Country Gravy Mix

Inspiration for the gravy mix

My favorite grocery store hosts the Monopoly game each year.

One of those games where they give you a ticket that you have to open to see if you are an instant winner, or you can collect game pieces to possible win big prizes.

This year, one of the instant win prizes (that I won A LOT of!) was a packet of country gravy mix.

I started using the packet of gravy for many meals.

It’s a quick and easy way to get dinner on the table

The gravy mix packet had simple instructions: take the gravy mix and add water, cook until thick. Serve.

Though we did find that we liked it better when we added ½ teaspoon of {affiliate link} Better Than Bouillon, Vegetable Base and a little extra fresh black pepper.

So I kept that part in my recipe.

I’d make a big batch of mashed potatoes, enough for leftovers. Steam some broccoli. Make up some of the gravy and serve it over meatless meatballs. Perfect dinner.

Tip on how to easily cook meatless meatballs

Take how many meatballs you want to serve for dinner, for the two of us it’s about 9 meatballs, give or take depending on how hungry we are.

Place the frozen meatless meatballs in a microwave save bowl; add water to about halfway up the meatballs.

Place an upside down plate over the top of the bowl, and microwave on high 1 minute.

Turn each meatball over, and microwave another minute or two depending on how big the meatballs are. You want them hot all the way through.

Drain off the water, and you have fully cooked and heated through meatballs, ready to add to gravy or toss in soups.

Recipe development

As often as I was making the gravy, I finally had to buy some packets, as the Monopoly game was over.

And, gasp! They were out of the gravy packets at the store.

This made me realize that I needed to figure out how to make my own.

So, I read the ingredients, did a bunch of testing, and finally came up with a great recipe for you.

Recipe Notes

I kept the instructions and water amounts the same as the packet, as I like the amount that the gravy makes.

We can get 4 servings out of it, though if you like lots of gravy on your food, you may only get 2 servings out of it.

So, one serving is about 1/4 of a cup of gravy.

You can make a big batch of this mix and keep it on the shelf, always at the ready.

Use the servings slider on the recipe card to easily adjust the ingredient amounts and make a bigger batch.

If you do make a big jar full of Country Gravy Mix, just use 4 tablespoons mix to 1 cup water when you go to mix it up.

If you want creamier gravy, feel free to use milk rather than water. I’ve done that many times.

In fact, I accidentally bought a carton of lactose free milk recently. Well, rather than throw it away, because it did taste different and not as good in things like cereal.

I used it in making many batches of gravy. No one could tell the difference with the lactose free milk, so I figured that was a good way to use it up and not waste any.

Instant milk vs. dry milk

Thanks to reader Jim, I have learned that there’s a difference between dry instant milk powder and dry powdered milk.

With instant milk, you just add water to the milk, and it “instantly” becomes milk. It’s a milk powder that’s been specially treated so that it dissolves in water.

But, with dry powdered milk you add the powder to water and let it sit for hours to reconstitute.

In my house we always called it dry milk powder, not knowing there was a difference. In fact, it’s even so difficult to find instant milk now that I don’t even know where you’d look for powdered milk (other than Amazon and the internet).

Well, you learn something every day. And you’ll want instant milk powder here for this recipe.

buttermilk powder

I usually keep buttermilk powder on the shelf if I plan on using it soon. If I don’t foresee using it quickly, then I’ll pop it in the fridge.

Once opened, the powdered buttermilk has an average shelf life of 6 to 12 months.

I’ll always give it the sniff test before I use it. Check for changes such as discoloration or a strange odor. Also, look for changes in texture. If it has clumped together, this is often an indication that it has gone bad. And, of course if it tastes “off” better to throw it away.

If you prefer to keep it in the fridge after opening it, this gravy mix powder is easily stored in a mason jar in the fridge. I like to write on the lid what’s inside and you can even indicate the date on the lid. Pop it in the back of the fridge and you’ll be fine for many months.

Great Recipes to help you serve your gravy

Rustic Mashed Potatoes my favorite mashed potatoes are great with a little gravy over the top
Mashed Potato Casserole a little fancy version of mashed potatoes
Little Meat Patties and Rice are a childhood favorite
Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie is great with a little gravy
If you’re looking for a more traditional gravy recipe, check out my Vegetarian Gravy.