Are you looking for a foolproof recipe for turkey gravy to add to your holiday table? This Thanksgiving gravy is only a few ingredients and with our easy tutorial and tips you will have a delicious, rich gravy every time!
The Thanksgiving Gravy just might be my favorite part of the Thanksgiving feast. I like to pour it on top of the mashed potatoes, the turkey, the stuffing, and I like to dip my rolls in it too. Since the Thanksgiving gravy is such an important aspect of the meal – its important that its delicious right?
This is a flavorful gravy, that is simple, and delicious and will takes any holiday meal to the next level.
This gravy is made with only a few ingredients – butter, flour, drippings (I’ve used chicken or turkey with this recipe – definitely use turkey if you have it – especially if you have the fresh drippings from a turkey you cooked!) and a little salt and pepper for seasoning. You could add some other herbs if you wanted for flavor too.
This is another dish that I made for our blogger Thanksgiving last week. Stay tuned for my delicious mashed potato recipe that you can pour this gravy all over!
What are drippings?
Drippings are what is left in the roasting pan after cooking the turkey. This includes fat that has melted down and any bits of meat that have fallen off.
Turkey Gravy Ingredients:
This is a quick overview of the ingredients you’ll need for the best Turkey Gravy Recipe. Specific measurements and full recipe instructions are in the printable recipe card below.
- unsalted butter – you can use salted butter too, add a little less salt later
- all purpose flour – this will thicken your gravy
- turkey stock – use the drippings from your the bottom of the roasting pan from your turkey for the best depth of flavor. You can also use turkey stock, turkey broth, or even chicken stock.
- salt and black pepper – add these to taste
How to make Turkey Gravy?
- Add the butter to a medium sauce pan over medium-high heat and cook it until the butter is melted.
- Once the butter is melted add in the flour and mix it into the butter with a wooden spoon to form a paste. Cook it for a few minutes until the mixture starts to turn golden brown and becomes fragrant. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pan to keep anything from burning.
- Slowly pour in the turkey stock, whisking it into the flour mixture while you pour it in until everything is combined. Bring the mixture to a low boil and let it cook until the gravy thickens to your desired thickness.
- Season the gravy with salt and pepper to taste, and pour it into a gravy boat to serve hot over your choice of mashed potatoes, or turkey.
Tips and Tricks:
- Turkey Gravy from Drippings. This is a great way to use up turkey drippings from your Thanksgiving turkey! Pour the meat drippings through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any pieces of fat, seasonings, or meat that has fallen down. Then add the pan drippings to a fat separator and let it sit for a couple minutes to separate. The fat rises, and you can pour out the remaining drippings to remove more of the fat from the drippings, and give you more of the delicious flavor for a rich gravy.
- Substitution Ideas. If you’re making this another time of year you can also use chicken drippings, or chicken stock, or even a water + bouillon combo to make your own broth.
- Add some herbs like fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, marjoram, or parsley.
- This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a big crowd.
If your gravy is too thin you can simmer it for longer to reduce the liquid and let it thicken.
If your gravy is too thick add in a little more turkey drippings, broth or even water to thin it out.
You can make this gravy gluten free with a one to one gluten free flour substitute.
Storage Instructions:
Store leftover gravy in a sealed airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat it in a small sauce pan over low heat, until warmed through. Add a couple Tablespoons of water or chicken broth as needed to thin it out.
You can also make the gravy in advance if you are using turkey stock, or chicken stock. Store it in the fridge in an air-tight container. Then heat it slowly in a sauce pan, over low heat until thinned and hot throughout
This homemade gravy is the perfect additional to Thanksgiving table! It’s such a delicious homemade turkey gravy, that will taste delicious on your favorite mashed potatoes, roast turkey, roast chicken, stuffing, or even dinner rolls, and is a must add to your Thanksgiving menu!
Looking for more Thanksgiving recipes?
- Mashed Potatoes
- Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
- Cranberry Orange Sauce
- Homemade Green Bean Casserole
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes
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Thanksgiving Gravy
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (1/2 stick)
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 4 cups turkey drippings*
- salt (to taste)
- pepper (to taste)
Equipment
Instructions
- Slice the butter into thin pieces and melt it in a large sauce pan over medium high heat.
- Once the butter is melted add in the flour and stir it together with the butter till combined. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until nice and fragrant.
- Slowly pour in the liquid while whisking to combine everything together.
- Bring to a slow boil and allow everything to cook until gravy gets to desired thickness.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
Nutrition
This Thanksgiving gravy was first posted on November 11, 2014. The photos and blog text were updated for clarity on October 25, 2023.
Vickie Cook says
Made this gravy recipe for Christmas. It was easy and yummy!
Mehrll says
Similar to what I make except I use turkey drippings and no butter. TFS
Aimee Berrett says
I just love the richness the butter gives to it. I would definitely make it with turkey drippings if I had a turkey on hand! (I’ve just never made my own turkey – that’s hopefully changing soon!)
Lydia says
Looks luscious. You really can’t beat real gravy. PS – I actually managed to find turkey broth in the grocery store the other day… I’ll have to see if it is any good.