As a big fan of KFC’s delicious fried chicken, I absolutely love dunking their juicy tenders and crispy chicken legs into that smooth, savory brown gravy. It’s the perfect complement and adds so much flavor! But I’ve always wondered – with its rich, meaty taste, does KFC’s famous gravy contain pork? Let’s find out.
I decided to do some digging into this southern staple and what exactly goes into making that signature KFC gravy flavor. Here’s what I uncovered in my investigation into whether not pork is an ingredient
A Brief Background on KFC Gravy
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KFC gravy has been on the menu since the 1950s when Harland Sanders himself developed it to pair with his original recipe fried chicken.
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It has a smooth, thick consistency and signature deep brown color.
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The gravy is made fresh daily in KFC kitchens.
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It uses a secret blend of seasonings and spices to achieve its one-of-a-kind flavor.
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The gravy is often ladled generously over menu items like mashed potatoes, biscuits, and of course, the fried chicken.
Now that we know a little history, let’s look at the components of this fan favorite sauce.
The Primary Ingredients
According to KFC the base of their famous gravy starts with
- Chicken drippings – Imparts intense chicken flavor from frying the chicken
- Water – Adds moisture and volume
- Flour – Acts as a thickening agent
Additionally, a former cook revealed that bouillon powder is used to boost the flavor. So it seems the main ingredients are simple: chicken, water, flour, and seasonings. No pork is explicitly mentioned.
The Secret Weapon: Cracklings
However, it turns out KFC gravy relies on a secret weapon – chicken “cracklings.” These are the crispy, browned leftover bits from frying chicken in the kitchens.
While some may find this unappetizing, it adds essential meaty flavor and texture. The chicken cracklings are said to separate KFC gravy from all imitators. But they certainly don’t contain pork.
A Look at the Gravy Packet Contents
Examining the gravy powder packets used in KFC locations also provides some clues. The seasoning blend contains:
- Black pepper
- Chicken extract
- Flour
- Salt
Again, no pork products listed! But the packets do have preservatives and flavor enhancers that homemade versions would omit.
Other Menu Items Can Contain Pork
It’s important to note that while the gravy itself does not include pork, some other KFC menu items do. This includes:
- Hash brown casserole
- Beans
- Rice dishes
So always double check if avoiding pork. But the gravy gets the green light!
The Verdict: KFC’s Gravy is 100% Pork-Free
After thoroughly investigating the ingredients, cooking process, and even product packaging, I can conclusively say that KFC’s signature gravy does not contain pork.
The gravy gets its distinctive brown color, smooth texture, and meaty flavor from chicken drippings, cracklings, flour, bouillon, and secret spices. While a few menu items may include pork, their traditional gravy sticks to its original recipe.
The next time I pour that luxuriously smooth gravy all over a fried chicken drumstick, I can rest assured there’s no pork lurking in my beloved southern-style sauce. Colonel Sanders’ top secret recipe lives on!
Frequently Asked Questions About KFC Gravy
Here are answers to some common questions about KFC’s famous gravy:
Does KFC gravy contain pork?
No, KFC gravy does not contain pork or pork products. It’s made with chicken drippings, flour, bouillon, and spices.
Is KFC gravy halal?
KFC gravy is only halal if you are dining in a halal certified KFC restaurant. Otherwise standard KFC gravy contains chicken and is not halal.
Do any KFC menu items include pork?
Yes, some KFC menu items do include pork, like their hash brown casserole, beans, and rice dishes. But pork is not an ingredient in their original recipe gravy.
How does KFC make their gravy?
KFC gravy starts with chicken drippings, then uses a roux made of flour and bouillon for thickness. Signature seasonings and crisp chicken cracklings finish it off.
Why does KFC gravy taste so meaty without pork?
It’s the chicken cracklings that give KFC gravy its rich, meaty flavor profile, not pork. Cracklings add texture and flavor when fried up in the chicken drippings.
The Takeaway on KFC Gravy
KFC’s famous southern-inspired gravy complements their fried chicken so perfectly without using any pork products. That savory, meaty taste comes from cracklings and chicken drippings instead. So dip to your heart’s content knowing the gravy is pork-free!
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We think Christmas dinner without gravy is a terrible idea, and we’re glad to hear that fast food restaurants agree.
The fried chicken chain shows how it makes its famous gravy in the Channel 4 documentary Inside KFC At Christmas. It’s not pretty.
Adam Mala, assistant manager at a store in Chorley, Lancashire, says that the branches sometimes clash over who can make the best fan-favorite sauce.
“People might say that its ‘only gravy’. No, it’s not only gravy. He says on the show, “We need the gravy to be the best it can be; we need it to be the best in the business.”
The Buckshaw branch in Lancashire, which sells twice as much gravy as the average KFC, is run by team member Anne Walker, who makes the gravy.
She says that the delicious dressing is made from the “crackling,” which are the juices and chicken scraps that are left over from the chicken fryers.
Walker explains that the gravy comprises two scoops of crackling mixed with 3. 5 litres of water. Then comes the “magic ingredient”, which comes in a mystery foil bag.
“There’s nothing on the packet to tell you what’s in the magic ingredients,” Walker says.
Usually, meat juices, water, and stock are mixed together to make gravy. The gravy is then thickened with flour, so it’s possible that the “magic ingredient” is a mix of stock and flour.
“Whisk it up so it’s nice and smooth and all the bits are all mixed up,” Walker says. “Voila. Then we just pop it in the microwave. ”.
Although the crackling may not appeal to all diners, Walker is a big fan.
“If you’re going to KFC, you’ve got to have gravy. It’s nice gravy,” she insists.
Cris Manolache, the branch manager in nearby Chorley, says that people there love gravy more than fried chicken.
“Here, if you dont have the gravy you are better off shutting down than staying open,” he says.
“Its better to run out of chicken than gravy. The people will have the gravy without the chicken.“
Over the festive period, it’s estimated that KFC will sell around 1.7 million pots of gravy per week.
This number goes up now that there is a new Christmas Gravy Burger on the market. It has a fillet and a hash brown with a special well in it for pouring gravy.
The burger is then topped with Gravynnaise: a combination of gravy, mayonnaise and cheese.
If this floats your (gravy) boat, act fast – it’s only on KFC menus until 1 January 2021.
Inside KFC At Christmas airs on Channel 4 at 9pm on Wednesday 16 December.
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‘If you’re going to KFC, you’ve got to have gravy’
