Learn how to make turkey gravy from drippings the easy way. Don’t let all the seasonings and juicy pan drippings from your turkey go to waste!
Don’t let all the seasonings and juicy pan drippings from your turkey go to waste. Use all those delicious brown bits at the bottom of your roasting pan to make the best turkey gravy recipe ever!
I don’t know about you, but if there’s a good gravy on the dinner table, you can bet that I love pouring it all over my plate, not just on the meat. Gravy on the mashed potatoes, gravy on the green beans, gravy on the Brussels sprouts, gravy everywhere! That’s when you know it’s good.
Making turkey gravy from drippings is one of the easiest and best ways to make a flavorful and rich gravy that enhances the flavor of that Thanksgiving turkey you worked so hard to make. Best of all, you can make it while your turkey is resting and cooling down so it can be carved.
The holidays have come and gone, and now you’re left with a fridge full of leftovers – including that cup or two of leftover turkey drippings. While your first instinct may be to toss them out, don’t! Those drippings are flavorful gold mines just waiting to elevate your cooking.
From making gravies and sauces to soups and stews, read on for 7 creative ways to use up leftover turkey drippings.
Make Turkey Gravy
The most obvious use for turkey drippings is turning them into gravy. Making gravy from the drippings couldn’t be easier. Simply spoon off most of the clear fat from the top, then whisk in flour and milk or broth to create a smooth gravy. Season with salt, pepper, herbs, and spices as desired.
Turkey gravy is delicious served over mashed potatoes, stuffing biscuits or the leftover turkey itself. And don’t forget to make extra to freeze for turkey sandwiches later.
Whip Up Turkey Broth
Another simple way to use drippings is turning them into an ultra-flavored turkey broth. After spooning off most of the fat, simply add the drippings plus water or additional broth to a pot. Simmer for 30-60 minutes, seasoning with herbs and spices if desired.
You now have a rich and tasty turkey broth perfect for making soups, risottos, gravies, and more. Freeze broth in batches for up to 3 months.
Make Turkey & Veggie Soup
Speaking of soup, drippings are a great way to infuse soup with tons of turkey flavor. Saute aromatics like onion and garlic in a bit of the drippings, then add chopped veggies, turkey meat, broth, seasonings, and the rest of the drippings.
Let simmer until the veggies are tender. Finish with cream or milk if desired. This is a great way to use up leftover turkey meat and veggies too.
Mix Into Stuffing or Dressing
Planning to make stuffing or dressing with your leftover turkey? Add a few spoonfuls of the drippings as you prepare it. The drippings will only amplify the rich, savory flavors.
Make Gravy Sauce for Casseroles
Turkey drippings can be the base of a simple gravy sauce for casseroles and bakes. After removing most of the fat, whisk milk, broth, flour into the drippings. Cook until thickened then season.
Use this gravy in place of canned soup in recipes like turkey tetrazzini, turkey & rice casserole, turkey pot pie and more. It adds so much more flavor than plain cream soup.
Use in Turkey Hash
The next time you make turkey hash or a turkey skillet with veggies, start by cooking up some chopped onion and garlic in a bit of the drippings first. Then add any chopped veggies and shredded turkey meat and continue to cook until heated through.
The drippings add great flavor as the base of the hash or turkey skillet.
Make Turkey & Dumplings or Biscuits
For the ultimate comfort food, transform your drippings into the base of turkey and dumplings or biscuits. Simply use the drippings in place of oil or butter when cooking aromatic veggies. Then proceed with the recipe, swirling in a bit of flour to thicken before adding milk, broth, turkey meat and the dumplings or biscuits.
This is comfort food at its finest.
Flavor Roast Vegetables
Don’t limit using drippings just to turkey dishes. They can also be used to add incredible flavor to roasted vegetables.
After chopping veggies (root veggies like potatoes, carrots, parsnips work great), toss them with a bit of the drippings before roasting. The drippings will caramelize and coat each piece, taking the flavors over the top.
Make Turkey Risotto
Another way to use drippings outside of typical turkey recipes is mixing them into risotto. Saute the aromatics in some of the drippings, then proceed with making the risotto as normal by gradually adding broth and stirring.
Once finished, stir in a bit more of the drippings for an extra layer of flavor. Parmesan cheese rounds out this dish nicely.
