How to Make Store-Bought or Jarred Gravy Taste Like Homemade Turkey Gravy

Gravy is an essential part of many holiday meals. A rich, flavorful gravy can take a turkey dinner to the next level. However, making gravy from scratch using turkey drippings can be time-consuming and messy. Many home cooks opt for the convenience of store-bought or jarred gravy. While these products save time, they often lack the full-bodied flavor of homemade.

Fortunately, with a few simple ingredients and techniques, you can easily transform canned or packaged gravy into a delicious homemade-tasting turkey gravy.

Get the Most Flavor from the Turkey Drippings

One of the keys to amazing homemade turkey gravy is using the flavorful drippings left in the roasting pan. When making gravy from a package or jar, be sure to take advantage of these drippings too.

After removing your roasted turkey from the pan, pour or spoon off most of the fat. Leave about 1/4 cup of fat in the pan. Place the roasting pan on the stovetop over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup water or chicken broth and stir, scraping up any browned turkey bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 2-3 minutes. Stir this concentrated turkey flavor into your gravy.

Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

Sautéing onion, celery, carrots and garlic in a little butter or oil is a great way to start homemade gravy. The softened veggies and browned bits left in the pan add nice background flavor.

To get this same effect with jarred gravy, melt 1 Tbsp butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add 2-3 Tbsp each diced onion celery, carrot and 1 minced garlic clove. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened and lightly browned. Stir the vegetables into your gravy.

Use Turkey Stock or Broth

Homemade gravies often start with homemade turkey stock made from simmering the turkey bones and aromatics. You can mimic this flavor by using turkey broth instead of plain water when making your packaged gravy. Turkey broth will give a richer, meatier flavor.

If you don’t have turkey broth, chicken broth is the next best option. For maximum flavor, choose a low-sodium broth and season the gravy with salt and pepper after cooking.

Stir in Fresh Herbs

Nothing beats the bright, fresh flavor that herbs add to homemade gravy. Try stirring chopped fresh sage, rosemary, thyme or parsley into packaged gravy right before serving. Start with 1-2 Tbsp and adjust amounts to suit your taste. The herbs will add a just-made flavor.

Splash in a Little Wine

Deglazing a pan with wine is a chef’s secret for building flavor. To get that same restaurant-style flavor in jarred gravy, stir in 2-3 Tbsp dry white or red wine. Allow the gravy to simmer for 2-3 minutes to cook off the alcohol. The wine bumps up the flavor complexity.

Whisk in Butter

Stirring in a tablespoon or two of butter at the end gives gravy a rich, silky texture. The butter also adds a glossy sheen. For store-bought gravy, melt 1-2 Tbsp butter in the microwave and whisk it in after cooking the gravy. The butter helps emulate the velvety texture of homemade.

Add More Spices and Herbs

Pre-made gravy often lacks the aroma and punch of freshly ground spices. For more flavor, try adding extra pepper, sage, thyme, parsley, rosemary or your own favorite seasoning blend. Start with 1/4 tsp at a time until the gravy tastes just right.

Include Umami Flavor Boosters

Ingredients like mushrooms, tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce add savory, meaty flavor known as umami Sautéing mushrooms and stirring a spoonful of tomato paste or Worcestershire into packaged gravy mimics homemade

Make It Thicker or Thinner

The consistency of gravy is a matter of personal preference. If your gravy turns out too thin whisk in a bit of cornstarch slurry to thicken it up. For thicker gravy stir in extra broth or water. Adjust until you reach your perfect gravy consistency.

Slow Simmer the Gravy

Don’t just heat and serve store-bought gravy. For the best flavor, pour it into a saucepan and simmer over low heat for 10-15 minutes. The extra simmering time allows the flavors to develop.

With a few easy add-ins like broth, wine and fresh herbs, even instant gravy mix can be transformed into a full-flavored, homemade-tasting turkey gravy. Try tweaking your favorite store-bought brand using these tips for gravy that will have everyone asking for seconds.