How to Make Delicious Turkey Gravy

Making turkey gravy is an essential part of any holiday meal. It’s the perfect complement to the turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing. With a little know-how, you can make a delicious gravy that will leave your guests licking their plates clean. First-timers may find the process daunting, but fear not, making turkey gravy is easy and straightforward.

The key to a great gravy is the pan drippings from the roasted turkey. These drippings are where all the flavor comes from. Before you start, make sure to remove the turkey from the pan and set it aside to rest. You’ll be using the pan to make the gravy. If you’ve made a stuffing, now is the time to remove it from the turkey’s cavity, as it can impact the flavor and consistency of your gravy. So, let’s get started on the process of making delicious turkey gravy!

How to Make Turkey Gravy: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re wondering how to make the perfect turkey gravy for your Thanksgiving feast, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, these easy-to-follow steps will have you whipping up delicious gravy in no time. Here’s how to make turkey gravy:

1. Gather Your Ingredients

Before you start making your gravy, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients on hand. You’ll need turkey drippings, flour, chicken or turkey stock, and seasonings like salt and pepper. You can also add additional flavorings like herbs or garlic if you prefer.

2. Skim the Fat

Once your turkey is cooked, remove it from the pan and let it rest. Use a large spoon to skim off any excess fat from the top of the drippings. You don’t need to remove all of the fat, but removing excess will help ensure that your gravy isn’t too greasy.

3. Make a Roux

To thicken your gravy, you’ll need to make a roux. Heat a few tablespoons of the skimmed turkey fat or butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then whisk in an equal amount of flour. Cook the roux for a minute or two, stirring constantly, until it turns a light brown color.

4. Add the Stock

Slowly whisk in the chicken or turkey stock, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Continue cooking the gravy over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency.

5. Add the Drippings

Once your gravy has thickened, add the reserved turkey drippings. If you have a lot of drippings, you may not need to add all of them. Taste the gravy and adjust the seasonings as needed.

6. Strain the Gravy

If you prefer a smoother gravy, you can strain it through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any lumps or bits of turkey.

7. Keep the Gravy Warm

Keep your gravy warm until you’re ready to serve it. You can do this by placing it in a covered saucepan or gravy boat over low heat or on a warming tray.

8. Get Creative

Once you’ve mastered the basic technique for making turkey gravy, feel free to get creative with the flavorings. Try adding a splash of white wine or soy sauce, or experiment with different herbs like thyme, sage, or rosemary.

9. Make Ahead and Freeze

Gravy can be made ahead of time and frozen for later use. Just be sure to cool it completely before placing it in an airtight container and freezing it for up to three months.

10. Don’t Stress

Remember, making gravy is an art, not a science. Don’t stress too much if your first attempt doesn’t turn out perfectly–just keep experimenting and adjusting to find the flavor and consistency you prefer. With a little practice, you’ll be making delicious turkey gravy like a pro.

Ingredients

To make a delicious turkey gravy, you only need a few ingredients that you can easily find in your kitchen. Here are the most important ones:

Turkey Drippings

The main ingredient of turkey gravy is the drippings that you get from roasting your turkey. These are the juices and fat that accumulate in your roasting pan while your turkey is cooking. Make sure to save them, as they are the flavor base of your gravy.

Flour

Flour is used to thicken the gravy. You can use all-purpose flour or any other type of flour you have on hand.

Chicken or Turkey Stock

Stock is used to add more flavor to the gravy and to achieve the right consistency. You can use chicken or turkey stock, or even vegetable stock if you prefer.

Butter or Oil

Butter or oil is used to make a roux with the flour. The roux will thicken the gravy and give it a smooth texture.

Salt and Pepper

Salt and pepper are the most basic seasonings you need for any gravy.

Herbs and Spices

Depending on your preference, you can add different herbs and spices to your turkey gravy. Sage, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves are all great options.

Onions and Garlic

Onions and garlic are optional ingredients, but they add extra flavor to your gravy. You can sauté them before adding the flour to the roux.

Wine

Wine is another optional ingredient that can add depth of flavor to your gravy. White wine works well with turkey, but you can also use red wine if you prefer.

Cornstarch

Cornstarch is an alternative thickener to flour. It gives the gravy a slightly different texture and has a neutral taste.

Gravy Separator

A gravy separator is a handy tool that allows you to separate the fat from the drippings, making it easier to make a smooth and flavorful gravy.

Now that you know the basic ingredients of turkey gravy, let’s move on to the next section where we’ll show you how to make it step-by-step.

Ingredients you will need for your Turkey Gravy:

When it comes to making a delicious Turkey Gravy, the taste lies in the ingredients used. Here are the staples that you will need:

Step-by-step guide to making the perfect Turkey Gravy:

If you’ve cooked the turkey with the skin on and it’s still had time to cool down for a while, the drippings should be available in the bottom of the pan. Here are the steps to follow to whip up a tasty Turkey Gravy:

Step 1: Prepare the turkey drippings

Once the turkey is done, remove it from the oven and place the roasting pan on the stove. While the turkey rests, use a spoon or ladle to scoop up the drippings, ensuring you remove any solids and leave any unwanted fat behind.

Step 2: Making the gravy base

Place the roasting pan on the stove and warm it up at low heat. Add the butter into the pan and allow it to melt. Once melted, sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the butter and whisk continuously, until the mixture turns brown. It usually takes around 5 to 6 minutes for the mixture to cook, and the aroma to fill the air.

Step 3: Adding Chicken Broth

Gradually stir in the chicken broth, and whisk continuously until it’s all added. Turn the heat up to high and let the mixture simmer for between 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency.

Step 4: Seasoning Your Gravy

Once the gravy has reached the desired consistency, remove it from heat and add salt and black pepper to taste. You can also add a pinch of herbs or spices like sage or thyme, to enhance the flavors of your Turkey Gravy.

Step 5: Serving Your Gravy

With your homemade Turkey Gravy ready, go ahead and serve it with your turkey. The gravy can be poured onto the sliced turkey, or served on the side in a gravy boat or any other suitable container.

In summary, homemade Turkey Gravy is not only delicious but also easy to make. With these ingredients and our step-by-step guide, you’ll have flavorful and creamy gravy for your holiday feast.

Time to Enjoy Your Delicious Turkey Gravy

Thanks for taking the time to read about how to make turkey gravy. As the aroma fills the air and the family gathers around the table, you can be proud that you made this delicious gravy from scratch. Remember, practice makes perfect and the more you make it, the better it will taste. If you enjoyed this article, be sure to come back again for more mouth-watering recipes. Happy cooking and bon appétit!