Some dishes just aren’t complete without gravy. Whether it’s poured over mashed potatoes, spooned onto roast turkey, or served alongside a hearty meatloaf, this simple sauce brings richness and flavor to the table. Making it from scratch is great, but a good jarred gravy can save time without sacrificing too much flavor. To find out which store-bought options are worth stocking up on, we turned to Therese Buchanan, home chef, food blogger & recipe developer at Tessie’s Table, for her top picks.
When you want a classic gravy to round out a comfort-food meal, Heinz is a familiar name to consider. Its Homestyle line includes several varieties, making it easy to pair the sauce with different main dishes. “The Savory Beef variety has a rich, meaty flavor that works particularly well with mashed potatoes or roast beef, while the Roasted Turkey gravy is a good option for a roast dinner,” says Buchanan.
Putting together a satisfying holiday meal doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune on every item. Walmart’s Great Value Homestyle Turkey Flavored Gravy is worth considering when you’re feeding a crowd or simply want to keep a few convenient options on hand for weeknight dinners. “Walmart’s Great Value Homestyle Turkey Flavored Gravy is a budget-friendly option for a roast turkey dinner,” Buchanan says. “It has a smooth texture and savory turkey flavor, and it’s particularly useful when you need extra gravy for mashed potatoes, stuffing, or leftovers.”
For a holiday meal, gravy is one of those finishing touches that can make the entire plate feel more complete. Williams Sonoma Turkey Gravy Base, Classic Recipe takes a slightly different approach, offering a starting point for cooks who want a more hands-on role in preparing their sauce while still saving some time in the kitchen. “Williams Sonoma’s Turkey Gravy Base is a little different from a typical ready-to-serve jarred gravy because it’s designed to be prepared with additional liquid,” explains Buchanan. “That gives you more control over the finished consistency, and it’s especially useful at Thanksgiving when you want plenty of gravy without making the entire batch from scratch.”
Sometimes, the main dish is ready, the sides are on the table, and all that’s missing is the gravy. That’s where a ready-to-serve option comes in handy. Better Than Gravy, Premium Roasted Turkey Gravy offers a practical shortcut for meals when you don’t have the time or ingredients to make something at home. “The roasted turkey flavor makes it a good match for mashed potatoes, stuffing, and turkey sandwiches, particularly when you don’t have pan drippings available,” says Buchanan.
Beef gravy brings a hearty, savory element to everything from traditional roasts to simple weeknight meals. Kinder’s puts its own spin on this staple with a classic beef gravy made with bone broth, giving shoppers another option to consider when browsing the gravy aisle for something to complement beef-based dishes. “Kinder’s Classic Beef Gravy is made with bone broth, which gives it a savory beef base,” Buchanan explains. “It’s a good option for serving with roast beef, meatloaf, or mashed potatoes, especially when you want a beef gravy that doesn’t require mixing powders or making a roux.”