Homemade Turkey Gravy

This homemade turkey gravy recipe is made with the rich and flavorful Turkey drippings from your holiday bird. With the simple addition of one extra ingredient, you’ll have a delicious homemade gravy in minutes!

Hi friends! Today, I’m sharing a classic – my homemade turkey gravy recipe! Now, what does a flavorful gravy pair best with? That’s right – roast turkey and mashed potatoes, making this a must-have Thanksgiving dish that belongs on your holiday menu.

In my mind, a delicious gravy is the perfect finishing touch to a tasty meal. You can drizzle gravy all over your plate, pairing it with turkey, chicken, roast beef, on top of mashed potatoes, or even over stuffing. The best gravy adds hearty flavor and moisture to your plate. It’s truly the perfect sauce.

I’ve made tons of recipes with gravy in the past—my smothered pork chops with gravy, roasted chicken with gravy, and classic biscuits and gravy, to name a few. I looooove me some gravy, y’all. But nothing beats an easy homemade gravy recipe made from those tasty turkey pan drippings. That’s GOLD at the bottom of your roasting pan. So, instead of tossing it out, I’m going to show you how to turn it into the best homemade turkey gravy you’ve ever had.

Ingredients for Homemade Turkey Gravy

When I say this recipe is made with simple ingredients, I mean it now more than ever, y’all. You only need TWO ingredients to make the best turkey gravy recipe. Of course, there’s room for optional additional ingredients, but we’ll get into that later. For now, all you need to make this tasty homemade gravy is:

• Turkey Drippings: all that juice, fat, and run-off from your holiday bird that collects in the bottom of the pan. We want all of it – the excess fat, the chunks, save it all.
• All-Purpose Flour: a few tablespoons of flour will bring this easy turkey gravy to the right consistency – taking it from liquid gold to a flavorful, thickened sauce.

How much leftover drippings do I need to make turkey gravy?

I used about 5 cups of drippings to make my turkey gravy. However, keep in mind that the turkey drippings and broth I used came from a 10-pound turkey stuffed with onions and lemons. I thought I’d share that because a lot of people don’t usually get that much broth/drippings from their turkeys. Most turkeys will get 2, maybe 3 cups if they’re lucky. The lemons and onions added a TON of juice to my turkey, so I always have a lot of broth after I roast my turkey. It really all depends on the recipe you use.

What other ingredients can I add to my homemade turkey gravy recipe?

If you don’t have enough leftover drippings, you can absolutely use turkey stock or chicken stock to reach the right measurement. For example, if you only have 3 cups of drippings, you’ll need 2 cups of broth. Here are some other ingredients you can use to make a flavorful gravy:

• Butter: if you don’t have much excess fat from your turkey drippings, use butter to make the roux! I will skim the fat from the top of my slightly cooled drippings (the fat rises to the top as it cools, making it super easy to skim right off) and use that since it has so much flavor. However, if you need more fat, butter is the perfect answer.
• Seasonings: I used my Roasted Herb Turkey Recipe, which contains plenty of seasonings. Therefore, I didn’t add anything else. But feel free to season your gravy to taste! Salt, black pepper, poultry seasoning, and fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme are all great options.
• Aromatics: again, it depends on the turkey recipe you use, but you can add additional aromatics like shallots, onions, and garlic to enhance the flavor of the gravy. You’ll want to chop any onions or garlic into super small pieces if you want a smooth gravy.

How to Make Turkey Gravy from Pan Drippings

So, now it’s time for me to teach y’all how to make the perfect turkey gravy using all that goodness from the bottom of the roasting pan – and it couldn’t be any easier! If you’re playing host this holiday season, a gravy boat filled with this liquid gold is a must-have on your Thanksgiving table.

1. Measure out your pan drippings. You’ll need at least 4.5 cups for this recipe. If you don’t have enough, use turkey or chicken broth to reach the right measurement.
2. Make a roux using the excess fat from the broth. Add the skimmed turkey fat (or butter) to a large saucepan and melt it over medium-high heat. Then, slowly start to add the flour, mixing as you go. Once the fat and flour mixture begins to turn golden brown, start to add the liquid.
3. Add the pan drippings, about one cup at a time, whisking continuously, until you’ve added all the broth. The constant whisking will prevent any lumps of flour from sticking and ruining the texture of your tasty gravy.
4. Simmer the turkey gravy over medium to medium-low heat, stirring until it reaches your desired consistency. This should take about 15-20 minutes. If you’re adding any extra seasonings, add them now – but remember to taste the gravy first!

That’s it, fam! You’ve just made the best turkey gravy recipe with only TWO ingredients. In my humble opinion, homemade turkey gravy beats out every gravy mix you can buy from the grocery store. You just can’t get that classic gravy taste with anything but fresh turkey gravy!

I Heart Recipes Turkey Gravy Video Tutorial

Follow along as I make this easy turkey gravy recipe on my YouTube channel! You’ll see just how easy it is to make a delicious, hearty, rich gravy from your Thanksgiving turkey with barely any added effort. While you’re there, be sure to subscribe to I Heart Recipes on YouTube, where I share tons of holiday recipes for y’all to make at home.

How to Make Turkey Gravy Without Pan Drippings

Let’s say you’re making a turkey breast instead of a whole turkey, or maybe you’re making a prime rib roast for Thanksgiving. How do you still get that classic turkey gravy recipe without the turkey drippings?! Just use broth, seasonings, and aromatics! It’s a few more ingredients but not a whole lot of effort.

• Follow the recipe as written, but swap in chicken, beef, or turkey broth for the drippings.
• Sauté some onions, shallot, and garlic before making your roux – this will add extra flavor to your gravy like you’d get with pan drippings.
• Season the gravy to taste using salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, and fresh or dried herbs.

Tips and Tricks for the BEST Homemade Turkey Gravy

Want some tips to make this classic Thanksgiving recipe even better? A homemade gravy is the best way to complete a meal, so it better be delicious! Here are some Cousin Rosie tips to make this already easy recipe even better.

• Add the turkey drippings to the flour mixture slowly, or else you’ll end up with a lumpy gravy! The easiest way to get a smooth gravy is to whisk constantly while adding the broth.
• Remember, gravy thickens as it cools, so if your gravy doesn’t seem to be thickening while it cooks, avoid the temptation to add more flour. Too much flour will leave your gravy with that gross raw flour taste. Instead, take it off the heat for about 10 minutes to see if it thickens.
• If your turkey gravy tastes bland, add some umami flavor with Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce. Just a small amount, like a tablespoon or less, will give your gravy a whole new depth of flavor.
• Store any leftover gravy in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can reheat the gravy in the microwave or in a small saucepan on the stovetop. Turkey gravy is freezer-friendly, too! Just store it in smaller servings that are easy to reheat when needed.

What to Serve with Homemade Turkey Gravy (Holiday Dishes from I Heart Recipes)

What pairs best with turkey gravy? Ohhh, Cousins, strap in! Whether you’re already prepping your Thanksgiving menu or just craving a hearty, soulful dinner with tasty gravy, here are some dishes to serve alongside your fresh, homemade turkey gravy.

• Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe
• Cheddar Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• The Best Baked Turkey Wings
• Simple Whole Roast Turkey
• Simple Roast Chicken
• Prime Rib Roast
• Homemade Stuffing with French Bread
• Collard Green & Smoked Turkey Cornbread Dressing

Share a photo of your Thanksgiving spread by tagging me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram, and subscribe to I Heart Recipes on YouTube! Don’t forget to check out I Heart Soul Food, Super Soul Food with Cousin Rosie, and A Cousin Rosie Holiday, with many recipes you can’t find anywhere else.