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If you want silky, rich homemade Turkey Gravy that tastes like it came straight from your grandma’s table, this is it. This easy gravy starts with flavorful turkey drippings, comes together in just a few minutes, and is perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any Sunday dinner that needs a cozy finishing touch. 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!
5 Star Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“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.” – Loreata
“The best gravy I’ve ever had!” – Kathryn
“This simple but well loved recipe is the one I use all the time. I’ve given it to my 2 daughters and my daughter-in-law! Gravy either is memorable or not… this recipe has become OUR family tradition.” – Robbin
Our Mom’s Famous Gravy
I grew up with this Turkey Gravy on repeat. My mom was famous for her traditional Sunday dinners, alternating roast beef and turkey every week. It honestly felt like Thanksgiving every other Sunday. The one thing everyone always remembered and always asked for was her gravy.
For years she made it completely by feel. No measurements, just taste and experience. Eventually she let us hover over her shoulder and shared a step by step method so we could recreate that same savory, creamy homemade Turkey Gravy on our own. It is the gravy I make for my family now, and it just tastes like home.
This Turkey Gravy goes with pretty much everything on a holiday table. I love it poured over:
- Roasted Turkey or Turkey Breast
- Homemade Mashed Potatoes
- Cranberry Sausage Stuffing or Bacon Stuffing
- Leftover Thanksgiving Casserole or Thanksgiving Sandwich
🩷 Erica
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Turkey Drippings: The secret to flavorful gravy! Use the drippings from your Roasted Turkey or Turkey Breast. 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: mixed with cold water for thickening.
- Salt: To taste. Use sparingly after all flavors have blended.
Ingredient Additions and Substitutions
- Gluten free Turkey Gravy: Skip the gravy packet and use cornstarch as your only thickener. Double check that your bouillon is gluten free. The method is exactly the same and you will still get a smooth, creamy gravy.
- No gravy packet available: No problem. Just leave it out and rely on the turkey drippings, bouillon, and milk. The gravy will still be full of flavor, you will just end up with about 3 cups instead of 4.
- Using flour instead of cornstarch: You can thicken this gravy with an equal amount of all purpose flour. Whisk it in cold water to make a smooth slurry before adding.
- Extra rich gravy: Swap part of the milk for half and half or a splash of heavy cream for an ultra luxurious texture.
- Boosting flavor: Stir in a splash of white wine, a pinch of poultry seasoning, or a few finely chopped fresh herbs like thyme or sage right at the end.
How to Make Turkey Gravy
- 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 or broth if the drippings are less than a cup. Whisk to loosen any caramelized bits – these are packed with flavor!
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Taste and Adjust. Taste the gravy and adjust seasonings as needed. Add salt sparingly, the bouillon and gravy packet are salty.
- Serve the Gravy. Keep the gravy warm until serving. Transfer it to a gravy boat or bowl with a ladle for easy serving.
Recipe Tips
- Make it slightly thinner than you think because it thickens as it cools on the table.
- Whisk constantly when adding the slurry so the cornstarch blends in smoothly and you avoid lumps.
- Do not boil hard after thickening or the texture can turn a bit gummy. A gentle simmer is perfect.
- Taste before adding salt since drippings, bouillon, and gravy packets all contain salt already.
- Use a fat separator if you prefer a very lean gravy. It quickly removes fat from the drippings.
- Warm your gravy boat with hot water, then dry it before filling. This helps keep the gravy hot longer.
- Double the recipe if you have a big crowd or want plenty of leftovers for sandwiches and casseroles.
- Avoid placing an aluminum roasting pan directly on the stovetop. Instead, transfer to a large sauce pan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. For gluten free Turkey Gravy, simply leave out the gravy packet and use cornstarch instead of flour as your thickener. Be sure your bouillon and any seasoning blends are certified gluten free.
You can boost the flavor with chicken bouillon, a tablespoon or two of dry turkey gravy mix, fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme or sage. Always taste as you go and add salt last.