Whip Up a Pot of Chili
Believe it or not, drippings can also be used to full effect in hearty chili. Cook up ground turkey in a bit of the drippings along with aromatics. Then proceed as usual by adding beans, crushed tomatoes, broth and spices.
Let simmer until thickened and flavors meld. The drippings add a subtly richer flavor. Top with desired chili toppings.
Add to Rice Pilaf
For more flavorful rice or orzopilaf, start by sauteing onion and garlic in a bit of drippings first. Then proceed with the pilaf, cooking the rice or orzo in broth per usual. When finished, stir in another spoonful of drippings.
This takes ordinary pilaf to new heights. Diced turkey, veggies, or other mix-ins could be added as well for a full meal.
Make Turkey Fried Rice
Turkey drippings can also be used as a flavor booster in fried rice. Start with cooking diced veggies in some of the drippings, then proceed as normal by adding chilled cooked rice, turkey meat, eggs, soy sauce, etc. Stir in another spoonful or two of drippings just before serving.
Bake Bread or Cornbread
For the ultimate flavored bread or cornbread, substitute a few spoonfuls of the drippings for the butter or oil when mixing and baking. The drippings will add insane moisture and flavor to homemade breads.
Grease Pans
An easy way to use just a spoonful or two of drippings is by greasing pans with it. Use it in place of butter or oil to grease baking dishes, skillets, grill pans, etc. The subtle turkey flavor will come through in whatever you end up cooking.
Make Turkey Fat Fried Potatoes
My last suggestion is to embrace the fat! Cook sliced potatoes in a few tablespoons of the rendered turkey fat just as you would with oil. Fry them until crispy and golden brown.
Seasoned with salt and pepper, these turkey fat fried potatoes will be irresistible. The turkey fat adds an incredible richness and mouthwatering flavor.
So there you have it – 17 creative ways to use up every last drop of your leftover turkey drippings! With a little imagination, you can transform those drippings into so many delicious dishes. No more wasting this flavorful leftover again.
What to Serve with Turkey Gravy
If you’re making this gravy for an upcoming Thanksgiving or Christmas celebration, here are a few serving suggestions:
- Medium saucepan. Perfect for making the gravy. This saucepan distributes heat evenly and reduces the chance of burning.
- Strainer. Useful to strain out any bits from the drippings for a smoother gravy. This one comes in three different sizes.
- Whisk. Essential for ensuring a smooth and lump-free gravy. This comes in a set of three different sizes.
Leftover gravy can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
To reheat, heat the gravy in a saucepan over medium-high heat for 5 minutes until warmed. You may need to whisk in a splash of broth or water to thin it out. You can also reheat it in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring every minute.
How to make turkey gravy from drippings
- Carefully pour the turkey drippings through a strainer and into a large glass container or two. Place them in the fridge for 15 minutes to let the fat rise to the top and solidify.
- Remove the drippings from the fridge, scoop out 2 tablespoons of the fat, and discard the remaining fat (or transfer it to a storage container to use later). You should now have only the liquid turkey drippings remaining.
- In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, whisk together the 2 tablespoons of reserved fat and the all-purpose flour until smooth. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, whisking constantly, until bubbly and light to golden brown.
- Whisk in 1 cup of the turkey drippings and 1 cup of stock until completely smooth. Bring it to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook until the gravy has thickened to your liking. Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed.
- If you don’t get two tablespoons of fat from your turkey drippings, you can use two tablespoons of butter instead.
- Use unsalted, low-sodium turkey or chicken broth if possible. Since the pan drippings may already be salty, I recommend using low-sodium or unsalted stock if you can find it. Then, you can taste the finished gravy and add salt and black pepper as needed.
- If your gravy has thickened too much, whisk in more turkey or chicken stock, one tablespoon at a time, until it’s thinned out to your liking.
- If your gravy isn’t thickening, a quick fix is to whisk in a little bit of cornstarch.
- The color of your gravy can vary from light to dark brown, depending on the spices and seasonings used to make your turkey.
3 AWESOME RECIPES FOR LEFTOVER TURKEY
FAQ
What to do with extra turkey drippings?
How long will turkey drippings last in the fridge?
Can I use turkey drippings as broth?