Homemade Thanksgiving Gravy – Rich, Flavorful, and Easy
This homemade Thanksgiving gravy is the perfect finishing touch to your holiday feast. Made with turkey drippings, broth, and a few simple ingredients, it’s rich, flavorful, and smooth—perfect for pouring over mashed potatoes, stuffing, and turkey. This recipe is simple to make, with just a few steps, and can easily be adapted for different flavor preferences. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, this gravy will elevate your Thanksgiving dinner.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup turkey drippings (or butter)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups turkey or chicken broth (or a combination of drippings and broth)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, fresh herbs (thyme, sage)
Directions
Collect the drippings. After roasting your turkey, carefully pour the drippings from the roasting pan into a fat separator or a bowl. Let the fat rise to the top and skim it off, leaving behind the flavorful juices.
Make the roux. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the turkey drippings (or butter) and sprinkle in the flour. Whisk constantly for 2-3 minutes, until the mixture turns a light golden color. This is your roux, which will thicken the gravy.
Add the broth. Slowly pour in the turkey or chicken broth while whisking to avoid lumps. Continue whisking until smooth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency.
Season to taste. Add salt, pepper, and any optional seasonings (garlic powder, onion powder, fresh herbs) to enhance the flavor. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Serve warm. Once the gravy has thickened and is well-seasoned, remove it from the heat and serve warm over your Thanksgiving dishes.
Recipe tips
If possible, use homemade turkey or chicken broth for a deeper, richer flavor. Gravy can be made a day in advance and reheated over low heat before serving. Add a little extra broth if it becomes too thick. For a more gourmet twist, deglaze the pan with a splash of white wine before adding the broth. If your gravy is too thick, add more broth a tablespoon at a time. If it’s too thin, let it simmer a bit longer to reduce.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
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