If your gravy ends up lumpy, do not panic. Pour it through a fine mesh strainer into a clean pot and whisk well. Most lumps will be left behind, and you will be left with a smooth gravy.
Yes, but it won’t be quite as flavorful. Use butter and turkey or chicken broth in place of drippings. Melt butter in a saucepan, whisk in a bit of flour or cornstarch, then slowly add broth and seasonings until you reach your desired flavor and consistency. The drippings do add amazing flavor, but this is a good backup.
Make Ahead and Storage
Freezer storage: Cool completely, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat slowly. Add more liquid as needed to smooth it back out.
Make ahead: Make the gravy up to 2 days before serving. Let it cool, then refrigerate in an airtight container. Reheat gently over low heat, whisking in a splash of milk or broth to bring it back to a pourable consistency.
Refrigerator storage: Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring every 20 to 30 seconds until hot.
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.
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! If you make this gravy I’d love to hear how it went. Rate the recipe and drop your variations in the comments so others can try them too! 💛
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
- Gravy will thicken as it cools, so leave it a little thinner than your final desired consistency.
- For gluten free Turkey Gravy, omit the gravy packet and use cornstarch only; check that your bouillon is gluten free.
- Using the gravy packet makes about 4 cups; without the packet you will have about 3 cups.
- Taste before adding salt, since drippings, bouillon, and the gravy packet are already salty.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months; thin with milk or broth when reheating if needed.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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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!
It’s wonderful to have a clear ingredients list and step by step process! My Mom or Grandma always made the gravy and while I learned all my cooking skills from them such as homemade pie crust include how to flute I never paid fully attention to the gravy. I guess since it’s one of the lasts steps of the meal I was likely taking other items to the table, getting beverages set up for our large extended family, etc. while they were taking care of the final touches as their wonderful gravy. Grandma always made it look so easy, no measuring just a little of this and that and tasting in between. Additionally, I didn’t think either of them were every going anywhere so why would I need to make gravy on Thanksgiving or any other day! That first Thanksgiving after we lost my Mom was rough but I swear she was right beside me as everything came off great and all the dishes were ready and hot at the same time. My husbands’ always my cheerleader but my Dad and Brother were impressed. Best of all I felt my Mom with me really for the first time since we lost her that June.
I have not made this one yet, but it sounds super yummy. Going to make it instead of buying gravy in the jar
Soooo yummy and simple! Trust me, you want the REAL stuff! PS… the recipe says your turkey comes with a gravy packet… mine did not. However, I was able to get one at my local grocery store for 69 cents, so don’t forget to grab one…. just in case.
OK, fist time making gravy. So just get a dry gravy packet and add the whole thing? My turkey didn’t come with one.
Looks yummy, will be trying this! Thank you.
This simple but well loved recipe is the one I use all the time. I’ve given it to my 2 daughters and my DIL! Gravy either is memorable or not… this recipe has become OUR family tradition.
I’m so happy you enjoy this recipe and that you’ve shared it! Happy Thanksgiving!
This sounds too good to be true! Can’t wait to try it!
This recipe is one I have never done before (with milk) I am going to try it this Thanksgiving for sure!
Old fashioned Turkey Gravy at its best! Milk makes the gravy more creamy.
Agreed! Happy Thanksgiving!
I have never made my gravy with milk, I will try this year. To add flavor to our gravy we mince the giblets and add to the pan just before serving. I am getting anxious for our delicious turkey dinner!!!!
This gravy was a gravey changer I have never known such an easy way to make good gravy
This sounds as good as my moms Gravy which should be a food group
Haha – agreed!
