This easy turkey gravy recipe is a classic. It works whether or not you have pan drippings from a roasted turkey.
Why This Turkey Gravy Recipe Works
Why buy pre-made gravy when making the real thing is so easy? This is my go-to turkey gravy recipe. It comes out velvety smooth every time and works perfectly – even if you don’t have turkey drippings.
I’ll show you how easy it is to make turkey gravy that will have your family begging for more.
This homemade gravy recipe works because you start with a roux and then build in flavor from actual turkey drippings or turkey stock. In fact, I use this same recipe for making chicken gravy too. It’s that versatile.
Do you need pan drippings to make turkey gravy?
The great thing about this homemade turkey gravy is you don’t need to have drippings from a turkey to get a great tasting gravy. You easily substitute an equal amount of turkey or chicken stock in place of the pan drippings.
This is definitely the best turkey gravy because you can make it even if you deep fry your turkey and don’t get any pan drippings.
How to Make the Best Turkey Gravy
Making this homemade gravy recipe starts with a roux. If you’re not sure what a roux is, it’s a combination of butter and flour that is used as a base to thicken sauces.
In order to make the best turkey gravy recipe, you need to build flavor with your roux. To do this, I let the butter turn a slight brown when it’s melting. By letting the butter turn brown slightly, you’re actually toasting the milk solids in the butter. This gives it a deep somewhat nutting flavor.
After you build your roux, you stir in the pan drippings and/or stock. Of course, to get the best turkey gravy recipe you should use pan drippings, but if that’s not an option a good store-bought turkey stock will work too.
Once the gravy starts coming together, the last step is to season it. It’s super simple to make homemade gravy.
Expert Tips for Making Homemade Turkey Gravy
Here are a few expert tips to help you make the best classic turkey gravy:
- When using turkey pan drippings, make sure you strain out all of the fat. I use this fat separator
to ensure all of the fat is removed from my drippings. - Build a flavorful roux by allowing the butter to turn a very light brown before adding the flour.
- Add flavor by using my homemade House Seasoning Blend and my Homemade Poultry Seasoning.
to ensure all of the fat is removed from my drippings.Variations for Making Homemade Gravy
This easy homemade gravy recipe can easily be adapted to fit your tastes and needs. Here are some variations:
- Cook and finely mince the turkey giblets and add them to the gravy. My family has split down the middle on this so I always it both ways.
- Substitute all chicken stock to make a great chicken gravy or base for soups/stews.
- Change out the herbs to develop different flavors. I like to use my Porketta Seasoning Blend when making gravy for a pork roast.
- Substitute the stock for milk to make great cream gravy.
Tools Used to Make This Recipe
Sauce Pan
: This is my go-to gravy making pan.
Whisk
: I love the size of this whisk!
Fat Separator
: This is my absolute favorite!
Strainer
: Essential for eliminating lumps.
More Recipes You Might Like
Looking for more? Check out all of the best Thanksgiving recipes on It Is a Keeper.
⭐⭐⭐ RATE THIS RECIPE ⭐⭐⭐
If you’ve tried this recipe, please rate it in the comment section below.
Turkey Gravy Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups turkey stock and pan drippings
- 1/2 teaspoon House Seasoning Blend
- 1/4 teaspoon Poultry Seasoning Blend
Instructions
- Melt butter in a sauce pan over medium heat.
- When butter is melted, whisk in flour until a paste forms.
- Whisk the flour paste for about 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in turkey stock and/or turkey pan drippings with the fat strained out.
- Stir in House Seasoning Blend and Poultry Seasoning Blend.
- Simmer over medium heat until gravy thickens to desired consistency.
Nutrition
- Want to scale a recipe up or down? Simply type in a new serving amount and the recipe will automatically adjust!
- When a recipe call for House Seasoning Blend, you can use this recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- I always use unsalted butter in my recipes.
- I always use a meat thermometor to test for doneness when cooking meat. This one is my favorite.
- When a recipe is made in the oven, it should be pre-heated to the temperature in the recipe, unless otherwise noted.
- The nutritional information provided in this recipe is an estimate. Learn more on how I calculate nutritional information for my recipes.
Linda Geurkink says
Before I tried this recipe I never thought there could be a ‘fool proof’ gravy. But, I’m a believer now!! This recipe makes great tasting Turkey gravy without lumps & it’s so easy, I think my 10 year old granddaughter could make it & it would be perfect too! This recipe is my new ‘go to’ recipe for gravy!! Thank you for making my life easier during the Holidays & Sunday dinners!
Christina Hitchcock says
Thank you for your feedback! This is a great recipe I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Debz says
This gravy recipe is a keeper for sure! Best I’ve ever made!
Christina Hitchcock says
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it!
KATHY says
GREAT GRAVY! I LOVE THE GRAVY SEPARATOR. IVE NEVER SEEN ONE LIKE THAT. COULD YOU TELL ME WHERE YOU PURCHASED IT? THANK YOU.
Christina Hitchcock says
Glad you liked it! YOu can get the fat separator here: https://amzn.to/3bWZE9V (it’s an affiliate link)
Latasha Jones says
Thanks for the recipe. The gravy went great with my turkey meatballs and brown rice. I would have taken a picture but I was so hungry and the food looked great. My daughters all loved the consistency and taste of the gravy. Now I know that the trick is sauteed butter. I also added some sauteed onions and garlic, worcestire sauce, onion powder and garlic powder. We like a lot of flavor in my house.
Nathalie says
Can I make it a day in advance and simply warm it up the day after?
Christina Hitchcock says
Yes! You may need to thin it with a little more stock, though.
Anna says
First time making gravy and I was nervous! My husbands family raved about it! They said I have to make it every year. This recipe was easy and very delicious!
Christina Hitchcock says
YAY!!!! I’m so glad everyone liked it!! 🙂
Norma says
I am so glad I found your gravy recipe Christina in time for my family’s Thanksgiving meal today. homemade gravy. I have to confess that I’ve never made any homemade gravy as it always seemed intimidating. I made it exactly as mentioned, even making your seasoning blend and poultry blend to add to the gravy. Wow, I was knocked over with how easy and delicious it turned out. My family loved it. I was able to use turkey drippings and scraped bits and the roux is exactly how I make mine for thickening sauces. A winner! Will be making this again.
Christina Hitchcock says
That is AWESOME!! I’m so glad you liked it! It’s my go-to gravy recipe! 🙂
Sarah says
Can you leave this in slow cooker for a potluck dinner?
Christina Hitchcock says
I don’t see why not.
Wilhelmina Wessel says
A good gravy recipe is essential for the holidays!
Julie says
That gravy looks perfectly smooth and delicious. It’s perfect timing for the crowd that I have coming on Thanksgiving too!
Carla Cardello says
I will be making this for Thanksgiving for sure! This looks great!
Tayler Ross says
Totally saving this for Thanksgiving! This looks great!