Are you tired of wasting the flavorful drippings from your holiday ham?
Why not turn them into a delicious gravy instead?
With just a few simple ingredients and some basic cooking techniques, you can transform those ham drippings into a rich and savory sauce that will take your meal to the next level.
In this article, we’ll explore different methods for making gravy from ham drippings, including using a roux, mixing with flour and milk, and even adding coffee for a unique twist.
So grab your saucepan and let’s get started!
How To Make Gravy From Ham Drippings?
Method 1: Roux
One of the most common ways to make gravy from ham drippings is by using a roux. To do this, heat a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat and add butter. Once melted, sprinkle in flour and whisk together until smooth to create a roux. While whisking constantly, cook the roux for 2 minutes or until it’s golden. Slowly pour in the ham drippings while continuing to whisk constantly. Continue whisking until the mixture is smooth and free of any clumps, then whisk in half and half. Turn the heat down to medium-low and simmer until the gravy has thickened, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a serving dish and enjoy!
Method 2: Flour and Milk
Another way to make gravy from ham drippings is by mixing flour and milk. In a small mixing bowl or glass measuring cup, mix together flour and heavy whipping cream. Add the ham drippings and butter to a saucepan over medium heat and whisk until butter has melted. Add in the flour and whisk for 2-3 minutes. Pour in the milk and continue to whisk constantly for 2 minutes or until thick.
Method 3: Coffee Base
For a unique twist on ham gravy, try using coffee as the liquid base for your gravy. This method is known as red-eye gravy. Simply place ham in a large roasting pan, cut-side down. Press brown sugar evenly onto ham. Pour apple into roasting pan and cover with a lid or aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven until ham is heated through, about 80 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Let ham rest for 10 minutes before transferring to a serving plate. Pour remaining pan juices into a saucepan. Slowly whisk flour mixture into the saucepan until gravy is thick, about 5 minutes.
Why Make Gravy From Ham Drippings?
Making gravy from ham drippings is a great way to utilize every part of the ham and not let any of its delicious flavor go to waste. It’s also a cost-effective way to add flavor to your meals without having to purchase additional ingredients. Ham drippings are packed with flavor and can be used as a base for a variety of gravies, from classic country-style gravy to a rich and smoky cream sauce. Plus, making gravy from ham drippings is easy and can be done with just a few simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry. So why not try making gravy from ham drippings the next time you roast a ham? Your taste buds will thank you!
Collecting Ham Drippings
Before you can make gravy from ham drippings, you first need to collect the drippings. There are a few different ways to do this, depending on how you are cooking your ham.
If you are roasting a whole ham, start by placing the ham in a large roasting pan. As the ham cooks, it will release juices that collect in the bottom of the pan. To collect these drippings, simply remove the ham from the pan once it is fully cooked and use a spoon or ladle to scoop up the liquid from the bottom of the pan.
If you are cooking a smaller piece of ham, such as a ham steak or a few slices of ham, you can collect the drippings by cooking the ham in a skillet. As the ham cooks, it will release juices that collect in the bottom of the skillet. To collect these drippings, simply remove the ham from the skillet once it is fully cooked and use a spoon or ladle to scoop up the liquid from the bottom of the skillet.
No matter how you are cooking your ham, it’s important to measure how much drippings you have before making your gravy. This will help ensure that you have enough liquid to make a good gravy and will also help you adjust the recipe if needed.
If you find that you don’t have enough drippings to make gravy, you can add some water to the pan or skillet while cooking your ham to help increase the amount of liquid. Just be sure to measure your drippings again after adding water so that you can adjust your recipe accordingly.
Collecting ham drippings is an important step in making gravy from ham drippings. With these tips, you’ll be able to collect enough liquid to make a delicious and flavorful gravy that’s perfect for any meal.
Making Gravy Using A Roux
Making gravy using a roux is a classic and easy method to create a rich and flavorful sauce from ham drippings. To start, heat a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat and add butter. Once melted, sprinkle in flour and whisk together until smooth to create a roux. While whisking constantly, cook the roux for 2 minutes or until it’s golden.
