Pioneer Brown Gravy Mix: Is This Gluten-Free Packet Your Thanksgiving Hero?

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and of course, delicious food. For those of us navigating gluten sensitivities, the holiday feast can sometimes present a challenge, especially when it comes to classic dishes like gravy. Finding a gluten-free gravy that actually tastes good can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. That’s why we decided to dive deep into the world of gluten-free gravy packets, putting several brands to the test to find the best options for your holiday table. In this installment of our gluten-free taste tests, we’re focusing on Pioneer Brown Gravy Mix, a readily available packet promising a traditional gravy flavor without the gluten. We’ll explore how Pioneer Brown Gravy Mix stacks up in terms of taste, texture, and overall quality, helping you decide if it deserves a spot on your Thanksgiving menu. We tasted each gravy on its own and with mashed potatoes to give you the most comprehensive review possible.

We managed to get our hands on gluten-free gravy offerings from Pioneer and McCormick, the two most prominent brands in this niche. Pioneer offers both a Brown Gravy and a Country White Gravy, while McCormick features a Brown Gravy and a Turkey Gravy. To give you a clear picture, we ranked these gravies from worst to best based on our taste test, focusing on key factors like overall taste and depth of flavor. Let’s see where Pioneer Brown Gravy Mix lands in our gluten-free gravy showdown.

Pioneer Country White Gluten-Free Gravy Packets: A Disappointing Start

Pioneer Country White Gluten-Free Gravy Packets on Spoons

Pioneer Country White Gluten-Free Gravy Packets on Mashed Potatoes

Overall Taste: 4/10

Does it taste gluten-free?: Yes

Depth of Flavor: 2.5/10

First Impressions:

Our tasting panel wasn’t impressed with the Pioneer Country White Gravy. The comments ranged from “really not that good” to “tastes cheap and crappy.” Several tasters picked up on a “nutty” flavor that was described as “offputting” and “not in a good way.” Others found it “bland” and lacking in any significant flavor profile, with one noting, “a little peppery, but that’s all that it has going for it.” The overall consensus was “not really impressed” and “meh.” One panelist suggested its blandness might make it a suitable base for biscuits and gravy in a pinch, especially with added sausage. A concerning comment was that it “tastes kind of old, like it has been sitting on a shelf for too long,” although the packet was confirmed to be within its expiration date.

McCormick Brown Gluten-Free Gravy Packet: Sweetness Overpowers

McCormick Brown Gluten-Free Gravy Packet on Spoon

McCormick Brown Gluten-Free Gravy Packet on Mashed Potatoes

Overall Taste: 4.5/10

Does it taste gluten-free?: No

Depth of Flavor: 3.5/10

First Impressions:

The McCormick Brown Gluten-Free Gravy fared slightly better in overall taste but was still met with significant criticism. The dominant complaint was an unexpected and unpleasant sweetness. Tasters described a “really weird background flavor” and questioned, “Why is this so sweet??” The flavor was further described as “beefy in a cheap microwave dinner type of way, not good” and “like almond extract,” which was deemed “really gross.” The presence of corn syrup in the ingredients list was identified as a likely culprit for the off-putting sweetness. While ranked slightly higher than the Pioneer Country Gravy, the “weird flavor” was considered too significant to recommend. However, it was noted that the Pioneer Country Gravy’s blandness might make it a better blank canvas for customization.

Pioneer Brown Gluten-Free Gravy Packet: A Solidly Standard Gluten-Free Option

Pioneer Brown Gluten-Free Gravy Packet on Spoon

Pioneer Brown Gluten-Free Gravy Packet on Mashed Potatoes

Overall Taste: 7/10

Does it taste gluten-free?: No

Depth of Flavor: 4.5/10

First Impressions:

Finally, we arrive at the Pioneer Brown Gluten-Free Gravy Mix, and the feedback takes a positive turn. The most common initial reaction was that it “just tastes like a normal gravy.” Tasters found it to be a “standard run of the mill gravy” without any major flaws. Some noted a slight “old taste,” similar to the Country White variety, but it wasn’t as prominent or off-putting. The general consensus was “nothing grand, nothing bad. Just okay tasting gravy.” While not a standout, Pioneer Brown Gravy Mix emerges as a reliably decent gluten-free option, delivering a familiar gravy flavor without any noticeable gluten-free aftertaste. For those seeking a straightforward, no-fuss gluten-free gravy, Pioneer Brown Gravy Mix is a solid contender.

