Diet or not, you cant serve a roast without gravy! This easy keto turkey gravy recipe makes a smooth, brown gravy that rich, thick, & very low in carbs.
It looks, feels, and tastes like traditional gravy – it just SEEMS like a cheat! Now that I’ve got my
We roasted a whole turkey for Canadian Thanksgiving last weekend, so I took the opportunity to photograph my low carb turkey gravy to share here.
This easy keto gravy recipe is made in the style of a classic gravy, just with a small change to ingredients and technique.Rather than using a flour or starch for this homemade gravy, use xanthan gum – a keto thickener.
Rather than make a roux, I combine that xanthan gum with a few other ingredients before adding it to my low-carb gravy base.
This prevents clumping, ensuring a silky smooth gravy, perfect for the holiday season – or even just a random Sunday roast!
While the ingredients and technique may be slightly different, this homemade keto gravy is just a good gravy in general – no “for a diet thing” modifier needed!
I love when one recipe will keep everyone happy – whether they’re on a keto det or not!
The recipe makes about 2 ¼ cups of keto-friendly gravy, which I’m calling 8 servings. (Just over ¼ cup per serving).
Each serving comes in at 69 calories, with just under 2 total grams of carbohydrate per serving.
There’s about 0.3 grams of fiber per serving, leaving you with under 2 grams net carbs per serving – perfect for anyone on a ketogenic diet
This recipe uses really simple ingredients, that will be easy to find in most grocery stores.
Turkey and gravy go hand-in-hand for holiday meals and family gatherings But traditional gravy made from a roux of butter and flour is loaded with carbs that can quickly knock you out of ketosis. Thankfully, there are easy ways to make a keto-friendly turkey gravy that’s just as delicious and satisfying as the high-carb version This article will provide the ultimate keto turkey gravy recipe along with tips for making it perfectly smooth and flavorful every time.
Why Make Keto Turkey Gravy?
For those following a ketogenic diet around the holidays, having a luscious gravy to pour over turkey, dressing, and veggies is a must. Gravy adds moisture and incredible flavor. It brings the entire meal together. But regular gravy made with a butter and flour roux can have up to 20 grams of carbs per half cup serving!
By making a few simple substitutions, it’s easy to cut the carbs down significantly while keeping all the richness and flavor. This keto turkey gravy recipe has only 1 net carb per serving! Now you can enjoy gravy guilt-free.
Benefits of Keto Turkey Gravy:
- Ultra low in carbs and keto-friendly
- Silky smooth texture without flour
- Easy to make with few ingredients
- Packed with savory turkey flavor
- Keeps turkey and side dishes moist
- Elevates flavor of entire holiday meal
- Pairs perfectly with low-carb stuffing and veggies
- Can be made ahead of time and reheated
With the easy keto gravy recipe below, you’ll have a rich and delicious low-carb gravy ready in under 15 minutes using simple ingredients.
Ingredients For Keto Turkey Gravy
The ingredients for this recipe are simple
- Turkey drippings/pan juices
- Chicken or turkey broth
- Butter or oil
- Fresh or dried herbs (sage, thyme) *optional
- Xanthan gum or guar gum to thicken
- Salt and pepper to taste
Key Ingredients:
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Turkey drippings – This adds unbelievable flavor and is integral to making it taste like real turkey gravy. Be sure to drain off most of the clear fat, reserving just 1-2 Tbsp.
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Broth – Use chicken or turkey broth, ideally low sodium. Broth adds moisture and extra flavor.
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Butter – Adds richness along with the drippings. Ghee or olive oil can also be used.
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Xanthan or guar gum – These replace flour as the thickening agent. Use sparingly as they are highly effective binders.
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Herbs – Dried sage, thyme, rosemary enhance flavor. Use 1/2 tsp each.
That’s it! By combining turkey drippings, broth, butter, and xanthan gum you have an easy keto-friendly gravy base ready to transform your holiday meal. Now let’s get to the recipe.
Step-By-Step Instructions for Making Keto Turkey Gravy
Follow these simple steps for gravy that rivals the high-carb version in both texture and flavor.
Step 1 – Collect Turkey Drippings
After removing your turkey from the roasting pan, pour the juices and drippings into a fat separator or gravy separator. Let sit 5 minutes so the fat rises to the top. Pour off excess fat, reserving just 1-2 Tbsp of drippings.
