Making Turkey Gravy from Drippings Easily

Making gravy from turkey drippings is a classic part of the Thanksgiving tradition. When done right, turkey gravy can transform your holiday meal, taking it to the next level of savory deliciousness However, gravy-making is notoriously tricky and many home cooks find themselves perplexed when staring down a roasting pan of hot turkey drippings on Thanksgiving day Have no fear – with a few easy tips and tricks, you can make smooth, delicious turkey gravy with drippings easily.

Why Make Turkey Gravy with Drippings?

Using the natural juices and browned bits left in the roasting pan after cooking your turkey, known as the drippings, is the key to maximizing flavor in your gravy The drippings are infused with all the herbs, spices, and essence of the turkey, making homemade gravy far superior to anything from a can or jar. Making turkey gravy from scratch with drippings may take a little extra effort, but it is well worth it for the unbeatable homemade flavor.

How to Prepare for Making Turkey Gravy

Proper preparation is key to easily making smooth, lump-free gravy. Here are some tips:

Use aromatics when roasting the turkey – Things like onions, carrots, celery, garlic, herbs, peppercorns, and citrus will all contribute flavor to your drippings.
Make extra turkey stock – You can use chicken stock, but turkey stock adds that authentic flavor. Simmer the turkey neck, giblets, and wings in water with some aromatics to make stock ahead of time.
Get your tools ready – You’ll need a fine mesh strainer, fat separator, whisk, roasting pan, saucepans, ladle, and gravy boat.
Clear some stovetop space – You’ll need room on the stovetop for simmering stock, making the roux, and combining everything.
Review gravy-making steps – Having the method fresh in your mind will ensure a smooth gravy day.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Turkey Gravy

Follow this simple step-by-step method for easy smooth turkey gravy every time

Make the Base

Heat 4 cups of turkey or chicken stock to a simmer in a saucepan. This will be the base of your gravy.

Prepare the Drippings

Remove cooked turkey from roasting pan and tent with foil to rest.
Spoon or pour off excess fat from drippings into a fat separator. Reserve 1/4 cup of the fat.
Place roasting pan with drippings over 2 burners on medium heat. Add 1/2 cup liquid (stock, wine, etc.) and deglaze pan, scraping up browned bits.
Pour deglazed drippings into a measuring cup.

Make the Roux

Melt the reserved fat in a saucepan over medium heat.
Whisk in 1/4 cup flour until combined. Cook 1-2 minutes until roux turns light golden brown.

Combine and Simmer

Whisk the hot stock and drippings into the roux.
Simmer 5-10 minutes, whisking frequently, until gravy thickens to desired consistency.

Finish and Serve

Season gravy to taste with salt, pepper, and any desired herbs.
Transfer to warmed gravy boat and serve immediately.
Can keep gravy warm in a slow cooker set to low, stirring occasionally.

Turkey Gravy Tips and Tricks

For a smooth gravy, whisk constantly when adding liquids to the roux to prevent lumps.
If lumps form, strain through a fine mesh strainer.
For a thicker gravy, use slightly more roux. For thinner, use less.
For extra flavor, add minced garlic, sage, thyme, rosemary, or other herbs to taste.
For convenience, the gravy can be made ahead and refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen for 4 months.
If the fat and drippings separate after cooling, re-heat and whisk vigorously before using.

Get Creative with Leftover Turkey Gravy

Once you’ve mastered the basics, get creative with leftover gravy! Here are some delicious ways to use up extra homemade turkey gravy:

Make turkey pot pie with veggies and crust topped with gravy.
Use it as the base for turkey noodle soup.
Make gravy cheese fries or Poutine.
Make a turkey gravy dip for chips, veggies, or bread.
Heat it up and serve over biscuits for an easy breakfast.
Make turkey tetrazzini with egg noodles, turkey meat, peas, and gravy.
Use it in place of milk or water in boxed stuffing mix.

