Does Chicken Gravy Go With Pork? A Delicious Pairing Explained

Chicken gravy and pork are a match made in culinary heaven. The rich, savory flavor of chicken gravy perfectly complements the mild, tender taste of pork. But why does this combination work so well? In this article, we’ll explore the reasons chicken gravy goes so great with pork, recommend some delicious pork dishes to try it with, and provide tips for making your own chicken gravy to serve with pork.

Why Chicken Gravy Works Well With Pork

There are a few key reasons that chicken gravy makes such a great pairing with pork

Flavor profile – Chicken gravy has an umami, savory flavor that enhances the mild taste of pork. The richness of the gravy contrasts nicely with the lean nature of many pork cuts.
Moisture – Chicken gravy helps keep pork tender and moist, The natural collagen in pork can make it dry out when cooking The moisture from the gravy prevents this
Easy to make – Chicken gravy is simple to prepare at home. All it takes is some chicken broth, butter, flour and seasonings. This makes it an very convenient sauce to serve with pork.
Versatility – Chicken gravy can be easily customized to suit different recipes. Add mushrooms, wine, mustard or other ingredients to tweak the flavor

Overall, the savory flavor, moisture and ease of chicken gravy make it an ideal match for pork dishes. The gravy adds plenty of flavor without overpowering the pork.

Best Pork Dishes To Serve With Chicken Gravy

Here are some of the most delicious pork dishes to try with chicken gravy:

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Piled high on a bun, pulled pork is alreadyfull of flavor. But adding a ladle of chicken gravy takes it to the next level. The pork soaks up the gravy, making each bite even juicier. Try garnishingwith pickles, onions or slaw.

Pork Chops

A quick pan sauce made from the drippings of cooked pork chops makes an easy gravy. Or prepare it ahead and smother thick-cut, bone-in chops. The gravy seeps into the meat, keeping it tender.

Meatloaf

For an easy family meal, top meatloaf with chicken gravy. Spoon it over individual slices or pour it over the whole loaf. The gravy adds moisture and an extra layer of flavor.

Pork Roast

For special occasion dinners, chicken gravy is the perfect partner to a roasted pork loin or shoulder. The pork’s mild flavor blends well with the hearty gravy. Serve the sliced roast with plenty of gravy for dunking.

Baked Potatoes

Even simple baked potatoes get an upgrade with chicken gravy. Ladle it overtop or serve it on the side for dipping. The creamy potato and savory gravy combination is hard to beat.

Biscuits and Gravy

No article on chicken gravy is complete without mentioning biscuits and gravy. Split open fresh biscuits and smother with creamy sawmill gravy for a true Southern breakfast treat.

How to Make Your Own Chicken Gravy

Want to skip the store-bought cans and make your own chicken gravy? It’s easy to whip up a batch at home.

Ingredients:

3 cups chicken broth
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon dried thyme

Directions:

In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour until smooth. Cook for 2 minutes stirring constantly.
While whisking, slowly pour in the chicken broth. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes, until thickened.
Stir in seasonings and adjust to taste.
Serve warm over pork dishes.

Get creative with extra ingredients! Consider adding Worcestershire sauce, white wine, mushrooms or other vegetables. The possibilities are endless for customizing this simple gravy.

Tips for Excellent Chicken Gravy

Follow these tips for flawless chicken gravy every time:

Use homemade or high-quality chicken broth for the most flavor. Avoid broths with lots of sodium.
Whisk the roux (butter and flour mixture) well to prevent lumps. Cook for 1-2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
Add broth slowly while whisking. This prevents the gravy from clumping or curdling.
Simmer for several minutes to allow the flour to fully thicken the broth. Don’t stop too soon.
Season conservatively at first. You can always add more pepper, garlic, etc later to taste.
If the gravy seems too thick, whisk in more broth or milk to reach the desired consistency.
For a smoother gravy, strain it through a mesh sieve after cooking. This removes any bits of flour or veggies.
Make it ahead of time. Chicken gravy can be prepared 1-2 days in advance then reheated as needed.

