It’s turkey time! Tackling the holidays with a new celiac disease diagnosis or gluten-intolerance can feel daunting.
Thankfully, turkey and gravy are easily made gluten-free. Your Thanksgiving guests will love this juicy turkey that’s full of rosemary flavor and tender on the inside with crispy skin on the outside. No one will even know the gluten-is missing!
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While most turkeys are gluten-free, there is the possibility that a brine, marinade, or injection in your turkey could contain gluten.
Butterball frozen turkeys are easy to find on sale leading up to Thanksgiving. Butterball states “our Butterball fresh and frozen raw unstuffed turkeys are always gluten-free, and our gravy pack included with our Butterball Whole and Boneless Breast items is also gluten-free.”
Butterball turkey gravy has gone through some significant changes regarding its gluten content over the past decade or so. With many Butterball turkey products coming with gravy packets, it’s a crucial question for those adhering to a gluten free diet Let’s examine if Butterball turkey gravy is gluten free and get the latest updates
A Quick History of Butterball Turkey Gravy
In the past, Butterball’s gravy packets contained wheat flour, meaning they were not gluten free Around 2009, Butterball initiated the process of transitioning to rice flour instead of wheat flour for their gravy packets However, this change didn’t transpire immediately. For a period, some packets had wheat flour while others contained rice flour, resulting in confusion among consumers about whether the gravy was truly gluten free.
The key was always verifying the ingredient list on the gravy packet. If it listed wheat flour, it was not gluten free. If it listed rice flour, then it was safe for a gluten free diet. During the transition window, reading the label was the only way to know for sure.
Which Butterball Products Have Gluten Free Gravy Packets?
According to Butterball’s website, all Butterball products are gluten free, except for the stuffed turkey (which has bread stuffing) and frozen meatballs. For products packaged with gravy packets, the gravy packets are gluten free.
Some examples of Butterball turkey products that come with gluten free gravy packets:
- Ready to Roast Whole Turkeys
- Lil’ Butterball Turkeys
- Whole Turkey Breasts
- Turkey Roast with Gravy Packet
So you can be confident that any Butterball turkey product that comes with a gravy packet contains a gluten free gravy packet. Just note that the stuffing in the stuffed turkey contains gluten.
Were There Any Exceptions?
At this point, all of Butterball’s gravy packets are gluten free, apart from packets included with the stuffed turkey. However, there were some exceptions in the early days when the company was switching to gluten free gravy packets:
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2009-2011: Some traditional frozen whole turkeys still contained wheat-based gravy packets, so the gravy was not gluten free in those items. The gluten free gravy packets were only present in specialty products during the transition.
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2011: For a short time, Butterball oddly paired the new gluten free gravy packets with their stuffed turkeys containing gluten stuffing. This defeated the purpose of having a gluten free gravy. The company soon realized the mistake and remedied this practice.
So if you have an older Butterball turkey product from 2009-2011, be sure to verify the gravy packet. But any Butterball turkeys bought in recent years should have gluten free gravy packets.
Making Your Own Turkey Gravy
If you want to take extra precautions, you can always make your own homemade gluten free turkey gravy using the turkey drippings.
To make gluten free turkey gravy:
- Cook the turkey as desired and reserve 2-3 cups of the pan drippings
- In a saucepan, add the drippings along with 2-3 tablespoons of cornstarch or arrowroot powder
- Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes
- Season with salt, pepper, herbs as wanted
- For smoother gravy, strain out any crispy bits from the drippings before making the gravy
Making your own allows you to control precisely what goes into the gravy for a homemade gluten free choice.
To summarize, Butterball turkey gravy has transitioned to being gluten free over the past 10+ years after formerly containing wheat flour. Any Butterball turkeys purchased recently should have gluten free gravy packets, with the exception of stuffed turkeys. Checking the ingredient list can provide confirmation. And you always have the option to make your own gluten free turkey gravy if desired. So you can enjoy your Butterball turkey this holiday season knowing the gravy is most likely safe for a gluten free diet.
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Roasting in an Oven Bag
This turkey recipe calls for roasting your Thanksgiving turkey in an oven bag. It is a game changer.
Using an oven bag is a time and effort saver! Easy prep, easy cleanup, and easy everything in between. No dry turkey. No basting is necessary. Once the turkey is prepped and in the bag, you don’t touch it until 15 minutes before the turkey is done (for crispy skin).
