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

Can you make gravy with just flour and water? ›

(You can also start with a slurry of flour and water—equal amounts flour and cold water whisked together—if you want.) Whisk the gravy while slowly adding liquid: Slowly add stock, water, milk, cream, or a combination to the pan, whisking vigorously to dissolve the flour into liquid.

Is turkey gravy better with flour or cornstarch? ›

Turkey Gravy Ingredients

Butter: Salted or unsalted butter can be used, but I would not use a butter substitute. Flour: Thickens the gravy by combining with the butter to make a roux. Some turkey gravy recipes call for cornstarch, but I prefer to use flour.

What can I add to turkey gravy to make it taste better? ›

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.

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 ratio of flour to liquid for gravy? ›

1.5 tablespoons fat to 1.5 tablespoons flour to 1 cup liquid, which yields 1 cup of gravy. (Note: If you like your gravy thicker, go with 2 tablespoons of fat and 2 tablespoons of flour to 1 cup of liquid, which yields 1 cup of gravy).

Why does my gravy turn to jelly? ›

Why does my gravy have a jelly-like texture? Gravy gets a jelly-like texture due to too much thickener. Too much flour, for instance, can result in a gummy consistency (particularly when left overnight in the fridge). Reheating with additional liquid can often help soften things up.

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.

What is the best thickener for turkey 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's the difference between turkey gravy and regular gravy? ›

Thus, turkey gravy is a brown gravy. You can also make brown gravy with the drippings from other kinds of meat, such as a roast or chicken. White gravy is made with milk, fat, and a thickening agent; white gravy is made without drippings, and with sausage added is popular for biscuits and gravy.

How to dress up jar turkey gravy? ›

Use any combination of onions, leeks, shallots, celery, carrots, and mushrooms cooked in butter, olive oil, or pan drippings. When the veggies are sufficiently sautéed, stir in your jarred gravy and simmer on low. Before serving, strain those veggies out or use an immersion blender to incorporate them into your gravy.

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.

How do you add richness to gravy? ›

Milk and cream add richness and flavor; they can round out or mellow any sharper flavors that develop along the way. Finishing a sauce or gravy with butter will thicken the gravy and add a velvety texture—a surefire way to up your gravy game.

What is the best thickener for gravy? ›

Similar to flour, cornstarch is another ingredient that can be used to make gravy thicker. With cornstarch, making a slurry is also an option, but with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch whisked into cold water. Again, you'll want to add the slurry in increments so you don't over-thicken the gravy.

What is the best ingredient to thicken 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.

Should you constantly stir gravy? ›

If you do not stir constantly, the flour mixture could create lumps. The whisk helps to prevent lumps from forming. If lumps do form, the whisk will help to break them up. Tip #7 – If your gravy gets lumpy, strain it!

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