Determining how much gravy to make for just one person can be tricky. You want to make sure you have enough so that your meal is properly sauced and flavored, but you also don’t want to be stuck with a ton of leftover gravy. Here are some tips to help you figure out the right gravy portion size for a single serving.
What is Gravy?
Gravy is a sauce typically made from the juices and drippings of roasted meat or poultry. It is used to add flavor and moisture to a variety of savory dishes, especially meats, potatoes, rice, biscuits, and other starches. The main ingredients in basic gravy are:
- Pan drippings from roasted meat or poultry
- Stock or broth
- Flour
- Butter or oil
- Seasonings like salt, pepper, herbs
Gravy ranges in thickness from thin jus to thick sawmill gravy. The thickness depends on the ratio of drippings to flour and broth used. Gravy can be served on its own in a gravy boat or spooned directly onto foods like mashed potatoes, biscuits, meat, etc.
How Much Gravy per Serving?
When determining how much gravy you need for one serving, here are some general guidelines:
- For mashed potatoes or rice: 1/4 to 1/2 cup gravy per serving
- For biscuits or rolls: 2-3 tablespoons gravy per biscuit
- For poultry or meat: 1-2 tablespoons gravy per 3-4 oz serving
- For gravy as its own side sauce: 1/4 to 1/2 cup gravy per serving
So for one average serving, plan on having around 1/3 to 1/2 cup of gravy available. This is usually enough to generously coat the foods without going overboard.
If you are making gravy as part of a full Thanksgiving or holiday meal, you may need more since multiple dishes like turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and rolls may all be eaten with gravy. For big meals, consider 1/2 to 3/4 cup gravy per person.
Factors That Affect Needed Gravy Portions
Here are some factors that can alter how much gravy you need for one:
- Foods being served – Starchier foods like mashed potatoes can soak up more gravy than leaner meats.
- Other sauces – If you’ll also have cranberry sauce, apple sauce, etc fewer people may use gravy.
- Gravy thickness – Thinner gravies may need larger portions than thicker ones.
- Personal tastes – Some people love drowning foods in gravy, while others just lightly sauce.
- Leftovers – If you’ll reuse gravy, make extra rather than running short.
Consider all these factors when deciding on how much gravy per person. And if in doubt, it’s easier to have a little extra than to disappoint gravy lovers!
Tips for Making the Right Amount of Gravy
Follow these tips to nail the perfect single serving gravy amount:
- Start with a gravy recipe designed for 1 person or scale down a larger recipe.
- Use a measuring cup to portion out the finished gravy into servings.
- Make extra gravy rather than too little – it keeps well refrigerated.
- Let guests serve their own gravy so they control portions.
- Make gravy thin or thick depending on personal tastes.
- Save pan drippings in freezer to make more gravy later if needed.
With a few simple strategies, you can easily estimate how much gravy to make for just one. The key is being prepared with the right recipes, measuring as you go, and having a little extra on hand just in case.
Gravy Recipes for One Person
Here are some great single serving gravy recipes to try:
Simple Brown Gravy
Ingredient | Amount |
---|---|
Oil or butter | 1 tsp |
Flour | 1 tbsp |
Stock or broth | 1 cup |
Pan drippings (optional) | 1-2 tbsp |
Salt and pepper | To taste |
- Melt butter/oil in skillet over medium heat. Whisk in flour to form paste.
- Gradually whisk in stock, scraping any browned bits in pan. Bring to a simmer.
- Add any pan drippings from roasts or poultry. Season with salt and pepper.
- Simmer 10 minutes until thickened. Adjust seasonings.
This easy brown gravy is great over poultry, beef, pork, mashed potatoes, etc. Makes about 1 cup.
Sausage Cream Gravy
Ingredient | Amount |
---|---|
Fresh pork sausage | 2 oz |
Flour | 1 tbsp |
Milk | 1 cup |
Black pepper | To taste |
- Crumble and cook sausage in skillet over medium heat until no longer pink.
- Stir in flour and cook 2 minutes to absorb fat.
- Whisk in milk slowly and simmer until thick, about 5 minutes.
- Season with black pepper. Serve over biscuits.
This simple sausage gravy is delicious on fresh baked biscuits for breakfast.
Turkey Neck Gravy
Ingredient | Amount |
---|---|
Turkey neck | 1 small neck |
Onion | 1/2 small onion, chopped |
Chicken stock | 2 cups |
Cornstarch | 1 tsp |
Thyme | 1/4 tsp dried |
Salt and pepper | To taste |
- Simmer turkey neck and onion in stock for 1 hour until tender.
- Remove neck and debone, reserving meat. Return meat to stock.
- Mix cornstarch with 1 tbsp stock. Stir into gravy and simmer 5 minutes until thick.
- Add thyme, salt, and pepper. Serve over turkey.
This recipe makes the most of the turkey neck for outstanding gravy flavor.
Conclusion
Determining the right portion of gravy for one person doesn’t have to be complicated. About 1/3 to 1/2 cup gravy per serving is sufficient in most cases. But factors like the menu, gravy thickness, and personal preferences can alter the ideal amount. Follow recipes sized for one, make extra rather than too little, and let guests control portions. With the right strategies, you can easily make and serve the perfect gravy amount whether dining solo or feeding a crowd.