Making turkey gravy from drippings might seem intimidating, but it’s actually a simple process that can easily elevate your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner to the next level. The key is to start with flavorful pan drippings – the juices and browned bits left at the bottom of your roasting pan after cooking a turkey. With a few basic ingredients and some patience, you can turn these drippings into a rich and savory sauce that will pair perfectly with your roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing. In this article, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of making turkey gravy from drippings, so you can impress your family and friends with your culinary skills.

To begin with, it’s important to make sure you have good quality pan drippings. This means roasting your turkey on a rack in a shallow pan so that the drippings can collect at the bottom. If you’re short on drippings or if they’re not as flavorful as you’d like, you can also add some chicken or turkey broth to the mix. Once you have your drippings, the next step is to make a roux – a mixture of flour and fat – that will thicken the gravy. From there, you’ll slowly whisk in your drippings and any other seasonings you want to add, like salt, pepper, or fresh herbs. With a little patience and attention to detail, you can have a delicious homemade turkey gravy that will take your holiday meal to the next level.

Gather Your Ingredients and Equipment

Making turkey gravy from drippings is relatively easy and requires only a few basic ingredients and kitchen equipment. Here are the things you’ll need:

Ingredients:

  • The drippings from your roasted turkey
  • 1/4 cup of flour
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 4 cups of chicken broth (you can also use turkey stock or water)
  • Thyme, sage, and rosemary (optional, for seasoning)

Equipment:

  • A large saucepan or pot
  • A whisk or fork
  • A heat-resistant spatula or a wooden spoon
  • A measuring cup and spoons

Separate the Drippings

Once your turkey is done roasting, use a thick, flat spatula to carefully remove it from the roasting pan and place it on a cutting board or platter. Cover it with a piece of aluminum foil so it can rest while you finish the gravy.

To separate the drippings, tilt the roasting pan and spoon off as much fat as you can from the surface. Then, pour the drippings and any browned bits from the pan into a large measuring cup or bowl. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow the fat to settle on top.

Use a spoon or ladle to skim off as much fat as you can from the top of the drippings. You can also use a gravy separator to separate the fat from the drippings more efficiently. However, if you don’t have a separator, don’t worry—it’s not essential.

Make a Roux

In the saucepan or pot, heat up the drippings over medium heat until it starts to simmer. Now it’s time to make a roux.

A roux is a mixture of flour and fat that is used to thicken sauces and gravies. Add 1/4 cup of flour to the simmering drippings and whisk it thoroughly to create a smooth paste. Keep whisking for about two minutes, until the roux turns a light brown color.

Gradually Add the Broth

Pour about a cup of chicken broth into the pan and whisk it into the roux until it’s fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth. Gradually add the rest of the broth, whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming.

As the mixture comes to a simmer, you’ll see it starting to thicken. Keep whisking for another minute or two until the gravy reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thick, add more broth or water. If it’s too thin, keep simmering and whisking until it thickens a bit more.

Season the Gravy

Once your gravy has reached the desired consistency, it’s time to season it. Taste it and add salt and black pepper to your liking. If you want to add some more flavor, you can also add thyme, sage, or rosemary to the gravy.

Remember that the drippings already contain some salt and seasoning from the turkey, so be sure to taste the gravy before adding more seasoning.

Strain and Serve

Before you serve the gravy, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps or bits of herbs. This gives the gravy a smooth consistency and an attractive presentation.

Pour the gravy into a pouring jug or a gravy boat, and serve it alongside your roasted turkey and other side dishes. You can also keep the gravy warm over low heat or in a double boiler until you’re ready to serve.

Conclusion

Making turkey gravy from drippings is easier than you might think. With just a few basic ingredients and kitchen tools, you can create a delicious and savory sauce that complements your roasted turkey perfectly. Follow these simple steps, experiment with seasoning and consistency, and you’ll soon be serving up batches of mouth-watering turkey gravy that your family and friends will love.

Preparing to Make Turkey Gravy from Drippings

Before you start making your turkey gravy from drippings, there are certain things that you need to keep in mind. Here, we’ll outline the necessary steps you need to take to ensure your gravy comes out perfect.

1. Collecting the Drippings

After roasting your turkey, it’s important to let it rest on a cutting board for at least 15 minutes. During this time, you can collect all the juices and drippings that have accumulated at the bottom of the roasting pan. For this, you can use a spoon or turkey baster to transfer the liquid to a separate container.

