FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook
- I Finally Made a Gluten Free Gravy That Tastes Like the Classic
- Ingredients & Substitutions
- How To Make Gluten Free Gravy
- My Tips For The Best Texture
- Gluten Free Gravy (3 Ingredients) Recipe card
- Serving Ideas
- Recipe Reviews
I Finally Made a Gluten Free Gravy That Tastes Like the Classic

I’ve made gravy in lots of different ways over the years, but this gluten free gravy is the closest thing I’ve made to the classic version. It actually has the same smooth texture and savory flavor. Here’s why this gluten free gravy recipe has become my go-to for holidays and even everyday dinners :
- Thick, rich, and silky just like regular gravy – I could always tell the difference with my low carb gravy , but with this version, I honestly can’t tell. It’s got the same rich, buttery flavor, glossy finish, and adjustable thickness of the regular kind.
- Holiday-worthy, but weeknight easy – Whether I’m making it for Thanksgiving or a regular roasted chicken , this one comes together in 5 minutes with just 3 ingredients (plus salt and pepper).
- Flexible – I use this recipe to make gluten free turkey gravy for the holidays, but I’ve also used chicken broth for regular meals. It’s so creamy both ways.
Make this gluten free gravy with me, and I’ll show you how to get that smooth, classic texture — without the gluten.

Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my easy gluten-free gravy recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .
- Broth or Drippings – I originally developed this gluten free gravy using the pan drippings from my oven roasted turkey , which worked beautifully. I’ve since made it using drippings from just Crock Pot turkey breast , spatchcock chicken , turkey roulade (most recently), homemade chicken stock (most often), and even simply chicken broth from the store. So, use hat you’ve got!
- Tapioca Flour – Sometimes this is called tapioca starch , which is the same thing — a flour from cassava (yuca) root. Here’s a comparison of other gluten-free thickeners I’ve tried: Arrowroot Powder – This is my second-favorite option. However, it doesn’t reheat as well and the texture is more sensitive to overheating. Cornstarch – This thickens faster, you’ll need less, and I get a more clear, lighter tasting gravy with it. However, I don’t like using it because unfortunately most is GMO. Potato Starch – This thickens fine, but lacks that “starchy” flavor. Gluten-Free Flour – This can be combinations of many different flours, depending on the brand. All should work fine, but the ideal amount can vary, and I’m not a fan because many of them are processed or lower quality starches.
- Unsalted Butter – Makes the flavorful roux. I like using unsalted so I can season to taste. Ghee works well if you need a dairy-sensitive option.
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper

How To Make Gluten Free Gravy
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .
- Melt the butter. Add the butter to a saucier like this . Let it melt until smooth and bubbly.
- Add the flour. Sprinkle in the tapioca flour and whisk to combine.

