Making gravy from turkey drippings is one of the best ways to use up the tasty browned bits leftover from roasting a turkey This flavorful gravy is the perfect accompaniment to your Thanksgiving turkey or any roasted bird. With just a few simple ingredients like flour, broth and seasonings, you can transform drippings into a rich, savory gravy in minutes.
What Are Turkey Drippings?
Drippings are all the delicious juices and fats that run off the turkey as it cooks. This liquid collects in the bottom of the roasting pan along with all those tasty browned bits called fond. Fond forms when the turkey’s natural juices, fats, and seasoning components stick to the bottom of the pan then caramelize from the heat. Both the drippings and fond add tremendous turkey flavor and richness to homemade gravy.
Why Make Gravy with Drippings?
Using the drippings to make gravy allows you to capture all that concentrated turkey essence instead of letting it go to waste. The drippings impart much more flavor than just using broth or water as the base for your gravy. Making gravy from scratch with drippings also lets you control the thickness and seasoning. The result is a silky, robust gravy bursting with turkey flavor – the perfect gravy for holiday meals!
How to Make Turkey Gravy from Drippings
Making gravy from drippings is easy Here’s a simple 2-step method to follow
Step 1: Prepare the Drippings
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After roasting the turkey, remove it from the pan and let rest on a cutting board.
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Spoon or pour off most of the clear fat from the roasting pan.
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Leave behind the dark brown drippings and fond.
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Set pan over 2 burners on medium heat. Add 1/2 cup broth, wine or water to loosen the fond.
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Scrape pan with a whisk to dissolve any browned bits stuck on.
Step 2: Make a Roux and Finish the Gravy
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In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in an equal amount of flour by volume. Cook 1 minute.
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Slowly whisk in hot drippings mixture. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
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Reduce heat and simmer gravy, stirring often, until thickened to your desired consistency, about 5 minutes.
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Season with salt, pepper and any other seasonings of your choice.
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For a smoother gravy, pour through a fine mesh strainer before serving.
And that’s it – easy homemade turkey gravy in just 10 minutes! For more detailed instructions and ingredient amounts, check out the full recipes below.
Tips for the Best Turkey Drippings Gravy
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For maximum flavor, try to use all drippings. If you don’t have enough, top it off with broth.
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Cook the roux just until lightly browned for a nutty flavor and optimal thickening power.
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Whisk vigorously when adding hot liquid to prevent lumps from forming.
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Simmering develops and concentrates the flavor. Cook for a few minutes once thickened.
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Season carefully. Drippings and fond are already well seasoned. Taste and only add salt at the end.
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For the smoothest possible gravy, strain before serving or use an immersion blender.
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Drippings gravy can be made ahead and reheated gently on the stovetop while stirring.
Turkey Giblets Gravy Variation
For an extra luxurious gravy, simmer turkey giblets in broth while the turkey cooks. Chop the giblets; add to your drippings along with the strained giblet broth. Simmer until thickened. The liver adds richness, while the gizzard offers great texture.
Serving Suggestions for Turkey Drippings Gravy
A drippings-based gravy is the perfect finishing touch for your Thanksgiving or holiday meal. Here are some tasty ways to use up every last drop:
- Ladle over sliced turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes
- Pour over biscuits, greens or roasted veggies
- Use as base for turkey soup or pot pie
- Thicken chili or stew in place of tomato paste
- Mix with mayo for turkey sandwiches spreads
- Drizzle over turkey tetrazzini or casseroles
Helpful Turkey Drippings Gravy Tips
Turkey too large for your roasting pan? Use a broiler pan, which allows drippings to collect under the grid. Place roasting pan on lower rack to catch drippings.
Want more drippings? Tuck wings behind back and tie legs together to make turkey more compact.
Cooking stuffing outside the bird? Place it under turkey in a casserole dish to capture extra drippings.
Don’t discard the fat! Strain into a bowl and refrigerate to use for cooking.
No drippings or not enough? Supplement with canned low-sodium broth. Saute onions, carrots and celery in butter first for flavor.
Gravy too thick? Whisk in additional hot broth until desired consistency is reached.
Gravy too thin? Whisk together equal parts butter and flour in a pan until browned for added thickening power.
Lumpy gravy? Strain through a fine mesh sieve for the smoothest consistency.
Save leftover gravy! Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop.
Classic Turkey Drippings Gravy Recipes
These simple but delicious gravy recipes are sure to become your go-to every holiday.
Easy Turkey Drippings Gravy
Makes about 2 cups
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup turkey drippings (fat and juices)
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 cups broth or water
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Directions:
- Pour drippings into pan, leaving any fond behind. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute over medium heat.
