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 game strong! This is a keeper recipe. 😊
I totally agree! This gravy is the best I’ve ever made. Thanks for sharing!
Is this really worth all the effort? Gravy is just a sauce, right? 🤔
Gravy is just flour and fat mixed with water anyway. Didn’t impress me much, lol.
Why do we use turkey drippings? Isn’t chicken stock enough? 🤔
Turkey drippings add a rich flavor that chicken stock just can’t match! It’s all about that depth! 😋
Gravy is gravy, am I right? 😂
I used chicken stock since I didn’t have turkey drippings. Came out great, but I’d recommend tasting for salt—my stock was already seasoned.
Gravy heaven. It complemented my turkey perfectly! So thankful for this recipe!
Yummy! I used chicken drippings instead of turkey and it worked fine. Who cares, right?
Using chicken drippings is a smart move! Adapt, don’t break! 😊
I just don’t get why you put so much effort into gravy. A can of store-bought is just fine!
I love gravy! This one was a little too salty for my taste, but still good. Thanks!
Perfect! Five stars. My family went back for more. This is the gravy I always try to ‘wing’ and never nails—until now.
I followed it exactly but mine got kinda thick kinda fast, like pudding. Maybe I whisked too slow or my drippings were more fatty? Still edible, just not how I wanted.
That sounds like your roux may have gone a touch heavy—if the flour-to-fat ratio is higher (more fatty drippings or you didn’t strain well), it can thicken fast and end up pudding-y. Next time try whisking a lot more during the stock step and add the stock a little slower. Also, once it simmers, keep it moving with a whisk so it doesn’t over-thicken.
Can I use butter instead of drippings? Trying to make something without meat. Please help!
Followed it pretty closely, but I had to add a little extra stock because mine got too thick. Still tasty though—pepper flavor really came through.
Glad it still turned out tasty! Extra stock makes total sense—roux thickness can vary a lot with drippings. That pepper definitely hits, doesn’t it? 😊
Mine got thick too and I thought I did something wrong lol. Next time I’ll warm the stock first and whisk longer. Pepper flavor is solid though.
It was alright, nothing special. I prefer adding herbs for more kick. Peace!
This gravy is SOOOO good! Made it for Thanksgiving and it was a huge hit!
I completely agree! This gravy was the star of my Thanksgiving dinner too!
Gravy is just brown water. Not a fan.
It was ok but a little too thick for my liking. Maybe less flour next time?
Yum! Or can you use beef drippings instead? Just curious.
I dunno, but I think turkey gravy should be from turkey, not beef. Just saying.
Yes, you can totally use beef drippings! It’ll give it a different flavor, but some folks like that.
Pretty solid basic gravy. I used chicken stock because I had it on hand and it still tasted great. I did need a bit more salt than expected, but that’s probably just my stock.
Not bad, but I think I added too much flour. Gonna try again.
Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us! Just keep practicing, you’ll get it right next time!
Absolutely delicious! Made this for Thanksgiving and it was a hit with the family.
Yum! But too much salt for my taste. I like it better with less salt. Next time I’ll do half.
Gravy is overrated. Who needs it with good turkey? 🤷♂️
But what if the turkey’s dry? Gravy is like a lifesaver for that! 😅
I totally disagree! Gravy adds so much flavor! Can’t imagine turkey without it. 😊
I don’t even eat turkey, but I think chicken would work just fine too!
Sooo delicious!!! I can’t stop eating it. Turkey day is gonna be epic!
I can’t wait to try this! Sounds super tasty! 🦃
Epic, huh? Hope it tastes better than my last turkey disaster! 🤞
Whut’s gravy? Is it like sauce? Anyway, it was okay.
Gravy is like a sauce! It makes everything better, especially turkey. I thought it was great!
Quick question: Can I use water instead of stock? I’m out of stock, help!
Love this recipe! Quick and easy, my kinda meal. Will make again.
Mine got a little lumpy at first because I wasn’t whisking fast enough, but once I kept stirring it smoothed out. Still super flavorful for such basic stuff.
Is 1/4 cup enough drippings? I think I’d need more for flavor.
Honestly, not impressed. Just tasted like a flour paste. Might stick to store-bought next time.
One to two minutes for the roux? That seems short. I burned mine (oops). It tasted like toasted flour and not turkey, so I had to start over. Still, learning experience.
For real, if it tastes like toasted flour, your roux might be going too far (or your drippings weren’t hot enough). Try lower heat and stop at “blond,” not “brown.” Also, whisk the stock in slowly—lumps = sadness.
