Smooth & Creamy Homemade Turkey Gravy (Best Recipe For Thanksgiving!) (2024)

by Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com · 5 Comments

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Classic turkey gravy is made using roasted turkey drippings and slowly simmered turkey neck and giblets for a flavorful gravy! It is rich, creamy, and amazingly smooth. This super easy gravy takes just minutes to prepare and you'll be so thankful you skipped the store-bought version!

Best Turkey Gravy Using Giblets

Turkey gravy is a family tradition during the holidays whenever turkey is served. This homemade turkey gravy is so yummy. It is made using roasted turkey drippings and slowly simmered turkey neck and giblets for a wonderfully flavorful gravy.

To ensure that you don't have an issue with running out of gravy at mealtime, this recipe will make a large batch of gravy. You wouldn't want to come short of being able to fill your mountain of mashed potatoes appropriately!

Smooth & Creamy Homemade Turkey Gravy (Best Recipe For Thanksgiving!) (1)
Jump to:
  • Best Turkey Gravy Using Giblets
  • 🥘 Turkey Gravy Ingredients
  • 🔪 How To Make Classic Turkey Gravy
  • ❓ How Do I Thicken Gravy?
  • ❓ How Do I Get Lumps Out Of My Gravy?
  • 🦃 More Holiday Dinner Dishes
  • 📖 Recipe Card
  • 💬 Reviews

🥘 Turkey Gravy Ingredients

The turkey neck and giblets typically come in a bag inside of your turkey, just go ahead and discard the liver. Heavy cream is optional, but completely recommended!

  • Turkey Drippings - Separate the fat from your turkey drippings and then combine the drippings with broth to make a total of 8 cups.
  • Chicken Broth - 8 cups of chicken broth or turkey stock to combine with your turkey drippings.
  • Bay Leaf - 1 bay leaf.
  • Thyme - 2 - 3 sprigs of fresh thyme (or ½ tablespoon dried).
  • Butter - 1 tablespoon of salted butter.
  • Flour - ½ cup of all-purpose flour.
  • Heavy Cream (optional) - ¼ cup of heavy cream.
  • Turkey Neck & Giblets - Remove the liver and discard.
  • Salt & Pepper - Add salt & pepper to taste.

🔪 How To Make Classic Turkey Gravy

This gravy is super easy to make! Just don't forget to let your giblets simmer while the turkey is in the oven! You're going to need a saucepan and measuring cups.

This recipe will make a decent amount of gravy, so don't worry about running out!

Simmer The Giblets & Drain Drippings

  1. Add giblets & neck to the saucepan. Place giblets and neck into a saucepan with 2 cups chicken stock and add water to cover the neck and giblets with 2 inches of liquid.
  2. Add in seasonings. Add 1 bay leaf, and 2 sprigs of thyme and then simmer on low while the turkey is roasting.
  3. Drain drippings. After the turkey has finished cooking and is resting, drain off the drippings (which includes 2 cups of broth when we roast our turkey) from the roasting pan into a de-greasing cup or a 4-cup Pyrex glass liquid measuring cup. Make sure to scrape all of the browned bits from the roasting pan, using a wooden spoon, and into the cup with the drippings.
  4. Remove fat. Allow the drippings and fat to separate, the fat will rise and start to solidify. So even if you don't have a de-greasing cup, you can spoon the separated fat from the top of your measuring cup (after about 10 minutes)

Making The Turkey Gravy

  1. Preheat. Bring a large saucepan to medium-high heat.
  2. Make roux. Add about a ½ cup of the separated fat to the heated saucepan and sprinkle the½ cup of flour into the pan, stirring constantly, to make your roux. Keep stirring as your roux darkens, approximately 3-4 minutes. *You can enhance your gravy flavor by allowing the roux to get darker, however, the darker the roux gets the less thickened your resulting gravy will be.
  3. Make liquid portion. Combine the simmered broth from the turkey neck and giblets (strained) to the liquid portion of the turkey drippings (after the fat has been removed) to make 8 cups of liquid, add turkey stock or chicken broth as needed to reach the 8 cup portion.
  4. Add roux. Reheat the liquid, if needed, as the liquid should be hot when added to your roux. Gradually whisk in the liquid (whisking constantly to prevent lumps) until all of the liquid is added.
  5. Thicken. Bring the gravy to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer until thickened, whisking occasionally, for about 10 minutes. *You can add the chopped giblets and shredded meat from the turkey neck before simmering if desired.
  6. Finish. Remove from heat and finish with 1 tablespoon of butter, salt, and pepper to taste. Add an optional ¼ cup of heavy cream for a super creamy gravy, or to thicken your gravy (without using additional flour or cornstarch).

