While the Thanksgiving turkey is being carved, you’ll find me, whisk in hand, making pan gravy at the stove right from the roasting pan. I never use premade gravy because I think it tastes awful compared to a fresh pan gravy. Besides, pan gravy is a pretty fast & easy process. Flour, cornstarch or arrowroot flour are traditionally added to pan drippings to thicken your gravy, but these have 6 to 7 grams of carbs per tablespoon. A keto-friendly alternative is to use guar gum. Make sure you have your guar gum on hand before your holiday in order to make a low-carb pan gravy.
Guar gum is made from the Guar bean which grows in India. It has been extensively tested for safety in animals. Studies have shown that it’s consumption is associated with lowered body weight and blood glucose, all of which is ideal on a ketogenic diet! (1) Guar gum is a soluble fiber so the nutritional label lists 9 grams of carbohydrate per tablespoon, but it is all fiber, so those carbohydrates are essentially unused by the body, making it a natural carb-free thickening agent for gravy.
You’ll use about 1 tsp. or more of guar gum per cup of gravy, depending on how thick you like it.
My best tips for gravy are to not worry about it having little bits of turkey in it or straining it to make perfectly smooth. No one cares, they only want to eat it when it’s hot. Also, I prefer to serve my gravy in a warmed covered bowl set on a plate with a ladle. This way, your gravy stays warm by the time you get to your second helping.
Turkey gravy is an essential part of any Thanksgiving meal. But traditional gravy made with flour and milk is loaded with carbs and off-limits on a keto diet. Thankfully, there are easy ways to make delicious keto-friendly turkey gravy with zero carbs.
In this comprehensive guide we will cover everything you need to know to make the perfect low-carb turkey gravy including ingredients, methods, troubleshooting tips, and serving suggestions. Whether you are new to keto or a seasoned pro, you’ll learn how to make gravy that is rich, flavorful, and pairs perfectly with all your Thanksgiving favorites.
An Overview of Keto Turkey Gravy
The basics of keto turkey gravy are simple
- Use turkey drippings and broth as the base
- Thicken it without flour or starch
- Add seasoning for flavor
This gives you a smooth, rich gravy without the carbs. But there are some details that make all the difference in getting the perfect consistency and taste.
The key is choosing the right low-carb thickener. Popular options include gelatin, xanthan gum, or cream cheese. Each has their pros and cons, which we’ll explore more below.
Overall, most keto turkey gravy recipes follow the same basic process:
- Cook down turkey drippings with broth
- Stir in your chosen thickener
- Add butter, herbs, and seasonings for flavor
It’s easy to double or triple the recipe to make enough gravy for your whole Thanksgiving spread. And you can make it ahead of time, storing it in the fridge or freezer until ready to reheat and serve.
Low-Carb Thickeners for Keto Gravy
Traditional gravy uses a roux – a mixture of fat and flour – to thicken and add flavor. But flour is loaded with carbs, so keto gravy relies on substitutes to add richness without the added starch.
Here are the most common low-carb turkey gravy thickeners:
Gelatin: Unflavored gelatin works well to thicken keto gravy. It gives a smooth, creamy texture. The downside is that it must be gently heated to avoid thinning out.
Xanthan gum: This keto-approved ingredient thickens smoothly. It’s more stable with reheating than gelatin. But use sparingly, as too much can make gravy slimy.
Cream cheese: Adds a richness and subtle tang. Melts into gravy nicely when whisked in after cooking. Makes gravy slightly opaque.
Arrowroot powder: While starchy, it’s low glycemic and takes just a teaspoon to thicken gravy. Can replace half the gelatin or xanthan gum to reduce sliminess.
Guar gum: Similar properties as xanthan gum but can thin out with extended cooking. Use in combination with gelatin or cream cheese for best results.
Coconut flour: Adds nutty flavor but can clump if not whisked in smoothly. Start with just 1-2 tablespoons then adjust as needed.
For beginners, gelatin or xanthan work well since you can’t go wrong with the measurements. As you get comfortable, try combining thickeners like gelatin and arrowroot to get the perfect gravy texture.
Step-By-Step Instructions for Making Keto Turkey Gravy
Follow these simple steps for foolproof low-carb turkey gravy every time:
Ingredients:
- Turkey drippings from roasted turkey (about 2 cups)
- Chicken or turkey broth (about 2 cups)
- Unsalted butter (2-3 tbsp)
- Thickeners (gelatin, xanthan, cream cheese etc)
- Seasonings (salt, pepper, sage, thyme, etc)
Instructions:
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Roast turkey and collect drippings, reserving 2 cups.
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In saucepan, combine drippings and broth. Simmer until reduced by half.
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Prepare thickener (bloom gelatin in cold water, mix xanthan gum in slowly etc).
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Whisk thickener mixture into reduced drippings/broth.