That’s rough—burnt roux is the worst. 1–2 minutes really depends on your heat; medium can run hot. Next time, stir constantly and pull it the moment it turns light golden.
Easy to follow instructions, but I added some garlic powder for extra flavor. Yum!
Not that great. I just used store-bought gravy instead.
This was too salty for my taste. I think I put in too much stock.
Way too thin for me even after simmering. I ended up adding extra flour slurry, but then it got weirdly pasty. Maybe my drippings were too low?
I followed the recipe but it came out too thick. I added more stock but still not great. Not sure what I did wrong.
why do u need to stir so much? just let it sit for a bit haha. Idk worked for me tho.
I followed the instructions, but it turned out too thick. What did I do wrong?
Maybe you added too much flour? It can thicken up real fast. Try less next time!
Ew. I burnt mine. Not worth it! Stick to store bought!
I didn’t have turkey drippings, so I used chicken. Still turned out great!
Bad instructions, didn’t thicken up right. I think I messed it up but can’t figure out where. 😩
This recipe is too complicated for gravy! I usually just use store-bought.
yumm!! I just poured it over everything on my plate!!
Lol I didn’t strain my drippings and it’s kinda gritty… but it’s gravy so I’m still eating it. Next time I’ll do it right.
Why do u use chicken stock? That’s just wrong! Turkey stock is way better!
Delicious! What leftovers to put this on? Think I’ll use on mashed potatoes too!
Gravy is just brown water. Who needs recipes? I just use the drippings and call it a day.
But gravy has so much flavor! It’s not just brown water, it’s like magic for your meal!
This gravy was amazing! So rich and flavorful. Definitely making this for Thanksgiving!
So glad you liked it! Perfect for turkey day indeed!
It turned out really lumpy for me. I think I added the stock too fast.
Easy recipe but the flavor could use more spices. Maybe some garlic?
Mmm, garlic? Seems like too much work for gravy. Just stick with the recipe. It’s fine!
I totally agree! A bit of garlic can really elevate the taste. I might try adding some next time.
I had a hard time with the roux, it burned a bit. Maybe I cooked it too fast?
This recipe is okay, little too much flour for my liking. My grandma makes it way better.
Grandmas always have the best recipes! Maybe you just need more practice?
I think it’s pretty good! Maybe try less flour next time?
Ugh, my gravy turned out super lumpy. What did I do wrong???
Such an easy recipe! It added so much flavor to my turkey! Will make again for sure!
Turkey gravy??? Unlike any gravy my grandma made, but okay.
The instructions are fine but “to taste salt if needed” is driving me crazy lol. I always end up under or over. Also I don’t have a strainer, so I just poured—tiny bits happened.
Totally get you 😂 “to taste” is the worst when you’re trying to be precise. I usually start with way less salt than I think, then simmer 5 minutes and re-check—by then the flavors settle.
Simple and delicious! My family loved it, I’ll definitely make it again!
Tasty gravy! I was skeptical at first, but now I’m a fan!
Honestly thought it sounded weird, but I tried it for Thanksgiving and it was AMAZING! I’m a believer now.
I’m glad you liked it! Gravy can really elevate a meal. Do you have any tips for making it thicker?
So simple, yet so good! Everyone loved it for Thanksgiving.
This gravy is amazing! Way better than store-bought. I added some herbs too!
This gravy was delish! Just like my grandma used to make. 😋
Delicious! I used chicken stock instead of turkey and it still turned out great. Thanks!
Using chicken stock is a great idea! I’m glad it turned out well. Variations are always fun!
Really? Turkey gravy with chicken stock? Seems off to me but if it worked for you, cool!
I followed the steps but it turned out lumpy. Help?!
Make sure you’re whisking as you add the stock! That helps prevent lumps. Good luck!
I don’t think it should be lumpy if you mix it right. Maybe you added the stock too fast? Just stir it well.
The roux golden brown at 1-2 minutes felt risky, but it turned out fine. I like how you don’t overcomplicate it—just gravy.
Yes! That “golden brown” window is exactly where I always get nervous, so I love that it worked for you. Turkey gravy should be simple like this—no fluff, just good roux and seasoning.
I don’t see why you need to use drippings, can’t just use chicken broth? Seems excessive.
Gravy was good but my family never wanted gravy. Did I fail Thanksgiving? LOL
I’m skeptical about how 1/4 cup flour thickens 2 cups stock, but it worked for me after simmering the full 15 minutes. Tastes richer than bottled gravy.