: As the butter melts, stir to combine, then let it start to brown. This should take 4 – 5 minutes in a thin non-stick pot and 8 – 10 minutes in a thick cast-iron pot.

Browned butter in a white pot

Step 4: As soon as the butter starts to brown, lower the heat and whisk in the xanthan gum, adding it very gradually. Continue whisking for 3 – 4 minutes until the butter starts to thicken.

Step 5: While whisking, add in the drippings, broth, and soy sauce. Continue mixing for 5 minutes until the keto gravy has reached your desired consistency. 

There you have it! Your delicious low-carb gravy is ready to be served, or you can cool and store until the rest of your meal is ready.

Thick gravy with the rest of the ingredients added to the pot

Choosing your flavors

The gravy is going to pick up most of its flavor from the meat drippings you use. This is what makes it such a rich, hearty sauce!

Turkey drippings are the most common to make with your Thanksgiving or holiday turkey meal.

You can also use bacon drippings, which will give the gravy a smoky taste that is incredible over roasted vegetables.

Beef drippings have an intense, meaty flavor that perfectly compliments a roast. This flavor profile can also be spectacular over a protein like chicken or meatballs!

The gravy will pick up a bit of flavor from the broth, but much less than the meat drippings. That’s why you can use any broth that you have on hand.

Finished gravy in a white gravy boat

How do you thicken gravy without carbs?

Traditional gravies use high-carb ingredients like flour or cornstarch to reach their desired consistency.

Thankfully, it’s easy to achieve the same effect without the carbs by using xanthan gum! In fact, this ingredient is so effective, you want to be very careful using it. Always add it in gradually while continuing to whisk.

This recipe calls for 1/4 tsp. xanthan gum, but I recommend starting with a little less and working up to that amount or until the consistency seems just right.

Don’t have any xanthan gum on hand? You can also add 2 tablespoons of coconut flour to the butter after it has reduced and browned. Whisk the coconut flour into the butter mixture, then slowly add the rest of the ingredients to form a smooth, thick gravy.

Lastly, you do have the option to just leave the thickening agent out altogether and cook the gravy for longer. This reduces the liquid and intensifies the flavor of the gravy.

Smooth gravy dripping off a spoon into a gravy boat

Storage

Low carb gravy can be stored covered in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

When you’re ready to serve, I recommend reheating in a pot on the stove over low heat. Once it’s hot, pour into a gravy boat to serve immediately.

Other healthy low-carb holiday recipes

Looking for a few more low-carb options to make around Thanksgiving or the holidays? Here are some of my favorites that I know you’ll love:

  • Keto Green Bean Casserole
  • Easy Low Carb Stuffing
  • Low Carb Cornbread

You can also check out this roundup of delicious low-carb desserts for recipes that will satisfy your sweet tooth!

When you’ve tried this gravy, please don’t forget to let me know how you liked it and rate the recipe in the comments below!

Recipe Card

Keto Gravy

Keto Gravy made from meat drippings is a rich, delicious sauce that's perfect for topping your turkey, roast, or sides! This recipe is ready in under 30 minutes and only uses 6 ingredients.
Prep Time:5 minutes
Cook Time:20 minutes
Total Time:25 minutes
Author:Christel Oerum
Servings:8 servings
5 from 5 votes
Review Print

Ingredients

  • 5 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 tsp. xanthan gum
  • 1/2 cup meat drippings
  • 1 tsp. soy sauce or tamari
  • 1 cup beef broth
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Collect meat drippings from your roast or turkey. Alternatively, you can roast 2 – 4 pounds of turkey legs, wings, or neck at 400ºF for 1 and a half hours to gather enough drippings. Pour through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl.
  • Heat a saucepan over medium-low heat. When the pan is warm, add the butter, salt, and pepper.
  • As the butter melts, stir to combine, then let it start to brown. This should take 4 – 5 minutes in a thin non-stick pot and 8 – 10 minutes in a thick cast-iron pot.
  • As soon as the butter starts to brown, lower the heat and whisk in the xanthan gum, adding it very gradually. Continue whisking for 3 – 4 minutes until the butter starts to thicken.
  • While whisking, add in the drippings, broth, and soy sauce. Continue mixing for 5 minutes until the keto gravy has reached your desired consistency.

Recipe Notes

This recipe is for 8 servings.
The nutritional information is based on using turkey drippings, but the exact values will depend on what kind of drippings you use. Beef and pork will have more fat and calories.
Make sure to add the xanthan gum very gradually while continuing to whisk. You may not need the full 1/4th tsp.
Instead of xanthan gum, you can also whisk 2 tbsp. coconut flour into the butter right after browning before adding the rest of the ingredients.
You can also omit any thickening agents and simply reduce the gravy for longer.
Gravy can be stored covered in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. 

Nutrition Info Per Serving

Nutrition Facts
Keto Gravy
Amount Per Serving
Calories 108 Calories from Fat 76
% Daily Value*
Fat 8.4g13%
Saturated Fat 4.7g24%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.2g
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 28.6mg10%
Sodium 132mg6%
Potassium 112.6mg3%
Carbohydrates 0.7g0%
Fiber 0.5g2%
Sugar 0.2g0%
Protein 7.3g15%
Net carbs 0.2g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: easy low carb gravy, keto gravy
Did you make this recipe?Click here to leave a comment & star rating!
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Categories: Recipes Tags: Gluten Free, Keto, Side dishes

Christel Oerum

About Christel Oerum

Christel is the founder of Diabetes Strong. She is a Certified Personal Trainer specializing in diabetes. As someone living with type 1 diabetes, Christel is particularly passionate about helping others with diabetes live active healthy lives. She’s a diabetes advocate, public speaker, and author of the popular diabetes book Fit With Diabetes.

View all posts by Christel Oerum

Related Posts

  • Keto Chocolate Brownies

    These indulgent keto chocolate brownies are gluten-free, sugar-free, and come together in one bowl! They're the perfect sweet treat for a low-carb diet. Making keto…

  • Diabetic chicken recipes
    12 Healthy Diabetic Chicken Recipes

    It's no secret that I am a huge fan of healthy and low-carb diabetic chicken recipes that taste great. Chicken is one of the cleanest…

  • Keto broccoli casserole
    Keto Broccoli Casserole (Creamy and Low Carb)

    This easy Keto Broccoli Casserole is comfort food packed with healthy veggies and cheesy goodness. It's a rich, creamy, delicious side dish that's sure to…

Previous Post: « Can People with Diabetes Donate Blood?
Next Post: 7 Ways to Simplify Type 1 Diabetes Management »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Popular Articles

What are normal blood sugar levels?

What are Normal Blood Sugar Levels?

How Natural & Artificial Sweeteners Affect Blood Sugar

The Best Sweeteners for People with Diabetes

How to lower your A1c

How to Lower Your A1c: The Complete Guide

How to cook chicken breast

How to Bake Chicken Breast in the Oven (So It’s Always Juicy)

How to Avoid High Morning Blood Sugars

How to Avoid High Morning Blood Sugar

Diabetes meal plan

7 -Day Diabetes Meal Plan (with Printable Grocery List)

Footer

Follow Us on Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Disclosures
  • Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertisement Policy

© 2015 – 2021 Diabetes Strong. All right reserved. Diabetes Strong does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. GET ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.