Easy Turkey Gravy

Making turkey gravy doesn’t have to be a difficult task, or even take a long time. In fact, our easy turkey gravy recipe is about as straightforward as it can be! Pan drippings from the holiday turkey (or any turkey, for that matter) flavor this simple gravy made with broth, flour and seasonings. Once you know how to make easy turkey gravy, you’ll want to whip it up again and again. It’s super simple (just 20 minutes from prep to serving time), super flavorful and a super way to create a savory topping from the drippings that collect in the bottom of the roasting pan.

Ingredients for Easy Turkey Gravy

• Turkey drippings: The drippings are what make the gravy rich and flavorful.
• Chicken broth: Chicken broth serves as the liquid base for the gravy; turkey stock or turkey broth may also be used.
• All-purpose flour: The flour thickens the gravy without adding flavor.
• Seasonings: Dried thyme, rubbed sage and pepper unite to enhance the flavor of the gravy. Thyme and sage are delicious with turkey and in turkey gravy.

Directions

Step 1: Prep the drippings

Pour the turkey drippings and loosened browned bits from the roasting pan into a 4-cup measuring cup. Skim the fat, reserving 2 tablespoons. Add enough broth to the drippings to measure 3 cups.

Step 2: Make the gravy

In a large saucepan, whisk the flour, 3/4 cup broth and the reserved fat until the mixture is smooth. Add the thyme, sage and pepper, then gradually whisk in the drippings mixture. Bring the gravy to a boil, stirring constantly; then cook and stir it for two to three minutes or until it thickens.

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Easy Turkey Gravy Variations

• Add garlic: Mince garlic and saute it in a little butter before adding the flour, broth and fat. This adds a lovely garlicky note to the gravy.
• Try other herbs: Add other herbs to the gravy, such as basil, tarragon, oregano or a store-bought turkey seasoning blend. Old Bay seasoning also adds flavor depth to gravy. Fresh rosemary sprigs cooked into the gravy are also a nice touch—just remove them before serving the gravy.
• Reduce the sodium: Use a low-salt or no-salt-added broth to minimize the sodium.

How to Store Easy Turkey Gravy

When the gravy cools, store it in an airtight container and place it in the fridge. It’ll keep for up to four days refrigerated.

Can you freeze easy turkey gravy?

Sure! Freezing makes it convenient to whip up some gravy to use now and some to save for another time. Place the cooled gravy in a zippered freezer bag and press out the excess air. It’ll keep in the freezer for about three months.

Easy Turkey Gravy Tips

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How can I reduce lumps in the gravy?

If your gravy turns out lumpier than expected, don’t worry—there are ways to fix gravy. Pop it into the blender for a few seconds, or use an immersion blender to take care of the lumps. Another option is to simply strain out the lumps and discard them.

How do you thicken easy turkey gravy?

If your gravy is runny, there are easy ways to thicken up a sauce. Slowly stir cold turkey or chicken stock into a bit of cornstarch or flour until you’ve created a smooth paste. Gradually whisk it into the simmering gravy. If you don’t have turkey or chicken stock, cold water will work too. Or, consider having a make-ahead roux on hand as a simple solution!

Could I use bouillon cubes?

Sure! Mix up some broth flavor by following the directions on the bouillon cube package, then use that liquid in place of the chicken broth. Exercise care with measuring when creating the bouillon, as some cubes are extremely salty.

Could I use this same recipe to make gravy with other meats?

Absolutely! One of the secrets to homemade gravy is that any meat’s pan drippings can be used to make an easy homemade gravy. Follow the recipe as directed with whichever pan drippings are handy. Also, feel free to switch the broth to a beef or even vegetable broth as the base liquid for the gravy.