As the holidays roll around, many of us look forward to cooking and eating that perfect roasted turkey But after spending hours preparing your bird, it may seem wasteful when all those flavorful turkey juices and drippings are left behind in the pan.
Well I have good news! You can actually save turkey drippings and use them to add a boost of savory flavor to a variety of dishes. When stored properly these leftover turkey juices are liquid gold that experienced cooks use to elevate soups, gravies, sauces, and more.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll explain everything you need to know about saving and repurposing turkey drippings after the big meal
Why You Should Save Turkey Drippings
Turkey drippings (also called pan juices) refer to the delicious liquid that accumulates at the bottom of the roasting pan as your turkey cooks. This flavorful liquid forms from the natural juices of the turkey mixing with any oils, herbs or rubs used to prepare it.
As the turkey cooks, collagen and fat melt into the drippings, resulting in a rich, concentrated sauce that captures the essence of the roasted meat. Saving these drippings allows you to get the most value from your holiday turkey. Just a few tablespoons can impart big turkey flavor to other dishes, without needing to use up more of the precious cooked meat.
How to Save Drippings After Roasting Your Bird
Follow these simple steps for saving turkey drippings after roasting:
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Once the turkey is finished cooking, transfer it to a cutting board or platter to rest. Leave the drippings behind in the roasting pan.
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To loosen the browned bits stuck to the pan, add 1-2 cups of water or chicken/turkey broth. Bring to a boil on the stovetop then simmer while scraping up bits with a wooden spoon.
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Let the liquid cool slightly, then carefully strain it through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth to remove any solids.
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Transfer the strained drippings to airtight containers like mason jars or freezer bags. Refrigerate within 2 hours.
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Once drippings solidify, scoop the fat layer off the top to store separately or discard.
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Use drippings within 3-4 days, or freeze for longer storage. Frozen, they’ll keep for 4-6 months.
Tips for Preparing Turkey Drippings
Follow these tips to get the most out of your saved drippings:
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Chill drippings quickly in shallow containers before refrigerating for faster cooling.
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Skim excess fat from the top before using. Too much fat can make sauces greasy.
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Simmer drippings before use to concentrate flavor and kill bacteria. Adding herbs, wine or lemon boosts flavor.
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Dilute strong drippings with broth, milk or water to taste. Start with small amounts and adjust as needed.
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Freeze drippings in ice cube trays or small containers for easy use. Thaw only what you need.
Creative Ways to Use Turkey Drippings
With their concentrated meaty flavor, a little bit of turkey drippings can do wonders for all kinds of dishes. Here are some delicious ways to repurpose those leftover turkey juices:
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Turkey Gravy – The classic use for drippings. Make a roux with butter and flour, then whisk in drippings. Simmer until thickened.
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Turkey Soup – Sauté aromatics like onion, celery and carrot. Add broth, drippings, turkey meat and veggies. Season and simmer.
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Turkey Pot Pie – Use drippings to make a creamy sauce. Combine with turkey meat, vegetables and top with biscuit dough.
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Stuffing – For extra moistness and flavor, substitute some turkey drippings for the liquid when preparing stuffing.
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Pan Sauce – Deglaze the turkey roasting pan with wine or broth. Add drippings and simmer to make an easy sauce for the meat.
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Risotto – Stir a spoonful of drippings into risotto once cooked for extra richness.
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Mashed Potatoes – Mix a few tablespoons of drippings into mashed potatoes instead of butter or milk for savory flavor.
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Turkey Hash – Sauté diced turkey, potatoes, peppers and onions in drippings for a delicious hash.
Answers to Common Turkey Drippings Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about saving and using turkey drippings:
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How long do drippings last in the fridge? Properly stored in airtight containers, they’ll last 3-4 days refrigerated. Discard if they smell sour or rancid.
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Can you freeze drippings? Yes, freeze for long-term storage. They’ll keep for 4-6 months frozen. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
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What’s the best way to separate fat from drippings? Refrigerating allows the fat to solidify on top for easy removal. Chilling in shallow containers speeds up the process.
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Can you use drippings after leaving them out overnight? It’s not recommended. For food safety, always refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Reheat drippings to a simmer before using.
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Do you need to strain drippings before use? Straining through a mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth will remove solids, but small bits of herbs and spices are fine to leave in.
Get the Most From Your Turkey with Drippings
With proper storage and preparation, turkey drippings are liquid gold – a secret weapon for experienced cooks. Just a small amount can lend concentrated flavor, moisture and richness to gravies, soups, sauces and more!
Follow these tips to save those flavorful turkey juices and drippings after roasting your holiday bird or anytime. You’ll get the most value from your turkey and elevate leftovers with these simple tricks.
Things You’ll Need
- Wooden spoon
- Roasting pan
- Fine mesh strainer
- Bowl
- Airtight storage container
- Saucepan
- Whisk
Turkey Gravy
- Pan drippings from a 12 to 14 lb (5.4 to 6.4 kg) roasted turkey
- 1 to 1 1⁄2 cups (240 to 350 ml) of low-sodium broth or water, divided
- Vegetable oil or butter, as needed
- 1/4 cup (30 g) of all-purpose flour
- Salt and ground pepper to taste
Makes about 2 cups (470 ml) of gravy
Unleash Flavorful Magic Transform Turkey Drippings into Heavenly Gravy
FAQ
How do you save turkey drippings?
U can use the fat in your cooking for the next few days. Just substitute fats with it where it makes sense. Turkey fried rice, roast potatoes, roasted veges etc. You can also freeze the fat in an ice cube tray if you want pre portioned amounts to use for months.
How long can turkey drippings be kept in the fridge?
Officially, considering food safety guidelines, I should really say that you could keep it in a sealed container in the fridge for about a week.
How to use leftover turkey drippings?
Can turkey drippings be used for soup? Yes! If you have any leftover turkey drippings, add them to your leftover turkey soup as well. Add them together with the turkey carcass. They will add loads of flavor!
Can you save meat drippings?
These “leftover” juices and oils contain major savory flavoring power and can be used just like butter and vegetable oil to sauté a side of leafy greens or add that extra-crisp texture to roasted spuds.
Can you save a dry Turkey?
Whether we take the foil off too soon, we don’t baste it enough while in the oven, or we leave it in the oven too long, there is the occasional tragedy of turning out a dry bird. And no one likes a dry turkey. But there are a few tricks that can still save your Thanksgiving turkey, so there is no need for panic just yet.
What are the health benefits of ground turkey?
Ground turkey has multiple benefits. It is a good source of minerals, and B vitamins, rich in proteins, low in fat and it is lower in calories than common turkey.
Can Turkey drippings be frozen?
Turkey drippings can be frozen for up to six months. Strain the drippings in the pan through a fine mesh strainer, discarding the solids. Remove the fat using the method described below. Store the drippings in freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
Should you repurpose animal drippings?
If you’ve ever enjoyed turkey gravy, you know the benefits of repurposing animal drippings — but let’s start thinking beyond Thanksgiving. Any time you roast poultry, brown meat, or pan-fry bacon, have a secondary dish (or two) in mind that would benefit from the resulting juices and oils.