- Whisk into a smooth, thick paste. This is called a roux, and it’s what thickens the gravy.
- Add the broth. Slowly pour in the broth or drippings while whisking constantly.
- Simmer to thicken. Turn up the heat just until it starts to bubble, then simmer, stirring continuously, until it reaches your favorite texture. Season your gluten free gravy with salt and pepper to taste.
My Tips For The Best Texture
- If using turkey or chicken drippings, I recommend straining them. Cool completely, which will separate the fat. You can then strain through a fine mesh sieve , or I love this fat separator which is less messy and easier to use.
- The size of your saucepan makes a big difference in the timing . I recommend a large one (at least 3 quarts), so that the gluten free gravy thickens fast. You can use any large saucepan you like, but I like this saucier because the curved bottom makes it easier to whisk.
- Adjust the simmer time as needed. Partly it varies by your pan like I mentioned above, but it also depends on how thick you like your gravy to be.
- Be careful not to overcook or overheat. I find the tapioca flour gravy can get slimy if you heat too long or too fast. Choose your lowest-heat stove burner!
- Whisk constantly when pouring the broth. This is important to avoid any lumps in your gravy.
- The amount of salt I added was based on reduced sodium broth. If yours is regular, you’ll need less. I always recommend adding 1/4 teaspoon of salt at a time and tasting with each addition.
- Feel free to add extra seasonings. My favorites are garlic powder, onion powder, and dried thyme, but I make this basic version most often.
- Like any gravy, the texture of this one changes as it cools. It’s a little thin when piping hot, perfect when it’s warm, and starts to get too thick when cold. Keep this in mind when taking it off the heat. I like to use a heated gravy boat like this to keep it warm at the perfect temperature!
Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.
- 2 cups Chicken broth, reduced sodium (or turkey drippings; strained) ▢
- 2 tbsp Tapioca flour ▢
- 2 tbsp Unsalted butter ▢
- 1 tsp Sea salt (to taste) ▢
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper (optional, to taste) ▢
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
- In a large saucepan or saucier over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Reduce heat to low. Sprinkle the tapioca flour into the pan and whisk in until a paste forms.
- Add the broth or turkey drippings, whisking as you pour.
- Increase the heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes , or until thickened to your liking.
- Add salt and pepper to your taste.
LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1/4 cup
- Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the best texture and keep your gravy warm.
- Storage: This gluten free gravy tastes best fresh, but you can keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
- Reheat: Warm gently on the stove, being careful not to overheat. If it thickens too much, just add a splash of broth.
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .
Add Your NotesYour Notes
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.
Gluten Free Gravy
Serving Ideas
You can serve this gluten free gravy recipe over the same dishes you used to enjoy with the regular kind! Try it with:
- Turkey – Whether it’s a roasted turkey breast , my new (and fun) turkey roulade , or the whole bird , this sauce adds moisture, flavor, and the kind of “this is holiday worthy!” feeling you want at your holiday table.
- Chicken – I love pouring this gluten free gravy over weeknight favorites like my juicy baked chicken breast or roasted half chicken . It turns something simple into a cozy, comforting meal. It’s great over many of my other chicken recipes !
- Sides – Gravy is classic with mashed potatoes, but I usually pour it over cauliflower mash for a lighter swap. It’s also great on my cauliflower stuffing or roasted veggies .

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List
- Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
- The Basic Keto Meal Formula
- Understanding Macros
- Keto Food Swaps
- Keto Food List
- Electrolyte Basics
- Keto Diet Types
- Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
- Recipe Reviews
Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.
You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).
Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:
- Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
- Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
- Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
- Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
- Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
- Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
- Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
- Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
- FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.
Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)
The Basic Keto Meal Formula
Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.
Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.
Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.
| Pick A Protein | Pick A Veggie | Add Fat |
|---|---|---|
| Beef Chicken Pork Eggs Lamb Turkey Fish Shellfish Protein powder Venison | Cauliflower Broccoli Zucchini Leafy Greens Cucumbers Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Asparagus Radishes Bell Peppers Jicama Celery | Butter Avocado Oil Cheese Bacon Avocado Lard Ghee Mayo Nuts MCT Oil |
Understanding Macros
Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.
You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.
Carbs Are A Limit.
Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.
A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.
“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.
A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.
Protein Is A Goal.
Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].
“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.
Fat Is A Lever.
Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.
A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).
Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.
Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.
“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.
Keto Food Swaps
One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.
So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .
Keto Swaps For Breakfast
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Pancakes | Almond flour pancakes or coconut flour pancakes |
| Oatmeal | Keto oatmeal with hemp seeds |
| Cinnamon rolls | Fathead cinnamon rolls |
| Cereal | Keto nut granola |
| Muffins | Almond flour muffins or coconut flour muffins |
| Donuts | Almond flour donuts |
| Scones | Almond flour scones |
| High-sugar smoothies | Smoothie with berries or avocado |
| Hash browns | Cauliflower hash browns |
| Breakfast casserole | Breakfast casserole with no potatoes |
| Egg whites | Whole eggs |
| Turkey bacon | Bacon |
| Waffles | Chaffles |

Keto Swaps For Bread
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Bagels | Fathead bagels |
| English muffin | Almond flour English muffin |
| White bread | Keto white bread |
| Multigrain bread | Coconut flour bread with seeds |
| Tortillas for wraps | Coconut flour tortillas |
| Corn taco shells | Cheddar cheese taco shells |
| Burger buns | Oopsie rolls , portobello mushroom caps |
| Breadsticks | Cauliflower breadsticks |
| Biscuits | Almond flour biscuits |
| Cornbread | Almond flour cornbread |
| Croutons | Parmesan crisps |
| Rice | Cauliflower rice , konjac rice |

