• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About Me & Contact
  • Cookbooks

2 Cookin Mamas logo

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Subscribe
  • Cookbooks
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Thanksgiving » Easy Turkey Gravy from Drippings

    Published: Nov 21, 2022 by Linda Warren

    Easy Turkey Gravy from Drippings

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Simmered with aromatic herbs, easy turkey gravy from drippings is an effortless way to make incredible gravy. You don't even need a recipe, but this recipe will never fail.

    This gravy turns out so rich and creamy and needs just three ingredients - turkey drippings, the right amount of flour, and a little water. It's the perfect topping for all your Thanksgiving favorites.

    Holding ladle with gravy over gravy boat.

    Table of Contents

    • Easy Turkey Gravy
    • Ingredients
    • Ingredient Notes
    • How to Make Turkey Giblet Stock
    • How to Make Turkey Gravy from Drippings
    • Recipe Tips
    • Gluten-Free Turkey Gravy
    • Make Ahead Turkey Gravy
    • How to Serve Turkey Gravy
    • How to Store and Reheat Turkey Gravy
    • All the Recipes You Need for a Stress-Free Thanksgiving

    Easy Turkey Gravy

    Every Thanksgiving table needs homemade turkey gravy! This recipe for turkey gravy from the drippings enhances everything from mashed potatoes to stuffing to juicy, tender turkey.

    This gravy from turkey drippings is a family recipe from my mom. She always made it seem like the easiest thing in the world to make, and, with a few tricks, it can be just as easy for you. One taste, and you'll agree that it's the best turkey gravy you've ever made.

    Mashed potatoes with gravy.

    After all, what is gravy but a sauce made from the juices of the meat and then thickened with flour or cornstarch to get the right texture? It's easier to make turkey gravy from scratch than you might think.

    This recipe starts out with the juice from our Thanksgiving turkey. The juices are easily captured when your turkey is cooked in an oven bag, then transferred to a saucepan after the turkey is finished cooking.

    Ingredients

    Gravy ingredients on white table.
    • Turkey Drippings
    • All-purpose Flour
    • Water
    • Giblet Stock (optional)
    • Cream or Milk (optional)

    Ingredient Notes

    If you want to make organic turkey gravy, use organic ingredients. Otherwise, this is a simple recipe made from ingredients that are easy to find.

    For dairy-free gravy, do not use cream or milk. For creamy dairy-free turkey gravy, use a non-dairy substitute. Almond milk is a good choice.

    How to Make Turkey Giblet Stock

    After cleaning the turkey and removing the giblet packets and neck from inside, place the giblets and neck into a small saucepan. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower heat, cover, and simmer for two hours.

    At this point, you can follow the directions for the gravy below, using the giblet stock as you would turkey drippings, or you can add it to turkey soup, turkey chili, or any dish calling for turkey or chicken stock.

    How to Make Turkey Gravy from Drippings

    Steps to make turkey gravy from drippings.
    1. Pour turkey drippings from roasting pan into a medium saucepan.
    2. Add enough water to flour to make a thin paste.
    3. Temper the flour paste with about ¼ cup of the turkey drippings. This raises the temperature of the flour paste so it will not form lumps when added to the hot turkey drippings.
    4. Whisk the paste into the remainder of the drippings in the saucepan.
    5. Bring it to a boil and stir often until it begins to thicken.
    6. Your gravy should have a nice body to it when it has done.
    Pouring gravy over mashed potatoes.

    That's it! See how easy it is! Now you've got a nice rich turkey gravy that's delicious poured on top of just about anything, think mashed potatoes and turkey dressing. No more worries of lumpy gravy. Believe me, they'll gobble it up as fast as they can! Enjoy!

    Recipe Tips

    • Use low sodium or unsalted turkey stock if there aren't enough pan drippings.
    • Remember to strain the pan drippings.
    • Whisk in some turkey stock if the gravy is too thick.
    • Whisk in a cornstarch slurry if the gravy isn't thickening with flour. Make the slurry with 2 parts cold water and 1 part cornstarch.

    Gluten-Free Turkey Gravy

    You can make gluten-free gravy with cornstarch instead of flour.