The turkey comes out exceptionally tender and roasts quickly in the bag. Even a 24 lb turkey will be done in about 3½ hours. And a 10 lb turkey is ready in as little as 1½ hours!
The oven bag has the added benefit of protecting the turkey from cross-contact with gluten-containing side dishes in a shared kitchen. This is especially helpful during busy holiday meal prep.
Turkey Size and Cook Times
The general rule of thumb is 1-1½ pounds of turkey per guest. I like to lean towards the upper end of that scale. My family likes leftovers.
Cook times are quick in an oven bag:
- 10-12 lb turkey: 1½-2 hours
- 12-16 lb turkey: 2-2¼ hours
- 16-20 lb turkey: 2¼-2½ hours
- 20-24 lb turkey: 2½-3 hours
Always verify that the turkey is done with a meat thermometer. The turkey is done when the meat thermometer reads at least 165°F in several places not touching the bone.
The gluten-free turkey gravy is made from the flavorful pan drippings of the rosemary roast turkey.
Instead of traditional flour-thickened gravy, this gravy is thickened with cornstarch. You won’t miss the gluten. Cornstarch is commonly used to thicken sauces in restaurants around the country.
Be sure to use gluten-free chicken broth. I use Pacific Foods Chicken Broth, which is labeled gluten-free
What to do with all that leftover turkey?
Store leftover turkey and gravy in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3-4 days or freezer for up to 3-4 months.
Better yet, try this Gluten-Free Turkey Pot Pie (an Easy 1-Skillet Recipe). It features a delicious white wine sauce and is the best way to use leftover turkey, leftover veggies, and even leftover pie dough!
Make Ahead Gluten Free Turkey Gravy–full of flavor and so easy!!
FAQ
Is Butterball turkey gravy gluten-free?
- Butterball’s turkey gravy packets are gluten free, except for some products that contain bread stuffing, like the Butterball Stuffed Turkey.
- Butterball’s frozen boneless turkey breast roast with gravy packet is gluten free.
- Butterball’s frozen turkey breast roast with gravy packet Cajun style is gluten free.
- Butterball’s frozen boneless turkey roast with gravy packet is gluten free.
What are the ingredients in the Butterball turkey gravy packet?
Is Butterball ground turkey gluten-free?
- Butterball’s ground turkey is minimally processed and contains no artificial ingredients, hormones, or steroids.
- Butterball turkeys are raised without hormones and steroids, and are American Humane Certified.
- Butterball’s ground turkey is a low-fat, low-calorie, and low-sodium option.
- Butterball’s ground turkey can be used in place of ground beef in recipes.
Is McCormick’s turkey gravy gluten-free?
Gluten free. No MSG added (Except those naturally occurring glutamates). With real turkey stock & McCormick spices.
Is Butterball a gluten-free Turkey?
For example, the Butterball Cajun Style Self-Basting Young Turkey comes with a Creole style gravy mix. The ingredients in the gravy mix include wheat flour. So that would not be gluten-free. I always recommend preparing your own gluten-free gravy, rubs and glazes instead of using ones included with the turkey.
Are Butterball gravy packets gluten-free?
Butterball gravy packets are not inherently gluten-free, as gluten-containing ingredients can be present in the mix. To determine whether a specific gravy packet is gluten-free, it’s essential to read the ingredient list on the package carefully.
Do Butterball turkeys come with a gravy packet?
Whole frozen Butterball turkeys typically come with a gravy packet, but this is not a standard feature for all variations, such as fresh turkeys or different styles of pre-cooked or specialty birds.
Are Butterball turkeys good for Thanksgiving?
Frozen Butterball turkeys are one of the most popular choices for Thanksgiving. These turkeys offer convenience, especially for those planning their holiday menus in advance. Depending on the specific frozen turkey product, some may come with a gravy packet while others do not. 3. Pre-Brined Butterball Turkeys
Are turkeys gluten free?
However, many of the commercial turkeys include seasoning packets or gravy packets that may contain wheat or gluten. These brands of whole turkeys and turkey products are labeled “Gluten Free.” You can breath extra easy about serving them to people with celiac disease.
Where can I buy Butterball turkey?
Retailers such as Walmart, Kroger, and Safeway often stock these turkeys, especially their whole frozen varieties. Be sure to check the freezer aisles, as that’s where you’ll usually find Butterball options along with their gravy packets.