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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.
This is one of my favorite recipe, its very nutritious, easy to prepare and very delicious. It the best Christmas recipe.
I haven’t tried this recipe, but I give it 5 stars for how easy it looks to make.
This gravy sounds almost like the one I make only I use water instead of milk. This Thanksgiving I will try the milk.
Thank you for the easy-to follow recipes! I can’t wait to try this one out next week.
Easy to make with lots of flavor.
This is how my mom made it many years ago & I followed suit. I especially like the fact that you separate the gravy from the fat & strain it. Old school & the best! Great gravy!!!! Lol!
My family loves this gravy! This is a delicious recipe that is on our table every holiday.
This sounds like a delicious turkey gravy recipe. I am definitely going to make it for Thanksgiving.
5 Stars. Full of flavour, light & delicious.
Easy peesy, I put cold water and cornstarch in a small 1/2 pint Mason jar and shake until smooth. Reserving leftover slurry in refrigerator, for stir-fry recipes
Love this gravy recipe!! So rich, creamy, delicious. Had a turkey dinner for out of town guests and now will be making this gravy for Thanksgiving.
Very tasty and creamy.
The gravy is the cherry on top!
I love good turkey gravy! This sounds like a really good one. I will be using it. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
After discovering this recipe as a subscriber a few years ago this quickly became my go-to gravy. Deep, flavorful gravy delicious on yummy sides like mashed potatoes or drizzled over a hot turkey sandwich (my personal fave!). Such a simple recipe it really is a no-fail way to make gravy every single time. Never disappoints!
It’s no meal without the gravy. With good gravy bread can become the main course.
Very good recipe can’t wait to try
My wife makes her own but she likes this recipe just as well
This sounds delicious, I have never added milk to my gravy, I will have to give this a try this year. Anxious now for Thanksgiving so I can try.
Very yummy perfect gravy for Thanksgiving!!