Complete your Christmas dinner with this easy ham gravy from drippings. There’s nothing better than serving your Easter ham with this quick homemade gravy. It really is the best gravy for ham!.
Oh my goodness, if you’ve never had ham gravy before you seriously don’t know what you’re missing!
There are only 4 things you need to make this old-fashioned ham gravy, and it only takes about 5 minutes. There’s really no reason not to have a gravy boat full of it with every ham dinner.
It’s creamy and it has a perfect consistency. I like how it’s thick enough to cover the ham but not so thick that it doesn’t run into any cracks.
This ham and mashed potato gravy is a must-have for any ham dinner, and it’s also the best way to use up any extra ham juice.
You will get a sweet gravy if you use the juices from a pineapple ham, a glazed ham, or a brown sugar ham. So just keep that in mind when you’re planning out what you plan to serve this gravy with.
Butter: I like putting butter in gravies instead of oil as the base of my roux because it gives the gravy a lot more flavor. If you happen to have any bacon grease on hand, that would also work well here.
Flour: Flour is a great thickener for gravies. The taste is especially great after cooking the roux for a few minutes and letting it turn golden. You only need half as much cornstarch as flour if you want to make ham gravy with it.
Ham Drippings: This is where all the flavor comes from. If you don’t have ham drippings, I recommend using ham broth instead.
Half and Half: Ham gravy typically has whole milk or cream added in. I personally like using half-and-half. If you like it be creamier, feel free to add more in.
Complete your Christmas dinner with this easy ham gravy from drippings. It really is the best gravy for ham that’s perfect for Easter dinner!.
*If you’d rather use cornstarch instead of flour, you’ll only need to use 1 Tablespoon of cornstarch.
**You can add ham broth or water to the drippings if you don’t have 2 cups.
This recipe works great for two or three times as much! The amounts are for cooking a small ham, but you can definitely make more if you cook a big ham.
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate. Nutrition content for this recipe will vary widely based on the way you prepared your ham.
Ham gravy is a delicious accompaniment to holiday meals and comfort food classics. Its savory, smoky flavor pairs perfectly with ham, turkey, chicken, biscuits, mashed potatoes, and more. But is it worth buying pre-made ham gravy in a jar versus making it from scratch?
While the convenience of ready-made gravy can’t be beat homemade has superior flavor and allows you to control the ingredients. Understanding the pros and cons of each will help you decide which option to choose for your next meal.
Buying Pre-Made Ham Gravy
Jarred ham gravy offers a few advantages
Convenience – No lengthy prep or cleanup needed. Just open the jar, heat, and serve!
Long shelf life – Store-bought gravy keeps for months unopened. It’s a pantry staple you can have on hand anytime.
Consistency – The flavor and texture is the same every time.
Time savings – Whip up quick weeknight meals without lengthy gravy prep.
Easy—you don’t have to make a roux, whisk the gravy all the time, or let it simmer.
Gluten-free options – Many brands offer gluten-free gravy made with cornstarch instead of wheat flour.
Popular brands of jarred ham gravy include:
- McCormick Brown Gravy with Ham Flavoring
- Heinz HomeStyle Rich & Savory Ham Gravy
- Swiss Miss Ham Gravy Mix
- Hormel Country Crock Homestyle Ham Gravy
- Franz Original Ham Gravy
To use, simply add water or milk and heat until warmed through. Follow package instructions for any extra steps needed.
The main downside of pre-made ham gravy is a less complex, homemade flavor. Short ingredient lists with lots of stabilizers result in a bit of an artificial taste. But if you need an easy, quick meal, it gets the job done!
Making Homemade Ham Gravy From Scratch
For the freshest, richest flavor, homemade gravy can’t be beaten. Making your own allows you to control the taste and quality of ingredients.
Benefits of homemade ham gravy:
- Greater depth of flavor from fresh ingredients
- Customizable with different broths, cream, herbs and spices
- Able to use real ham drippings for full-bodied flavor
- Avoid preservatives and stabilizers in packaged gravy
- Fun to make and great way to use up holiday ham leftovers
- Impress guests with homemade cooking skills
To make ham gravy from scratch:
- Start with 2 tablespoons each butter and flour to form a roux
- Cook the roux for 2-3 minutes until bubbling and fragrant
- Slowly whisk in 2 cups ham broth (from drippings or bouillon)
- Simmer until desired thickness is reached
- Season with salt, pepper, herbs like thyme or sage, and a splash of cream (optional)
The hands-on time is only about 10-15 minutes to make fresh ham gravy yourself.
The biggest effort is in producing the ham broth if you don’t have leftover drippings. Options for making ham broth include:
- Roast a bone-in ham and use drippings
- Simmer ham bones, ham hocks, or smoked pork for 2+ hours
- Use ham bouillon or ham base along with water
- Dilute canned condensed ham soup with water
Once you have great ham broth, the gravy comes together quickly. The flavor payoff is worth the hands-on time compared to just dumping jarred gravy into a pan.
How to Choose Between Jarred and Homemade
When deciding whether to use store-bought or homemade gravy, consider what factors are most important to you.
