Whether it’s your weekday dinner or gravy for the upcoming Thanksgiving season, a quick, tasty mix can make all the difference. A turkey dinner doesn’t have to be as daunting as it sounds. If you are looking for a cooking hack that produces a high-quality result, here are the best instant gravy choices to make life easier.
For those who take instant routes to a meal, you are not alone. After a long, stressful day of work, cooking dinner can seem like another grueling chore at the end of the day. With that in mind, a new survey finds one-third of Americans can whip together an “ultra-fast” dinner in 10 minutes or less. Nearly half the poll claim to have special “cheat codes” to get a meal on the table lightning quick. And what better time to cut down on time in the kitchen than around the holidays?
After all, time at the dinner table is more important than the meal prep that goes into it. Another recent study asks if the secret to easing stress is as simple as having dinner as a family. Researchers with the American Heart Association have found that 91 percent of parents notice their families are less stressed when they share meals together. So, when it comes to holiday meal prep, opt for easier solutions so you can reap the benefits of the most important family meals of the year.
While planning your family meal, you can have your gravy ready in as quickly as five minutes. These quick mixes are the perfect companion for a bowl of mashed potatoes, meatloaf, or your Thanksgiving dinner. StudyFinds has researched across multiple expert sources to bring you the best instant gravy. Don’t agree with our list? We would love to hear from you in the comments below!
The List: Best Instant Gravy, According to Culinary Experts
1. McCormick Turkey Gravy Mix
Our number one spot is the McCormick Turkey Gravy Mix. It simmers up to a rich gravy almost instantly. No dinner disasters here. “We are in love with its savory goodness, its rich texture, and its convenient recipe. It is also worth noting that this turkey gravy mix contains no artificial flavor or added MSG, a fact that health buffs will certainly be happy with,” says the Foods Guy.
This turkey gravy is the perfect companion for your holiday meal, plus it can be whipped up in five minutes. “The label includes instructions for both microwave and stovetop cooking methods. There are also add-in ideas on the label to help give your gravy a more homemade feel,” states My Best.
Reviewers admit that the best part about this mix is how it isn’t overly spiced or salted. You can comfortably pair it with all your delicious sides without ending up with a salt bomb. “To zhuzh it up, we recommend adding a splash of dry sherry or white wine, maybe a few sprigs of fresh herbs if you have them, and you’ll have a show-stopping (mostly store-bought) gravy with very little effort. Get this if you’re worried you’re not going to end up with enough gravy on the big day,” offers The Kitchn.
2. Knorr Roasted Turkey Gravy Mix
The Roasted Turkey Gravy Mix from Knorr is another great product that you can purchase should you need something to cook in a hurry. “By all accounts, it looks and tastes like a traditional turkey-based gravy that can be served as the perfect companion to your roasted bird. In terms of flavor, we found its aromatic and savory taste quite delightful. The gravy mix gives you a delicious experience in the truest sense of the word,” informs the Foods Guy.
For a little personalization, a splash of white wine or vermouth would add a great touch. “The super-dark and toasty color is your first clue this is a very savory gravy with a deep, roasted flavor — it’s so savory it almost tastes beefy. This mix doesn’t need any pan drippings to enhance it (in fact, they might be overkill). A tip: Sprinkle some chopped fresh herbs to make it more visually appealing and fresh-smelling,” says The Kitchn.
Some reviewers love this instant gravy so much that they admit they would drink it right from the packet. “Somehow, this turkey gravy doesn’t just taste like turkey, it tastes like roasted turkey. The meat flavor is deep and rich, making this an excellent blank slate. Toss in a bundle of thyme and rosemary if you like an herbaceous gravy; add some pan drippings if you want just a little more of a fatty pop. That said, this gravy will do well all on its own—and all you need is water and a whisk. I’m confident this is the best store-bought gravy out there,” offers Sporked.
3. Knorr Classic Brown Gravy Mix
This list of best instant gravy isn’t solely for turkey lovers. Meatloaf can be dry as well, but let’s skip the ketchup. “Knorr’s Classic Brown gravy is the best store-bought gravy for meatloaf night. It lacks a little in the beefy-flavor department, but while McCormick tastes like something to be enjoyed with rare roast beef, this would really complement a mound of ground chuck,” says Sporked.
For anyone who is gluten-free, Knorr’s Classic Brown Gravy mix may be your new best friend. “Even if you’re not gluten-free, you may still fall in love. One super happy Amazon customer said in a review, ‘I like to make my own gravy. When I don’t have time, this is the absolute best option. I’ve tried all of the brown gravy brands and store brands. This is so head and shoulders above the rest.’ And they weren’t the only ones to give this gravy high honors,” shares Mashed.
Positive reviews said it tasted better than any canned version on the market, in addition to being easy to use. “Despite being quite thick, it wasn’t lumpy or overpowering. I also noticed that a little bit of the gravy goes a long way — this one seemed like the best value to me,” includes Insider.
4. Organic Better Than Gravy
This instant gravy works great with all offerings on your dinner table. “The instructions, like the other packets, were simple. All you need to make this gravy is water, a whisk or fork, and a stovetop pot. It was the lightest color and took a little bit of maneuvering to whisk all the clumps out,” says Insider.
Organic Better Than Gravy is easy to whip up and makes your job as a home chef that much easier. Foods Guy offers a tip, “We found that adding a bit of broth, instead of just using plain water will do wonders to increase the gravy’s flavor. You can also put in some spices to help deepen the taste.”
This mix is slightly pricier than rival gravy packets, but it’s worth every cent. “Better Than Brown Gravy incorporates chicken and beef extracts, and they work very well together. When water is added, the sandy-colored powder shifts to a silky, café au lait-colored mixture,” explains Tasting Table.
5. Pioneer Country Gravy Mix
Pioneer’s sausage flavor gravy is infused with buttermilk, pork stock, and ground pork for a creamy and rich country-style gravy. Sounds like perfection. “This gravy pairs well with classic Southern dishes, such as biscuits and country-fried steak. However, if you’re looking to try something new, the label also includes a recipe for a skillet breakfast casserole,” explains My Best.
Pioneer claims to have been a leader in gravy-making since 1851. “Such longstanding products are highly impressive, and the reviews reflect that — it’s one of the highest-ranked products on our list. The product description states that the company handpicks its spices with a focus on the highest-quality ingredients. In just three simple steps, you’ll have a thick and savory gravy that’s lump-free,” shares Mashed.
“Unlike other gravies, Pioneer holds home chefs to a higher standard, technically speaking. Most dry gravy mixes simply call for water, medium heat, and a few stirs. Pioneer, however, asks users to boil a pot of water, whip up a separate gravy, and incorporate the two,” explains Tasting Table.
You might also be interested in:
Sources:
- Foods Guy
- My Best
- Eat This, Not This
- The Kitchn
- Mashed
- Sporked
- Insider
- PureWow
- Serious Eats
- Tasting Table
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.
It takes 5 minutes to make your own.
Have used McCormick peppered gravy with my pork chops. Works great!
I use Kroger brands instant gravy packets. Great for making open faces sandwiches, just add the sliced meat to the gravy. When making roasts or turkeys I use the drippings to replace water.