The Sad Way KFC Lost Its 'Perfect' Original Gravy Recipe - The Daily Meal (2024)

ByKalea Martin|

When you eat at KFC, the fried chicken you taste is the same one that founder Harland Sanders created in 1939, back when there was just one location called Sanders Cafe. Its main selling point was the Colonel's fried chicken, made with a "secret recipe of 11 different herbs and spices." That very recipe, which was accidentally revealed in 2016 by Sanders' nephew, has kept KFC in business for several decades.

The chain's original gravy, however, didn't stand the test of time like the fried chicken did. The one used in restaurants today isn't the same as the one that Sanders originally came up with, and the recipe for it was never publicly revealed. One thing we do know about it is that Sanders produced gravy that was as "finger lickin' good" as the fried chicken, despite KFC's decision to replace it with a subpar version.

Why did KFC change its original gravy recipe?

The Sad Way KFC Lost Its 'Perfect' Original Gravy Recipe - The Daily Meal (5)

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Like any fast food restaurant, KFC had to streamline the cooking process in order to get orders out as efficiently as possible. The chain has always fried its chicken in a pressure cooker for fast and delicious results, but the original gravy served underwent a much slower cooking process.

As business grew, and more and more locations opened, Sanders's gravy recipe proved to be entirely unsustainable for fast food service. "Let's face it, the Colonel's gravy was fantastic, but you had to be a Rhodes Scholar to cook it," a KFC spokesperson toldThe New Yorker in 1970. "It involved too much time, it left too much room for human error, and it was too expensive."

However,Sandershimself wasn't a fan of how the new gravy tasted, publicly calling it "sludge" in The New York Times. But there was nothing he could do to change it, as he had already sold the company, only remaining on the board of directors.

What is KFC's current gravy recipe?

Though Sanders didn't take a liking to the modernized gravy recipe, many customers do. It's popular enough that a copycat version went viral. This recipe is made with a base of chicken and beef bouillon, butter, and flour, then seasoned with garlic powder, black pepper, and sage. And although people were impressed by its similar taste, as it turns out KFC's gravy is made very differently.

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♬ The Chicken Wing Beat – Ricky Desktop

As a self-identified KFC employee revealed in a TikTok, KFC's gravy is made of chicken cracklings, not bouillon, as the copycat recipe suggests. Technically chicken cracklings are made from chicken fat trimmings that are purposely fried, but according to the video, KFC's cracklings consist of the debris that falls to the bottom of the fryer. The cracklings are combined with water and powdered gravy mix, whisked, then heated in a microwave oven before being served alongside orders of fried chicken.

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The Sad Way KFC Lost Its 'Perfect' Original Gravy Recipe - The Daily Meal (2024)

FAQs

What happened to KFC gravy? ›

The chain has always fried its chicken in a pressure cooker for fast and delicious results, but the original gravy served underwent a much slower cooking process. As business grew, and more and more locations opened, Sanders's gravy recipe proved to be entirely unsustainable for fast food service.

What is the KFC gravy made of? ›

What is the gravy at KFC made of? The restaurant uses a simple combination of gravy powder, water, and – their secret ingredient – chicken crackling. This is a collection of the browned bits and pieces leftover from frying their world famous chicken.

Why is the KFC recipe a secret? ›

The recipe is not patented, because patents are published in detail and come with an expiration date, whereas trade secrets can remain the intellectual property of their holders in perpetuity. KFC uses its Original Recipe as a means to differentiate its product from its competitors.

Why is KFC original recipe so good? ›

KFC Uses A Special Signature Blend Of Herbs And Spices

A big part of what makes KFC's chicken so tasty is its highly coveted blend of herbs and spices. The restaurant's chicken is savory and herbaceous with lingering notes of pepper. The flavoring is simple but it hits all the right notes.

Does KFC give free gravy? ›

The KFC VIP Gravy Card is an exclusive pass that gives the lucky holder access to a year's supply of free KFC gravy – so you can pour it, dip it, lick it, and even cheers it.