2. Straining the Drippings

Once you’ve collected the drippings, it’s important to strain the liquid to remove any unwanted bits, such as bones or herbs. For this, you can use a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to separate the liquid from the solids.

3. Separating the Fat

After straining the drippings, you’ll need to let it cool for a few minutes. This will give the fat time to separate from the liquid. Once the fat has risen to the top, use a spoon to skim it off and set it aside.

4. Preparing the Roux

To make your gravy, you’ll need to prepare a roux. This is a mixture of equal parts fat and flour, which helps to thicken the gravy. In a pan, heat the separated fat and slowly add flour, stirring constantly until it turns into a paste-like consistency.

5. Adding Liquid to the Roux

After preparing the roux, you’ll need to gradually add the separated liquid to the pan while whisking constantly. This will help prevent lumps from forming. Keep adding liquid until you’ve reached the desired consistency.

6. Seasoning the Gravy

Now that your gravy is coming together, it’s time to season it. Add salt and pepper to taste or any other herbs and spices that you like. Some popular options include thyme, sage, and rosemary.

7. Adjusting the Consistency

If your gravy is too thick, you can add more liquid to thin it out. On the other hand, if it’s too thin, you can continue cooking it over low heat, stirring constantly, until it reaches the desired thickness.

8. Serving the Gravy

Once your gravy is ready, transfer it to a serving dish or gravy boat. This can be served alongside your roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, or any other Thanksgiving side dishes.

9. Storing the Gravy

Any leftover gravy should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can be reheated on the stove or in the microwave, but make sure to stir it well and add a little bit of liquid to loosen it up.

10. Experimenting with Flavors

While traditional turkey gravy is delicious, don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with new flavors. You can add mustard, honey, or even red wine to your gravy to give it a unique twist that your guests will love.

Steps to Make Turkey Gravy from Drippings

Making turkey gravy from drippings is surprisingly easy! Once you have the drippings from your roasted turkey, follow these simple steps to prepare a flavorful and delicious gravy that you can serve with your meal.

Step 1: Begin with the turkey drippings

The first step to making turkey gravy from drippings is to remove the turkey from your roasting pan and set it aside to rest. Collect the drippings left in the pan as this will form the base of your gravy. You can also add any additional drippings from the carved turkey or the carving board.

Step 2: Skim off the fat and save the turkey juices

Once you have collected the drippings, let them cool slightly until you can easily skim off the fat that has risen to the top. Collect the turkey juices underneath the fat and set them aside for later.

Step 3: Make a roux

To thicken your gravy, you will need to make a roux. Melt about 4 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add 4 tablespoons of flour and whisk together to form a paste. Cook this mixture, stirring constantly, for about 2-3 minutes until it turns golden brown.

Step 4: Slowly whisk in turkey juices and broth

Next, slowly whisk in the reserved turkey juices and chicken broth to the roux. Start with one cup of liquid and whisk in more as needed to reach your desired consistency. Simmer the mixture over medium heat, whisking occasionally, for about 5-10 minutes until it thickens to your liking.

Step 5: Season and serve

Finally, taste the gravy and adjust the seasoning as needed with salt and pepper. You can also add any additional herbs or spices such as thyme or sage to enhance the flavor. Once your gravy is ready, you can serve it hot alongside your roasted turkey and other Thanksgiving side dishes.

Ingredient Amount
Turkey drippings as much as collected from the roasted turkey
Butter 4 tablespoons
Flour 4 tablespoons
Chicken broth as needed to reach desired consistency
Salt and pepper to taste
Herbs or spices (optional) to taste

Making turkey gravy from drippings is a simple yet delicious way to elevate your Thanksgiving meal. With these easy-to-follow steps, you can create a flavorful gravy that perfectly complements your roasted turkey. Experiment with different herbs and spices to customize your gravy to your liking and don’t forget to save any leftovers for future meals!

Happy Gravy Making!

Congratulations, you’ve successfully made your own turkey gravy from drippings! The creamy, flavorful sauce is the perfect addition to any holiday feast. We hope this article has been helpful and informative. If you have any other kitchen-related questions, feel free to reach out to us. Thank you so much for reading and we can’t wait for you to visit us again soon!