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This Turkey Gravy recipe is a must for Thanksgiving dinner. Made with rich, flavorful turkey drippings, it is delicious served over mashed potatoes, turkey, and stuffing. This is our Mom’s tried-and-true recipe and we’re excited to share her secrets with you!
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Mom’s Famous Turkey Gravy Recipe
If you know our Mom, you know she’s famous for her traditional Sunday dinners – every week alternation between roast beef and turkey. Growing up, it was like Thanksgiving every other week. Her turkey gravy is the dish everyone asks for. Until now, it was made to taste, but Mom generously shared her step-by-step method. This savory, creamy gravy is the perfect addition to mashed potatoes, turkey, stuffing, and our leftover Thanksgiving casserole. We know you’ll love it as much as we do!
Ingredients for Turkey Gravy
This easy Turkey Gravy recipe uses simple, everyday ingredients to create a rich and flavorful sauce. Here’s what you’ll need to make the best gravy for your Thanksgiving dinner.
- Turkey Drippings: The secret to flavorful gravy! Use the drippings from your roasted turkey. If you’re short on drippings, add turkey stock, chicken stock, or broth.
- Gravy Packet (optional): Often included with frozen turkeys. If yours didn’t come with one, a tablespoon of dry turkey or chicken gravy mix works as a substitute.
- Chicken Bouillon: Adds depth and richness to the gravy. We love Wyler’s chicken bouillon granules, but you can use cubes or your favorite brand.
- Freshly Ground Pepper: For a hint of spice and flavor.
- Milk: Whole milk creates a creamy texture. For thicker gravy, mix in some half and half or heavy cream.
- Cornstarch or Flour: The thickening agent to get the perfect consistency.
- Water: Used with the cornstarch to make a slurry for thickening.
- Salt: To taste. Use sparingly after all flavors have blended.
How to Make Turkey Gravy (Step-by-Step)
1. Prepare the Turkey Drippings
After roasting your turkey, transfer it to a cutting board. Keep the drippings in the roasting pan. Place the pan on medium heat and add water if the drippings are less than a cup. Whisk to loosen any caramelized bits – these are packed with flavor!
Important! Avoid placing an aluminum roasting pan directly on the stovetop. Instead, deglaze it with water and transfer the liquid to a large pot.
2. Strain the Drippings
Pour the liquid into a tempered glass measuring cup. Skim off the fat and strain out any turkey bits. Transfer the strained dripping to a saucepan.
3. Add Seasonings
Add the gravy packet (optional) to the drippings. Bring the liquid to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer. Whisk in the chicken bouillon and pepper. Slowly add the milk, stirring constantly for a creamy consistency.
4. Thicken the Gravy
Combine cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Gradually whisk it into the simmering gravy until you reach your desired thickness. Remember, the gravy will thicken further as it cools.
5. Taste and Adjust
Taste the gravy and adjust seasonings as needed. Add salt sparingly, the bouillon and gravy packet are salty.
6. Serve the Gravy
Keep the gravy warm until serving. Transfer it to a gravy boat or bowl with a ladle for easy serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Skip the gravy packet that comes with the turkey and use cornstarch instead of flour.
Enhance the flavor with chicken bouillon, fresh herbs, or a tablespoon or two from a dry turkey gravy seasoning packet.
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add milk if the gravy is too thick.
Absolutely! Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat to serve. Add milk to thin the consistency, if necessary.
We have a fool-proof, step-by-step guide for Making the Perfect Turkey. Our Thanksgiving turkey recipe is seasoned with fresh herbs and roasted to perfection.
More Delicious Gravy Recipes
No matter what you’re serving, there’s a scrumptious, savory gravy to go with it. For a step-by-step guide for making gravies and sauces, see our post on How to Make a Roux.
We Can’t Wait for You to Try This Recipe!
This Turkey Gravy is more than just a sauce – it’s a family tradition. We hope it brings the same warmth and love to your holiday table as it does to ours. Don’t forget to check out our complete Thanksgiving Dinner Guide for more delicious recipes and tips!
