Welcome to The Cheater’s Guide to Thanksgiving. While there are plenty of tips out there for folks making scratch desserts and artisan loaves, the Cheater’s Guide focuses on the person who could use a helping hand—even from some unconventional sources. Some might call it “cheating” (like that’s a bad thing), but there’s nothing wrong with using modern technology and supermarket know-how to help you make a bangin’ traditional feast—with much less of the traditional work.
Between the laborious idea of making your own turkey stock and dreading criticism on lumps, gravy can be a unexpected source of Thanksgiving stress. But everyone wants flavorful, silky-smooth gravy for their turkey and mash, so what can be done? Well, Im happy to report that gravy doesnt have to be made from scratch to taste great. Here’s how I fool everyone with my “scratch” gravy from a jar.
Gravy is a staple at many holiday meals, especially when turkey is on the menu. A rich, flavorful gravy can take your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner to the next level. However, turning out a killer turkey gravy requires time and technique – simmering stock, reducing drippings, and carefully thickening to reach the ideal texture When you’re short on time, it’s tempting to take a shortcut with a store-bought gravy packet or jar. But most pre-made gravies seriously lack in flavor, resulting in a bland sauce that detracts from your meal
Luckily, with a few simple tricks you can easily transform a basic turkey gravy into something delicious. These easy hacks will help you fake a gourmet homemade taste in minutes. Keep reading to learn seven ways to make your turkey gravy taste amazing!
1. Add Turkey Drippings
One of the quickest shortcuts for giving gravy more authentic flavor is to stir in drippings from your roasted turkey. As the turkey cooks, juices with concentrated turkey essence collect in the bottom of the pan. Skim off some of the fat, then add a few tablespoons of these flavor-packed drippings to your gravy. The drippings instantly infuse it with rich, savory turkey flavor that mimics homemade.
2. Sauté Aromatic Vegetables
Sautéing vegetables like onions, carrots, celery, or shallots is a simple way to significantly upgrade your gravy’s flavor profile. Cook them in a little butter or oil over medium heat until softened and lightly browned. Then pour your gravy over the sautéed veggies and simmer for 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. The extra savory, aromatic notes from the veggies give your gravy a major boost.
3. Simmer with Fresh Herbs
Fresh herbs offer an easy way to brighten up lackluster gravy. Try tying sprigs of rosemary, thyme, sage, or other herbs into a bundle. Add the herbs to the gravy and let them simmer for at least 10 minutes so their essence and oils infuse the sauce. The vibrant herby flavors will lend your gravy a cleaner, fresher taste.
4. Splash in Some Wine
Adding a splash of white wine gives instant complexity to basic gravy. About 1/4 cup of a dry white wine like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc works well. Be sure to add it right before serving so the alcohol cooks off. The white wine contributes brightness and acidity to balance the rich gravy.
5. Whisk in Umami Flavor-Boosters
Worcestershire sauce, fish sauce, soy sauce, or Marmite can all provide an umami blast when whisked into bland gravy. A teaspoon or two will punch up the savory meaty flavors of the gravy without overpowering it. But go slowly, as these can quickly make your gravy too salty.
6. Thicken with Cornstarch Slurry
For ultra-velvety gravy, use a cornstarch slurry to thicken it up. Whisk together equal parts cornstarch and cool water. Slowly drizzle the slurry into your gravy, whisking constantly until it reaches your desired thickness. The cornstarch gives it a lush, luxurious texture without dulling the flavors.
7. Add Roasted Garlic
Roasting mellows garlic into something sweet and nutty. Squeeze in some roasted garlic to give your gravy a sweet, aromatic garlic undertone. Simply roast garlic cloves tossed in olive oil until golden and soft, then mash or mince them. The mellow roasted garlic provides a lovely background flavor.
With a few basic ingredients and tricks, you can easily convert a so-so pre-made turkey gravy into something rich, flavorful, and delicious. Drippings, wine, umami seasonings, herbs, and roasted garlic all offer simple ways to make your turkey gravy taste like you spent all day cooking. Use one hack or try them all – these tips will help take your gravy game to the next level!
Buy a store-bought gravy you actually like
It sounds obvious, but the important thing is to buy a prepared gravy that you generally like the taste of to start with. Even though we’re going to improve it, the base flavor will always be there at least somewhat.
Canned and powdered gravies have been around for a spell, but lately I’ve seen a few trusted brands enter the prepared gravy game, like Imagine Foods, which offers a range of organic products, and Better Than Gravy, the makers of my favorite soup base, Better Than Bouillon. But you don’t have to be bougie; you can certainly buy a can of Campbell’s or a jar of Heinz turkey gravy if thats what you like.
