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This Turkey Gravy recipe is a must for Thanksgiving dinner. Made with rich, flavorful turkey drippings, it is delicious served over mashed potatoes, turkey, and stuffing. This is our Mom’s tried-and-true recipe and we’re excited to share her secrets with you!
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Mom’s Famous Turkey Gravy Recipe
If you know our Mom, you know she’s famous for her traditional Sunday dinners – every week alternation between roast beef and turkey. Growing up, it was like Thanksgiving every other week. Her turkey gravy is the dish everyone asks for. Until now, it was made to taste, but Mom generously shared her step-by-step method. This savory, creamy gravy is the perfect addition to mashed potatoes, turkey, stuffing, and our leftover Thanksgiving casserole. We know you’ll love it as much as we do!
Ingredients for Turkey Gravy
This easy Turkey Gravy recipe uses simple, everyday ingredients to create a rich and flavorful sauce. Here’s what you’ll need to make the best gravy for your Thanksgiving dinner.
- Turkey Drippings: The secret to flavorful gravy! Use the drippings from your roasted turkey. If you’re short on drippings, add turkey stock, chicken stock, or broth.
- Gravy Packet (optional): Often included with frozen turkeys. If yours didn’t come with one, a tablespoon of dry turkey or chicken gravy mix works as a substitute.
- Chicken Bouillon: Adds depth and richness to the gravy. We love Wyler’s chicken bouillon granules, but you can use cubes or your favorite brand.
- Freshly Ground Pepper: For a hint of spice and flavor.
- Milk: Whole milk creates a creamy texture. For thicker gravy, mix in some half and half or heavy cream.
- Cornstarch or Flour: The thickening agent to get the perfect consistency.
- Water: Used with the cornstarch to make a slurry for thickening.
- Salt: To taste. Use sparingly after all flavors have blended.
How to Make Turkey Gravy (Step-by-Step)
1. Prepare the Turkey Drippings
After roasting your turkey, transfer it to a cutting board. Keep the drippings in the roasting pan. Place the pan on medium heat and add water if the drippings are less than a cup. Whisk to loosen any caramelized bits – these are packed with flavor!
Important! Avoid placing an aluminum roasting pan directly on the stovetop. Instead, deglaze it with water and transfer the liquid to a large pot.
2. Strain the Drippings
Pour the liquid into a tempered glass measuring cup. Skim off the fat and strain out any turkey bits. Transfer the strained dripping to a saucepan.
3. Add Seasonings
Add the gravy packet (optional) to the drippings. Bring the liquid to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer. Whisk in the chicken bouillon and pepper. Slowly add the milk, stirring constantly for a creamy consistency.
4. Thicken the Gravy
Combine cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Gradually whisk it into the simmering gravy until you reach your desired thickness. Remember, the gravy will thicken further as it cools.
5. Taste and Adjust
Taste the gravy and adjust seasonings as needed. Add salt sparingly, the bouillon and gravy packet are salty.
6. Serve the Gravy
Keep the gravy warm until serving. Transfer it to a gravy boat or bowl with a ladle for easy serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Skip the gravy packet that comes with the turkey and use cornstarch instead of flour.
Enhance the flavor with chicken bouillon, fresh herbs, or a tablespoon or two from a dry turkey gravy seasoning packet.
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add milk if the gravy is too thick.
Absolutely! Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat to serve. Add milk to thin the consistency, if necessary.
We have a fool-proof, step-by-step guide for Making the Perfect Turkey. Our Thanksgiving turkey recipe is seasoned with fresh herbs and roasted to perfection.
More Delicious Gravy Recipes
No matter what you’re serving, there’s a scrumptious, savory gravy to go with it. For a step-by-step guide for making gravies and sauces, see our post on How to Make a Roux.
We Can’t Wait for You to Try This Recipe!
This Turkey Gravy is more than just a sauce – it’s a family tradition. We hope it brings the same warmth and love to your holiday table as it does to ours. Don’t forget to check out our complete Thanksgiving Dinner Guide for more delicious recipes and tips!
