Simple Turkey Gravy Recipe
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If you’re looking for an easy, foolproof Turkey Gravy recipe for Thanksgiving, this is for you! Simple to make in minutes with turkey drippings, fresh herbs and chicken stock. It’s the only gravy I make for our special holiday feasts!
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Can there be a roasted turkey and mashed potatoes without gravy? Not at our family feast. And if turkey gravy seems difficult and jar gravy much simpler, I challenge you to try this recipe. It’s easy, I promise, and so incredibly delicious.
Turkey drippings give this gravy all of its flavor (although you can also make it with all stock too in a pinch).
Why I Love This Turkey Gravy Recipe
First of all, it’s everything that’s delicious about Thanksgiving, flavor, fresh herbs, buttery goodness in a perfectly thickened gravy. It’s just that extra dish you can’t have a holiday without!
And… it might be one of my favorite things on the holiday table. Although don’t hold me to it because I might just say that about the turkey, but definitely about the stuffing, the mashed potatoes, beautiful salads, and the roasted vegetables!
But, seriously, the gravy is what ties the meal together in harmonious flavor! Sigh…
And guess what? It’s keeps nicely for leftovers in the days that follow. Another happy sigh.
Here’s what you need to make this easy turkey gravy.
Homemade Turkey Gravy Ingredients
The ingredient measurements are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post, but this is all you will need to make your own turkey gravy!
- Butter to make a thickening roux
- Shallot for a mild onion flavor
- Fresh herbs like parsley, rosemary, thyme, sage (or a combination)
- All-purpose flour for thickening
- Turkey drippings
- Stock: Chicken, turkey, or vegetable stock
Helpful Kitchen Tools
A fat separator makes the job of separating the fat from the turkey drippings super easy. I have a 2 cup fat separator which is plenty large enough for this recipe. Although you can also use a glass measure and let the dripping sit long enough for the fat to rise. A whisk will also be needed.
How to Make Turkey Gravy
Step-by-step instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post, but here is a quick overview on how to make this 15-minute turkey gravy recipe.
- Using a fat separator or a large measuring cup, pour in the turkey drippings and let it rest until the fat comes to the top. Add enough stock to the measuring cup to equal 4 cups of stock and drippings combined.
- Heat the butter in a medium saucepan, then add the shallots and herbs; cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallots are soft. Sprinkle in the flour and stir with a whisk to combine.
- Continue to cook and whisk until the mixture is dark brown and fragrant. Then, while whisking, slowly pour in the stock. Bring to a boil over high heat, continuing to whisk occasionally; this helps ensure no lumps. Reduce the heat and continue to cook over medium, stirring occasionally, until the gravy is as thick as you prefer.
How to Store Turkey Gravy
The turkey gravy will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Reheat in a saucepan and heat over medium low heat until its warmed through and gets a boil. Add additional stock to think if necessary.
Can You Freeze Turkey Gravy?
Absolutely! This turkey gravy will keep in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months. I like to store in in small batches so I can thaw as needed. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat over medium low heat until warmed through.
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Simple Turkey Gravy Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
Turkey Gravy with Drippings
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 large shallot minced
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped thyme rosemary or flat-leaf parsley
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- turkey drippings
- 3 cups chicken stock or turkey stock
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Using a fat separator or a large measuring cup, pour in the turkey drippings and let it rest until the fat comes to the top. Spoon off most of the fat and discard or pour from the fat separator which will do this for you. Add enough stock to the measuring cup to equal 4 cups of stock and drippings combined.
- Heat the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Then add the shallots and herbs and cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallots are soft. Sprinkle in the flour and stir with a whisk to combine.
- Continue to cook and whisk until the mixture is dark brown and fragrant. Then, while whisking, slowly pour in the stock. Bring to a boil over high heat, continuing to whisk occasionally; this helps ensure no lumps. Reduce the heat and continue to cook over medium, stirring occasionally, until the gravy is as thick as you prefer.
- Once the gravy is thick, serve it immediately or keep it over very low heat until you are ready to serve. Taste and add salt and pepper if needed.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.