25 Classic Christmas Sauces and Gravies Recipe for the Holidays

The holiday season is upon us, and Christmas is the perfect time to gather with family and friends to share delicious meals, joyous laughter, and heartfelt moments. For me, one of the highlights of these festive gatherings is the rich, flavorful sauces and gravies that accompany our traditional dishes.

These condiments elevate any meal, transforming simple roasted meats and veggies into unforgettable culinary experiences. That’s why I decided to share some of my favorite recipes in this blog post: "25 Classic Christmas Sauces and Gravies Recipe for the Holidays."

Whether you're looking for the perfect gravy to pour over your turkey, a zesty cranberry sauce, or a buttery brandy sauce for your Christmas pudding, I'm confident you'll find something here to make your holiday meal even more special. Let’s dive into these classic recipes that have stood the test of time.

1. Traditional Turkey Gravy

A rich gravy that perfectly complements your Christmas turkey dinner.

Ingredients:

• Turkey drippings
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Pour the turkey drippings into a saucepan, and heat over medium heat.
2. Add the flour, stirring constantly to form a roux.
3. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth.
4. Continue to cook and stir until the gravy thickens.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

2. Classic Cranberry Sauce

This tangy, sweet sauce is an essential side for any holiday feast.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz fresh cranberries
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup orange juice

Instructions:

1. Combine cranberries, sugar, and orange juice in a saucepan.
2. Cook over medium heat until the cranberries pop and the sauce thickens.
3. Let it cool before serving.

3. Bread Sauce

A cozy British tradition that pairs well with roast chicken or turkey.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 onion
• 2 cloves
• 1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Stud the onion with cloves and simmer in milk until it almost boils.
2. Remove the onion and stir in breadcrumbs and butter.
3. Season with salt and pepper, and let it simmer until thickened.

4. Giblet Gravy

A hearty and flavorful gravy made using turkey giblets.

Ingredients:

• Turkey giblets
• 4 cups water
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Simmer giblets in water for 1-2 hours to make broth.
2. Remove giblets, chop finely, and return to broth.
3. Add flour, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
4. Cook until thick, and season with salt and pepper.

5. Brandy Butter Sauce

Perfect for drizzling over Christmas pudding or mince pies.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp brandy

Instructions:

1. Cream the butter until light and fluffy.
2. Gradually beat in powdered sugar.
3. Add brandy and mix until smooth.

6. Red Wine Reduction

A luxurious sauce for pairing with roast beef or lamb.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups red wine
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 1 shallot, minced
• 1 tbsp butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Simmer wine and shallots until reduced by half.
2. Add beef broth, and continue reducing.
3. Stir in butter, and season with salt and pepper.

7. Mushroom Gravy

Vegetarian-friendly and full of earthy flavors.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Sauté mushrooms in butter until tender.
2. Mix in flour, and cook for 1-2 minutes.
3. Gradually add vegetable broth, stirring constantly.
4. Cook until thick, and season with salt and pepper.

8. Mustard Cream Sauce

A zesty sauce that’s ideal for ham or pork dishes.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp whole-grain mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Stir in both mustards.
3. Cook until slightly thickened, and season with salt and pepper.

9. Bourbon Glaze

A sweet and smoky glaze that's excellent for ham or roasted meats.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup bourbon
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan.
2. Simmer over medium heat until thickened.
3. Brush over meat during the last 30 minutes of roasting.

10. Onion Gravy

A simple yet tasty gravy perfect for meatloaf or sausages.

Ingredients:

• 2 large onions, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups beef broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Sauté onions in butter until caramelized.
2. Stir in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.
3. Gradually add beef broth, stirring constantly.
4. Cook until thick, and season with salt and pepper.

11. Madeira Sauce

A rich sauce with a hint of sweetness, perfect for game meats.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Madeira wine
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 1 shallot, minced
• 2 tbsp butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Simmer Madeira and shallots until reduced by half.
2. Add beef broth, and continue reducing.
3. Stir in butter, and season with salt and pepper.

12. Sage and Onion Gravy

An aromatic gravy that adds a festive touch to any main dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 large onion, minced
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Sauté onion in butter until soft.
2. Mix in sage and flour, and cook for 1-2 minutes.
3. Gradually add chicken broth, stirring constantly.
4. Cook until thick, and season with salt and pepper.

13. Apple Cider Gravy

A tangy and sweet gravy that pairs well with pork dishes.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups apple cider
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat apple cider and chicken broth in a saucepan.
2. Melt butter in a separate pan, and stir in flour.
3. Gradually add the cider mixture, whisking constantly.
4. Cook until thick, and season with salt and pepper.

14. Maple Mustard Sauce

A sweet and tangy sauce that works beautifully with roasted meats.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Combine maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar in a saucepan.
2. Simmer over medium heat until slightly thickened.
3. Season with salt and pepper.

15. Pomegranate Sauce

For a touch of sweetness and tartness, this sauce is perfect for roast duck or pork.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pomegranate juice
• 1/4 cup red wine
• 1/4 cup sugar
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan.
2. Simmer over medium heat until reduced and thickened.
3. Season with a pinch of salt.

16. Lemon Butter Sauce

A light and zesty sauce that’s fantastic on fish or asparagus.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Melt butter in a saucepan.
2. Stir in lemon juice and zest.
3. Cook until heated through, and season with salt and pepper.

17. Apricot Glaze

A fruity glaze that adds a sweet touch to ham or turkey.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup apricot preserves
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan.
2. Heat over medium heat until smooth.
3. Brush over ham or turkey during the last 30 minutes of roasting.

18. Horseradish Cream Sauce

A spicy, creamy sauce that's perfect for beef or lamb.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup prepared horseradish
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined.
2. Chill in the refrigerator before serving.

19. Whiskey Peppercorn Sauce

A bold and spicy sauce that goes wonderfully with steaks.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup whiskey
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 tbsp green peppercorns
• 2 tbsp butter
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Simmer whiskey and beef broth until reduced by half.
2. Stir in green peppercorns and butter.
3. Cook until thickened and season with salt.

20. Basil Pesto Cream Sauce

A creamy and herbaceous sauce that’s great with pasta or vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup basil pesto
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat pesto and heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Cook until slightly thickened.
3. Season with salt and pepper.

21. Orange Maple Glaze

A citrusy and sweet glaze that’s perfect for poultry.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp orange zest
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan.
2. Simmer over medium heat until thickened.
3. Brush over poultry during the last 30 minutes of roasting.

22. Parmesan Cream Sauce

A rich and cheesy sauce that pairs wonderfully with pasta or chicken.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Stir in Parmesan cheese and garlic powder.
3. Cook until thickened and season with salt and pepper.

23. Gingerbread Sauce

This sweet and spicy sauce adds a festive touch to desserts like ice cream or bread pudding.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup molasses
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• Pinch of cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan.
2. Simmer over medium heat until smooth and thick.
3. Serve warm over desserts.

24. Tarragon Butter Sauce

A delicate, herby sauce that’s perfect for fish or chicken.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp fresh tarragon, chopped
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Melt butter in a saucepan.
2. Stir in tarragon and lemon juice.
3. Cook until heated through, and season with salt and pepper.

25. Coconut Curry Sauce

A creamy and spicy sauce that’s delicious with shrimp or chicken.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup coconut milk
• 2 tbsp red curry paste
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tsp lime juice
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat coconut milk and curry paste in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Stir in fish sauce and lime juice.
3. Simmer until thickened and season with salt.

Conclusion

These recipes are sure to add a memorable touch to your holiday meals. They’re classic, flavorful, and perfect for making any Christmas dinner special. Happy cooking and happy holidays!