Turkey Gravy Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- ½ to 1 cup turkey drippings from cooked turkey
- 1 gravy packet (included with the frozen turkey or turkey breast)*
- 1 tablespoon Wyler’s chicken bouillon granules
- pepper to taste
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup water
- salt to taste
Instructions
- After roasting a turkey or turkey breast in the oven, remove the turkey and leave the drippings in the roasting pan. Place the pan on the largest stove top burner on medium heat. If there is less than one cup of liquid in the pan, add enough water to make about one cup. Whisk up any little browned bits that may have cooked to the roasting pan. This adds delicious flavor to the gravy. The heat from the stove helps loosen the browned bits on the sides of the pan. If you've used an aluminum pan to cook the turkey, don't place it on the stove after removing the turkey. Add water to the drippings to make one cup. Use a whisk or spoon to loosen the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Pour the liquid from the pan into a 2 cup or larger tempered glass measuring cup or glass bowl. The fat from the drippings will rise to the surface. Skim off the fat with a spoon. Pour the remaining liquid through a wire strainer into a medium-sized saucepan. This will remove any turkey bits or fat and make a smooth, creamy gravy.
- If a gravy packet was included with the turkey, add it to the saucepan (if you want a gluten free gravy, don't add the packet). Bring the liquid to a boil over medium-high heat, then simmer. Stir in the bouillon granules and pepper. Gradually whisk in the milk and bring back to a simmer. At this point, taste the gravy. Add more bouillon and pepper if needed for flavor. Do not add salt at this time.
- In a separate, small bowl, combine cornstarch and water. Stir until there are no lumps. It should be nice and smooth.
- Whisking the gravy constantly, slowly add cornstarch mixture a little at a time until the gravy is thickened to the consistency you desire.
- Make the gravy slightly thinner than what you prefer because it will thicken a little as it cools. Taste the gravy again. If needed, add a little salt for flavor.
- Pour into a gravy boat and serve.
Notes
*For Gluten Free Turkey Gravy
- Don’t use the turkey gravy packet that comes with the turkey or turkey breast.
- This recipe makes approximately 4 cups of gravy when using a gravy packet. If a gravy packet from the turkey is not used, this recipe makes approximately 3 cups.
I have never been a successful gravy maker, but this sounds incredibly easy and delicious!!! Thanks!!!
Kimberly Rice
This recipe sounds delicious! Nothing like home made gravy! I use my leftover gravy for open face sandwiches.
Absolutely AMAZING!!!!
I have been looking for a perfect gravy for perfect mashed potatoes and turkey and this sounds like it and so easy to make wish me luck this year
This mirrors the way I was taught to make gravy too except my mother used flour. Thank you for instructions so everyone can make perfect gravy! Because many people don’t use a recipe it seemed a mystery to many.
This is the best Gravy ever! Lots of flavor, the only recipe you need!
This is seriously the only way I do my gravy now. The addition of milk adds so much richness and flavor. You guys have totally changed the way I do my Thanksgiving dinner. I use your turkey recipe, your gravy recipe, your pistachio fruit salad recipe and your coconut cream pie recipe. Happy Thanksgiving!!
I needed a good gravy recipe because mine is always horrible! This may be it!
perfection!
Gravy is my favorite thanksgiving item. It goes with everything. And yours is the best!! This is a staple in our house.
5 Stars Same gravy I make! Handed down from my Polish Aunt Helen. So very tasty!
I’ve used this gravy recipe the last two thanksgivings and my family loves it! We have to make three times as much for my gravy loving family! Thank you, and your mom for this recipe!
Once you get the potatoes, meat complete, just pour that gravy on and everything is so lucious. You just want to put it in everything. Then you grab all your rolls and pickup every bit of that precious, delicious gravy. What a way to finish off a wonderful meal.
Good recipe, but I wouldn’t use the packet from the Turkey, some brands aren’t good
Sounds fabulous. Reminds me of my mother’s famous gravy that I was never able to match.
Great gravy recipe!!! It not only goes great with mashed potatoes. We also love it on top of our dressing.
I don’t always get that much drippings from the roasted turkey. Adding more chicken bouillon/ broth would fix that. And since I learned to make gravy from my Mother I follow her lead and use flour rather than cornstarch.
There can never be enough gravy!
This is the best gravy I have had yet,,Even my kids loved it,, Easy to make and so yummy
My family’s go-to gravy recipe!!
Great recipe