You won’t waste any food if you learn how to freeze gravy with this complete guide and simple kitchen tips.
Do you ever wonder if it’s okay to freeze gravy? “How to freeze gravy?” is a question that loads of people ask every day.
People often ask this question after the holidays, when they don’t know what to do with all the roasted meats, casseroles, and, of course, turkey gravy they have left over. The good news is that you can freeze gravy for later use.
Even though gravy tastes great and goes with many foods, sometimes you have too much to use all at once. It’s great to always have homemade gravy on hand, but you need to make sure you freeze it the right way to keep the quality and flavor.
Let’s talk about what gravy is first, then we’ll talk about the best ways to freeze it.
When you thicken the juices, pan drippings, and fat that come from cooking meat, you get gravy. Usually, the extra fat is poured off, and the juices are mixed with flour, butter, or fat, as well as a liquid like broth, milk, or wine. The mixture is then simmered and stirred until it thickens into a sauce-like consistency full of rich flavor.
This kind of gravy is made from roasted or fried meats like beef, chicken, and turkey. For extra flavor, the juices and drippings can be simmered with mushrooms and onions. Then, wheat flour or corn starch is added to thicken the sauce. This type of gravy can be made into a homemade beef gravy, Thanksgiving turkey gravy, or chicken gravy.
White gravy is just a sauce that has been thickened by adding butter drippings, flour, milk, and spices like salt and black pepper. Its often called “cream gravy” and is sometimes described as being a milk-based gravy or cream-based gravy. Its usually served at breakfast over homemade biscuits, or at dinnertime over mashed potatoes and chicken fried steak.
A rich and savory turkey gravy can really tie your holiday meal together. But with all the delicious food at Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner you’re bound to have gravy left over. So what’s the best way to save that leftover gravy – can you freeze turkey gravy?
The good news is yes you can safely freeze leftover turkey gravy for future use. When properly stored in the freezer gravy will retain its flavor and creaminess once thawed and reheated.
In this article, I’ll go over everything you need to know about freezing turkey gravy. You’ll learn proper storage methods, timelines, tips for thawing and reheating, and even creative ways to use up frozen gravy.
Should You Refrigerate or Freeze Leftover Gravy?
Freshly made gravy can be refrigerated for 3-4 days before use. To store, transfer gravy into shallow containers and allow it to fully cool before covering and chilling in the fridge.
For longer term storage of more than 4 days, the freezer is best. Correctly frozen gravy maintains quality for 4-6 months. Freezing is great if you made a large batch but won’t use it all soon. It also allows you to save gravy for recipes later like turkey pot pies or turkey noodle soup.
How to Prepare Gravy for the Freezer
Follow these steps to correctly freeze leftover turkey gravy:
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Let the gravy fully cool after cooking. Don’t freeze piping hot gravy.
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Transfer to shallow freezer-safe containers, leaving 1/2 inch headspace at the top.
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You can also freeze in Ziploc freezer bags laid flat in single layers.
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Make sure the gravy is completely covered and sealed to prevent freezer burn.
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Label bags or containers with contents and freeze date.
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Refrigerate gravy first for 1-2 hours before freezing for faster cooling.
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Ensure no ice crystals start forming before freezing by thoroughly chilling.
Freezer Storage Timeline
For best quality, use your frozen turkey gravy within:
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2-3 months for thin or pan gravies
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4-6 months for thicker gravies like giblet gravy
The gravy will still be safely edible past these timeframes but may suffer more in texture and flavor. Portioning into smaller containers allows quicker thawing and using.
Thawing Frozen Turkey Gravy
Use these methods to gently thaw frozen gravy and get the best results:
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Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
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In a bowl of cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes.
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On the counter for 1-2 hours maximum.
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In the microwave using the defrost setting and stopping to stir frequently.
Avoid leaving gravy to thaw at room temp for too long, as bacteria can multiply rapidly. Only thaw the amount you’ll use within 2 days and keep the rest frozen.
Reheating Thawed Turkey Gravy
Reheat thawed turkey gravy gently to prevent curdling:
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On the stovetop over low heat, stirring regularly.
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In the microwave in 30 second bursts, stirring between.
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In a double boiler or bain-marie.
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Stir in a splash of milk or cream if gravy is too thick after reheating.
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Bring just to a simmer – don’t let it boil when reheating for the best texture.
Tips for Storing and Reheating
Follow these tips for safely storing and reheating leftover turkey gravy:
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Let gravy cool completely, about 1-2 hours, before refrigerating or freezing.