Step 2 – Make Turkey Broth
Place reserved drippings in a saucepan over medium heat. Add 2 cups chicken or turkey broth. Bring to a simmer and allow to reduce slightly, about 5 minutes.
Step 3 – Thicken Gravy
Whisk in 1-2 tsp xanthan gum and continue simmering until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat.
Step 4 – Finish Gravy
Stir in 2-3 Tbsp butter, herbs, and salt/pepper to taste. For a darker gravy, add 1 tsp cornstarch dissolved in 1 Tbsp water.
That’s it! You now have a rich and luscious keto-friendly turkey gravy ready for your holiday table.
Pro Tips:
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For a smoother gravy, use an immersion blender to fully incorporate the xanthan gum.
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Add broth gradually until desired consistency is reached.
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Simmer the finished gravy 5+ minutes to eliminate raw taste from thickeners.
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For darker color and depth of flavor, add 1 tsp cornstarch dissolved in water.
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Drizzle in pan juices from roasted turkey for even more flavor.
In just 15 minutes you can have the perfect low-carb gravy to complement your roasted turkey, keto stuffing, green bean casserole, and cranberry sauce. This keto turkey gravy is ideal for holidays but also makes a quick and delicious weeknight gravy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use instead of xanthan gum?
Guar gum or glucomannan powder can be used in place of xanthan gum. Start with 1/2 tsp and add more as needed.
How do I fix lumpy gravy?
An immersion blender is the best tool to quickly get rid of lumps. Slowly add broth and blend until smooth. For minor lumps, pressing through a mesh strainer also works well.
Can I make turkey gravy without drippings?
While drippings add the most flavor, gravy can be made without them. Increase broth to 3 cups and use 1 Tbsp olive oil instead of butter. Add sage, thyme, onion, and garlic powders for flavor.
How long does gravy last in the fridge or freezer?
Properly stored, gravy will last 4-5 days in the fridge and 4-6 months in the freezer. Allow frozen gravy to thaw overnight before reheating.
More Delicious Low-Carb Thanksgiving Recipes
- Easy Keto Pumpkin Pie
- Keto Green Bean Casserole
- Buttery Keto Biscuits
- Keto Stuffing with Sausage
- Baked Spaghetti Squash
Take your keto holiday feast to the next level with this easy turkey gravy recipe. By combining flavorful turkey drippings with broth and xanthan gum, you get an ultra-rich and decadent gravy with only 1g net carb per serving. Pour it over turkey, dressing, veggies or even keto biscuits for a satisfying low-carb meal.
How to Make Keto Turkey Gravy
The full recipe is in the recipe card at the end of this post. Here is a pictorial walk through with additional info.
In a small bowl, mix savory, xanthan gum, onion powder, garlic powder, pepper, and salt. Make sure it’s well combined, with everything well distributed.
Remove your roast turkey – or turkey breast – from the roasting pan, and have a look at your turkey pan drippings.
If it seems a bit dry, add a small amount of the stock to the pan. Scrape the bottom of the pan, loosening any thicker / brown bits and stirring it into the liquid.
Strain your turkey drippings into a large measuring cup, allow to sit for 10 minutes or so, to allow the fat to separate.
Pour or skim off most of the fat that rises to the top, either discarding it (if using butter), or measuring out ¼ cup of it (if not using butter).
Once the fat is skimmed off, top up remaining drippings with stock to make 2 cups of liquid.
In a small saucepan (you can use a medium saucepan if you tend to use an immersion blender for mixing it!), combine seasoning mixture, liquid, and butter (or measured dripping fat), whisking well to combine.
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then turn burner down to low heat.
Simmer for 2 minutes.
Remove from heat, season with additional salt and pepper, to taste.
Transfer to a gravy boat, if desired, and serve hot!
As is, this recipe makes a medium-thick gravy. It’s always easier to make the gravy thinner than it is to thicken it, so aim for thicker than you want.
If you know you want a REALLY thick low carb gravy, add ¼ teaspoon (or slightly more) extra xanthan gum in the beginning.
To thin the gravy, whisk a small amount of stock into the gravy – after it’s thickened – until you reach your desired consistency.
If you go to far and really do need to thicken it up, mix ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum with additional dried herbs (at least ½ tsp), then add it to the gravy.
Leftovers can be transferred to an airtight container and kept in the fridge for 3 days or so.
Reheats well in the microwave or on the stovetop.