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Breaded wings | Crispy air fryer wings (unbreaded) |
| Low-fat meat & poultry | High-fat cuts, or cook low-fat cuts with fat |
| Mashed potatoes | Mashed cauliflower |
| Roasted potatoes | Roasted or fried radishes |
| Tacos | Taco salad |
| Pizza | Fathead crust , chicken crust , or cauliflower crust pizza |
| Lasagna | Eggplant lasagna |
| Potato salad | Cauliflower “potato” salad |
| French fries | Jicama , rutabaga , or zucchini fries |
| Tater tots | Cauliflower tots |
| Wraps | Lettuce wraps , almond flour tortillas |
| Sushi | Naruto-style or homemade rice-free sushi |
| Breaded chicken or fish | Breaded cuts with almond flour or pork rinds |
| Spaghetti | Zoodles , spaghetti squash , shirataki noodles, kelp noodles |

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Nachos | Cheese crisps |
| High-sugar fruit | Berries & other keto fruits |
| Crackers | Almond flour crackers |
| Hummus | Cauliflower hummus |
| Soft pretzels | Fathead pretzels |
| Popcorn | Puffed cheese |
| Granola bars | Grain-free granola bars |
| Jam | Sugar-free berry chia jam |
| Sweet fruity yogurt | Full-fat plain Greek yogurt with berries |
| Sweet salad dressing | Ranch , blue cheese , or plain vinaigrette |
| Ketchup | Mustard and/or sugar-free ketchup |
| BBQ sauce | Sugar-free BBQ sauce |
| Sweetened peanut butter | Natural, sugar-free nut butters |
| Light mayo | Avocado oil mayo |
| Maple syrup | Sugar-free, maple flavored syrup |
| Potato chips | Zucchini chips , pepperoni chips , pork rinds |

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Sugar | Monk fruit or allulose |
| Powdered sugar | Powdered monk fruit or allulose |
| White flour | Almond or Coconut flour (use in tested recipes) |
| Making baked goods soft/chewy | Xanthan gum, flax seed meal, psyllium husk powder |
| Breadcrumbs | Pork rinds or almond flour |
| Margarine | Butter, coconut oil, or ghee |
| Vegetable oil | Olive or avocado oil |
| Bananas | Banana extract |
| Chocolate chips | Sugar-free chocolate chips |
| Cornstarch or flour roux | Xanthan gum or gelatin powder (used at the end) |
| Simple syrup | Dissolve monk fruit allulose blend in water over heat |

Keto Swaps For Drinks
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Lemonade | Water with lemon |
| Soda | Flavored sparkling water |
| Milk | Almond milk, coconut milk, heavy cream |
| Latte | Butter coffee |
| Coffee creamer | Heavy cream |
| Sweet wine | Dry wine |
| Beer | Ultra light beer |
| Mixed drinks | Hard liquor with soda + lemon |
If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List
When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.
The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto
- Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
- Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
- Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
- Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
- Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
- Avocados
- Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
- Almond flour and coconut flour
- Eggs
- Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.
Foods To Avoid On Keto
- White flour & sugar
- Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
- Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
- Cereal
- Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
- Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
- Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
- Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
- Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
- Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.
That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)
Electrolyte Basics
Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.
For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .
The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.
Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:
| Sodium | Magnesium | Potassium |
|---|---|---|
| Bone broth Boullion cubes Bacon Salted nuts Pickles | Seaweed Seeds Nuts Avocado Leafy greens | Potassium chloride Avocado Bone broth Spinach Broccoli Mushrooms Beef Pork |
Keto Diet Types
People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.
Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.
Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!
- Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
- Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
- Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
- Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.
For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!
Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:
- Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
- Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
- Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
- Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
- Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
- Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
- Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
- Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
- FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)
Gluten Free Gravy (3 Ingredients)

My 3-ingredient gluten free gravy recipe is smooth, thick, glossy, and takes just 5 minutes. Perfect for turkey, chicken, or mash!
Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/gluten-free-gravy/
Ingredients
- 2 cups Chicken broth, reduced sodium (or turkey drippings; strained)
- 2 tbsp Tapioca flour
- 2 tbsp Unsalted butter
- 1 tsp Sea salt (to taste)
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper (optional, to taste)
Instructions
- In a large saucepan or saucier over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Reduce heat to low. Sprinkle the tapioca flour into the pan and whisk in until a paste forms.
- Add the broth or turkey drippings, whisking as you pour.
- Increase the heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes , or until thickened to your liking.
- Add salt and pepper to your taste.
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1/4 cup
- Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the best texture and keep your gravy warm.
- Storage: This gluten free gravy tastes best fresh, but you can keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
- Reheat: Warm gently on the stove, being careful not to overheat. If it thickens too much, just add a splash of broth.
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)