- Gradually whisk in broth and scraped fond. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
- Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
Allrecipes Turkey Drippings Gravy
Makes 4 cups
Ingredients:
- 4 cups turkey broth
- 1/4 cup turkey fat (drippings)
- 1/2 cup broth, wine or water
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 tsp fresh thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Heat broth to a simmer in a saucepan.
- Add 1/4 cup fat to roasting pan with fond. Place over 2 burners on medium heat. Whisk in flour and thyme; cook 1 minute.
- Whisk in deglazing liquid from roasting pan. Heat to boiling then boil 1 minute.
- Whisk into simmering broth. Season with salt and pepper.
Damn Delicious Turkey Drippings Gravy
Makes about 1 1/2 cups
Ingredients:
- Turkey drippings
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme
- 1 Tbsp chopped parsley
- Salt and pepper
Directions:
- Strain drippings; reserve 2 1/2 cups.
- Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and thyme; cook 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in drippings. Boil then reduce heat and simmer 5-10 minutes until thickened.
- Stir in parsley and season with salt and pepper.
The next time you roast a turkey, don’t toss those drippings – turn them into the most amazing gravy your family and friends will be asking for the recipe! It’s easy, rewarding and adds so much flavor to your holiday meals.
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You can follow almost any recipe for gravy and just add the drippings from the smoked turkey.
To collect the drippings, place a large drip pan filled with a liter of water, beer, wine, or juice underneath the turkey while it is cooking. You will want to make sure that they turkey is not sitting in the pan, you can put the pan below the grate or use a roast holder for the turkey.
If you don’t add water, the dripping with become too dry and crispy to use.
Then add the drippings to the gravy after the turkey has come off the grill. It will provide an excellent flavor boost!
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Looking for more turkey inspiration? Be sure to check out more tips here.
How to Make Gravy from Turkey Drippings | Christmas Turkey Gravy | Turkey with Gravy | Easy Gravy
FAQ
How to make homemade gravy with drippings?
- Remove all but 1/4 cup of fat from pan: Remove the roast from the pan. …
- Scrape up the drippings and place the pan on the stovetop on medium heat: …
- Sprinkle 4 tablespoons of flour onto the drippings: …
- Whisk the gravy while slowly adding liquid: …
- Taste and season:
How do you turn liquid into gravy?
- Separate the cooking fat from the pan juices—a gravy / fat separator makes this job easy.
- Heat the cooking fat (or butter) over medium-low heat until melted. Carefully whisk in the flour to help avoid clumps. …
- Whisk in the pan juices (or broth/stock) and bring to a light boil.
What to do with turkey fat drippings?
Here’s an idea: let the drippings chill in the fridge so the fat solidifies on top. You can scoop it off and use it like you would butter or oil for cooking–imagine roasting veggies, frying eggs, or making the richest gravy ever. And the gelatinous layer underneath? That’s your flavor bomb.
What drippings make turkey gravy?
Turkey Drippings: These fats and juices left behind in the roasting pan form the base for this delicious turkey gravy recipe. Flour: This universal ingredient mixes with the fat in the drippings and forms a roux when heated. Roux is a mixture of fat and flour used to thicken dishes like soups, sauces and this delicious gravy.
How do you make turkey gravy without drippings?
Here’s how to make turkey gravy without drippings. Turkey Gravy With Pan Drippings. Diana Rattray Heat 4 cups of turkey broth, chicken broth, or water (or a combination of broth and water) in a saucepan until hot but not boiling. This will be used as the base of the gravy; you’ll be adding thickened turkey drippings (a roux) for your final gravy.
How do you make gravy with drippings?
Separate the oil from liquid in the drippings. Use a syringe to transfer ¼ cup of oil and transfer to a saucepan. Mix flour into the oil, then slowly add the drippings to make a roux. Mix broth into gravy, then cook and stir until heated through. There are a lot of factors that will influence the taste and quantity of your gravy.
How do you make turkey gravy from scratch?
Stir in some flour to help thicken things up and cook over medium heat. When your mixture is smooth and bubbly, add your liquid—take your pick of broth, water or more of the drippings from your roasted bird—and heat to boiling. Season to your heart’s content with salt and pepper, and you’ve got some table-ready turkey gravy from scratch!
How do you make turkey gravy for Thanksgiving?
Use turkey wing tips and neck to make your own turkey stock, simmered with onions, carrots, and celery. Cook the roux to a deep brown for nutty notes without burning. Add aromatics like fresh or dried thyme, sage, parsley, or a bay leaf. A perfect gravy can make your Thanksgiving meal. Here are some delicious ways to use turkey gravy:
How do you make turkey gravy taste good?
If you’ve deglazed the pan with wine, the gravy will have a rich, slightly tangy note that complements the savory turkey. Strain the gravy (optional): If you prefer a perfectly smooth gravy, you can pour it through a fine mesh strainer to remove any lumps or bits of turkey that might have been left behind.