Of course, this turkey gravy is perfect for your Thanksgiving roasted turkey! You can also pour it over your favorite roasted garlic mashed potatoes or use some dinner rolls or challah bread to soak it up!

Smooth & Creamy Homemade Turkey Gravy (Best Recipe For Thanksgiving!) (2)

💭 Tips & Notes

  • Whatever herb or herbs I have on hand, I like to add to my simmering turkey neck and giblets. Thyme, rosemary, or sage - or a combination are great!
  • Some people really enjoy having the giblets finely chopped and included in the resulting turkey gravy. Feel free to add them to your gravy!
  • This recipe is using two cups of drippings. I have never had any issue with being short of drippings (especially when I use 2 cups of chicken broth in the roasting pan of my turkey - to baste the turkey with while cooking).
  • To store: Store your homemade turkey gravy in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • To reheat: Pour your leftover gravy into a saucepan, add some broth (the more you add, the thinner it will be), and then cook over medium-low heat until warmed all the way through.

❓ What Do I Do With Turkey Neck & Giblets?

One step that I do, that is completely optional but it does help to enhance that wonderful turkey gravy flavor - is to cover the neck and giblets with broth and water, and allow them to slowly simmer while the turkey is roasting.

This process makes a wonderfully flavorful base for turkey gravy!

❓ How Do I Thicken Gravy?

Typically, a portion of flour or cornstarch is used, combined with cold water (using more water with cornstarch than with flour) to make a slurry, then whisked into your gravy. If you do this at the end of the gravy-making process, you could end up with lumpy gravy, which is why I prefer to add heavy cream at the end to finish thickening up the gravy.

❓ How Do I Get Lumps Out Of My Gravy?

Making gravy without lumps is easier when you make your roux with an appropriate amount of flour at the beginning of the cooking process. If you do need to add more flour or cornstarch to thicken your gravy, and you end up with lumpy gravy, you can run the gravy through cheesecloth or a fine sieve strainer to remove the lumps.

I prefer to add some heavy cream at the end of my gravy-making process. It adds a richness that is divine, plus it naturally thickens up your gravy!

🦃 More Holiday Dinner Dishes

  • Oven Roasted Turkey is another great Thanksgiving turkey dinner staple to carve up at your family's dinner table, no matter the time of year!
  • Smoked Turkey for those of you that are lucky enough to have mild weather during November, head outside and try this tasty turkey recipe!
  • Parmesan Roasted Mashed Potatoes are an elevated mash potato recipe to serve alongside your platter of turkey, gravy, sides, and rolls!
  • Skillet Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots add a flavorful vegetable side dish to the mix for any dinner menu!
  • Candied Yams are another holiday must-have side dish, right up there with this turkey gravy recipe!
  • Oatmeal Rolls simply cannot be skipped and you'll get rave reviews on these tender, tasty rolls that are so easy to make!!

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📖 Recipe Card

Classic Turkey Gravy

Classic turkey gravy is made using roasted turkey drippings and slowly simmered turkey neck and giblets for a flavorful gravy! It is rich, creamy, and amazingly smooth. This super easy gravy takes just minutes to prepare and you'll be so thankful you skipped the store-bought version!

Author | Angela

Servings: 16 servings

Calories: 49kcal

Prep 15 minutes minutes

Cooking 15 minutes minutes

Turkey Roasting 3 hours hours

Total Time 3 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cups drippings from oven roasted turkey (separate fat, then combine with broth to make a total of 8 cups liquid)
  • 6 cups chicken broth or turkey stock (combine with drippings to make a total of 8 cups liquid)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2-3 sprigs thyme (fresh, or ½ tablespoon dried - rosemary and/or sage would work)
  • turkey neck and giblets (from turkey - remove the liver and discard)
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon butter (salted)
  • salt & white pepper (to taste)
  • ¼ cup heavy cream (optional)

Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela

Instructions

  • Remove turkey neck and giblets (discard the liver) from raw, thawed turkey before roasting. Place in a saucepan with 2 cups chicken stock and add water to cover the neck and giblets with 2 inches of liquid.

