Ever wonder how to make gravy from turkey drippings? It’s easier then you think, and best of all made with just 4 ingredients and in minutes. This recipe doesn’t use flour, so it’s a gluten free turkey gravy recipe.
If you are new to making a turkey, chances are you are going to need to learn how to make turkey gravy. I have been making gravy from scratch for years. I finally took the time to write down the measurements I use in order to share my go-to turkey gravy recipe with you.
There’s something undeniably magical about a homemade Thanksgiving dinner, and at the heart of this culinary celebration lies a golden elixir – turkey gravy made from its drippings. The process of crafting rich, velvety gravy from the pan juices left behind by a beautifully roasted turkey is both an art and a science. It not only elevates the flavor profile of your entire Thanksgiving spread but also embodies the spirit of resourcefulness by ensuring nothing goes to waste.
In this blog post, I’ll delve into the time-honored tradition of making gravy from turkey drippings, uncovering the secrets to achieving a sauce that’s both soul-warming and palate-pleasing. Get ready to unlock the key to a perfect Thanksgiving meal – the liquid gold that is homemade turkey gravy.
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Reasons to Make This Recipe
Enhance Flavor – Making gravy from turkey drippings is a fantastic way to capture and concentrate the rich, savory flavors of your roasted turkey, creating a luscious, homemade gravy that complements your meal perfectly.
Reduce Food Waste – Utilizing the turkey drippings to make gravy is a sustainable practice that minimizes food waste, ensuring that every last bit of flavor from your Thanksgiving turkey is put to delicious use.
Elevate Your Meal – Homemade gravy adds a touch of authenticity and a depth of flavor that store-bought options can’t match, taking your Thanksgiving feast to a whole new level and impressing your guests with your culinary skills.
Ingredients
- Butter – Because I brine the turkey I like to use unsalted butter to prevent the gravy from being too salty.
- Pan Drippings – Pan drippings are what give this turkey sauce all the flavors!
- Corn Starch – I like to use cornstarch because not only is it gluten free, but it also doesn’t give off the chalky flavor that flour sometime tends to give off.
- Turkey Stock – If you can’t find turkey stock in the store you can use Better than Bouillon Turkey Concentrate Paste. Just mix according to the packaging. If you can’t find either of those you can use chicken broth.
Directions
Heat the butter on high in a sauce pan. Once the butter is golden in color, pour the pan drippings into the sauce pan. *Make sure to use a strainer to strain out any additional pieces of fat or dried herbs that may have fallen in the roasting pan (as pictured above). Let the butter/drippings cook for 1 minute on high. Reduce the heat to medium-low.
In a measuring cup mix together the turkey broth and cornstarch. Whisk in the broth to the sauce pan. Whisking until thick and golden (about 5 minutes). Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
FAQs
If your gravy is still too thin, mix together 3 to 4 tablespoons of flour or cornstarch (if keeping this gluten free) into a 3-4 tablespoons of water until a smooth paste has been created. Slowly and gradually whisk the mixture into the gravy a little at a time until it begins to thicken.
If you don’t have drippings don’t worry. You’ll just need a stick of butter, some seasonings (like garlic powder, sage, thyme, and parsley), and additional stock to make up for not having drippings. Follow my recipe below, instead of the 2 cups of drippings you’ll use an additional 2 cups of stock/broth instead to make the most delicious homemade turkey gravy.
If you stuffed your turkey the stuffing will absorb most of the drippings. I always add water to the bottom of my roasting pan to stretch my drippings further and give myself more drippings for gravy!
If you add flour or cornstarch directly to simmering hot broth/drippings you will instantly get lumps in your gravy. Instead, whisk the flour/cornstarch into room temperature water or broth and combine until smooth. Then whisk the slurry into the simmering pot of stock. A continuous whisk plus thinned out flour/cornstarch slurry will reduce your chances of having lumpy gravy.
Tips & Tricks
Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks I’ve found helpful when making making turkey gravy.
