Learn how to make turkey gravy from drippings. This easy homemade turkey gravy recipe comes together with a handful of ingredients on the stovetop and is smooth, rich, and perfect for serving over turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing!
Table of Contents
What Are Drippings?
When cooking, drippings are the juices that gather at the bottom of a pan when you fry, sauté, or roast meat. However, you will also sometimes see the words drippings being used to describe other foods that secrete flavorful liquid when cooked.
The drippings from meat are extremely flavorful and can be combined with other ingredients to create sauces and gravies like this easy turkey gravy!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Believe it or not, making homemade gravy is actually really simple and requires just a few ingredients you likely already have on hand!
- Turkey Drippings – Save the leftover drippings and fat from your Thanksgiving (or any day) turkey.
- All-Purpose Flour – If needed, a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour can be substituted.
- Broth – Use homemade or store-bought chicken broth or vegetable broth. If you’re already roasting a turkey, it’s easy to make turkey broth with the bones!
- Salt and Black Pepper – Adjust to taste.
Variations
- Omit the drippings. If you don’t have leftover turkey drippings, use butter and stock instead. We recommend adding seasonings like herbs and garlic to make up for the lost flavor!
- Adjust the seasonings. If you want an extra flavorful gravy, feel free to include any herbs and spices you like best. For instance, poultry seasoning, sage, thyme, rosemary, or parsley would all taste great.
How to Make Turkey Gravy From Drippings
- Save the drippings. After roasting your turkey, remove it from the pan. Pour the drippings and reserved fat through a fine-mesh strainer.
- Make a roux. In a saucepan, heat the reserved fat over medium-low heat. Add the flour, and whisk continuously to combine.
- Add the remaining ingredients. Slowly whisk in the turkey drippings and broth, continuing to stir until the mixture thickens and begins to simmer. Season to taste.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Store: Once cooled, leftover gravy can be transferred to an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator for up to three to four days.
- Freeze: Pour the gravy into a container, or freeze it in an ice cube tray. It will stay fresh for four to six months.
- Reheat: Thaw leftovers in the fridge overnight. Then, warm them in a saucepan over medium-low heat or in the microwave. Add a splash of broth as needed to thin it back out.
Ways to Use Your Homemade Turkey Gravy
There are endless ways to use this easy turkey recipe! Some of our favorite pairings include:
- Drizzled over roasted turkey or chicken
- Over biscuits
- In leftover Thanksgiving sandwiches
- With stuffing
- Over mashed potatoes
Common Questions About This Easy Turkey Gravy Recipe
Remember that the gravy will thicken as it cools. However, if you still want a thicker consistency, you can mix in a slurry consistency of one tablespoon of cornstarch and two tablespoons of water.
If you prefer a thinner consistency, slowly pour more broth into the gravy, stirring to combine.
If your turkey gravy turns out lumpy, it’s likely because the fat and drippings were not strained and the ingredients were combined quickly. Work slowly, stirring continuously with a whisk to ensure all the ingredients combine and create a smooth consistency.
Sure! Just double the amount of all the ingredients used.
More Holiday Recipes
- Easy Baked Carrots Recipe
- Sweet Potato Salad with Chickpeas
- The BEST Mashed Potatoes
- Easy Pecan Pie Bars Recipe
How to Make Turkey Gravy from Drippings
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup turkey drippings and reserved fat from the roasted turkey
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups turkey or chicken broth homemade or store-bought
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- After roasting the turkey, remove it from the roasting pan. Pour the turkey drippings and reserved fat through a fine-mesh strainer into a separate container or measuring cup. This will separate the fat from the drippings.1/4 cup turkey drippings and reserved fat
- In a saucepan, heat the reserved turkey fat over medium-low heat. Add the all-purpose flour and whisk continuously to combine the fat and flour. Cook the roux for 1-2 minutes, being careful not to let it brown too much.1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- Gradually whisk in the turkey drippings and the turkey or chicken broth into the roux. Continue to whisk until the mixture thickens and begins to simmer. This should take about 5-10 minutes. Add more broth for a thinner gravy.2 cups turkey or chicken broth
- Season the gravy with salt and pepper to taste. Remember to taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. The amount of seasoning required will depend on the saltiness of the turkey drippings and broth. (See notes)Salt to taste, Black pepper to taste
- Once the gravy has reached the desired consistency and flavor, remove it from the heat. Pour it into a gravy boat or a serving dish, and it’s ready to be served alongside the roast turkey, mashed potatoes, and other Thanksgiving side dishes!
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