Pick pre-made gravy if you want:
- Maximum convenience
- Guaranteed consistency
- Quick meals without much effort
- To avoid potential lumps from homemade
Make homemade gravy for:
- Freshest, most complex flavor
- Ability to control ingredients
- Fun cooking process
- Use of real ham drippings
- Impressive homemade results
Ideally, keep a jar of gravy on hand for busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table fast. Whip up homemade from scratch on weekends or holidays when you have more time.
You can also use packaged gravy powder or bouillon as the ham broth base for homemade gravy. Then finish with your own roux, seasonings, and cream. This gives you fresh flavor with the convenience of shortcuts.
Tips for Improving Store-Bought Ham Gravy
If using pre-made gravy, you can enhance the flavor and make it taste more homemade.
Ways to upgrade jarred or instant ham gravy:
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Whisk in a bit of extra bouillon or broth concentrate for more ham flavor
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Add fresh or dried sage, thyme and other herbs
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Stir in a spoonful of whole grain mustard
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Splash in some white wine, sherry, or bourbon
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Finish with a swirl of heavy cream
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Mix in pan drippings from sautéed ham steaks or chops
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Simmer gravy with chopped ham pieces or ham bone before serving
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Garnish with fresh parsley, scallions, or crispy fried shallots
With just a few extra ingredients, you can transform store-bought gravy into a richer, more nuanced version that tastes like you made it from scratch.
Amazing Ways to Use Ham Gravy
Now that you’ve selected the ideal gravy for your needs, let’s discuss the many delicious ways to enjoy ham gravy!
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Biscuits and gravy – Drizzle over freshly baked biscuits, split English muffins, or toast
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Breakfast – Serve with eggs, hashbrowns, pancakes, or waffles
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Potatoes – Ladle gravy over mashed, scalloped, roasted, or fried potatoes
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Meat – Pair with ham, roast beef, meatloaf, chicken, or turkey
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Casseroles – Mix into rice, pasta bakes, egg bakes, and stratas
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Vegetables – Coat cooked carrots, peas, greens, or cauliflower
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Sandwiches – Dip or smother sandwiches in plenty of gravy
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Gravy flight – Offer sampler cups of different gravy flavors
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Pot pie – Use as sauce for chicken, turkey, or ham pot pies
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Soup – Whisk into bean, lentil, split pea, or vegetable soups
The possibilities are endless for how to serve this highly craveable, versatile sauce! Ham gravy is welcome on a dinner plate, weeknight or holiday alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about buying and making ham gravy:
Is gravy sold in jars refrigerated or shelf-stable?
Most major brands of jarred gravy are shelf-stable. Refrigerate after opening. Smaller specialty brands may be in the refrigerated section.
How long does homemade ham gravy last?
Store homemade gravy in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. It can also be frozen for 1-2 months.
What’s the difference between ham broth and ham stock?
Ham broth is made by simmering ham bones, meat, and seasonings in water for 1-2 hours. Ham stock is simmered for 6-12 hours to extract more gelatin and collagen from the bones for richer body. Broth and stock can be used interchangeably in gravy.
Can I use bacon grease instead of butter for the roux?
Yes, bacon drippings can substitute for butter when making a roux. This adds great smoky flavor to the gravy.
How do I fix lumpy gravy?
If your gravy has lumps, using a mesh strainer to sieve it out is better than trying to whisk smooth. Or make a cornstarch slurry to help absorb lumps.
What’s the best thickener for gravy?
Flour and cornstarch are common gravy thickeners. For the most flavor, use flour. Cornstarch produces a glossier, slightly clearer gravy.
Is ham gravy gluten-free?
Ham gravy made with cornstarch instead of flour can be gluten-free. Choose gluten-free bouillon and avoid thickeners like wheat flour. Check labels on pre-made gravy.
Conclusion
When craving hearty, savory ham gravy, both store-bought and homemade versions have their merits. Maximize convenience on busy weeknights with quality ready-made gravy. Or spend a cozy Sunday in the kitchen producing small batch gravy to wow dinner guests.
Hopefully this guide provided tips to enhance jarred gravy or whip up your own scrumptious from-scratch version. With an array of serving suggestions, you’ll look for even more ways to ladle on this satisfying sauce.
Whether poured over mile-high biscuits, fluffy eggs, or juicy meats, ham gravy always hits the spot. Drizzle away to your heart’s content!
How To Make Ham Gravy
Start by melting the butter in a saucepan, then sprinkle the flour over the melted butter. Whisk the roux together until it’s smooth. Let that cook, while whisking constantly, until the roux is golden. (See the recipe card below for the full printable instructions. ).
Continue whisking constantly while you slowly pour in the ham drippings. You should add it slowly and fully whisk it in before adding more. If you don’t, you’ll end up with lumpy gravy. Once there are no lumps, stir in the half-and-half.
Let the gravy simmer until it has thickened, then transfer it to a gravy boat and serve. Follow the written directions on the recipe card below. They include the exact amounts of ingredients, cooking times, helpful hints, and more.
Ham Gravy In The Pan
The pan that the ham was cooked in can be used to make the gravy, so you won’t have to wash another dish. Mix the flour and half-and-half in a jar by shaking it until it’s well mixed. Then, add it to the fat. Bring that to a simmer, and let it simmer until it has thickened.