  • Add bay leaf, herbs, and seasoning (salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, and/or sage, peppercorns) and simmer on low while the turkey is roasting.

  • When the turkey is out of the oven, remove to a cutting board or serving platter, cover and allow to rest. Drain off the drippings (which includes 2 cups broth when we roast our turkey) from the roasting pan into a de-greasing cup or a 4-cup Pyrex glass liquid measuring cup. Make sure to scrape all of the browned bits from the roasting pan, using a wooden spoon, and into the cup with the drippings.

  • Allow the drippings and fat to separate, the fat will rise and start to solidify. So even if you don't have a de-greasing cup, you can spoon the separated fat from the top of your measuring cup (after about 10 minutes)

  • Bring a large saucepan to medium high heat. Add about a ½ cup of the separated fat to the heated saucepan and sprinkle the flour into the pan, stirring constantly, to make your roux. Keep stirring as your roux darkens, approximately 3-4 minutes. *You can enhance your gravy flavor by allowing the roux to get darker, however, the darker the roux gets the less thickened your resulting gravy will be.

  • For your liquid: combine the simmered broth from the turkey neck and giblets (strained) to the liquid portion of the turkey drippings (after the fat has been removed) to make 8 cups of liquid, add turkey stock or chicken broth as needed to reach the 8 cup portion.

  • Reheat the liquid, if needed, as the liquid should be hot when added to your roux. Gradually whisk in the liquid (whisking constantly to prevent lumps) until all of the liquid is added.

  • Bring the gravy to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low. Simmer until thickened, whisking occasionally, for about 10 minutes. *You can add the chopped giblets and shredded meat from the turkey neck before simmering, if desired.

  • Remove from heat and finish with 1 tablespoon of butter, salt and pepper to taste. Add optional heavy cream for a super creamy gravy, or to thicken your gravy (without using additional flour or cornstarch).

Notes

  • Whatever herb or herbs I have on hand, I like to add to my simmering turkey neck and giblets. Thyme, rosemary, or sage - or a combination are great!
  • Some people really enjoy having the giblets finely chopped and included in the resulting turkey gravy. Feel free to add them to your gravy!
  • This recipe is using two cups of drippings. I have never had any issue with being short of drippings (especially when I use 2 cups of chicken broth in the roasting pan of my turkey - to baste the turkey with while cooking).
  • To store: Store your homemade turkey gravy in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • To reheat: Pour your leftover gravy into a saucepan, add some broth (the more you add, the thinner it will be), and then cook over medium-low heat until warmed all the way through.

Nutrition

Calories: 49kcal (2%) | Carbohydrates: 4g (1%) | Protein: 1g (2%) | Fat: 2g (3%) | Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) | Cholesterol: 7mg (2%) | Sodium: 438mg (19%) | Potassium: 101mg (3%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 1g (1%) | Vitamin A: 82IU (2%) | Vitamin C: 8mg (10%) | Calcium: 9mg (1%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)

Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!

best classic turkey gravy recipe, Christmas, Classic Turkey Gravy, from scratch, giblet turkey gravy, giblets, holiday meals, Homemade, how to make turkey gravy, how to make turkey gravy with neck and giblets, Thanksgiving, turkey drippings, turkey gravy ingredients

Course Christmas dinner, Condiments, gravy, Holiday Recipes, Thanksgiving Turkey

Cuisine American

Smooth & Creamy Homemade Turkey Gravy (Best Recipe For Thanksgiving!) (4)

Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com

Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!

bakeitwithlove.com/about/

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Reader Interactions

Comments

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  1. Pam says

    Smooth & Creamy Homemade Turkey Gravy (Best Recipe For Thanksgiving!) (9)
    Rich and delicious, was perfect for turkey dinner!

    Reply

  2. Beth says

    This is how we make our gravy too! Gravy is at once so simple and yet it's all about technique and the little extra steps to really give it the right texture and flavor. Fantastic instructions. Thank you.

    Reply

    • Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says

      It helps that we roast turkey every month or two, lots of practice in gravy making! Thank you Beth!

      Reply

  3. Jere Cassidy says

    Smooth & Creamy Homemade Turkey Gravy (Best Recipe For Thanksgiving!) (10)
    Gravy is the most important part of the turkey dinner. Yours looks creamy and rich. Perfect for potatoes.

