This easy turkey gravy without drippings recipe is a classic flavorful gravy. It works whether or not you have pan drippings from a roasted turkey. It is truly better than anything that you can buy in the store and it really is so easy.
Cut the fat but have all the flavor with this easy gravy.
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This turkey gravy without drippings is a homemade gravy recipe that works because you start with a roux and then build in flavor from turkey stock. In fact, you can use this same recipe for making chicken gravy too. It’s that versatile, packed with flavor and velvety smooth! No need for turkey drippings.
Learn how to make gravy ahead of time. Therefore, you get ahead of difficult preparations.
If you’re looking for more gravy recipes, try these Homemade Country Gravy with Sausage, Crock Pot Pork Chops and Gravy and Easy Brown Gravy.
Why We Love This Gravy without Drippings Recipe
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.
- 15 Minute Recipe: It takes only a few minutes to have the perfect gravy with this easy recipe. Great for a whole turkey, or you have no dripping to make the recipe.
- Easy Ingredients: Only 5 easy ingredients and you do not even need pan drippings!
- Family Love this Recipe: This is a real crowd pleaser make extra for on top of creamy mashed potatoes. Make this gravy for hot sandwiches too.
- This Easy Gravy Recipe is Great for Leftovers: You need to make extra for leftovers!!
Ingredient Notes to Make this Recipe for Turkey Gravy without Drippings
- Unsalted Butter: This is best so you can control the salt in the gravy.
- All Purpose Flour: A wonderful thickening agent.
- Turkey Stock: Any good quality stock, chicken broth or stock will work well too. Stock or broth is what ads the moisture.
- House Seasoning Blend (with salt and pepper, onion powder and garlic powder)
- Poultry Seasoning Blend (includes rosemary, dried thyme and sage): All the aromatics.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions for the Best Gravy
You can make this turkey gravy recipe with many additions and substitutions to make a gravy your whole family enjoys.
- Floury taste? Maintain a rapid simmer for several minutes, to cook out the flour taste and then add more stock, the fat separator should eliminate this problem.
- >Greasy? This, again, can be eliminated with a fat separator, or straining the grease from the top as much as possible before making the gravy if you do not have one.
- Too Salty? Using unsalted butter and low sodium stock should ensure that your gravy is not too salty, however, if it is still too salty, try adding more liquid such as water or milk or alternatively, acid such as lemon juice or vinegar can help.
How to Make Turkey Gravy without Drippings
Make delicious gravy without drippings that you can make it ahead and make an easy gravy for your thanksgiving table.
These are the basic steps for making the recipe for turkey gravy. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
STEP 1: Make a Roux
First, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat and next, whisk in flour until a paste or slurry forms, continue for one minute.
STEP 2: Whisk
Second, slowly whisk in turkey stock and/or turkey broth and then stir in House Seasoning Blend and Poultry Seasoning Blend.
STEP 3: Finish
Finally, simmer the mixture over medium heat until gravy thickens to desired consistency. Season with the fresh herbs of your choosing
Recipe FAQs to Make Gravy without Drippings
Expert Tips for Making This Easy Homemade Gravy Recipe/Make Gravy Ahead of Time
- Double: This is a great recipe for a crowd or for leftovers, there is nothing sadder than not having enough gravy for leftovers, like hot open faced sandwiches, extra stuffing and mashed potatoes.
- Giblets: Cook and finely mince the turkey giblets (including the turkey neck and add them to the gravy.
- Wine: Feel free to substitute some of the stock with a dry white wine.
- Variation tip: Finish with a little fresh herbs, like parsley, on top to bring brightness or chopped hard boiled eggs (It is a tradition in some homes).
What to Serve with Turkey Gravy without Drippings
- Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams
- Easy Turkey Pot Pie
- Creamy Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
- Substitute for Poultry Seasoning
- Giblet and Turkey Neck Gravy
Turkey Gravy without Drippings
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups turkey stock
- ½ teaspoon House Seasoning Blend
- ¼ 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.
Expert Tips
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: This is a great recipe for a crowd or for leftovers, there is nothing sadder than not having enough gravy for leftovers, like hot open faced sandwiches.
- Giblets: Cook and finely mince the turkey giblets and add them to the gravy.
- Wine: Feel free to substitute some of the stock with a dry white wine.
- Variation tip: Finish with a little fresh herbs on top to bring brightness or chopped hard boiled eggs (It is a tradition in some homes).
Hi, can I use turkey broth instead of turkey stock? I cannot find turkey stock. Thank you.
Yes of course.
Can cornstarch be used instead of flour?
Absolutely.
This is the perfect gravy over mashed potatoes any time of year.
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It’s really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!
I love that this came together in 15 minutes! It was a great flavor too- not too potent but light.
Love a good homemade turkey gravy, the storebought version just cannot compare. This one was delicious and so smooth!
Very Good,simple but delicious.Luv all y’all’s recipes.Thank you .Happy Thanksgiving.
What is house seasoning blend?
It is a blend of spices that I use for seasoning. If you click on the link it will give you the recipe. However, you can use any blend that you and your family enjoys.
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!
Thank you for your feedback! This is a great recipe I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Absolutely my favourite gravy, so delicious. Thank you.
This gravy recipe is a keeper for sure! Best I’ve ever made!
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it!
GREAT GRAVY! I LOVE THE GRAVY SEPARATOR. IVE NEVER SEEN ONE LIKE THAT. COULD YOU TELL ME WHERE YOU PURCHASED IT? THANK YOU.
Glad you liked it! YOu can get the fat separator here: https://amzn.to/3bWZE9V (it’s an affiliate link)
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.
Can I make it a day in advance and simply warm it up the day after?
Yes! You may need to thin it with a little more stock, though.
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!
YAY!!!! I’m so glad everyone liked it!! 🙂
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.
That is AWESOME!! I’m so glad you liked it! It’s my go-to gravy recipe! 🙂
Can you leave this in slow cooker for a potluck dinner?
I don’t see why not.
A good gravy recipe is essential for the holidays!
That gravy looks perfectly smooth and delicious. It’s perfect timing for the crowd that I have coming on Thanksgiving too!
I will be making this for Thanksgiving for sure! This looks great!
Totally saving this for Thanksgiving! This looks great!