Easy Turkey Gravy Recipe (2024)

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by Alea Milham 6 Comments

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Hosting the holiday dinner this year? You are going to love this easy turkey gravy recipe!

Easy Turkey Gravy Recipe (1)

There is absolutely no reason to buy gravy. Ever. Homemade gravy is not only out-of-this-world delicious, but it is also easy to make. For some reason, people have heard stories of lumpy gravy and have the impression that it is difficult to make a smooth, lump-free gravy. This is not the case. You can easily make a smooth turkey gravy for your Thanksgiving dinner in less than 5 minutes.

Easy Turkey Gravy Recipe (2)

How to Make Turkey Gravy with Drippings

First, start by pouring your turkey drippings through a strainer or slotted spoon. It isn’t essential that you catch everything. Removing the largest chunks will go a long way towards helping you create a smooth gravy.

Next, grab a whisk.

For every cup of turkey drippings you add to the pot, you need to add a tablespoon of cornstarch.

Use your whisk to blend the drippings and the cornstarch.

Place your pot over a medium-high flame. Keep whisking until it reaches a boil. Then, lower the flame and allow it to simmer until it thickens, gently whisking the entire time.

I know it seems like a lot of whisking, but it is really only 3 – 4 minutes total. And it is worth it! Get ready to taste gravy like you have never tasted out of a jar.

How to Make Turkey Gravy Without Drippings

What to do if you don’t have enough drippings to fill a cup? If you don’t have enough turkey drippings to make gravy, add turkey broth, chicken broth, or vegetable broth to the bottom of the roasting pan.

Then use your whisk to deglaze the roasting pan. Basically, you scrape the bottom of the pan and mix the cooked-on bits with the broth. This will reconstitute the baked-on drippings and add a richer flavor to the broth.

Use this mixture as you would turkey dripping in the Turkey Gravy Recipe below.

Easy Turkey Gravy Recipe

This gravy recipe is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free. You can double or triple this recipe if needed.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup turkey drippings
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Directions:

    1. Pour the turkey drippings through a strainer or slotted spoon.
    2. Add to the drippings to a small pot.
    3. Add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the drippings.
    4. Use a whisk to blend the ingredients.
    5. Place your pot over a medium-high heat. Keep whisking until it reaches a boil.
    6. Lower the heat and allow it to simmer until it thickens, whisking the entire time.

Easy Turkey Gravy Recipe (3)

Use these tips to keep your turkey moist and prevent the sliced turkey from drying out.

Printable Recipe for Turkey Gravy

Easy Turkey Gravy Recipe (4)

Print

Easy Turkey Gravy Recipe

This easy turkey gravy recipe can be made with drippings or without drippings. Uses cornstarch to thicken the gravy so it is naturally gluten-free.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword homemade turkey gravy, how to make turkey gravy, turkey gravy recipe

Prep Time 2 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 7 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Calories 14kcal

Author Alea Milham

Ingredients

  • 1 cup turkey drippings
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions

  • Pour the turkey drippings through a strainer or slotted spoon.

  • Add to the drippings to a small pot.

  • Add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the drippings.

  • Use a whisk to blend the ingredients.

  • Place your pot over a medium-high heat. Keep whisking until it reaches a boil. Lower the heat and allow it to simmer until it thickens, whisking the entire time.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 14kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 42mg | Potassium: 31mg | Sugar: 1g | Iron: 1mg

More Thanksgiving Recipes:

How to Cook a Turkey in a Slow Cooker

Homemade Orange-Cranberry Sauce

Pumpkin Pie Spiced Sweet Potatoes

Leftover Turkey Recipe Ideas

This turkey gravy recipe was originally published on November 18, 2013. It was updated on November 12, 2019.

About Alea Milham

Alea Milham is the owner of Premeditated Leftovers and the author of Prep-Ahead Meals from Scatch. She shares her tips for saving money and time while reducing waste in her home. Her favorite hobby, gardening, is a frugal source of organic produce for her recipes. She believes it is possible to live fully and eat well while spending less.

Comments

  1. Cherie says

    Will arrowroot powder work instead of cornstarch? I am planning to make a Keto gravy.

    Reply

  2. Clarice r. says

    This is NOT how to make real homemade gravy! Straight cornstarch will give you a gluey consistency! Real gravy starts by making real turkey broth ( stock)… It’s cooked in the roasting pan after removing the cooked turkey. Then it’s thickened with a mixture of 1/2flour& 1/2 cornstarch mixed with cold water. The gravy gets strained at the very end when you are happy with the flavor, color and consistency.

    Reply

    • Margaret says

      But yours is not gluten free. Hers is. There are trade offs.

      Reply

    • Rebecca says

      Yeah they are trying to help people who are gluten free! Obviously normal gravy is made with flour but some can’t have it. I’m glad I found this.

      Reply

  3. April @ The 21st Century Housewife says

    Your gravy looks really smooth and luscious – I always think a good gravy makes a meal extra special!