Slowly pour in the ham drippings while continuing to whisk constantly. The ratio of fat to flour to liquid is essential when making a roux-based gravy. You can adjust the amount of fat and flour depending on how thick you like your gravy. For 1 cup of roux gravy, start with 2 tablespoons of fat, 2 tablespoons of flour, and 1 cup of liquid. If you would like a thinner gravy, decrease the fat and flour measurements to 1 1/2 tablespoons each to 1 cup of liquid. The liquid can be broth, milk, heavy cream, or any combination depending on how rich you want the finished product.
Continue whisking until the mixture is smooth and free of any clumps, then whisk in half and half. Turn the heat down to medium-low and simmer until the gravy has thickened, about 4 minutes. If you prefer a thicker consistency, continue cooking for a few more minutes while stirring occasionally. Transfer the gravy to a serving dish and enjoy it hot with your ham dish.
Making Gravy Using Flour And Milk
One of the easiest ways to make gravy from ham drippings is by using flour and milk. To start, remove the cooked meat from the skillet or pan and add oil to the drippings in the skillet. Stir in flour, scraping up any brown particles, and cook over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes while stirring constantly until the mixture is light golden brown.
Next, whisk in milk gradually and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook and stir until the gravy is heated through and smooth for about 3 to 5 minutes. If the gravy is too thick, add more milk one tablespoon at a time until you achieve your desired consistency. Finally, stir in salt and pepper to taste.
To make it even easier, you can use the following recipe as a guide:
– 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
– 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
– 2 cups whole or 2% milk
– 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
– 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add flour and whisk until it looks like wet sand. Slowly add milk and whisk until smooth. The gravy will thicken, so add more milk if you want a thinner gravy. Finally, add salt and pepper to taste.
Using flour and milk to make gravy from ham drippings is a simple and delicious way to enhance your meal. You can adjust the consistency of the gravy to your liking and season it with your favorite spices for a unique flavor profile.
Adding Coffee For A Unique Flavor
Red-eye gravy is a classic Southern comfort food that typically uses black coffee as one of its main ingredients. Coffee gives the gravy a unique, bitter flavor profile that contrasts well with the sweet-saltiness of the ham fat. However, if you don’t want to use coffee in your gravy, it’s still possible to make it without. Just keep in mind that it will taste different and won’t contain caffeine.
To make red-eye gravy with coffee, start by cooking your ham according to the brand’s package directions or until the surface temperature is about 160 degrees. Remove the ham from the pan and keep it warm. Most country hams are too dry to give off much liquid, so you’ll need to mix together some water, coffee, and cornstarch and add it to the pan. It’s important to use a strong coffee for your gravy since its flavor is crucial to the finished product.
While traditionally red-eye gravy doesn’t have any thickening agent added, you can add a touch of cornstarch if you prefer a slightly thicker sauce. If you find that the coffee has made your gravy just a bit too bitter, you can add a little water and a tiny pinch of sugar to mellow out the flavors.
Tips For Perfect Ham Gravy
1. Measure Your Drippings: Before making ham gravy, measure the amount of ham drippings you have. This will help you adjust the recipe accordingly and ensure that you have enough liquid to make a good gravy.
2. Dilute Your Broth: If your ham broth is too salty or concentrated, dilute it with water or chicken broth. This will help balance the flavors and prevent your gravy from becoming too overpowering.
3. Use Roux for Thicker Gravy: If you prefer a thicker gravy, use a roux to make your ham gravy. Cook the roux until it’s golden brown before adding in the ham drippings and half and half. This will help thicken the gravy and give it a richer flavor.
4. Use Flour and Milk for Classic Gravy: For a classic country-style ham gravy, mix flour and milk in a small bowl or measuring cup before adding it to the ham drippings and butter in a saucepan. Whisk constantly until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth.
5. Try a Coffee Base for Unique Flavor: If you’re feeling adventurous, try making red-eye gravy by using coffee as the liquid base for your ham gravy. This will give your gravy a unique earthy flavor that pairs well with ham.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to make perfect ham gravy every time. Experiment with different methods and ingredients to find your favorite recipe!