    1. Make a cornstarch slurry with 2 parts cold water and 1 part cornstarch. Note the water must be cold. Mix it until it is smooth.
    2. Slowly pour a little of the cornstarch slurry into the pan with the drippings, whisking while pouring.
    3. Add a little more of the slurry if the gravy is too thin.

    Make Ahead Turkey Gravy

    You can use turkey stock or broth to make turkey gravy in advance. It will not have the same deep rich flavor as it would with being made from drippings.

    Use 4 cups of turkey stock (or broth) to make the gravy.

    Place the gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat it in a saucepan over low heat.

    How to Serve Turkey Gravy

    A classic turkey gravy boat and ladle is the best way to serve the gravy. You can also serve it in a small pitcher.

    How to Store and Reheat Turkey Gravy

    Leftover gravy should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    Reheat gravy in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently until it is warmed.

    Can you freeze turkey gravy?

    Yes. Freeze leftover turkey gravy in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight.

    All the Recipes You Need for a Stress-Free Thanksgiving

    • Thanksgiving Day Planner
    • Easy Thanksgiving Turkey in a Bag
    • Classic Turkey Dressing aka Stuffing
    • How to Make Perfect Mashed Potatoes
    • Traditional Green Bean Casserole
    • Super Popular Sweet Potato Casserole
    • Homemade Cranberry Orange Relish
    • Easy Pumpkin Pie
    • Thanksgiving Wine Pairings

    LOVE QUICK & EASY RECIPES? FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, & PINTEREST FOR ALL THE LATEST RECIPE INSPIRATION! PLUS JOIN MY EMAIL LIST AND RECEIVE A FREE E-BOOK. 

    Pouring gravy over mashed potatoes.

    Turkey Gravy From Drippings

    This easy turkey gravy is rich and creamy and so simple to make. Just turkey drippings and flour will make this the perfect topping for your holiday sides.
    No ratings yet
    Print Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 12 servings
    Calories: 24kcal
    Author: Linda Warren

    Ingredients

    • Turkey drippings from a 16-20 lb turkey
    • Giblet stock (optional)
    • ¼ cup All-purpose flour (use cornstarch for gluten-free version)
    • water (cream or milk can be substituted)

    Instructions

    • Strain the turkey drippings into a medium saucepan. 
    • In a measuring cup, mix ¼ cup flour and just enough water to make a thin paste.
    • Add ¼ cup turkey drippings into this paste to temper (bringing the temperature up so that when added to hot liquid it will not form lumps).
    • Once it is smooth and well mixed, whisk it into the remainder of the turkey drippings in the saucepan. Keep the heat at medium and continue whisking until the mixture starts to thicken.
    • At this point, if the gravy is the consistency you want, just pour it into your gravy boat and serve.
    • If you would like it a bit thinner or creamier, you can add some of the giblet stock (if you cooked them from the turkey) and, as an option, a little cream or milk.

    Notes

    STORE/REHEAT/FREEZE
    STORE: Leftover gravy should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
    REHEAT: Reheat gravy in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently until it is warmed.
    FREEZE: Freeze leftover turkey gravy in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 24kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.5g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 56mg | Potassium: 44mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.2mg

    This post has been updated with new photos, step-by-step directions, and more useful information. It was first published on November 8, 2013.

    More Thanksgiving

    • Turkey Enchilada Casserole
    • Gluten-Free Quinoa Stuffing
    • Leftover Turkey Chili
    • How to Cook a Turkey in a Bag

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hey, I’m Linda, the recipe creator, photographer and cocktail lover at 2 Cookin Mamas. Here you’ll find easy recipes that are not only delicious but can get you out of the kitchen ASAP. Come and join me and let me take you on a tasty trip through your kitchen. Thanks for stopping by! Learn more about me

    Trending Recipes

    • Best Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches
    • Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
    • Air Fryer Fish Sticks
    • Coffee Lovers Smoothie - A Great Way to Start Your Day

    Seasonal Favorites

    • Old Fashioned Vegetable Beef Soup
    • Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe
    • Kahlua Hot Chocolate + Hot Chocolate Bar
    • Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
    As featured in list.

    Stay Updated!

    Subscribe and receive your free "AWESOME APPETIZERS FOR EVERY OCCASION" e-book.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter & Media

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Cookbooks

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Services
    • Sitemap

    Copyright © 2017 2CookinMamas