Turkey gravy is a rich and flavorful sauce made from the pan drippings of a roasted turkey, enhanced with stock and seasonings to create a smooth, savory accompaniment to your Thanksgiving or holiday meal. It’s the perfect addition to mashed potatoes, stuffing, and even roasted vegetables, bringing all the delicious flavors of the turkey to the table.
To make this Thanksgiving must-have, start by collecting the pan drippings from your roasted turkey. After removing the turkey from the roasting pan, pour off excess fat, leaving just a few tablespoons in the pan. Next, create a roux by whisking in flour to the fat over medium heat until it forms a smooth paste. This will help thicken the gravy.
Slowly add turkey stock or broth, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. You can also add a splash of white wine or a little bit of the turkey drippings from the pan for extra depth of flavor. Season the gravy with salt, pepper, and any herbs that were used to season the turkey, such as thyme, rosemary, or sage. Let the gravy simmer for a few minutes until it thickens to your desired consistency.
If the gravy becomes too thick, add more turkey stock or water to reach the right consistency. For a smoother texture, strain the gravy before serving to remove any leftover bits of turkey or herbs. A small amount of cream or butter can be added at the end to make the gravy extra rich and silky.
This gravy is a classic finishing touch for your holiday feast, making every bite of turkey, potatoes, and stuffing even more delicious. It’s easy to make and brings the full, savory flavor of the turkey to the plate. A rich and flavorful gravy made from turkey drippings, perfect for enhancing your holiday meal.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup turkey drippings strained from roasted turkey
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour for thickening
- 2 cups turkey or chicken stock unsalted preferred
- to taste salt if needed
- to taste black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine turkey drippings and flour.
- Stir continuously and cook for about 1-2 minutes to form a roux, until golden brown.
- Gradually whisk in the turkey or chicken stock, stirring to prevent lumps.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 10-15 minutes, until thickened.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve hot over turkey and enjoy your meal.
Nutrition
This gravy is fantastic! I made it for Thanksgiving and everyone loved it. Perfect consistency.
I’m a bit skeptical about using turkey drippings, do I really need that? Can I just use water instead?
Using turkey drippings really adds flavor! Water will just make it bland.
Meh. It was okay but too salty for my taste. I guess I overdid the seasoning. Next time I’ll be more cautious.
I think you just need to watch your salt! Gravy can be tricky but it’s so good when done right. Keep at it!
Too salty? I just dump salt in everything! 😂 But I get it, seasoning is hard.
Gravy is just flour and fat mixed with water anyway. Didn’t impress me much, lol.