What gravy goes with ham? The short answer is — any kind you like! Some people prefer the ham's natural gravy, while others like a sweeter gravy to play off ham's saltiness.
Making gravy for ham is like making gravy for any other meat. Ham doesn't release the amount of fat and drippings that beef does, but it's often basted with a syrup or other mixtures that collect additional flavors as they roll down the ham, simmering on the bottom of the pan just waiting for you to turn them into delicious gravy.
Video of the Day
Video of the Day
Let's go over what gravy goes with ham and how to make it.
Gravy That Goes With Ham: The Basics
Gravy for ham can be any kind of liquid you thicken, which makes the gravy more substantial than just using the juices from the ham, yet not so thick that it clumps when you ladle it. The gravy used on ham should swirl into the ladle and then out again to beautifully coat your ham, mashed potatoes, and any other food you serve alongside it.
Making Lump-Free Gravy That Goes With Ham
Have you ever poured flour and water into a pan of hot liquid and had it turn into dreaded lumps? The secret to making lump-free gravy is adding a bit of the hot liquid from the pan to the flour and water mixture before adding the mixture to the entire pan of liquid. Follow these steps to make a lump-free gravy that goes with ham.
- Remove the cooked ham from the pan, transfer it to a cutting board, and cover it loosely with foil to keep it from drying out.
- Add one cup of water to the pan and stir, scraping the pan to loosen the drippings.
- Pour the liquid with drippings into a medium-sized pot and heat over medium heat.
- Combine 2 tablespoons of flour with 1 tablespoon of water in a small bowl and stir into a paste. Stir in more water if needed, 1 teaspoon at a time, until the paste is smooth but still thick.
- Once the liquid in the pot starts boiling, turn the heat to simmer. One at a time, add 2 tablespoons of the hot liquid to the smooth flour mixture and stir until the liquid is fully mixed in.
- Slowly pour the warm flour mixture into the pot of hot liquid.
- Stir immediately until it has combined with the hot liquid.
- Turn the heat to medium-high and bring the gravy to a rolling boil, stirring occasionally for two minutes until the gravy has thickened to serving consistency. Simmer on low until ready to use and strain before serving to make sure there are no lumps.
What's the Difference Between Pan Gravy and Traditional Gravy?
Many people think that when you make gravy on the stovetop in the pan in which you cooked your meat, it's called pan gravy. But there's an important difference between pan gravy and traditional gravy. Traditional gravy is thickened, while pan gravy is not — it consists of water and the pan juices heated and stirred.
How to Make Sweet Gravy That Goes With Ham
Wondering what gravy goes with ham? A sweet gravy certainly does — the sweetness balances out the saltiness of ham. Some popular sweet gravies that go with ham include sugar-mustard gravy and pineapple gravy.
Sugar-Mustard Gravy for Ham
- Make a paste using 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of water, and 1 tablespoon of mustard (or more if you like).
- Apply the paste all over the ham's surface before putting it in the oven. It will drip off along with the ham's natural juices as it bakes.
- About every 20 minutes, baste the ham with the sugar-mustard drippings.
- When the ham is cooked through, make gravy from the juices or just add water and serve it as pan gravy.
Tip
The spicier your mustard you use, the spicier the gravy will be.
Pineapple Gravy for Ham
- Drain the juice from one 15-ounce can of pineapple chunks and set the chunks aside.
- Pour the pineapple juice over the ham and baste it with the pan juices several times as the ham bakes.
- Add the pineapple chunks and 1/2 cup of water to the pan for the last 10 minutes the ham bakes and serve it as pan gravy.