The Best Turkey Gravy Recipe
Looking for the ultimate turkey gravy recipe? Look no further! This savory, delicious gravy will elevate your Thanksgiving feast to new heights.
Whether you are cooking up a traditional Easter or Thanksgiving turkey, or putting on a full Christmas dinner, the centerpiece of any of these meals typically involves a beautifully golden brown roasted turkey. That is definitely true in my home.
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When it comes to making a holiday meal, we love cooking up a whole turkey. Sometimes we roast the bird and sometimes we smoke it.
Garbage can turkey is definitely a favorite. Or how about a deep-fried turkey?
No matter what cooking method we use, having a delicious turkey gravy to go with the turkey and all the fixings is a must.
The good news is that making homemade gravy is a lot easier than some people think. The easy gravy recipe I am sharing with you today is full of meaty flavor from the turkey drippings and can be made while the turkey is resting. It doesn’t get much simpler!
This recipe was handed down to me from my mom and mother in law so this post is chock full of their tips and tricks!
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Supplies:
- Gravy shaker – this Tupperware gravy shaker is a must have when making gravy! Mine is over ten years old and well loved.
- Gravy boat – the ones I have are cherished, handmade heirlooms that my grandma made out of pottery.
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Medium pot
- Whisk
- Wooden spoon
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup cold water
- 2 cups pan drippings*
- Salt and black pepper to taste
*if you don’t have 2 cups of drippings, use turkey stock to fill in the remaining volume.
Begin by collecting the turkey drippings. This can be done by removing the turkey from the roasting pan and then pouring the liquid into a bowl. Alternately you can use a turkey baster or small ladle to scoop the drippings out of the pan.
Tip: be sure separate excess oil and fat from the drippings if possible. The fat rises to the top and is easily scooped off before using the drippings for gravy. If you leave the extra fat in the drippings it will lead to an oily gravy.
Directions:
1. In a medium saucepan, bring pan drippings to a boil over medium-high heat.
2. Add flour and water to a gravy shaker. Mix well.
3. While the drippings are at a rolling boil, slowly add liquid from the gravy shaker to the pot. Whisk continuously.
4. Reduce heat to low and add remaining liquid to the mixture.
5. Whisk continuously as the gravy thickens and add additional salt and pepper to taste.
How to make this gravy without drippings:
2 cup turkey stock
1 packet chicken OXO or 1 tsp chicken bouillon
Directions:
Use the turkey stock in place of the pan drippings, adding in the OXO. Everything else is exactly the same.
Tips and tricks:
- A well seasoned turkey will yield the best drippings for this recipe. Start with our turkey brine and herb and butter rub recipe. The brine and butter rub add a delicious depth of flavor to the turkey.
- If you don’t have enough drippings, you can add 1 cup of water to the roasting pan towards the end of cooking your turkey. Use a wooden spoon to stir and scrape off any brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Add fresh herbs to this basic turkey gravy for even more rich flavor.
- Be sure to use cold water to help prevent lumps of flour from forming in the gravy shaker.
- We always had a gravy shaker in the house to use for making gravy, but if you don’t have one, a bowl and whisk work as well.
- Store any leftover gravy in an airtight container or covered tightly in plastic wrap in the fridge.
- If you can’t find turkey stock, substituting chicken broth will work.
- A flavorful broth can also be made with turkey parts, like the neck and gizzard, for a classic giblet gravy.
- My personal preference is to make my own stock, using the turkey bones, bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, garlic, and vegetables. Homemade stock can also be made with the turkey giblets.
Enjoy this delicious gravy with your next turkey dinner. It is so good!
MORE TURKEY RECIPES:
- Do you have leftover turkey? Make these turkey and cranberry sliders – this easy recipe makes the most delicious turkey sliders that you’ve ever had!
- Looking for a low carb alternative to your standard stuffing? Try this delicious keto friendly stove top stuffing recipe!
- My mom always makes the best side dishes for Thanksgiving dinner! Try her classic yams recipe this year.
- This cranberry salsa recipe is a family favorite and makes the perfect appetizer!
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The Best Turkey Gravy
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup cold water
- 2 cups pan drippings
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- 1. In a medium saucepan, bring pan drippings to a boil over medium-high heat.
- 2. Add flour and water to a gravy shaker. Mix well.
- 3. While the drippings are at a rolling boil, slowly add liquid from the gravy shaker to the pot. Whisk continuously.
- 4. Reduce heat to low and add remaining liquid to the mixture.
- 5. Whisk continuously as the gravy thickens and add additional salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
Nutrition
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