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This simple, 3-ingredient ham gravy is unbelievably rich and ridiculously creamy, the perfect accompaniment to any holiday ham or bowl of mashed potatoes. Next time you’ve got ham on the menu, save those delicious drippings and turn them into a savory ham gravy!
Before You Get Started
- The roux can burn easily, so you’ll need to whisk it constantly. Be mindful of the temperature on your stovetop, too. If your stove runs hot, keep the heat on the lower side of medium-low.
How to Make This Recipe
See recipe card below for full list of measurements, ingredients, and instructions.
Make a Roux
If you’ve tried our gumbo roux then you’re a roux pro at this point! Ham gravy starts the same way, but you’ll only need to cook the butter & flour mixture a few minutes, long enough to get a light golden color.
Cheryl’s Tip: Make sure to whisk away any lumps or clumps of flour! Your roux should be completely smooth.
Add the Drippings
Slowly add the drippings from your cooked ham to the saucepan with your golden roux. I like to add it in ยฝ-cup increments, that way I can make sure the drippings and the roux are completely incorporated as I go.
Simmer
Raise the heat under your saucepan a little, then let the gravy mixture simmer for about 10 minutes or until the gravy’s as thick as you like it. You may not need the full 10 minutes if your stove runs hot or if you like your ham gravy on the thinner side. However long it takes, stir the gravy well and often!
Cheryl’s Tip: Don’t increase the heat too much! You don’t want to burn the gravy and waste those delicious ham drippings.
What I Love About This Recipe
- Ham gravy only takes three ingredients! And one of them is technically a leftover ingredient, a byproduct of cooking a ham.
- It’s just as rich and creamy as any other gravy, but with it has a slightly smoky, deeply savory flavor that really sets it apart from the others.
- It’s a fun twist on traditional turkey or chicken gravy. If you’re someone who feels like turkey gravy is one of the best parts of Thanksgiving or Christmas, then you will FLIP for this ham gravy! It’s the perfect addition to your Easter dinner or any holiday ham. And just wait ’til you try it on mashed potatoes!
Recipe Variations
- Sweeten It Up: Hear me out! A touch of brown sugar in the gravy goes nicely with a honey ham or maple-glazed ham.
- Make it Gluten Free: Use gluten-free all-purpose flour, or make a cornstarch slurry by combining a little cornstarch with a small amount of ham drippings.
- Make it Dairy Free: Use a dairy-free butter.
Making changes to a recipe can result in recipe failure. Any substitutions or variations listed are simple changes that I believe will work in this recipe, but results are not guaranteed.
Ham Gravy
Equipment
- Large saucepan
- whisk
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups ham drippings reserved after cooking ham
Instructions
- Place large saucepan on stovetop over medium-low heat. Add 2 tablespoons unsalted butter to saucepan and let butter melt completely.
- Once butter has melted, add 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour to saucepan. Whisk ingredients together until flour is fully incorporated into butter, creating roux.
- Cook roux over medium-low heat approximately 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until roux is lightly golden.
- Slowly add 2 cups ham drippings to saucepan in small increments, whisking constantly. Incorporate ham drippings fully before adding more drippings to pan.
- When entire 2 cups have been incorporated into roux, increase heat under saucepan to medium. Simmer mixture over medium heat 5 to 10 minutes or until thickened, stirring frequently to prevent sticking or burning.
- Once gravy has thickened, transfer gravy to serving container or ladle gravy directly onto food. Serve immediately with ham or sides of choice.
- Ham Drippings: Ham drippings are the juices released by a ham while it bakes. You’ll find the drippings at the bottom of the pan you used to cook your ham. If you don’t have a full 2 cups, you can make up the difference with chicken broth.
- Consistency: If the gravy thickens too quickly or too much, whisk in a little more of the drippings or a small amount of milk or chicken broth to thin it out. For thicker gravy, simmer the mixture a little longer, stirring often. Be careful not to burn it!
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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First time ever making or having ham gravy. One of my five daughters told me to always make this gravy with ham, Some said it was to sweet. Will definitely make again.
So glad you enjoyed, Angela! Thanks so much for the review!
This gravy was SO DELICIOUS and easy! I served it with ham and mashed potatoes today for Christmas, and everyone kept raving about it. Whole family loved it. I added a little sage. Thank you!!!
SO happy you all enjoyed it so much, Kirsten! Thank you so much for sharing your review. ๐
Yummy, just like my Mom used to make. First time doing it on my own and it was delicious!
Oh, the best compliment. Thank you so much, Joy!
Can I use ham bullion instead of drippings?
Sure!
What about sage
You could add sage if you’d like!
Iโm wondering if I could add finally diced onions to the ham while cooking to give the gravy a little onion flavor?
Sure, that would be a great addition!
So, Iโve always been scared of making gravy for some reason, but glad I tried this. It was super easy & delicious! Wonโt have ham without this gravy again! Yum! Thanks for the delish recipe!
So glad you gave it a try and enjoyed it!
I’ve never made gravy from ham drippings before so I Googled for a recipe. If the beautiful picture of the gravy oozing down the slices of ham wasn’t enough to win me over, the easy recipe sealed the deal. I made this for our family Christmas dinner this year and it was a big hit…so creamy, and so very, very delicious! This recipe is a keeper! Thank you for sharing!!
So glad you enjoyed it! ๐
Awesome ! Easy to make with simple items ! Great instructions! Cheers!
So glad you enjoyed it! ๐
I like this, thank you, good gravy, had never thought of making any before from ham drippings, thank you