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Portion gravy into small, shallow containers or bags before freezing.
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Use frozen gravy within 2-6 months for ideal quality.
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Always thaw slowly in the fridge or with cold water, never at room temperature.
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Reheat over low heat, stirring regularly, just until steaming.
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Don’t refreeze thawed gravy. Use within 2 days.
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Discard any gravy that smells or looks off when thawed.
Creative Ways to Use Leftover Frozen Gravy
Don’t throw extra gravy out! Try these yummy ways to use up frozen gravy:
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Make turkey pot pies with turkey, veggies, and gravy.
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Stir into risotto along with shredded turkey, peas, and carrots.
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Use as the base for turkey noodle soup.
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Mix with cream cheese or ricotta for a turkey spread.
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Create cocktail recipes like bourbon turkey nog or gravy greyhounds.
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Drizzle over baked potatoes, mashed cauliflower, or roasted veggies.
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Make gravy dipping sauce for chicken tenders, fries, or tater tots.
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Use as sauce for turkey sandwiches, French dip, or turkey wraps.
With the right freezing and storage methods, you can enjoy every last drop of your Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey gravy for months on end. Get creative with recipes to use up all that tasty thawed frozen gravy.
Common Questions about Freezing Turkey Gravy
How long does turkey gravy last in the freezer?
Properly frozen turkey gravy will maintain best quality for 2-6 months in the freezer before losing flavor and texture. Thinner gravies may last 2-3 months while thicker gravies can go for 4-6 months frozen.
Can you freeze turkey gravy with milk in it?
It’s best not to freeze gravy made with milk, cream, or other dairy ingredients. Dairy products tend to separate or curdle when frozen and thawed. Stick to freezing flour or broth-based turkey gravies.
What is the best way to thaw frozen turkey gravy?
Thaw frozen gravy slowly in the refrigerator overnight. You can also thaw in cold water, changing it out every 30 minutes. Avoid thawing at room temperature.
Is it safe to re-freeze thawed turkey gravy?
It’s best not to refreeze thawed turkey gravy. Refreezing can allow bacteria to multiply to unsafe levels. Only thaw the amount you plan to use within 2 days.
How do you fix lumpy gravy after freezing?
Add a splash of milk or broth and whisk vigorously as you gently reheat the gravy to smooth out any lumps. Taking care not to let it boil will also help keep the gravy lump-free.
With some simple preparation before freezing and gentle reheating, leftover turkey gravy can retain its flavor and creaminess for months when frozen. Follow these tips to freeze, thaw and reheat gravy safely.
Step-by-step guide to freeze homemade gravy
Step 1: Cool the gravy completely: Before freezing, make sure your leftover gravy is completely cool. Leaving it at room temperature can cause bacterial growth, which can make the gravy unsafe to eat. After about an hour of cooling on the counter, put the gravy in the fridge to cool all the way down. This will take a few hours, or overnight, depending on the quantity of gravy.
Step 2: Chop up the gravy. Once the gravy is cool, you should chop it up into smaller pieces. This will make it easier to thaw and reheat later on. You can use containers that can go in the freezer or freezer bags like Ziploc bags. Just make sure there is some space at the top so the food can expand when it freezes.
Step 3: Write the date and food item on the containers. You should write the date and food item on the gravy containers so you know what’s inside and when it was made. This will help you remember what needs to be used up first and keep you from having any gravy in the freezer that you can’t remember where it came from.
Step 4: Freeze the gravy. Put the gravy containers in the freezer, making sure they are flat and stable. To save space in the freezer, freeze freezer bags flat on a baking sheet before putting them on top of each other.
How to thaw and reheat the gravy
To thaw the gravy, just move the container from the freezer to the fridge and leave it there overnight. The gravy can be heated up in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring every now and then, once it has thawed. You can add a little water or broth to the gravy if it’s too thick.
If your gravy contains dairy, we recommend against the freezing process for storage. This is because milk separates when it freezes and thaws, which can make your homemade gravy taste bad. If you have to freeze your cream gravy, do it in smaller amounts and for no more than a week. Also, know what could happen.
If frozen properly, gravy can last up the 3 to 4 months in the freezer.
The USDA recommends storing gravy in the refrigerator for 3 or 4 days.
Gravy that is slimy, moldy, discolored or has a bad smell should be tossed and not eaten
You can avoid throwing away gravy by freezing it. This way, you’ll always have some on hand for your next meal. By following these tips, you can ensure your frozen gravy maintains its quality and flavor.