How to Make the Best Turkey Gravy
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This is simply the most perfect gravy for your Thanksgiving turkey using pan drippings! So rich, so smooth and so easy!
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I promised you a gravy recipe, didn’t I? I always keep my promises. Plus, this isn’t just any ordinary turkey gravy recipe.
Nope. This is the world’s easiest, quickest, less-than-2o-minute recipe conveniently using the pan drippings from your foolproof turkey.
Which means, hello, this is also a foolproof gravy!
You just can’t go wrong here. All you have to do is strain your pan drippings and combine it with some butter, flour and fresh herbs.
Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and boom. You’re done.
Ingredients
Pan drippings
Using pan drippings from your bird is key here! It will add so much flavor to your gravy.
Chicken or turkey stock
Good quality chicken or turkey stock is highly recommended if you do not have (or have enough) pan drippings.
Unsalted butter
This will help create the roux – the combination of flour and fat (butter) – which is the foundation of a lovely gravy.
Flour
All-purpose is best but gluten-free flour can also be substituted in a 1:1 ratio.
Thyme
Herbs – dried or fresh – are great to add flavor. Add as much or as little as desired. Rosemary, sage and oregano can also be added here.
Salt and pepper
Season to taste as your pan drippings will already be seasoned quite a bit.
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR SUCCESS
- Pan drippings. Gravy can be made with or without pan drippings, but we highly recommend using pan drippings for optimal flavor.
- Use good quality stock. If you do not have enough pan drippings from your turkey, you can use chicken or turkey stock to make up for the difference but your gravy is as good as your stock. Use homemade or good quality stock, if using.
- Whisk constantly. Whisking constantly is key here for lump-free gravy.
Tools For This Recipe
Saucepan
How to Make the Best Turkey Gravy: Frequently Asked Questions
You can use all of the pan drippings from the easiest Thanksgiving turkey recipe.
Unsalted butter allows you to add as much salt (or as little) salt in your dish. It allows for more control and consistency.
You can replace unsalted butter with salted butter in a pinch, reducing the amount of salt indicated in the recipe, and adding to taste.
Absolutely! But because dried herbs are often more potent/concentrated than fresh herbs, you need less when using dry. The correct ratio is 1 tablespoon fresh herbs to 1 teaspoon dried herbs.
Yes! You can follow the recipe below, substituting chicken or turkey stock for the pan drippings, and adding in minced garlic, diced shallots and additional seasonings (ex. sage, rosemary and poultry seasoning), to taste.
Gravy freezes very well (or at least this one does)! Once cooled completely, you can freeze the leftover gravy in individual freezer bags (or ice cube trays), thaw overnight, and reheat on the stovetop. (Gravy recipes with milk or cream will not freeze well as it will tend to separate when frozen.)
How to Make the Best Turkey Gravy
Ingredients
- Pan drippings from Easy Thanksgiving Turkey
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Equipment
Instructions
- Strain pan drippings through a fine-mesh sieve; discard solids and reserve 2 1/2 cups pan drippings; set aside.
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and thyme until lightly browned, about 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in reserved pan drippings. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, whisking constantly, until thickened, about 5-10 minutes. Stir in parsley; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Serve warm.
Video
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]do you remove fat from turkey drippings?
Thank you
Easy, Fast, Damn Delicious!!!
Was stuck and just finished two turkeys…always guessing what is the best way. This…this is the way. Came out perfect.
This recipe saved my life in a last-minute, oh-shizz-the-guests-are-early-and-my-mind’s-gone-blank gravy emergency, thank you very much.
What did I do wrong? I followed the recipe exactly, and I was stirring constantly for over 10 minutes and never saw any thickening. I had 2.5 cups of pan drippings. What ended up happening seemed to just be boiling broth (essentially) and what looked like some fat attached to my whisk at the end of it.
Family said this was the BEST gravy I’ve ever made. Highly recomend!
The best gravy ever!!! Seriously!!
Yummy yum yum!! Crowd pleaser. Easy peasy. Roasted my 14lb turkey (DD and damn delish) was a bit freaked at the lack of dipping in the pan, until I tipped the cavity taking the bird out. Fresh thyme is the key.
This recipe tastes too good! And only 3 steps–super easy to make!
I made this gravy tonight for Thanksgiving and it turned out perfect! I made a homemade broth by boiling the turkey neck in 8-cups of water, a bunch of thyme, a small bunch of sage, 2 sprigs of rosemary, a couple cubes of chicken bouillon, 1/2 white onion, and salt and pepper, for 1-hour. I strained this broth and then added the turkey drippings to the broth. This is the base I used for your gravy recipe. It turned out so delicious. Thank you for sharing your recipe, this is a staple recipe to keep and pass on to generations!
Very easy to make. Tastes delicious!
I added finely chopped rosemary and sage alongwith the thyme and it turned out perfect
Awesome n easy
The BEST EASIEST MOST DELICIOUS GRAVY recipe ever!!!!
I’ve been making this turkey recipe for the last 3 years and it’s amazing. Everyone says my turkey is the best they’ve ever had so thank you so much!! I also make the gravy recipe, 10/10
Do you think I can use a chicken or a bone broth completely instead of the turkey drippings? My husband’s health requires a strict diet, so I’m trying to find a healthy gravy. I would use a broth and almond flour in place of the drippings and flour. I just don’t want to alter the taste
I think you can, especially if you cook the broth til it’s thicker. I see no reason you couldn’t. You can season it like you and your family like. It will be delicious!!!! I cook with almond flour all the time. How about thickening with tapioca flour? That’s probably what I will do. Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Can I use chicken or turkey broth in addition to drippings to make a larger quantit
Yes you can, although it will thin the gravy so you’ll have to add more flour to compensate.
do you think there would be enough pan drippings from your roasted turkey breast recipe?
What if you don’t have turkey drippings? Can I use some type of bouillon?