Is KFC gravy free? ›

All you have to do to get your free gravy is select 'add on a free Regular Gravy' to your order on the KFC mobile app, when ordering a takeaway or getting your order via drive thru.

What is the secret ingredient for good gravy? ›

Our secret gravy ingredient is: Honey!

Honey – AKA the pantry staple that keeps on giving – isn't just incredible on toast, in desserts or in glazes. We use it in our gravy, and it gives the perfect hint of sweetness to break up the rich umami flavours.

Why is KFC gravy so nice? ›

We made the 'good stuff', it started with a bag of pre-made gravy mix that was sent out from the KFC factory in a large mixing bowl we'd add the bits and pieces from the oil draining tray's filter. Then boiling water was whisked into the mix till it thickened. This made a very tasty gravy with an interesting texture.

Does KFC gravy have MSG in it? ›

KFC® Gravy Water, Wheat flour, Modified corn starch, Dextrose, Potassium chloride, Monosodium glutamate, Salt, Onion powder, High monounsaturated sunflower seed oil (manufacturing aid), Autolyzed yeast extract, Spices, Hydrolyzed corn and soy protein, Caramel, Torula yeast. Made with KFC Original Recipe Chicken.

Who is the real owner of KFC? ›

Colonel Harland David Sanders (September 9, 1890 – December 16, 1980) was an American businessman and founder of fast food chicken restaurant chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (also known as KFC). He later acted as the company's brand ambassador and symbol. His name and image are still symbols of the company.

Why is KFC meat pink? ›

Oven gases in a heated gas or electric oven react chemically with hemoglobin in the meat tissues to give it a pink tinge. Often meat of younger birds shows the most pink because their thinner skins permit oven gases to reach the flesh.

What is the KFC secret menu? ›

Once you get to the menu, it says: “Discover unreleased treats that have never seen the light of day – until now… This menu is updated regularly so keep checking back!” At the time of writing, the secret menu has three offers: a Double Tender Burger Box, a BBQ Bacon and Cheese Twister and Zinger Crunch Sliders.

Is Popeyes or KFC better? ›

Popeyes beats KFC at every level – flavor, presentation, and brand experience. It's easy to see why Popeyes is stealing market share from KFC. Popeyes, hands down, is giving consumers a better product than KFC, with the prices virtually the same on most menu items.

Is McDonald's better than KFC? ›

Also, they have very different menus with only a bit of overlap. However, if you want a critical opinion, McDonalds has better french fries, their newer hamburgers (especially ones made of fresh instead of frozen beef) can be tasty, but there is nothing comparable at a KFC.

Why is KFC so addicting? ›

KFC adds the infamous flavor-booster monosodium glutamate, or MSG, to dozens of items, as detailed on the company website. It also uses foods naturally high in effectively similar free glutamates, like chicken. MSG enhances salt taste and salt-taste pleasure while also triggering the brothy umami taste.

Does KFC sell their gravy? ›

Just be sure to leave them relatively simplistic so that the gravy flavors are allowed to shine. If you aren't feeling up to making your own, KFC does sell the gravy a la carte, so you could purchase a few portions to serve.

What did KFC discontinue? ›

What KFC Is Taking Off Its Menu. While the classic 11 herbs and spices recipe and iconic fried chicken buckets are safe, a few fan-favorite items will be lost in the simplification. Those discontinued items include KFC's wings, popcorn chicken, Nashville hot sauce, strawberry lemonade, and chocolate chip cookies.

Does KFC use MSG in their gravy? ›

KFC® Gravy Water, Wheat flour, Modified corn starch, Dextrose, Potassium chloride, Monosodium glutamate, Salt, Onion powder, High monounsaturated sunflower seed oil (manufacturing aid), Autolyzed yeast extract, Spices, Hydrolyzed corn and soy protein, Caramel, Torula yeast. Made with KFC Original Recipe Chicken.

Does KFC have mash and gravy? ›

KFC Potato and Gravy is known for the soft, fluffy yet creamy mashed potato doused with their signature gravy, perfect for dunking in crusty Fried Chicken and fries. Now make it at home! (Except with real ingredients - no potato flakes here!)

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