Turkey Gravy Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- ½ to 1 cup turkey drippings from cooked turkey
- 1 gravy packet (included with the frozen turkey or turkey breast)*
- 1 tablespoon Wyler’s chicken bouillon granules
- pepper to taste
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup water
- salt to taste
Instructions
- After roasting a turkey or turkey breast in the oven, remove the turkey and leave the drippings in the roasting pan. Place the pan on the largest stove top burner on medium heat. If there is less than one cup of liquid in the pan, add enough water to make about one cup. Whisk up any little browned bits that may have cooked to the roasting pan. This adds delicious flavor to the gravy. The heat from the stove helps loosen the browned bits on the sides of the pan. If you've used an aluminum pan to cook the turkey, don't place it on the stove after removing the turkey. Add water to the drippings to make one cup. Use a whisk or spoon to loosen the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Pour the liquid from the pan into a 2 cup or larger tempered glass measuring cup or glass bowl. The fat from the drippings will rise to the surface. Skim off the fat with a spoon. Pour the remaining liquid through a wire strainer into a medium-sized saucepan. This will remove any turkey bits or fat and make a smooth, creamy gravy.
- If a gravy packet was included with the turkey, add it to the saucepan (if you want a gluten free gravy, don't add the packet). Bring the liquid to a boil over medium-high heat, then simmer. Stir in the bouillon granules and pepper. Gradually whisk in the milk and bring back to a simmer. At this point, taste the gravy. Add more bouillon and pepper if needed for flavor. Do not add salt at this time.
- In a separate, small bowl, combine cornstarch and water. Stir until there are no lumps. It should be nice and smooth.
- Whisking the gravy constantly, slowly add cornstarch mixture a little at a time until the gravy is thickened to the consistency you desire.
- Make the gravy slightly thinner than what you prefer because it will thicken a little as it cools. Taste the gravy again. If needed, add a little salt for flavor.
- Pour into a gravy boat and serve.
Notes
*For Gluten Free Turkey Gravy
- Don’t use the turkey gravy packet that comes with the turkey or turkey breast.
- This recipe makes approximately 4 cups of gravy when using a gravy packet. If a gravy packet from the turkey is not used, this recipe makes approximately 3 cups.
Yummy, yummy finally a recipe worth trying. I love gravy so I am going to make this for thanksgiving.
In 66 years I have never seen a gravy packet with my turkey! However, they have always came with giblets stuffed in the cavity. I’m curious to know what brand of turkey comes with a gravy packet.
It is usually turkey breasts that come with the gravy packet.
I just bought my turkey, it has no gravy packet. What do I do?
You can use a few tablespoons of regular chicken or turkey gravy powder!
I haven’t tried this yet. I usually use bottled gravy because I’m afraid of messing up scratch gravy. This recipe sounds really easy. I am going to make it for Thanksgiving and I am confident I can do it.
We believe in you!!
Let me tell ya, My Mother made the best homemade Thanksgiving Gravy EVER!!!!!!!!!!! I make it still till this day. As I read your recipe and seen the pictures of it I feel I need to add the few things that you used like the Gravy Packet…….. although I haven’t ever gotten a gravy packet ever in my frozen turkeys. But it looks delicious. The one thing that I will remain doing though as my Momma did is to add a couple drops of “Yellow Food Coloring” to the mixture. It gives it a beautiful glow to the gravy. Thanks for the Great Tips. Can’t wait to add these items to my gravy this year.
Exactly the recipe we have always made! This is the tastiest gravy, and the recipe makes plenty for leftovers❤️
This sounds like Perfect Homemade Gravy & is very similar to my own recipe.
This gravy is just like my mother used to make. Unfortunately, she passed away before I was old enough to learn to make it. Thank you so much for bringing back treasured memories with a recipe I will pass on to my own kids.
I’m sorry to hear you lost your mother so young. I’m touched that this recipe brought back special memories for you. Thank you for sharing.
Wow, this recipe is so close to how I make my turkey gravy.
Oh my goodness!!!! I am going to save this recipe! We literally always end up throwing out the homemade gravy and using the gravy powder from Walmart, because we can never get it right and it tastes nasty!
Oh no! I can’t wait for you to try this recipe. You are going to love it!
The best gravy I’ve ever had!
You have to have good gravy for your Thanksgiving Dinner, so I am going to try this for my Thanksgiving this year.
I always have trouble with making gravy from drippings. I end up using jarred gravy 🫤. This recipe is easy, with good tips. I will be making this for thanksgiving and have faith it will be delicious!!
Looks Good 5 Stars
Good gravy can always be used, not just during the holidays and this recipe is easy and delicious.
Gravy is a must have for us and this one is tasty!
Great Gravy
I have never personally made homemade turkey gravy this recipe seems simple and delicious I will have to try it this year
No more dry packet gravy!
Delicious and easy to follow along.
Well done! The directions are easy to follow, and the pictures are amazing. I’ve never added milk to turkey gravy. I’ll be trying this recipe for Thanksgiving. Thank you!