Making homemade gravy - too much effort?

[fifteenmillionmerits]

Once every three/four weeks, me and DP do a roast. I take care of the meat and he does the vegetables. Last Christmas we went round to stay with my parents (in our support bubble); when we there we helped them cook the turkey on the day.

A few hours after getting back to our home, DP asked me why I hadn't just used shop bought gravy granules or the like. I explained (as I've tried to before) that it was traditional for me and my parents to make our own gravy - we boil the bones in a pressure cooker to make the stock. At Christmas I add the turkey neck, giblets, etc to the mix, as I don't like throwing them away when they can be used. When I've got the time I cook more for fun than just necessity, so I enjoy seeing what comes out of leftovers that might have otherwise gone to the bin.

Am I really the only one who makes their own gravy?

No. I only bought instant gravy granules once. It tasted awful compared with my homemade gravy. Never bought ready-made gravy in a tub. I don't do a roast that often so I don't find it onerous to make my own gravy - a few minutes at the end of the cooking, while the meat is resting and the veg are steaming/boiling/finishing off their roasting time. I love good gravy but would rather have none than something disappointing.

I'm sure no one on MN will confess to using gravy granules.

If I'm doing a roast, I make gravy. If it's just something that requires gravy, then I'll use granules. Homemade gravy is heavenly though. I don't boil bones, I just use the meat juices from the tray/veg water, flour or a bit of gravy powder, marmite for colour. Wine if there is any. Yu

Bisto Best and a splash of cooking juices here. I cannot be arsed to boil bones for any reason, especially when what I actually like is gravy from granules.

I used to use gravy granules then decided to go on a palm oil reduction drive. They were the first to go.

Some people who don't eat meat still enjoy gravy you know

@TroysMammy

I used to use gravy granules then decided to go on a palm oil reduction drive. They were the first to go.

I saw Gordon Ramsay make gravy using a palm oil reduction

I've only ever made gravy using the meat juices, stock of some sort and usually flour. It isn't much in the way of work but of course it means a little bit of planning particularly if eg we want gravy for sausages.

When I do beef casserole in the slow cooker I puree the leftovers as freeze to use as gravy for the next roast.

I never use granules, but I only learned to cook when DS5 was born. I put onions/carrots/apples under whatever meat I’m roasting and then pour those plus the juices into a pan to reduce down once the meat is cooked. Add flour, then water and stock and then strain and reduce! Love a home made gravy.

I just use meat juice, potato water and a stock cube.

I bought some onion gravy granules a couple of months ago as a trial. They weren't as bad as I feared and certainly find with mid week bangers and mash. So I then bought the chicken ones and they were truly vile.

However, not everyone can be arsed to make their own gravy from scratch and I don't blame them. I do, because I quite like to, but I don't think any less of people who use stock cubes or gravy granules. I often use Aunt Bessie's Yorkshires because making them is a pain. I don't like Yorkshires so don't eat them, dh and ds are fine with frozen ones.

@Strangekindofwoman

I'm sure no one on MN will confess to using gravy granules.

I use gravy granules and am unashamed. I can also make proper gravy but on a day-to-day basis I use either OXO cubes or granules.

We don’t eat meat but I make a gravy from scratch every few weeks, i do a big batch in my huge stock pot and freeze it in silicone pouches for future use.

Homemade gravy is so superior to gravy granules, it’s definitely worth the work.

I'm sore I'll come across as a pretentious twat but honestly I've never even thought to use granules. Gravy is easy to make.

Can I ask why your dp felt the need to comment? Does he not like your gravy? It seems an odd thing to bring up on Christmas is all.

I think I follow the Jamie Oliver recipe or there abouts. Nothing as gorgeous as homemade gravy. In the weeks before Christmas I roast off smoked bacon, garlic, veg and chicken wings. We eat the wings and I mash down the rest to make gravy which I freeze for Christmas.

A mix of oxo and bisto here! I'd never make it from scratch when I prefer out of a packet!
Homemade gravy that uses the veg water has me doubled up in pain (I have IBD) and always gives me a dodgy stomach.

I do meat juices, deglaze the roasting tin with wine, stock if necessary, flour if I can be bothered or leftover Yorkshire pudding batter instead of flour if I have any.
If we’re having sausages I do onion gravy with onions and a Knorr instant gravy thing.

@Ihatesandwiches

When I do beef casserole in the slow cooker I puree the leftovers as freeze to use as gravy for the next roast.

This is pure genius! I've always got a bit of casserole left which isn't enough to freeze for another day but always seems so wasteful to throw it away. Now I know what to do with it! Thank you!

I don't think I've ever used gravy granules. Gravy is always made from meat juices in this house, just the way my mother/father taught me to make it and DH does the same if he's cooking. Even if I'm cooking something like sausages mid week, I will make gravy from scratch.

I actually love bisto! I'm also veggie so can't be bothered faffing with meat bones.

mrurddhasabitpart - I don't think DP was trying to be rude, the question was more out of curiosity more than anything. My DM grew up in an environment where they couldn't really afford good quality cuts of meat even at Christmas - the first time she had turkey was when she met my DF - DF's parents did a roast practically every time she visited.

My parents are accustomed to using every last scrap of food when they can - bread at Christmas that was going to end up stale went in our bread and butter pudding.

By comparison, I think DP's family have only used gravy granules. The first time I bothered to make homemade gravy, DP said "well, it tastes great, but it's different from Bisto, etc." Not in a bad way, just different. I took that as a compliment!

Love the tip for left over casserole as well - thanks!!!
We rarely do roasts - but when we do I like making the gravy. There's usually a tupperware of stock in the freezer and i love the process of deglazing the roasting pan and seeing how it will turn out this time...
But for midweek bangers and mash then we use granules.
I find it funny on mumsnet how some people are so black and white - one or the other, whereas in real life - me, my friends and family are all a bit more grey and happy to do a bit of everything depending on the situation!!!

DP is currently roasting a leg of lamb and informs me that he will definitely be making his own gravy. With the assistance of a knorr lamb stockpot, that is.

@anordinarymum just actually snorted with laughter at that