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Add butter and seasonings like sage, thyme, salt, and pepper.
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Simmer briefly until thickened, then remove from heat.
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Adjust consistency if needed by simmering longer to reduce or adding extra thickener.
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Pour into gravy boat and serve warm with turkey, stuffing, veggies and more!
Tip: For convenience, make your gravy ahead and refrigerate or freeze it. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.
Follow those steps, and you’ll end up with rich, savory keto turkey gravy every holiday! The tasty drippings add tons of flavor, while the low-carb thickeners give it the perfect silky texture.
Tips for Troubleshooting Keto Turkey Gravy
Even experienced cooks can run into problems with gravy texture and consistency. Here are some tips if your keto turkey gravy doesn’t turn out right:
If too thin:
- Simmer longer to reduce liquid
- Add more thickener
- Chill in fridge so gelatin sets
If too thick:
- Add small amounts of broth
- Gently reheat on stove, stirring constantly
If lumpy:
- Strain through fine mesh strainer
- Use immersion blender to smooth out lumps
If slimy texture:
- Use less xanthan gum or guar gum
- Opt for gelatin, cream cheese, or egg yolk thickener instead
If separating:
- Whisk vigorously to reincorporate
- Add touch of broth/water then re-thicken
Getting the perfect gravy takes some trial and error. But these troubleshooting tips will rescue even the most stubborn keto turkey gravy.
Serving Ideas for Low-Carb Turkey Gravy
Once you’ve made a batch of zero-carb turkey gravy, the possibilities are endless for how to serve it up! Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy keto gravy:
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Poured over sliced turkey, of course!
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Served with mashed cauliflower instead of potatoes
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Drizzled on top of roasted Brussel sprouts
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Paired with keto stuffing made with almond flour bread
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Dipped with low-carb biscuits or cloud bread
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Poured over meatloaf or chicken as a smothered entree
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Used in place of milk for creamy keto chicken alfredo
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As the base for turkey pot pie made with cauliflower crust
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Added to dressed-up green bean casserole or broccoli gratin
The savory, smooth gravy makes the perfect topper for anything from veggie sides to keto main dishes. Get creative with pouring it on everything this holiday season!
Essential Tools for Making Turkey Gravy
Having the right kitchen tools makes gravy-making much easier. Here are some handy gadgets to have on hand:
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Fine mesh strainer or gravy separator: To strain out solids from drippings
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Whisk: To smoothly incorporate thickeners and prevent lumps
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Fat separator: Lets you pour off fat from drippings to save for other uses
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Immersion blender: Quickly blends out any lumps for silky texture
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Gravy boat or small pitcher: For easy pouring and serving at the table
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Kitchen timer: Helps keep track of reducing times for drippings
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Instant-read thermometer: Ensures you don’t overheat and thin out thickened gravy
Investing in this small arsenal of gravy tools helps you prep, cook, and serve your keto turkey gravy like a pro!
Frequently Asked Questions About Keto Turkey Gravy
If you’re new to low-carb gravy-making, chances are you have some questions. Here are answers to some of the most common keto turkey gravy FAQs:
Is turkey gravy allowed on keto diet?
Yes! With low-carb thickeners, you can definitely include gravy on a keto meal plan. Just avoid anything made with flour, cornstarch or milk.
Can I make it without turkey drippings?
You can use chicken broth instead of drippings. But the drippings add much more flavor.
What can I use to thicken besides gelatin?
Xanthan gum, cream cheese, arrowroot powder, egg yolks, guar gum, and coconut flour also work.
How soon in advance can it be made?
Gravy can be made 1-2 days ahead. Refrigerate until ready to reheat and serve.
Can I freeze turkey gravy?
Yes, it freezes well for 2-3 months. Thaw in fridge before reheating.
What do I do if my gravy is too thin or thick?
For thin gravy, reduce liquid more. For
keto Thanksgiving pan gravy
INGREDIENTS
- 1 -3 TBS guar gum
- ½-1 C white wine depends on how much gravy you’re making
- 3-4 cups organic turkey or chicken stock
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/3-1/2 C organic heavy cream optional
INSTRUCTIONS
- Take everything out of the roasting pan that you cooked the turkey in. There should be at least about 1/2 C of rendered fat in the bottom of the roasting pan. If there’s more than that, you can take some out, if not you can add some butter to make up the difference.
- Set your roasting pan across two burners set to medium/medium-high heat. Once the fat drippings are bubbling, add guar gum, a few teaspoons at a time, whisking constantly, until the gravy is thick. (guar gum works best when added to fat first before then thinning it with stock/wine.)
- Add the wine & cook, stirring constantly with a whisk, about 2 minutes.
- Slowly add stock, whisking occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes until gravy is reduced and pan drippings have incorporated. Add a little more guar gum if needed to make it thicker.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Optional: add heavy cream to your taste.
- Serve immediately while hot.