Gravy can be kosher if it is prepared according to kosher laws. The main requirements for gravy to be kosher are that it must not contain any non-kosher ingredients, it must not mix meat and dairy, and any equipment used in preparation must be kosher.
What makes gravy kosher?
For gravy to be considered kosher, it must abide by the following principles:
- Only kosher ingredients can be used. This means no pork, shellfish, reptiles, insects etc.
- Meat and dairy cannot be mixed. Gravy made with meat, meat drippings or meat broth cannot contain any dairy ingredients.
- All equipment used must be kosher. Pots, utensils etc must be designated for either meat or dairy.
- The gravy cannot contain any blood. Meat must be salted and soaked to remove blood before being used.
- It must be prepared according to kosher methods under rabbinical supervision.
As long as these principles are followed, gravy can be certified as kosher. The specific ingredients and preparation method will determine if it is considered “meat” or “dairy” gravy.
Common kosher gravy ingredients
There are many ingredients that can be used to prepare kosher gravy. Common kosher gravy ingredients include:
- Vegetable or olive oil
- Flour
- Onions, garlic, herbs and spices
- Wine or other kosher liquids
- Kosher meat drippings or broth
- Pareve non-dairy products like vegetable broth or non-dairy creamers
- Kosher salt and pepper
As long as all the ingredients are certified kosher, they can be combined to make a tasty gravy. Meat, dairy and pareve ingredients must be kept separate.
Is pre-made gravy kosher?
Pre-made and canned gravy can be kosher but you have to check for a kosher certification symbol like one of the following:
- OU – Orthodox Union
- OK – Organized Kashruth Laboratories
- Kof-K – Kosher Supervision Service
- Star-K – Star-K Kosher Certification
If the product has a kosher symbol from a reputed organization, it means the gravy has been prepared according to kosher laws under rabbinical supervision. However, always check the ingredients listed to confirm there are no non-kosher additives.
Is gravy made at restaurants kosher?
Gravy served at restaurants is not automatically kosher. Unless a restaurant is certified kosher, their gravy may contain non-kosher ingredients, mix meat and dairy, or be prepared on non-kosher equipment.
To ensure restaurant gravy is kosher, you must ask the following questions:
- Does the restaurant have kosher certification?
- What are all the ingredients in the gravy?
- Is the gravy designated as “meat” or “dairy”?
- Is there separate kitchen equipment for meat and dairy?
Unless you can get clear answers verifying the gravy’s adherence to kosher laws, it is better to avoid restaurant gravy to stay safe.
Tips for keeping gravy kosher
Here are some useful tips to help keep your homemade gravy kosher:
- Only use ingredients with a kosher symbol or that are known to be kosher.
- Designate pots, utensils and cooking equipment as meat, dairy or pareve.
- If cooking meat, soak and salt it thoroughly to draw out all blood.
- Cook meat and dairy gravies completely separately.
- Add non-dairy thickening agents like flour or vegetable purees if needed.
- If in doubt, have a rabbi approve the ingredients and preparation.
Conclusion
Gravy can conform to kosher dietary laws if care is taken to use only kosher ingredients, avoid mixing meat and dairy, and prepare it on kosher equipment and according to kosher principles. Both homemade and pre-made gravy can be kosher certified if it has been approved by a reputable rabbinical organization. However, restaurant gravy will typically not be kosher unless the restaurant itself has kosher certification.