McCormick Turkey Gluten-Free Gravy Packet: The Thanksgiving Winner

McCormick Turkey Gluten-Free Gravy Packet on Spoon

McCormick Turkey Gluten-Free Gravy Packet on Mashed Potatoes

Overall Taste: 8/10

Does it taste gluten-free?: No

Depth of Flavor: 6.5/10

First Impressions:

Taking the top spot is the McCormick Turkey Gluten-Free Gravy Packet. The tasting panel overwhelmingly favored this option, with comments like “Tastes a lot like turkey, would be great for Thanksgiving.” It was praised for having a “really good flavor for a packet” and tasting “seasoned like it has some spices and herbs” with a “slight pepperiness.” One taster declared it the “Best gravy packet I’ve had for sure!” The McCormick Turkey Gravy impressed by not tasting “gluten-free in the slightest,” earning it high praise and solidifying its place as the top pick in our taste test.

Conclusion: Pioneer Brown Gravy Mix – A Dependable Gluten-Free Choice

Our gluten-free gravy taste test revealed a clear winner for Thanksgiving: McCormick Turkey Gravy. However, for a standard brown gravy option, Pioneer Brown Gravy Mix stands out as a dependable and palatable choice. While McCormick Brown Gravy suffered from an odd sweetness, Pioneer Brown Gravy Mix delivered a familiar, no-frills gravy flavor that most tasters found acceptable, if not exceptional. It’s a solid option when you need a quick and easy gluten-free gravy without any surprises. The Pioneer Country Gravy, unfortunately, landed at the bottom of our rankings due to its bland and somewhat off-putting flavor.

If you’re unable to find these pre-made gluten-free gravy packets, or prefer a more homemade touch, don’t worry! Creating delicious gluten-free gravy from scratch is easier than you might think. We’ve included a simple gluten-free flour replacement recipe below, allowing you to adapt any gravy recipe and ensure a gluten-free Thanksgiving for everyone at your table.

Recipe: Simple Gluten-Free Flour Replacement for Homemade Gravy

Yields: Enough to replace 3 tablespoons of flour
Difficulty: Easy

This gluten-free flour blend is your secret weapon for transforming any gravy recipe into a gluten-free delight. Use it in a 1:1 ratio to replace regular flour and enjoy gravy without compromise!

Ingredients

2 tablespoons white rice flour
2 teaspoons potato starch (not flour)
1 teaspoon tapioca starch/flour (same thing)

Directions

1. Blend Your Gluten-Free Flour: In a small bowl, whisk together the white rice flour, potato starch, and tapioca starch until well combined. This creates your gluten-free flour blend.

2. Incorporate into Gravy: Use this gluten-free blend exactly as you would regular flour in your gravy recipe. If you’re making a roux-based gravy, remember that this gluten-free roux won’t brown like traditional wheat flour roux. Simply cook it with butter or fat for about 3-5 minutes before adding liquids and continuing with your recipe.

3. Enjoy! That’s all there is to it! You now have a simple method for making any gravy recipe gluten-free.

4. Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare larger batches of this gluten-free flour blend in advance and store it in your pantry or freezer for future gravy-making endeavors. A good general ratio to remember is 4:2:1 for white rice flour, potato starch, and tapioca starch, but precise measurements aren’t crucial.

Gluten-Free Flour Blend Recipe Plug

We hope this gluten-free gravy taste test and recipe help you navigate your Thanksgiving meal planning! Whether you opt for the convenient Pioneer Brown Gravy Mix or decide to whip up a homemade version, delicious gluten-free gravy is definitely achievable. Happy Thanksgiving! 🙂