Turkey Gravy

4.97 from 156 votes
175 Comments

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This Turkey Gravy is made with rich, glorious turkey pan drippings and is the star of Thanksgiving dinner. It is our Mom’s tried and true recipe and what keeps the family coming home for Sunday dinner. Perfectly creamy and flavorful every time!

Top view of a Turkey Gravy boat next to a plate of mashed potatoes and gravy.
Featured with this recipe
  1. Ingredients for Turkey Gravy
  2. How to Get Turkey Drippings for Turkey Gravy
  3. Frequently Asked Questions
  4. More Delicious Gravy Recipes
  5. How to Make Turkey Gravy
  6. Turkey Gravy Recipe

If you know our mom, you know she makes a traditional Sunday dinner. Every. Single. Sunday. When we were growing up, she would alternate weeks between roast and turkey. Seriously, it was like Thanksgiving every other week. We were beyond spoiled. Our mother is the best cook we know. Everything she makes is perfection. But the thing she is most famous for is her turkey gravy.

Anyone who has shared her table over the years asks for this turkey gravy recipe. Until now, we’ve never even written it down; it was just made to taste. But, Mom was generous enough to share her step-by-step method for creating this savory, divine gravy. It’s delicious over all the classic dishes: mashed potatoes, turkey, vegetables, stuffing, roasted carrots, just about anything. Welcome to the best turkey gravy recipe EVER. We know you’ll love it as much as we do.

Ingredients for Turkey Gravy

There is no real “secret” ingredient in this easy turkey gravy recipe, just ingredients that probably everyone has around the house! So here’s what you need to make the most show-stopping gravy ever:

  • Turkey drippings – From a roast turkey. Use a liquid measuring cup to get all that rich, delicious broth that comes from the turkey for the best flavor. If you don’t have enough drippings, use turkey stock, chicken broth or chicken stock to supplement.
  • Gravy packet – Usually a packet of dry gravy mix is included with the frozen turkey or turkey breast. If your turkey doesn’t have one, a tablespoon or two of chicken or turkey gravy powder works great too.
  • Chicken bouillon – We love Wyler’s chicken bouillon granules, but you can use cubed bouillon or your preferred chicken bouillon.
  • Pepper – Freshly ground pepper tastes best.
  • Milk – You’ll need two cups of whole milk or you can use a mixture of milk and heavy cream for a thicker gravy.
  • Cornstarch – This is used to thicken the gravy. You can use all purpose flour too.
  • Water – To combine with the cornstarch to make a slurry which will thicken the gravy.
  • Salt – To taste.
Pan of Turkey Gravy with a ladle.


How to Get Turkey Drippings for Turkey Gravy

This recipe incorporates the rich drippings from roasting a turkey or turkey breast. After roasting in the oven, transfer the turkey to a carving board, leaving the flavorful drippings in the roasting pan. Position the roasting pan over the largest stovetop burner, set to medium heat.

If the liquid in the pan measures less than one cup, simply add sufficient water to reach that quantity. Vigorously whisk to incorporate any caramelized remnants that may have adhered to the pan. This enhances the flavor of the gravy. The stovetop’s heat assists in loosening these flavorful bits from the pan’s sides.

If you’ve used an aluminum pan for roasting, do not place it directly on the stovetop. Instead, add water to the drippings to reach one cup and use a whisk or spoon to release the browned bits from the pan’s bottom.

We have a fool-proof, step-by-step guide for Making the Perfect Turkey. Our Thanksgiving turkey recipe is full of fresh herbs: parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, onion, and celery. As a result, your gravy will have all those delicious flavors and herbs mixed in as well.

Top view of cooked Turkey in a roasting pan for How to Cook a Turkey.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the secret to good gravy?

The #1 secret to good gravy is starting with well seasoned drippings from the turkey. In addition to good drippings, removing fat and straining out any unwanted bits and pieces from the cooked turkey is important for getting the right texture and consistency.

What to add to turkey gravy to make it taste better?

As mentioned above, three things really make a fantastic turkey gravy. First, the turkey drippings from a well-seasoned turkey or turkey breast. When that needs a boost, chicken bouillon granules (we love the Wyler’s brand) is a seasoning that gives richness and flavor to turkey gravy. Last, but not least, adding fresh herbs to the gravy can transform gravy! Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme all add incredible flavor.

How long will gravy last in the refrigerator?

If kept in the fridge in an airtight container, turkey gravy will be last a couple of days. Spoon the cold gravy into a skillet and warm over low heat and the turkey gravy will resume its creamy consistency within a few minutes. It can also be reheated in the microwave.

Can I freeze gravy?

If you run out of potatoes before you run out of gravy (that’s happened to us many times) this turkey gravy freezes beautifully in a freezer safe container for up to three months!

Is this gravy gluten free?

This recipe is gluten-free IF you leave out the gravy packet that comes with the turkey. The rest of the ingredients are completely GF and it will still taste delicious.

Should I add butter to my gravy?

If starting from scratch and without any drippings, butter does add flavor to gravy. However, in this recipe, the drippings provide adequate fat and flavor.

Read More: 35 + Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

Turkey Gravy in a serving boat next to a dish of mashed potatoes.

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.

How to Make Turkey Gravy

Turkey Gravy in a serving boat next to a dish of mashed potatoes.

Turkey Gravy

4.97 from 156 votes
This Turkey Gravy recipe is our Mom's famous recipe. It is made from rich, glorious turkey drippings and is the star of Thanksgiving dinner. Perfectly creamy and flavorful every time!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8

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.
    Top view of cooked Turkey in a roasting pan for How to Cook a Turkey.
  • 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.
    Mesh strainer full of pieces from turkey drippings in a pan for Turkey 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.
    Pan of boiling drippings for Turkey Gravy.
  • In a separate, small bowl, combine cornstarch and water. Stir until there are no lumps. It should be nice and smooth.
    Slurry on a spoon for thickening Turkey Gravy.
  • Whisking the gravy constantly, slowly add cornstarch mixture a little at a time until the gravy is thickened to the consistency you desire.
    Whisking a pan of drippings while pouring slurry to thicken the Turkey Gravy.
  • 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.
    Pan of Turkey Gravy with a ladle.
  • Pour into a gravy boat and serve.
    Turkey Gravy in a serving boat next to a dish of mashed potatoes.

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.  

Nutrition Information

Serving: 0.5cupCalories: 93kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 3gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 554mgPotassium: 104mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 99IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 71mgIron: 1mg

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About the author

Erica Walker

Erica lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, Jared, an attorney, and her three beautiful girls. Beyond the world of recipes, she loves adventuring with everything from kayaking, to cruising, to snowboarding and taking the family along for the thrill ride.

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Comments

  1. 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.

  2. 5 stars
    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.

  3. 5 stars
    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.

    1. 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.

  4. 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!

  5. 5 stars
    You have to have good gravy for your Thanksgiving Dinner, so I am going to try this for my Thanksgiving this year.

  6. 5 stars
    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!!

  7. 5 stars
    I have never personally made homemade turkey gravy this recipe seems simple and delicious I will have to try it this year

  8. 5 stars
    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!

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