    Reply

    • Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says

      My husband agrees! He's all about the gravy. Thank you Jere!

      Reply

Smooth & Creamy Homemade Turkey Gravy (Best Recipe For Thanksgiving!) (2024)

FAQs

Is turkey gravy better with flour or cornstarch? ›

Browning adds more flavor to the gravy and gets rid of the raw flour taste. You're basically making a roux. We find that a flour-based gravy holds up better and reheats better later, which is why we tend to prefer using flour over cornstarch to make gravy unless we have a guest who is eating gluten-free.

How does Gordon Ramsay make turkey gravy? ›

Roughly chop the bacon, add to the tray and fry for a few minutes. Chop the onions and lemon and add to the tray with 2 rosemary sprigs and the tomatoes. Cook for 1–2 minutes, then add the turkey wings, parson's nose and drumstick tips and fry for a few more minutes. Pour in the cider and boil for a few minutes.

What can you add to homemade gravy to make it taste better? ›

Bonus: Seasoning for Tasty Gravy

I only season my homemade gravy with salt and pepper, and it's delicious! If you want to add more spices, avoid anything with large pieces (such as dried rosemary) to keep gravy smooth. Thyme, onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, paprika, and oregano all taste great.

How is gravy made from scratch? ›

Melt butter in a medium-sized sauce pan. Add flour and whisk constantly until mixture is golden caramel color and smells fragrant (3-5 minutes). Slowly whisk in liquids, while whisking, until mixture is smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened and bubbly, 5 minutes or longer.

Is stock or broth better for turkey gravy? ›

You can use either stock or broth for keeping dressing moist or as a basis for gravy, but a strong flavor will give you better results.

What can I add to gravy to make it richer? ›

Add Browned Butter

Browned butter is the golden-hued end product of butter melted over medium heat until the water cooks off. What remains are milk solids and butterfat, which turns out nutty, toasty, and warm. Add this golden goodness to store-bought gravy to make it rich, comforting, and just like homemade.

What is the best thickener for turkey gravy? ›

Cornstarch should thicken gravy in less than a minute when at a simmer. If it doesn't thicken enough, it's a sign that you need more cornstarch. Whisk in more cornstarch slurry a little at a time, and let each addition come to a simmer before adding more.

Is corn flour or plain flour better for gravy? ›

Cornflour is an ideal thickener if you're a coeliac or simply intolerant to gluten, because as the name suggests, it is made from corn. Be aware, though, that it produces a slightly more gelatinous texture than flour, so don't overdo it or you'll end up with a slightly gloopy sauce.

Why won t my turkey gravy thicken? ›

Cooking for too little time: As the gravy cooks, it slowly thickens, so if you don't allow it to cook long enough, it will be too thin. Set the stove on medium heat and bring your gravy to a boil before letting it simmer. Once the gravy has reached your desired consistency, turn off the stove and let the sauce cool.

How do you make Trisha Yearwood gravy? ›

Directions. Add the butter and flour to a skillet over medium heat and cook, stirring, until melted together and well combined, 2 to 3 minutes. Slowly stream in the stock while whisking and continue to cook until thickened, 8 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and stir in a little shredded turkey.

How do you add depth of Flavour to gravy? ›

If your gravy is too pale, a splash of soy sauce will darken it and add plenty of flavour. Scrape up the flavour-filled crusty bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. It really intensifies the gravy.

How can I make my gravy richer? ›

Use flavorful liquids: Instead of using water, try using chicken or beef broth to make your gravy. This will add depth and richness to the flavor. Add herbs and spices: Consider adding herbs and spices to your gravy to enhance the flavor. For example, you can add a pinch of thyme, sage, or rosemary.

What is the best ingredient to thicken gravy? ›

If your gravy is on the skimpy side, you can thicken it quickly with flour or cornstarch. But don't add your thickener directly to the gravy, which will create lumps. Instead, try stirring in three or four tablespoons of flour or cornstarch into a small amount of cold water until you have a smooth paste.

Why is my gravy not tasty? ›

If the gravy lacks oomph, adjust seasoning as necessary with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. If you used canned stock instead of homemade, the gravy might not be as flavorful. Homemade stock, even made with chicken stock rather than turkey, will produce a superior gravy—so it's worth the effort.

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