If you love rich, savory Southern-style gravy, this homemade Popeyes Gravy Recipe is going to be your new favorite. It’s thick, flavorful, and packed with seasoned ground beef and pork for that deep, comforting taste. Inspired by the famous gravy served at Popeyes, this copycat version brings restaurant-style flavor straight to your kitchen.

The best part? You can make this gravy with simple pantry ingredients in just over an hour. It’s perfect for mashed potatoes, fried chicken, biscuits, rice, or even French fries. This recipe is easy to follow, beginner-friendly, and full of bold Southern flavor.
What Is Popeyes Gravy?
Popeyes gravy is a rich, brown meat gravy made with ground beef, pork, broth, and seasonings. Unlike traditional plain brown gravy, this version contains finely crumbled meat, giving it a thicker texture and a deeper flavor.
It’s commonly served over mashed potatoes at Popeyes, but many people also enjoy it with fried chicken and biscuits. The combination of meat, spices, and broth creates a hearty Southern-style gravy that tastes homemade and comforting.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Authentic flavor – Tastes like the famous fast-food gravy.
- Easy to make – Simple steps and common ingredients.
- Budget-friendly – Uses affordable ground meat and pantry staples.
- Perfect for meal prep – Stores well and reheats beautifully.
- Versatile – Great over mashed potatoes, rice, chicken, and more.
This Popeyes gravy recipe is thick, savory, slightly sweet, and mildly spicy. You can also adjust the spice level to your taste.
Equipment’s
- Large saucepan
- Wooden spoon
- Whisk
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
Ingredients with Amounts

- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup ground beef
- ½ cup ground pork
- 2 tablespoons bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 cups Pacific Foods Beef Broth, Recommended
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Whole Foods Market, Organic White Vinegar, Recommended
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried parsley
- Spicy chili powder, to taste
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Heat the Oil
In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
Step 2: Sauté the Bell Pepper
Add the chopped bell pepper and cook for about 2 minutes until slightly soft and fragrant.
Step 3: Prepare the Meat
In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef and ground pork. Mix well using your hands.
Step 4: Cook the Meat
Add the meat mixture to the saucepan. Cook over medium heat until browned. Break the meat into very small pieces while cooking. The smaller the pieces, the more authentic the gravy texture will be.
Step 5: Add Liquids
Pour in the water and beef broth. Stir well.
Step 6: Thicken the Gravy
In a small bowl, mix the flour and cornstarch. Whisk it into the gravy mixture slowly to prevent lumps.
Step 7: Add Seasonings
Add milk, vinegar, sugar, black pepper, garlic powder, dried parsley, chili powder, and salt. Stir well.
Step 8: Simmer
Bring the mixture to a boil. Then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 35–40 minutes. Stir occasionally until the gravy becomes thick and smooth.
Step 9: Serve
Once thickened, remove from heat and serve warm over mashed potatoes, fried chicken, or biscuits.
Notes
- Break the meat into very fine crumbles for the best texture.
- Stir regularly to prevent the gravy from sticking to the bottom.
- If the gravy becomes too thick, add a little water or broth.
- Taste and adjust salt and spice before serving.
Popeyes Gravy Recipe
Equipment & Tools
- Large Saucepan
- Wooden Spoon
- Whisk
- Mixing Bowl
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup ground beef
- ½ cup ground pork
- 2 tablespoons bell pepper finely chopped
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 cups Pacific Foods Beef Broth, Recommended
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Whole Foods Market, Organic White Vinegar, Recommended
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried parsley
- Spicy chili powder to taste
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the chopped bell pepper and cook for about 2 minutes until slightly soft and fragrant.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef and ground pork. Mix well using your hands.
- Add the meat mixture to the saucepan. Cook over medium heat until browned. Break the meat into very small pieces while cooking. The smaller the pieces, the more authentic the gravy texture will be.
- Pour in the water and beef broth. Stir well.
- In a small bowl, mix the flour and cornstarch. Whisk it into the gravy mixture slowly to prevent lumps.
- Add milk, vinegar, sugar, black pepper, garlic powder, dried parsley, chili powder, and salt. Stir well.
- Bring the mixture to a boil. Then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 35–40 minutes. Stir occasionally until the gravy becomes thick and smooth.
- Once thickened, remove from heat and serve warm over mashed potatoes, fried chicken, or biscuits.
Notes
Nutrition
Variations
Spicier Version
Add extra chili powder or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Creamier Gravy
Add 1 extra tablespoon of milk for a smoother texture.
Gluten-Free Option
Replace flour with additional cornstarch to make it gluten-free.
Beef-Only Version
Use only ground beef if you don’t have ground pork.
Tips
- Cook the meat until nicely browned for deeper flavor.
- Always whisk flour and cornstarch properly to avoid lumps.
- Simmer slowly for at least 35 minutes for the best thickness.
- Use good-quality beef broth for richer taste.
What to Serve with Popeyes Gravy?
This Popeyes gravy pairs perfectly with:
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Fried chicken
- Southern-style biscuits
- White rice
- French fries
- Chicken tenders
You can also drizzle it over baked potatoes or use it as a dipping sauce.
How to Store Popeyes Gravy?
Refrigerator
Store leftover gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezer
Freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Let it cool completely before freezing.
Reheating
Reheat on the stove over low heat. Add a little water or broth to adjust thickness while reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Popeyes gravy ahead of time?
Yes. It tastes even better the next day because the flavors blend together.
Why is my gravy too thin?
Let it simmer longer or add a small amount of cornstarch mixed with water.
Why is my gravy too thick?
Add a little warm water or broth and stir well.
Can I make it without pork?
Yes, you can use only ground beef.
Is Popeyes gravy spicy?
The original has mild spice. You can adjust the chili powder to your preference.
Conclusion
This homemade Popeyes Gravy Recipe is rich, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make. With simple ingredients and easy steps, you can recreate the famous Southern-style gravy right at home. It’s perfect for mashed potatoes, fried chicken, biscuits, and more.
Whether you’re making a family dinner or a comfort food meal, this copycat Popeyes gravy will impress everyone at the table. Try it today and enjoy restaurant-style flavor in your own kitchen!



