This incredible Ham Gravy made with drippings is irresistibly tasty. It’s an easy, simple way to elevate your ham dinner, packed with savory flavors that’ll make you go back for seconds.
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Made from scratch, this sweet and savory ham gravy recipe is crafted from drippings and is the staple of comforting, home-cooked meals.
With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a homemade masterpiece that complements your ham perfectly.
Ham dishes blend seamlessly with the ham gravy made from its pan drippings, creating a harmonious and comforting combination. You’ll appreciate how quickly this ham dripping gravy comes together, making it a go-to choice for any occasion.
Learning how to make gravy sauce was a game-changer for my family. It’s the best addition to holiday feasts and everyday meals, adding a touch of warmth and nostalgia to the dinner table.
This classic recipe showcases the beauty of simplicity. Using pan drippings from your ham, you can create a gravy from scratch that’s absolutely irresistible.
How to Make Ham Gravy
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Once your ham is done cooking, transfer it to a serving platter. Drain any drippings from the roasting pan into a measuring cup, aiming for 1 ½ cups of drippings.
STEP TWO: In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Stir in flour until it’s smooth and slightly golden — this takes about 2 minutes.
STEP THREE: Gradually add the drippings and broth while whisking constantly until fully mixed. Let it simmer until it thickens to your liking.
STEP FOUR: Season to taste, then enjoy your gravy!
What to Serve With Ham Gravy
Ham gravy works great being served with ham alongside mashed potatoes or green bean casserole.
You can also serve ham gravy with carrots or sweet potatoes and even some cornbread to dip!
Variations for Ham Dripping Gravy
- If you don’t have enough ham drippings for this gravy or prefer to make it without drippings, you can substitute or add broth or water. If you aren’t using any ham drippings, I would recommend using broth.
- If your gravy is too watery, you can mix the sauce with cornstarch to thicken the mixture. A good rule of thumb is to use 1 tablespoon of cornstarch per 1 cup of liquid (so 1 ½ tablespoons of cornstarch for this recipe).
- You can add black pepper to the ham gravy, to taste, if you prefer. I think it ties the whole recipe together, so I would definitely recommend it.
- If you’re wanting to make this gravy sauce slightly sweeter, I’d recommend mixing the butter with brown sugar. Just a tablespoon can make all the difference!
What Ham Should I Use for this Gravy for Ham Recipe?
Any type of ham will work great for ham gravy, so don’t worry too much about the specific type. If you’re not sure what to buy, though, I would recommend country ham. I’ve always used it for this recipe, and it turns out delicious!
Alternatively, a sweeter option for this gravy recipe is honey baked ham. The sweetness from the drippings tastes incredibly in a gravy.
What Exactly Are Ham Drippings?
Ham drippings are the result of the cooking process of a ham. As the ham roasts, its natural juices and fats melt and collect in the pan, blending together to create liquid gold for this ham gravy recipe.
Without these drippings, the gravy sauce would lose its distinctive, mouthwatering taste. The rich, smoky notes from the smoked meat make these drippings very flavorful, putting the “ham” in ham gravy.
When combined with other ingredients like butter, flour, and seasonings, these drippings transform into a velvety, savory sauce that takes a classic ham to the next level.
How Can I Reheat Ham Dripping Gravy?
Reheating this masterpiece is beyond simple! Microwave your portion of ham gravy in the microwave for 30-second intervals.
Depending on the size of your portion, this will take anywhere between 30 seconds and 2-3 minutes. Between each interval, make sure to stir the gravy to meld all the deliciousness together.
More Delicious recipes to try with ham
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Ham Gravy
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups ham drippings plus broth or water if there is not enough drippings
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- After the ham is finished cooking, transfer it to a serving platter and carefully drain any drippings from the roasting pan into a measuring cup.
- Add enough broth or water to bring the liquid up to 1 ½ total cups.
- In a small saucepan set over medium-low heat, melt the butter.
- Once the butter is melted, whisk in flour until any clumps are smoothed out.
- Cook for about 2 minutes, until golden.
- Slowly add the drippings and broth, whisking constantly, until it’s all incorporated.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook until it reaches your desired thickness.
- Taste and season as desired, then serve over ham.
I have been making ham gravy for over 50 years. I use the drippings and combine a mixture of pineapple juice with brown sugar and a pinch of ground cloves.I make a slurry of cornstarch and water to thicken. So yummy!
This sounds like a perfect blend between my ham gravy and pineapple sauce. I love to switch it up! Yum!