With the right preparation and technique, turning turkey drippings into smooth, delicious gravy can be easy. Follow these simple steps for incredible flavor that will take your holiday meal to the next level. What’s your favorite way to use up leftover turkey gravy?

turkey gravy from drippings easy

What Are Some Variations of This Turkey Gravy from Drippings Recipe?

Switch Up the Liquid: Our turkey gravy recipe calls for water, broth, or turkey juices to get your sauce to the right consistency, but you can mix things up with a variety of less traditional liquids. Try using wine, milk or half-and-half with the broth!

Make Turkey Gravy Without Drippings: Our no-drippings gravy recipe is a great way to serve up an easy, savory sauce without roasting anything! Reach for this tasty alternative when you don’t have any drippings to work with.

Try More Gravy Recipes: Up your gravy game with everything from top-rated classics to adventurous recipes featuring apple cider, sage and other unexpected flavors.

What to Eat with Turkey Gravy

Wondering what to serve your turkey gravy alongside? This wonderfully versatile sauce is a staple at holiday dinners, but we love to serve it year-round at any big meal since its such a simple addition. So, what are the perfect sides and main dishes to go with this gravy? The bird itself is the obvious (and most tasty) choice. If you need a recipe, try our go-to brined turkey recipe for an extra tender, extra delicious dinner centerpiece that’s sure to please. Ladle your turkey gravy over slices of the tender bird to bring out its flavor and enhance its juiciness. You can even add it to a savory sandwich made with all of your favorite holiday leftovers!

Homemade turkey gravy also tastes great ladled over a huge range of side dishes, like creamy mashed potatoes and flavorful stuffing. There’s really no limit but your imagination when it comes to uses for this easy turkey gravy! Enjoy it year-round by drizzling it over biscuits or dinner rolls, roasted vegetables or rice.

How to Make Gravy from Turkey Drippings | Thanksgiving Turkey Gravy | Turkey with Gravy | Easy Gravy

FAQ

How do you thicken turkey drippings for gravy?

If your gravy is on the skimpy side, you can thicken it quickly with flour or cornstarch. But don’t add your thickener directly to the gravy, which will create lumps. Instead, try stirring in three or four tablespoons of flour or cornstarch into a small amount of cold water until you have a smooth paste.

How do you separate the fat from turkey drippings for gravy?

To separate fat from drippings or gravy, first put a large resealable plastic bag in a large bowl. Pour in the drippings or gravy; seal the bag and let it stand for several minutes, until the fat rises to the top. Then, carefully lift the bag over a cup or bowl.

Is cornstarch or flour better for thickening turkey gravy?

What’s the difference between using cornstarch or flour to make your gravy? Cornstarch does have more thickening power than wheat flour (because it’s pure starch, while flour has some protein in it). So usually you need a little less cornstarch than flour for the equivalent thickening power.

How do you make turkey gravy without drippings?

The steps are mostly the same: Warm the drippings (if not already), make the roux, combine, and cook until the desired consistency is reached. If you are in a pinch, you can still make great turkey gravy with broth or stock instead of the drippings. In fact, learn how to make bone broth and store in your freezer for soup and holiday season.

How do you make turkey gravy with chicken drippings?

Heat 4 cups of turkey broth, chicken broth, or water (or a combination of broth and water) in a saucepan until hot but not boiling. This will be used as the base of the gravy; you’ll be adding thickened turkey drippings ( a roux) for your final gravy.

How do you make turkey gravy?

To make the gravy, you’ll first heat up the turkey fat in a large skillet. If you don’t have enough, you can supplement with butter. Then, you’ll add some flour. Whisk the fat and flour mixture continuously and continue to heat over medium-high heat for 2-4 minutes to make a roux.

How much Turkey drippings do you put in Turkey Gravy?

Try this and you’ll never toss those turkey drippings again! This turkey gravy makes 2 1/4 cups gravy. You can scale up by adding more fat drippings or butter along with flour and stock. Once your Thanksgiving turkey has been transferred from the roasting pan and is resting, make your turkey gravy.