It should really go without saying (though if this kind of stuff went without saying, I’d be out of a job), but not everything wet that you pour onto food is gravy. Nor is it always technically sauce. So, how do you know what is gravy and what’s the difference between sauce and gravy? And what about jus? Where does that come in?
That’s what we’re talking about today: gravy vs sauce. Allow us to lay out the intricacies of both the worlds of gravy and sauces, and see if perhaps the twain meet in more ways than one. Grab your life preservers, because into the gravy boat we go!
What is gravy?
Gravy is a thick sauce often made from the meaty juices that result during cooking. It’s often thickened with flour or cornstarch or a roux. And it’s often drizzled atop cuts of meat (think Thanksgiving turkey) or, if you’re Canadian, you dip your fries into it. You can also drink it from a cup, but you might get some concerned looks.
What is gravy made of?
Gravy is traditionally made from fat and meat drippings, along with a thickener—flour, cornstarch, a roux, etc. It is frequently seasoned with black pepper and complimenting herbs. You also sometimes see gravy made with organ meats (aka giblets if we’re talking turkey).
Is gravy a sauce?
Yes, gravy is a type of sauce. Specifically, it’s a sauce made from meat products for meat products. Gravy is a sauce, but sauce isn’t necessarily gravy. Life’s a journey, man.
What’s the difference between sauce and gravy?
We’ll break it down nice and easy for you, folks. The long and the short of it is, all gravy is sauce but not all sauce is gravy. A sauce can be made from all manner of things—pureed tomatoes, red wine, cheese—while a gravy is specifically made from the drippings from cooked meats.
What about jus? What is jus?
Jus—the thin, meaty liquid you get with a French dip or other roast beef sandwiches—is made strictly from meat juice (usually beef). While gravy is thickened, jus is not. So, what’s the difference between broth and jus? Broths are often made by simmering meaty bits and bones with vegetables and herbs, while jus is essentially beef broth mixed with beef drippings. It’s extra beefy beef broth!
Do Italians call sauce gravy?
Yes and no. If you’re talking about any old sauce, Italians will say “salsa” and/or “sugo.” Both words translate verbatim as “sauce.” Gravy, as we know it, is translated to “sugo de carne,” meaning “sauce of meat.” But there is such a thing as Sunday gravy within Italian-American cooking. Sunday gravy is tomato sauce simmered with all sorts of meat, such as meatballs, sausages, and short ribs. It’s not the type of gravy you’d serve at Thanksgiving, but, even though it’s got Sunday in the name, it’d be welcome at any other Thursday dinner.
Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!