With the right techniques, it’s easy to prepare chicken gravy worthy of any pork entrée. Experiment with different add-ins to find your favorite signature version.

Alternatives To Chicken Gravy

While chicken gravy may be the top choice, pork also pairs well with other sauce options:

Turkey gravy – For a lighter gravy, use turkey broth instead of chicken. Follow the same method as chicken gravy.
Pan sauces – Cook pork in a skillet, then make a quick sauce from the browned bits leftover in the pan. Deglaze with wine or broth.
Fruit sauces – Sweet fruit-based sauces complement pork’s richness. Try plum, cherry, apricot or apple sauce.
Mustard sauces – Mix Dijon or whole-grain mustard with broth, wine or cream for an easy sauce for pork.
Chutneys – The sweet-spicy flavor of mango, peach or pineapple chutney balances nicely with pork.

Don’t limit yourself to just chicken gravy with pork. Get creative and experiment with pan sauces, fresh salsas, fruit compotes and other gravy variations.

Perfectly Paired: Chicken Gravy and Pork

Chicken gravy deserves its place as a cherished partner to pork. Its versatility and savory flavor make it an ideal match for everything from pork chops to tenderloin. Preparing your own from scratch allows you to customize it to suit any recipe.

For your next pork meal, don’t overlook this classic sauce. With just a few basic ingredients and a little cooking time, you can whip up chicken gravy that turns any pork into an extraordinary dish. Drizzle it over pork roast, spoon it over meatloaf or serve it alongside juicy pork chops. However you choose to use it, this power pairing deserves a spot in your dinner rotation.

Smothered Chicken and Gravy Recipe | Comfort Food

FAQ

What gravy granules with pork?

Bisto Best Pork Gravy Granules 230g.

Does chicken gravy go with beef?

Rich gravy made with roasted chicken drippings, a little flour, and chicken stock. This is your basic pan gravy technique, and it doesn’t matter what the meat is. You can use this method after roasting leg of lamb, roast beef, roast pork loin, or pan-roasted chicken.

Should I use chicken or beef stock for pork gravy?

Chicken is the base flavour, beef gives it oomph and gives it a nice deep brown colour rather than an unappetising pale brown. Using both also makes this gravy suitable to use for any protein – white meats (chicken, pork), red meats (beef, lamb, game), potato and vegetables.

Why is there no pork gravy?

If you cook beef or chicken you get a fat/juice mix that can be made to gravy. With pork the meat is much fattier so it tends to just give off fat which cannot then be made into nice gravy – so pork is not traditionally served with gravy.

What is the best gravy for pork loin?

This mushroom gravy is the ultimate recipe for pork loin. To add more depth of flavor, sauté the mushrooms in bacon fat before adding them to the gravy. For a richer gravy, substitute beef broth for some of the chicken broth. To give the gravy a smoky flavor, add a teaspoon or two of smoked paprika. 4. Onion Gravy

How do you make a good pork gravy?

For an extra glossiness layer, add a small pat of salted butter to your gravy just before serving it. Whisk it constantly until the gravy melts and the fat emulsifies, and you end up with a rich and luxuriant pork gravy that will taste as you made it with homemade stock. Looking for more delicious Pork recipes? Try these: Happy cooking! Love,

What gravy should I use for pork chops?

If you’re making pork chops, a thinner gravy will complement the meat nicely. The Seasoning: The seasoning of your gravy should complement the seasoning of your pork. If your pork is well-seasoned, you may want a milder gravy so as not to overpower the meat. Conversely, if your pork is lightly seasoned, you may want a more robustly flavored gravy.

Can I use beef stock instead of chicken stock for gravy?

Chicken Stock – Used to flavor the gravy and create the best consistency. I used chicken stock versus beef because of the whiter color of the pork. However, technically pork is considered a red meat over white meat. Salt and pepper – Added for a classic seasoning and taste. If you want to use beef stock instead of chicken stock, that would be fine.