Description
This homemade Turkey Gravy is rich, savory, smooth, and full of roasted turkey flavor. Made with turkey drippings, flour, and a few simple ingredients, it comes together in just 12 minutes. Serve it over roast turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, or your favorite holiday sides for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free 1:1 flour)
- 3 tablespoons fat drippings from roasted turkey
- 2 cups turkey drippings, skimmed of fat (add broth or water if needed)
- ¼ cup milk, stock, or water, plus more if needed
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Transfer the roasted turkey to a resting board. Pour the drippings from the roasting pan through a fine-mesh sieve into a large measuring cup.
- Let the drippings sit for about a minute so the fat rises to the top and the broth settles underneath.
- Skim off 3 tablespoons of fat and place it in a medium saucepan. If you do not have enough fat, add butter to make up the difference.
- Remove and discard the remaining excess fat. Measure 2 cups of the remaining turkey juices, adding broth or water if necessary.
- Heat the fat in the saucepan over medium heat until it begins to sizzle.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture turns light golden brown.
- Gradually pour in the turkey drippings while whisking continuously to prevent lumps.
- Bring the gravy to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Add ¼ cup milk, stock, or water, adjusting the amount until the gravy reaches your preferred consistency.
- Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed.
- Remove from the heat, cover, and keep warm until serving. Transfer to a gravy boat and serve hot.
Notes
- Serve warm: Pour over roast turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, biscuits, or roasted vegetables.
- Keep it smooth: Whisk continuously as you add the drippings to prevent lumps from forming.
- Adjust the thickness: Add warm broth a little at a time if the gravy becomes too thick.
- Make ahead: Prepare the gravy up to 2 days in advance using turkey stock instead of fresh drippings, then reheat with additional broth as needed.
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
- Freeze: Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months for best quality.
- Reheat gently: Warm in a saucepan over low to medium-low heat, whisking frequently. Add a splash of broth or water to restore the consistency.
- Avoid overheating: Boiling the gravy vigorously during reheating may affect its smooth texture.
- Food safety: Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking.