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 star of most holiday meals is often a beautifully roasted turkey, with its golden brown skin and tender, juicy meat. But once the bird is carved and plated, many people overlook one of the tastiest components left behind – the savory turkey juices collected at the bottom of the roasting pan. With their concentrated flavors and natural gelatin, these drippings can transform into incredibly delicious sauces, gravies and more. So don’t pour them down the drain! Read on to discover 24 mouthwatering ways to make the most of the juices from your roast turkey.
1. Make Classic Turkey Gravy
The most popular use for turkey drippings is gravy. Simmer the juices with aromatics like onion and garlic, then whisk in flour to create a smooth, rich gravy. Season with salt, pepper and poultry seasoning for a comforting, flavorful sauce that complements everything from mashed potatoes to stuffing. For the easiest method, use an equal ratio of fat to flour. For every 1 cup of drippings, use 1 cup of flour seasoned with salt and pepper.
2. Prepare Giblet Gravy
For the ultimate turkey gravy, simmer chopped giblets like the neck, heart and gizzard in the drippings to extract more flavor before making the roux. Diced liver can be added too. This extra step increases the depth of flavor. Strain before mixing in the thickener.
3. Make Turkey Stock
Simmer the carcass and drippings with vegetables like celery, carrots and onion to produce a nutrient-rich turkey broth perfect for soups. Add seasonings like thyme, parsley or bay leaf. Cook for several hours then strain. Freeze for later or use right away in dishes like turkey noodle soup.
4. Prepare Sauce for Leftovers
Jazz up leftover turkey by heating the drippings with chicken or turkey stock, cream, mustard, herbs and lemon juice. Drizzle the quick sauce over sliced meat or make turkey salad or sandwiches more succulent.
5. Make Turkey Pot Pie Filling
Transform drippings into the base for a flavorful turkey pot pie filling. Saute onions, carrots and peas in the drippings then stir in flour and chicken stock to create the gravy Add cubed turkey meat, seasonings and pour into a pie crust
6. Prepare Turkey and Dumplings
For this comforting dish, drop dumpling dough into drippings simmered with vegetables like carrots, celery and onion. Add turkey meat and seasonings The rich broth soaks into the dumplings, resulting in tender, turkey-infused pillows of goodness
7. Make Dressing or Stuffing
Drizzle a little turkey drippings over stuffing or dressing before baking for extra moisture and flavor. For a unique twist, saute cornbread stuffing in a skillet with drippings instead of butter.
8. Enhance Vegetable Side Dishes
Drizzle juices over roasted veggies like Brussels sprouts, carrots or squash just before serving. The richness coats each bite and boosts the flavor. For green beans, saute sliced onions in drippings then add green beans and seasonings.
9. Make Turkey Fried Rice
Heat turkey drippings in a wok or skillet then stir-fry chilled rice with frozen peas, carrots and cubed turkey. The rendered fat adds wonderful flavor to each grain of rice. Scrambled eggs can be added too.
10. Prepare Flavorful Rice Pilaf
Cook rice like wild rice or basmati in turkey drippings diluted with chicken or turkey stock for an aromatic, savory pilaf. Toasted nuts add crunch.
11. Make Unique Risotto
For a rich turkey risotto, use drippings to saute shallots and toast the rice before simmering in turkey or chicken stock. Finish with parsley and Parmesan.
12. Cook Farro, Barley or Quinoa
In place of oil or butter, use turkey drippings to saute onions and toasted nuts or cranberries to flavor cooked grains like farro, barley or quinoa.
13. Make Turkey Congee
For this Asian rice porridge, simmer turkey drippings with ginger, garlic and rice in chicken broth until thick and creamy. Top with scallions, shredded turkey and a drizzle of soy sauce or chili oil.
14. Prepare Hearty Beans
Braise beans like pinto, kidney or chickpeas in diluted turkey drippings for added richness. Season with cumin, garlic and chili powder.
15. Make Savory Turkey Chili
Saute onions, peppers and spices in drippings before adding tomatoes, beans and shredded turkey. Simmer until thickened. Finish with cilantro and lime.
16. Prepare Unique Quesadillas
Brush tortillas with drippings before filling with cheese, turkey and roasted peppers. The drippings add wonderful flavor as the quesadilla cooks.
17. Make Enchilada Sauce
For an amazing enchilada sauce, saute onions and spices like cumin and oregano in the drippings before adding broth and tomatoes. Pour over chicken or turkey enchiladas before baking.
18. Cook Flavorful Oatmeal
Make oatmeal extra decadent by cooking it in diluted drippings in place of water or milk. The richness pairs perfectly with maple syrup or brown sugar.
19. Make Vegetable Soup
Saute aromatics like onion and garlic in turkey drippings before adding broth and seasonal veggies. Simmer until the vegetables are tender.
20. Prepare Creamy Potato Soup
Cook diced potatoes in a blend of turkey drippings and butter before pureeing with cream or half and half. Season with salt, pepper, thyme and nutmeg.
21. Make Turkey Tortilla Soup
Saute onions, peppers and seasonings in drippings then add broth and tomatoes. Simmer with shredded turkey and top bowls with crispy tortilla strips.
22. Prepare Unique Pan Sauces
Deglaze the roasting pan with chicken or turkey stock and simmer to create quick, delicious pan sauces for chicken, seafood or steak.
23. Make Gravy Mix Enhancer
Stir concentrated drippings into packaged gravy mixes like pork, chicken or turkey for added richness and homemade flavor.
24. Make Dog Food Topper
Dogs go wild for drippings! Use as an occasional topper for dry kibble. The smell and flavor entices picky eaters.
As you can see, the possibilities are endless when it comes to repurposing those flavorful leftovers from your roast turkey. With a little creativity, you can give side dishes, grains, soups and more an incredible flavor boost while reducing waste. This holiday season, embrace those tasty turkey drippings and explore new ways to unlock their potential in the kitchen. Your cooking will reach new heights of deliciousness!
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.
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 Gravy from Turkey Drippings | Thanksgiving Turkey Gravy | Turkey with Gravy | Easy Gravy
FAQ
Should I drain juices from turkey?
What can I do with turkey drippings besides gravy?
Can turkey drippings be used for stock?
How long can you keep turkey drippings?
What can you do with leftover juices & oils?
Until today, that is. These “leftover” juices and oils contain major savory flavoring power and can be used just like butter and vegetable oil to sauté a side of leafy greens or add that extra-crisp texture to roasted spuds.
What are the ways to use pickle juice?
Pickle juice is actually the pickle liquid. That is, it includes the following, such as: water, organic vinegar, salt, a type of oil, potassium, zinc, vitamin C and vitamin E. However, the taste may not be very pleasant.
How do you cook a moist Turkey in the oven?
There are a few secrets to cooking a moist turkey in the oven but the most important may be the temperature at which it bakes. A lower temperature (usually between 325ºF-350ºF) prevents the meat from drying out. As a bonus, I’ve also covered this turkey in butter and foil to seal in the juices!