As you pull that golden roasted turkey from the oven, it’s easy to overlook the rich pan drippings left behind. But don’t pour them down the drain! Turkey drippings are liquid gold for imparting flavor. Here are 7 smart ways to use up every last drop.
Make Turkey Gravy
The most obvious use for turkey drippings is gravy. Simply pour the pan juices into a fat separator. Let the fat rise to the top. Use 2 tbsp of fat and flour to make a quick roux. Whisk in 1-2 cups of broth and drippings for a silky full-bodied gravy. Herbs and wine add even more flavor. Gravy turns turkey into a whole meal – drizzled over the bird mashed potatoes and stuffing.
Enrich Stuffing and Dressing
For ultra moist and flavorful stuffing, avoid using just plain bread cubes or water. Add up to 1/2 cup turkey drippings instead. The rendered fat coats the bread for tender texture. Drippings provide a savory depth that echoes the roasted turkey. They take stuffing from dry to rich and juicy.
Amp Up Mashed Potatoes
Imagine creamy, buttery mashed spuds with an underlying note of turkey essence Just add 2-4 tbsp drippings when mashing potatoes instead of using only butter and milk/cream Turkey fat ensures light, pillowy texture while drippings provide a hit of meaty richness. It takes the flavor of mashed potatoes to new heights.
Liven Up Rice and Grains
Boring rice, farro or other grains are easy to jazz up. When cooking grains in liquid, use a 50/50 mix of broth and turkey drippings. The fat adds richness while drippings provide a meaty depth. Sauteing grains in a couple tablespoons of drippings before adding liquid also works. This simple trick makes grains anything but bland.
Give Veggies a Meaty Flavor
Roasting veggies in a little turkey fat takes them next level. Try Brussels sprouts, green beans, sweet potatoes or any root veggies. The turkey fat crisps and caramelizes the veggies. Drippings lend a wonderful roasted turkey essence. With just a touch, veggies pick up meaty notes you have to taste to believe. Even steamy veggies like broccoli gain more character sautéed in a bit of drippings.
Pump Up Pan Sauces and Gravies
Drippings can do more than just make gravy. They add incredible flavor to pan sauces too. After searing pork chops, chicken breasts or steaks, deglaze the pan with 1/4 cup drippings instead of just wine or broth. The meaty intensity balances and rounds out wine’s acidity. Drippings also boost flavor in pork, beef or chicken gravies. Just swirl in 2-3 tablespoons.
Make Flavorful Pot Liquor
Pot likker, or the flavorful cooking liquid leftover from beans, greens, soups and stews, gets an upgrade with turkey drippings. When cooking foods in broth or water, swap out 1/4 cup of the liquid for drippings. Their rich, fatty turkey notes amplify pot likker into a wonderful sauce for dipping bread or drizzling over dishes. A little goes a long way.
Don’t pour those precious turkey drippings down the drain. With a little creativity, they can add juicy, meaty flavor to a variety of dishes year-round. Next Thanksgiving, be ready with storage containers so not a drop goes to waste. Your cooking all season will benefit from these liquid gold drippings. Now you can enjoy turkey’s savory goodness in more than just gravy!
How to Store and Reheat Homemade Turkey Gravy
This gravy is so good we wouldn’t be surprised if it disappears in one meal. But if you do end up with leftovers, follow these tips for proper food storage. Keep your turkey gravy tasty by storing it in the refrigerator or opt for the freezer for longer-term storage.
In the Fridge: After enjoying, allow the gravy to cool slightly before refrigerating any leftovers. You can store in a sealed jar or container to maintain freshness. These delicious gravy drippings can be safely kept in the refrigerator for about 2 days.
In the Freezer: Want to set aside some homemade turkey gravy for your next holiday meal or family get-together? Transfer it to a well-sealed container or resealable plastic bag and freeze it for up to 4 months.
It can be tricky to reheat gravy in the microwave without overcooking or curdling the gravy, so we recommend reheating your turkey gravy on the stove over low heat instead. Stir it often, and remove it from the heat as soon as the gravy comes to a simmer.
If you added any milk or cream to your homemade turkey gravy, it’s likely to separate when reheated. Instead of tossing your leftovers, make them into your next meal. Try swapping in leftover turkey gravy where jars of gravy or gravy mix are called for in other recipes!
Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens
- tip 1 Taste as you go! Gravy is often the star of a turkey dinner, the condiment that ties the meat, potatoes, and veggies together. So be sure it’s well seasoned before the gravy boat is set on the table.
- tip 2 Do like the pros: use a medium-sized wire whisk to stir up the gravy, vigorously mixing in the flour into the pan drippings to create a roux (a thickening mixture that’s equal parts fat and flour), then as you stir in the liquid.
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How to Make Gravy From Drippings | EASIEST METHOD EVER!
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