This Under-$1 Aldi Soup Doubles As A Delicious Gravy

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Gravy is a major flavor enhancer for all kinds of meat; you can even use it as a topping for roasted vegetables. Though it's easy enough to make, there's still room for mistakes with homemade gravy. So sometimes you just want a quick shortcut — and that's where Aldi's 85 cent soup comes in. Chef's Cupboard Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup is a thick, rich, hearty soup that could easily take the place of gravy.

This soup is condensed, meaning it has had most of its water removed and so requires a liquid like water, milk, or cream to reach a thinner soup consistency. But since gravy is supposed to be thick, you can leave it as it is, or simply add less liquid until it reaches your preferred consistency. For the richest gravy, use a little milk or cream. Stir it so it doesn't burn, and you'll have almost-instant gravy.

This easy gravy would be great over all kinds of dishes, such as a chicken-style gravy with biscuits or as a topping for crispy chicken cutlets, mashed potatoes, or even broccoli. On its own, it's salty and creamy, but since it's a mild soup, you can take it up a notch by adding pantry ingredients that still keep it simpler than making gravy from scratch.

It's easy to adjust the gravy's flavor profile based on the dish you're preparing. Spices like black pepper and garlic powder will make a big difference. Just avoid adding extra salt; canned soups tend to be salty on their own and some reviews state that this can is already quite salty, so taste it before adding any more.

Another great route is to add a seasoning packet. There are plenty of affordable Aldi seasonings to level up meat-based dishes like pot roast, so why not use them for gravy? You can pick up a packet along with the soup, then just add a half-teaspoon to start, and increase the seasoning as desired. A few options to consider: Aldi's Italian garden seasoning, if you plan to put the gravy over crispy chicken cutlets; classic Cajun seasoning, for a hint of spice over chicken thighs or veggies; or the Stonemill grillmaster seasoning, if you prefer grilled chicken breasts with a creamy, slightly smoky gravy on top. For biscuits and gravy, a sweet and savory combination like the smoky brown sugar rub would be perfect. Aldi also sells packets of brown gravy mix, but this is usually better with a beef base. Still, for the soup's low price, it's worth a try.