If you’re just cooking a turkey breast for Thanksgiving, or if your turkey didn’t provide you with any drippings, you need to know how to make the best turkey gravy without drippings!
Doctor up your Thanksgiving turkey tenderloin or boneless turkey breast with the best turkey gravy without drippings!
*If you’re using regular table salt, start with only 1/4 teaspoon (it tastes saltier than sea salt does). Then adjust to taste from there.
Turkey gravy is often considered one of the best parts of a Thanksgiving meal. The rich, savory sauce adds flavor and moisture to turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and more. Traditionally, turkey gravy is made using the drippings left in the bottom of the roasting pan after cooking the turkey. The caramelized bits left behind provide incredible depth of flavor. However, there are many reasons you may need to make turkey gravy without relying on drippings.
Why Make Turkey Gravy Without Drippings?
Here are some common scenarios where homemade turkey gravy without drippings is necessary
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You deep fried, smoked, or grilled your turkey instead of roasting.
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You cooked turkey breasts instead of a whole bird.
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You want to make gravy ahead of time to get some cooking out of the way before the big meal.
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You used all of the drippings for something else, like a savory turkey broth.
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You prefer a vegetarian or vegan gravy.
No matter the reason, gravy lovers need not fear! With a simple recipe and a few flavor-boosting ingredients, it’s easy to make a rich, delicious pot of turkey gravy without drippings.
How to Make Turkey Gravy Without Drippings
The basic method for making turkey gravy without drippings is relatively simple:
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Make a roux by cooking butter and flour together. The roux thickens the gravy.
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Whisk in turkey or chicken broth and seasonings.
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Simmer until thickened.
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Add flavor boosters as desired.
Making a smooth roux is an important first step. Over medium heat, melt 2-3 tablespoons of butter. When foamy, whisk in an equal amount of all-purpose flour. Cook for 2-3 minutes, whisking constantly, until the mixture is bubbling and golden brown.
Next gradually whisk in 2-3 cups of chicken or turkey broth, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pan. Add seasonings like poultry seasoning, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper.
Simmer the gravy gently for 5-10 minutes until thickened to your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
Turkey Gravy Flavor Boosters
When making turkey gravy from drippings, the flavor comes automatically from the caramelized roasted turkey bits in the bottom of the pan. To replicate that savory flavor in a no-drippings gravy, try adding one or more of the following:
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Sautéed aromatics like onion, garlic, celery, carrots, mushrooms or bell pepper
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Minced fresh or dried herbs like sage, thyme, rosemary, parsley
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Chicken or turkey bouillon or broth concentrate
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Worcestershire or soy sauce
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Dried poultry seasoning blend
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A splash of white wine or sherry
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Sauteed mushrooms
Start by sautéing any aromatic veggies in the butter before making your roux. Fresh or dried herbs can be added once the gravy starts to simmer. Stir in any broth concentrates, soy sauce, or Worcestershire a little at a time to taste.
Tips for the Best Turkey Gravy Without Drippings
Follow these tips for smooth, flavorful homemade turkey gravy without drippings every time:
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Cook the roux slowly to avoid lumps. Whisk constantly.
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Add broth very gradually, whisking constantly to prevent lumps.
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Simmer gently to allow flavors to develop without scorching.
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Start with less salt, as broth and bouillon are often salty. Adjust to taste.
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If too thin, whisk in a slurry of cornstarch and water.
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If too thick, gradually whisk in additional broth or water.
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Make gravy up to 3 days ahead. Refrigerate and reheat gently before serving.
Vegetarian and Vegan Turkey Gravy
Our easy no-drippings gravy recipe can also be adapted for vegetarians or vegans:
For vegetarian gravy: Use vegetable broth instead of chicken or turkey broth. Add sautéed mushrooms for umami flavor.
For vegan gravy: Use olive or coconut oil instead of butter. Use vegetable broth. Stir in a splash of soy sauce or tamari for rich flavor.
Serving Suggestions for Turkey Gravy
Homemade turkey gravy without drippings is incredibly versatile. Beyond turkey, delicious ways to use gravy include:
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Served over mashed potatoes, rice, or cornbread stuffing
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Added to green bean casserole or roasted veggies
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Used as a sauce for turkey meatballs or pot pie
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Drizzled over biscuits, rolls, or bread for an instant sauce
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Poured over turkey sandwiches the day after Thanksgiving
By using flavor boosters like sautéed aromatics, herbs, and umami-rich ingredients, it’s easy to make a deeply delicious turkey gravy without relying on drippings. The gravy can be made up to 3 days ahead of time for a stress-free holiday meal. Get ready to enjoy tender, juicy turkey and classic savory gravy this Thanksgiving!
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Turkey Gravy Without Drippings
This quick turkey gravy is so good that you would never believe it was made without pan drippings. The thyme and poultry seasoning add the right flavor to make it taste like it was made with turkey drippings.
It’s thickened perfectly with a golden roux, then it’s simmered to a lush and delicious gravy consistency.
This is seriously the best and easiest turkey gravy! It takes only 15 minutes, and you probably already have all the ingredients in your cupboard. This simple recipe is so delicious served over creamy mashed potatoes, with a side of Cranberry Relish, and slices of Boneless Turkey Breast.
If you’re looking for more gravy recipes, be sure to check out both of our other super popular 5 star gravy recipes. Our White Country Gravy and this Sausage Gravy Recipe both get such rave reviews!
Butter: Melted butter is my favorite fat to use in gravy recipes. You need to use a fat to combine with the flour to make a roux, which is how the gravy is thickened. I think butter adds so much more flavor than oil does. Salted butter is my favorite. If you use unsalted, you’ll probably need to add a bit more salt to taste after you make the gravy.
Flour: We’re using all-purpose flour as the thickener in this gravy. If you’d rather use cornstarch, you’ll only need to use 2 Tablespoons of cornstarch (instead of 1/4 cup flour). Cooking the flour with the butter for a few minutes is a critical step. It takes away the raw flour flavor (because nobody wants a gravy that tastes like flour), and it adds so much depth of flavor.
Broth: I like to use turkey broth, but it can be hard to find and this recipe also tastes just as good with chicken broth. You could also use a combination of chicken broth and beef broth.
Garlic: A little fresh garlic adds so much flavor to this gravy. I think the flavor is definitely better with a clove of fresh garlic instead of using garlic powder.
Spices and Herbs: A combination of dried thyme, poultry seasoning, fine sea salt, and ground black pepper is the easiest way to doctor up gravy! You really only need those few spices to amp up the flavor in this easy gravy recipe.
What Is The Best Gravy Thickener?
I prefer using flour to thicken my gravy, though gravy that’s thickened with cornstarch is also very common. Gravy that’s thickened with flour reheats better, so if you plan to make gravy ahead of time, I really recommend using flour. It also has the traditional silky smooth texture and opaque look.
How to Make Turkey Gravy without Drippings
FAQ
What if my turkey has no drippings?
Is it better to thicken turkey gravy with flour or cornstarch?
How do you separate the fat from turkey drippings for gravy?
What’s the difference between turkey gravy and regular gravy?