- Pan Drippings – I love using the pan drippings for my gravy. I find that it makes a delicious and super flavorful gravy. Yes, it’s on the fattening side. You can by a gravy fat separator to separate out the fat and the actual liquid. However; that’s where all the flavor is. It’s the holidays after all–you can indulge!
- No Drippings – No drippings, no problems. Just add a few extra tablespoons of butter. You will also need to add some herbs or other seasonings to your gravy. The drippings provide whatever seasonings are on the turkey which allows for a more flavorful gravy.
- Flour – If you don’t have cornstarch on hand you can use flour. I would make a roux with the melted butter. Sprinkle in the flour and mix until a paste. Then whisk in drippings and stock.
- Cornstarch – I like to use cornstarch as it doesn’t have a pastey/chalk like taste. I also use cornstarch because it’s gluten free and an easy way to be able to serve my holiday dinner to my entire family without having to make separate items!
- Gluten Free – Cornstarch is naturally gluten free. So this recipe is gluten free if you follow it how I have it written. Please note, that if you stuff the turkey with a gluten filled stuffing this recipe IS NOT gluten free. I never stuff the bird due to safety reasons (hello salmonella); however some people still like to. If you use the drippings from the turkey breast for the gravy and stuffing was cooked in the bird the gravy will not be gluten free–even if you use cornstarch!
- Serving Size – This recipe yields 2 cups of gravy. That will roughly feed 4-6 people.
Holiday Menu Ideas
You have the gravy but what about everything else? I have a wide variety of easy holiday recipes here on Katie’s Cucina. These holiday side dishes (and the prized turkey) can all be found below.
- Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
- Old Fashioned Bread Stuffing
- Homemade Cranberry Sauce
- Sour Cream and Chive Mashed Potatoes
- Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
- The Best Creamed Spinach
- Grilled Honey Acorn Squash
If you make this turkey gravy, I would be honored and love for you to take the time to leave a star rating and comment! I spend hours developing and testing these recipes, and always love to hear feedback and user experience!
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How to Make Gravy from Turkey Drippings
Equipment
- Stove Top
- Measuring Spoons
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 2 cups Pan Drippings
- 1-½ cups Turkey broth
- 2 tablespoons Cornstarch
Instructions
- Heat the butter on high in a sauce pan. Once the butter is golden in color. Pour the pan drippings into the sauce pan. Let it cook for 1 minute on high. Reduce the heat to medium-low.
- In a measuring cup mix together the turkey broth and cornstarch. Whisk in the broth to the sauce pan. Whisking until thick and golden (about 5 minutes). Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Notes
- Pan Drippings – I love using the pan drippings for my gravy. I find that it makes a delicious and super flavorful gravy. Yes, it’s on the fattening side. You can by a gravy fat separator to separate out the fat and the actual liquid. However; that’s where all the flavor is. It’s the holidays after all–you can indulge!
- No Drippings – No drippings, no problems. Just add a few extra tablespoons of butter. You will also need to add some herbs or other seasonings to your gravy. The drippings provide whatever seasonings are on the turkey which allows for a more flavorful gravy.
- Flour – If you don’t have cornstarch on hand you can use flour. I would make a roux with the melted butter. Sprinkle in the flour and mix until a paste. Then whisk in drippings and stock.
- Cornstarch – I like to use cornstarch as it doesn’t have a pastey/chalk like taste. I also use cornstarch because it’s gluten free and an easy way to be able to serve my holiday dinner to my entire family without having to make separate items!
- Gluten Free – Cornstarch is naturally gluten free. So this recipe is gluten free if you follow it how I have it written. Please note, that if you stuff the turkey with a gluten filled stuffing this recipe IS NOT gluten free. I never stuff the bird due to safety reasons (hello salmonella); however some people still like to. If you use the drippings from the turkey breast for the gravy and stuffing was cooked in the bird the gravy will not be gluten free–even if you use cornstarch!
- Serving Size – This recipe yields 2 cups of gravy. That will roughly feed 4-6 people.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!