How to add flavor to store-bought gravy
Add herbs. The whole concept behind making gravy from turkey stock is to build flavor, but there are other powerful sources of flavor we can turn to. Put your gravy in a pot and warm it up on the stove. Try stirring fresh, finely chopped herbs into the gravy, like parsley, thyme, or sage. This will immediately lift your gravy’s flavor out of that store-bought category.
Boost umami. If your gravy tastes a bit dull or watery, it will probably benefit from some umami. Try a hit of soy sauce or a pinch of MSG. I’ll use both and usually a dark soy sauce—but just a few drops. Dark soy sauce is less salty and it will make the color a deep, rich brown, but too much will make it look more like beef gravy.
Add drippings if you can. Although it will be last minute, I like to add some turkey drippings to my gravy too. These juices will gather at the bottom of the roasting pan after the turkey comes out of the oven. Pour it into a measuring cup, and if there’s a serious layer of fat floating on top, scoop it off. Pour some, or all, of the drippings into your gravy and whisk.
Add dry seasonings. Don’t sleep on dry seasonings and spices like garlic powder, onion powder, or a dash of cayenne. Be light-handed with the powder, just a dusting will add complexity. If you go too heavy, the gravy will be overpowered.
I’ve noticed that most pre-made gravies come out of the can or jar rather thick. OK, very thick. That doesn’t mean all of them are, but you have to be ready to adjust the consistency. If your gravy seems too thick, make sure you’ve heated it up first before you start messing with it. Often the warmth will loosen up any stiffened starches or fats in the mixture.
If the gravy still looks too thick (even after adding the liquid ingredients listed above), add some store-bought turkey or chicken broth and whisk it in until you’ve reached your desired thickness.
If the gravy seems too thin (unlikely, but just in case), stir in a cornstarch slurry a little bit at a time (take a hint from the article and use cold broth for the slurry instead of water). Stir and bring the gravy up to a boil after each addition before adding more slurry.
How To Make Turkey Gravy Packets TASTE BETTER!
FAQ
What to add to turkey gravy to make it taste better?
- Add in some white wine. …
- Thicken it with a cornstarch slurry. …
- Stir in pan drippings. …
- Simmer with fresh herbs. …
- Add an umami-rich condiment. …
- Sauté some vegetables. …
- Add roasted garlic.
How to make gravy more flavorful?
Add Herbs. Try thyme, sage, chopped parsley, a teeny bit of tarragon, and some chives. When using fresh herbs, add them toward the end of cooking.Oct 7, 2023
How do you fix bland turkey gravy?
… a little less than stellar, all you have to do is stir in some cooked, chopped bacon, caramelized onions and/or some Dijon or spicy/whole grain mustard …Nov 21, 2016
Does gravy make a Thanksgiving turkey better?
Gravy is one of those sauces that isn’t always necessary, but it definitely makes a Thanksgiving turkey or holiday roast even better. It adds a decadence that just elevates the whole meal. While homemade gravy is almost always better than store-bought varieties, sometimes we just don’t have the time to make a thick, rich gravy.
How do you make turkey gravy taste better?
If you are reaching for a jar or carton of turkey gravy at the store, here are seven easy ways to give it a boost. 1. Add in some white wine. Add a dash of white wine (nothing too fruity; we recommend a dry Chardonnay) to boost the richness of the turkey gravy.
Can you make turkey gravy from scratch?
If you’re not game for making the gravy from scratch this year for Thanksgiving dinner, don’t sweat it. Sometimes you need to give yourself a break, and there are plenty of good store-bought gravies out there. If you are reaching for a jar or carton of turkey gravy at the store, here are seven easy ways to give it a boost. 1.
Can you use Turkey drippings in jarred gravy?
Use those wonderful pan drippings from your roasted turkey (a combination of stock, juices from the meat, and fat) to give jarred gravy a homemade flavor. If you’re game for a more rustic gravy, go ahead and mix in some shredded turkey while you’re at it. Pro Tip: As a rule of thumb, use two tablespoons of drippings per cup of gravy.
How do you make store-bought gravy taste better?
Boosting savory umami flavor is a quick shortcut to making store-bought gravy taste more flavorful Try whisking in a tablespoon or two of umami-rich ingredients like soy sauce, fish sauce, Worcestershire sauce, or mushroom ketchup Each will add instant meaty depth in just a few stirs.
Should you use bottled gravy?
There’s no shame in using bottled gravy, especially if you add a few of these ingredients to make it taste more like homemade. Photo by Meredith Publishing. Making gravy freaks out a lot of people — oh, the lumps! — which is the very reason bottled versions exist. Relax.