    Reply

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Easy Turkey Gravy Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good gravy? ›

Here are my principles for making great gravy without fear:
  • Make it ahead. This is the most important one. ...
  • Make a really good homemade turkey stock first. Don't skimp on this crucial first step. ...
  • Reinforce the stock's flavor. ...
  • Simmer, simmer, simmer. ...
  • Strain and cool. ...
  • Reduce. ...
  • Hot liquids only.
Nov 5, 2021

Is turkey gravy better with flour or cornstarch? ›

Browning adds more flavor to the gravy and gets rid of the raw flour taste. You're basically making a roux. We find that a flour-based gravy holds up better and reheats better later, which is why we tend to prefer using flour over cornstarch to make gravy unless we have a guest who is eating gluten-free.

How do you thicken turkey drippings for gravy? ›

If your gravy is on the skimpy side, you can thicken it quickly with flour or cornstarch. But don't add your thickener directly to the gravy, which will create lumps. Instead, try stirring in three or four tablespoons of flour or cornstarch into a small amount of cold water until you have a smooth paste.

What can I add to gravy to make it tastier? ›

If you are reaching for a jar or carton of turkey gravy at the store, here are seven easy ways to give it a boost.
  1. Add in some white wine. ...
  2. Thicken it with a cornstarch slurry. ...
  3. Stir in pan drippings. ...
  4. Simmer with fresh herbs. ...
  5. Add an umami-rich condiment. ...
  6. Sauté some vegetables. ...
  7. Add roasted garlic.

What adds flavor to gravy? ›

Fortunately, Shannon has several suggestions for fixing bland gravy, starting by adding a bouillon cube, herbs or a splash of wine or cognac. But if you have time to spare, add pan drippings from turkey, bacon or bacon drippings, caramelized vegetables (like onions, leeks, carrots and celery), herbs or garlic.

How does Gordon Ramsay make turkey gravy? ›

Roughly chop the bacon, add to the tray and fry for a few minutes. Chop the onions and lemon and add to the tray with 2 rosemary sprigs and the tomatoes. Cook for 1–2 minutes, then add the turkey wings, parson's nose and drumstick tips and fry for a few more minutes. Pour in the cider and boil for a few minutes.

Is stock or broth better for turkey gravy? ›

You can use either stock or broth for keeping dressing moist or as a basis for gravy, but a strong flavor will give you better results.

How was KFC gravy made? ›

What is the gravy at KFC made of? The restaurant uses a simple combination of gravy powder, water, and – their secret ingredient – chicken crackling. This is a collection of the browned bits and pieces leftover from frying their world famous chicken.

What is traditional gravy made of? ›

At the most basic level, gravy is a simple pan sauce that requires liquid and a thickener. Traditional turkey gravy usually has fat, flour, and stock. You can make excellent turkey gravy with just those ingredients, plus salt and pepper for seasoning.

Why isn t my turkey gravy thickening? ›

Cook the gravy longer.

If the consistency of your gravy isn't what you want, try simmering the gravy a bit longer to help evaporate some of the liquids. If the gravy still hasn't thickened to your liking after about 10 minutes or so, it's now time to try a thickening agent.

Why won t my turkey gravy thicken? ›

Cooking for too little time: As the gravy cooks, it slowly thickens, so if you don't allow it to cook long enough, it will be too thin. Set the stove on medium heat and bring your gravy to a boil before letting it simmer. Once the gravy has reached your desired consistency, turn off the stove and let the sauce cool.

Why is my turkey gravy too thick? ›

When it's hot, gravy should be thick enough to just coat the back of a spoon, but not so thick that it sticks to the spoon like glue. If your gravy is hot and still too thick, add broth a little at a time to thin it out. Remember to check the seasoning when you're done and adjust if needed.

How can I make my gravy richer? ›

Use flavorful liquids: Instead of using water, try using chicken or beef broth to make your gravy. This will add depth and richness to the flavor. Add herbs and spices: Consider adding herbs and spices to your gravy to enhance the flavor. For example, you can add a pinch of thyme, sage, or rosemary.

What is the formula for gravy? ›

A traditional roux uses roughly an equal amount of flour and fat, but gravies often call for a bit more flour than that, to ensure the gravy is thick enough. (The classic ratio for gravy is three:two:one, so 3 tablespoons flour, 2 tablespoons fat, and 1 cup of hot stock.)

What is the best ingredient to thicken gravy? ›

Arrowroot. This powder comes from rhizomes of the Marantaceae family of tubers. It's a great natural substitute for those needing a gluten-free gravy thickener. As with using cornstarch or flour to thicken gravy, make a slurry with your arrowroot powder by mixing 2 to 3 tablespoons with an equal amount of water.

Why is my gravy not tasty? ›

If the gravy lacks oomph, adjust seasoning as necessary with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. If you used canned stock instead of homemade, the gravy might not be as flavorful. Homemade stock, even made with chicken stock rather than turkey, will produce a superior gravy—so it's worth the effort.

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