If you made too much gravy for your Thanksgiving turkey, or if you doubled up on juicy roast beef gravy, don't let the savory sauce go to waste. Instead, freeze the extra gravy and save it for another time. Serve the gravy with meat and potatoes or noodles, or add the gravy to soups, stews or main dishes such as meat pie.
Types
Freeze any type of milk-based gravy safely, including meat gravies or meat-free gravies. Meat gravies may include sausage gravy, poultry gravy or gravy made from pork roast or roast beef drippings.
Preparation
Heat the gravy to a full boil, then cool the gravy as quickly as possible because bacteria develops rapidly in temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have a small amount of gravy, you can safely cool it in the refrigerator. Don't attempt to cool large batches in the refrigerator, as cooling time is too slow and bacteria may develop. To cool gravy quickly, place the pan of hot gravy in a larger bowl or pan filled with ice water. Add additional ice as needed. Never cool gravy at room temperature.
Freezing
Freeze the cooled gravy in airtight freezer containers as quickly as possible to prevent development of bacteria. Allow at least 1/2 inch of head space at the top of the container to allow for expansion. You can also freeze the cooled gravy in resealable plastic freezer bags. Use an indelible marker to mark the date, contents and reheating instructions on the container or bag.
Potential Problems
While milk gravy is safe to freeze, it may separate during reheating, and as a result, the milk may curdle. To prevent the gravy from separating, heat the gravy slowly while stirring with a whisk. Constant stirring helps to recombine the ingredients in the gravy. Making gravy with flour instead of cornstarch may prevent separation.
Reheating
To reheat gravy safely, heat the gravy to a rolling boil. This ensures that the gravy reaches a minimum temperature of 165 degrees needed to kill any bacteria that may be present. Although reheating gravy on the stovetop is the safest method, you can also reheat gravy in the microwave. If you do, place the gravy in a microwave-safe dish, then heat the gravy thoroughly, turning often to ensure the gravy heats evenly.
References
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Safe Handling of Complete Meals to Go
- Utah State University Cooperative Extension; Freezer Meal Planning; Darlene Christensen; May 2009
- University of Wisconsin Extension; Freezing Home Prepared Foods; Mary E. Mennes
- University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service; Preserving Food: Freezing Prepared Foods Elizabeth L. Andres, et al.; July 2002
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