Turkey Gravy

Make Thanksgiving easier with this make-ahead Southern Turkey Gravy recipe. You can prepare this rich gravy up to two days in advance, then reheat and thin using the pan drippings from the turkey just before serving. Simple and delicious!

Ingredients to Make Homemade Turkey Gravy Recipe

Aside from baking the turkey, gravy tends to be one of the side dishes that people fret about “messing up” for the big day. I think it’s partly due to the fact that, it’s typically made just before serving the entire Thanksgiving meal. The worry about it being lumpy, or not turning out just right, is a real concern when the kitchen is bustling with activity and so many other dishes need your attention, too.

Easy recipes like this make-ahead turkey gravy, are key during the busy holiday season, since it can be prepared in advance with the bonus of one less thing to worry about. This rich gravy has a great flavor, even though it’s made without turkey drippings, and can be enjoyed anytime gravy is on the menu.

Checkout this quick list of ingredients you’ll need to have on hand to make this Southern Turkey Gravy: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe card.)

• Flour – All purpose flour to thicken the gravy.
• Stock – You can use turkey stock or chicken stock for moisture.
• Seasonings – Salt and black pepper plus poultry seasoning to amp up the flavor.
• Fresh Herbs – Fresh thyme adds a freshness to the flavor.
• Browning Sauce – Kitchen Bouquet adds depth of flavor and color to the gravy.

How to Make the Best Make Ahead Turkey Gravy Recipe

• Make the Flour Mixture – Whisk together turkey stock with half of the all purpose flour until flour is dissolved. This is added to thicken the gravy.
• Melt Butter and Make Roux – Melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add reserved flour. Whisk together until butter has absorbed the flour. Cook for 1 minute.
• Add Turkey Stock – Whisking constantly, add the turkey stock gradually until fully blended.
• Add the Thickener – Whisk in the turkey stock-flour mixture in a steady stream.
• Season the Gravy – Add salt, pepper, 1/2-1 teaspoon of poultry seasoning and browning sauce.
• Simmer to Thicken – Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally.
• Fresh Herbs – Add fresh thyme. Stir well.
• Transfer to a gravy boat and serve warm drizzled over turkey, mashed potatoes and cornbread dressing, or chill until serving.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Southern Turkey Gravy Recipe

• One heavy bottomed saucepan, large skillet or pot.
• Measuring cups and spoons.
• Large whisk for for combining the stock
• Large spoon for stirring.
• Small bowl to make the turkey stock-flour mixture used for thickening the gravy.

Recipe Variations, Tricks, Tips and Substitutions

• Kitchen Bouquet Browning Sauce – Kitchen Bouquet is a brand that has been around for eons, it’s tried and true. It will lend a beautiful color plus enhance the flavor of the turkey gravy. It’s important for this recipe since we’re beginning without drippings, don’t skip it.
• Stock – If you’re unable to find turkey stock at your local market, no worries you can use chicken stock instead. Stock is more flavorful than plain broth and will give a more full bodied flavor to the gravy. If you’d like to go the extra mile and make your own, checkout this recipe for Homemade Turkey Stock from Taste of Home.
• Brown the Butter – When melting the butter, I like to let it brown ever so slightly to bring out the nutty flavor of the milk solids to add depth of flavor. Be careful when doing this, and give it your full attention so the butter doesn’t burn.
• Flour – I have found that dividing the flour in this recipe helps prevent clumps, hence the reason it’s added separately. Half is used for the thickening mixture and half is used to make the roux.
• Giblet Gravy – When reheating on the big day, you can add the giblets, fully cooked liver, boiled eggs or a small amount of chopped turkey to the gravy prior to serving. Customize the flavor to make it your own perfect gravy.
• Homemade Stock – If you’re one to make your own stock, I highly recommend seasoning it with carrots, onion and celery for optimum flavor. Stock is not only terrific for making this gravy, but you can also use it for soups, stews and casseroles. You’ll need 4 cups of liquid for this gravy recipe.
• How Do You Get Lumps Out of Gravy? The best thing to do is press the gravy through a fine mesh sieve to remove the lumps. You may have to repeat the process a couple of times until its smooth.
• Fresh Herbs – You could change the flavor profile to align with the seasonings you’re using to season your turkey. Common aromatics like sage, parsley, rosemary and thyme will all work well.

Storage and Leftovers

• Make-Ahead Tip – You can make this Turkey Gravy up to 2 days in advance and keep in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator.
• Reheating – It’s normal for homemade gravy to congeal and solidify a bit when chilled making it necessary to add additional liquid when reheating. Use additional turkey stock or chicken stock. If you want a cream gravy, use heavy cream.
• Reheating Using Turkey Drippings – You can add pan drippings from the turkey 1 tablespoon at a time on Thanksgiving Day until your desired consistency is reached. You can also use additional turkey stock or chicken stock when reheating, whisking until smooth.
• Freezer – You can freeze gravy as well. Cool completely then transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze. Store frozen for up to 2 months, then thaw in the fridge and reheat just before serving.

More Thanksgiving Recipes to Make

Thanksgiving Day isn’t about gifts for our family, it’s about chatter and mountains of great food. And, giving thanks, of course. Don’t stay in the kitchen this year, make as many dishes as you can in advance then sit back and make some memories of your own.

• To make a juicy turkey this year, see my recipe for Oven Roasted Turkey.
• We typically enjoy our meal mid-afternoon which gives ample time to enjoy appetizers like my Fully Loaded Hot Pimiento Cheese Dip and Praline Pecan Brie en Croute before the meal
• Always try to save room for a piece of Pumpkin Snack Cake later in the day.
• Other desserts you may find on our table is a freshly baked Pumpkin Cream Pie and Million Dollar Pound Cake .
• Transform leftovers into this delicious Turkey Cranberry Crescent Ring. 
• Use this gravy to drizzle over individual Turkey Meatloaf Muffins. 

 

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Saucepan
• Measuring Set
• Whisks
• Gravy Boat