Bacon Gravy

Ingredients

• 6 strips bacon, (chopped)
• 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter
• ¼ cup (60g) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (475ml) milk
• ½ cup (120ml) chicken broth
• ½ teaspoon (1g) garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon (1g) onion powder
• ⅛ teaspoon (.5g) cayenne pepper
• ½ teaspoon (2-3g) kosher salt, (plus more to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon (.5-1g) freshly ground black pepper

Steps

1. 1

   Add bacon to a hot skillet or saucepan and cook until slightly crispy.

2. 2

   Remove the bacon and leave two tablespoons of bacon grease in the pan. Add the butter.

3. 3

   Once it melts, add the flour and whisk continuously until it has a toasty aroma and turns lightly golden, 2-3 minutes.

4. 4

   Slowly add ½ cup of milk at a time, whisking after each addition until no lumps are left. The mixture may seize up at first, but that's okay. Keep adding the milk and whisking until it becomes smooth and creamy. Then add chicken broth while whisking.

5. 5

   Add garlic and onion powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Whisk to combine.

6. 6

   Bring to a simmer while whisking, and simmer while stirring until thickened to the desired consistency (3-5 minutes). Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper.

7. 7

   Stir in the diced bacon to combine. Serve hot over biscuits, chicken-fried steak, or fried chicken!