Low Sodium Gravy is an easy, mild-flavoured gravy, great for family dinners! Made with just five ingredients, this gravy is smooth, savoury, and full of natural flavours from salt-free beef stock. It adds a comforting touch to everything from mashed potatoes to roasted meats, without any added salt. So it’s perfect for family members of all ages, including babies and toddlers. Plus, it’s gluten-free adaptable if you use cornflour (cornstarch) instead of flour. Whether for a holiday meal or a weeknight dinner, this salt-free gravy is a great addition to your recipe collection!
Why you’ll love this homemade gravy recipe
Store-bought gravies and mixes often contain preservatives, artificial flavours, and a lot of salt. This homemade Low Sodium Gravy is a more natural alternative that’s easy to make with wholefoods you probably already have at home.
The beef stock brings all the flavour, while onion and garlic powders add a subtle depth, making it a perfect addition to baby-led weaning or toddler meals. It’s a wonderful recipe to have on hand for family-friendly, low-sodium cooking!
Ingredients in Low Sodium Gravy
Here’s all you need for this easy homemade brown gravy recipe:
Beef stock – Salt-free beef stock is the base for this gravy, adding natural flavour without needing salt. Homemade beef stock is best if you have the time to make it, as it generally has a better flavour, and natural thickness thanks to gelatin from the bones. You can substitute with store-bought salt-free stock, but it will need to be high quality to be as thick – you might need a little extra flour if it’s not very gelatinous. You can also substitute with salt-free chicken stock if you want to, but it will change the flavour.
Butter – Adds a creamy richness and helps make the gravy smooth. Use unsalted butter.
Flour (or cornflour) – Flour thickens the gravy, creating a smooth, velvety consistency. Use cornflour (cornstarch in the US) for a gluten-free gravy.
Onion powder – Adds subtle flavour without chunks, making it suitable for babies.
Garlic powder – Brings a mild, savoury note that complements the beef stock beautifully.
Pepper – Ground black pepper for seasoning.
How to make Low Sodium Gravy
Start by making a roux. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour (or cornflour) and stir continuously for 1-2 minutes, until it forms a thick, golden paste.
Slowly pour in the beef stock, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Add the onion powder, garlic powder and pepper, then continue to whisk until smooth.
Bring the gravy to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently for about 5-7 minutes, or until it reaches your desired thickness. Remove from the heat and serve warm.
Thermomixer? Melt the butter in your machine, add then add the flour. Note that I use 1 extra tablespoon of flour when making this gravy in a Thermomix, because it generally doesn’t thicken as much as when cooked on the stovetop. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the beef stock, onion powder, garlic powder and pepper, then cook for 12 minutes until thickened.
You’ll find the recipe card below, with ingredient amounts and detailed steps for both regular and thermo cooker methods.
Serving suggestions
This Low Sodium Gravy pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, roasted meats, or veggie sides.
It’s a great way to add flavour to baby and toddler meals without relying on salt. Drizzle it over baby’s roasted vegetables, soft cooked meats, rice, or use as a dipping sauce for finger foods like meatballs.
Storing and reheating gravy
This gravy can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
The cold gravy will have congealed a little but will return to liquid when reheated. Reheat gently on the stovetop, stirring frequently. Add a little splash of water if it has thickened too much when stored.
This gravy can also be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. If freezing for baby’s meals, portion it into large ice cube trays for easy reheating. If frozen, defrost overnight in the refrigerator and then gently reheat as above.
Variations and tips
You can substitute beef stock with vegetable stock for a vegetarian-friendly gravy. Just be aware that it won’t have the same depth of flavour as beef gravy.
For a thicker gravy, add an extra teaspoon of flour or cornflour mixed to a paste with a teaspoon of water. Alternatively, add more stock for a runnier gravy.
Add a pinch of herbs like thyme or rosemary for extra flavour if desired, especially if serving with roasted meats. For those family members who have no salt restrictions, you can also add a small pinch to their serving.
If you make this Low Sodium Gravy, please leave a 🌟 star rating and a 📝 comment below. I love hearing how my recipes work for you and your family! Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest too for more baby-friendly side dish recipes.
Enjoy,
Chloe x
Low Sodium Gravy
Tap or hover to scale
Ingredients
- 3 tbs butter unsalted
- 3 tbs plain/all purpose four or cornflour/cornstarch for gluten-free gravy (Thermomixers: plus 1 tbs extra flour)
- 1.5 cups homemade beef stock or a no-salt store-bought substitute
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a saucepan over a low/medium heat on the stovetop, melt 3 tbs butter.
- Add 3 tbs plain/all purpose four to make a roux, and stir. Allow the roux to cook off for a little while, keeping the butter and flour moving.
- Slowly add 1.5 cups homemade beef stock, 1/4 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp garlic powder and 1/4 tsp ground black pepper. Keep stirring (a whisk works best) until the desired consistency is achieved.
Thermomix Instructions
- Put 3 tbs butter into the mixing bowl. Melt for 2 minutes, 50 °C, speed 2, MC on.
- Add 3 tbs plain/all purpose four plus an extra 1 tbs flour. Cook for 1 minute 30 seconds, 100 °C, speed 2, MC on. Scrape down the mixing bowl.
- Add 1.5 cups homemade beef stock, 1/4 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp garlic powder and 1/4 tsp ground black pepper. Cook for 12 minutes, 100 °C, speed 2.5, MC on until thickened.
One Response
This gravy is a great option for adding a sauce to baby’s meals, without adding any salt and additives. Now, we really enjoy this lighter-flavoured gravy on chicken or vegetables for whole-family dinners.