I am almost 80 y/o, having lived in South Texas off & on since I was born. I come from a large family (my mother had 6 brothers and five sisters). Everyone cooks. My sister, Donna, and our Aunt Esther, gathered recipes from the whole family and then published two cookbooks. There are 36 first cousins alone plus our children and their children and all the spouses. Last month our family hosted our 59th family reunion. Our grandfather also had eleven brothers and sisters. It’s always a pretty big deal and do much fun.We love to cook and we love to eat. My father used to say “There are people who eat to live and people who live to eat.” We all fall into the latter category.
I have to say I’ve never heard of, nor have I ever eaten turkey gravy made with milk. But I give it five stars because it sounds scrumptious! If any of you are old enough, you might remember a comedienne by the name of Phyllis Diller from the sixties who claimed that she counted gravy as a beverage around her kitchen table.
My mouth is watering!
I do remember Phyllis Diller and I agree with her! It sounds like you have a wonderful family. What are the names of the cookbooks your family published?
I am all about getting more for your buck. This turkey dripping gravy recipe is delicious especially by using the drippings from the turkey we were already making.
This is a no fail Turkey gravy. And to make it even better, here’s what I did. I replaced the cornstarch with Wondra, which does contain cornstarch but is really fine and made the gravy silky smooth. I have used this product for years. I also added in a dash of McCormick’s poultry seasoning and 1 tsp of white pepper to give it a little kick. It was soooo good!
No need for any other gravy recipes. THIS is the ONE!
My gravy never looked like this😁 This is the one thing I will be using this year! Thank you!
I thought it was a bit too salty, next time I’ll cut the bouillon in half.
Great
I’m old. No extra packets etc. Turkey drippings/flour/water (altho might try milk)…keep it simple.
At 79 years young, I’ve made many Thanksgiving dinners. It’s no secret that without a special gravy, the meal wouldn’t be the same. This recipe puts the pizazz into this important part of your dinner. It’s easy to follow and the end results make for a rich, creamy and tasty gravy for you and your guests to enjoy. I promise, you won’t be disappointed.
Thank you, Marilyn!
easy to follow directions for smooth gravy
Always looking for a good turkey gravy recipe. This looks delish and I think I can pull this of.
Thanks for this I need it.
This recipe sounds really easy. I am usually challenged when it comes to making gravy from drippings.
This recipe is really good! I love the ease and it tastes delicious!
Very close to how my mom made her gravy. The best flavor really is from great pan drippings!
100% Agree. Thank you, Kathy!
We have been using this recipe ever since it was published a few years ago. Our mothers had never used milk to make turkey gravy, so we were very interested and decided to try it. Oh my! We fell in love with it. It has such a great flavor and super mouth feel. Just too, too good.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thank you, Adeline!
I made this as I was baking two Turkey legs for the hubby and me. Was so darn good! I have leftover frozen Turkey that I plan to add to another batch of this gravy and serve it ala king style!! So yummy and savory!!
I had never heard of adding milk to turkey gravy, but it was very good.
We love it! I’m glad you enjoyed it too. 🙂
i have made this recipe for years and it has always been a crowd pleaser. Good on mashed potatoes, over turkey, on biscuits.
I’ve never made turkey gravy. This looks like the perfect recipe. Will try it.
I like to follow this recipe when I have ham and roast beef drippings. It is creamy and flavorful. I buy the dry gravy packet since one doesn’t usually come supplied with those two meats.
My people will be so happy to have a gravy that won’t taste like lumpy glue!
I can not make gravy!
I will be using this fantastic recipe!
I am determined to get perfect gravy!
You’ve got this! Happy Thanksgiving!
looks like delicious gravy will try with my Turkey.
I like this recipe because it sounds like my Aunts house on Thanksgiving. Everyone gathered around the gravy bowl, and there were no leftovers. Like her she never wrote it down either. After she passed we looked for her recipes and there were a few but all mostly by memory she would make to taste every year. Thanks for the memory..
Looks very good! I’ll give it a try this Thanksgiving. Yes, the secret is good turkey stock. I also use actual chicken broth from a cooked chicken for cooking homemade noodles. It’s WAY BETTER than the canned broth.
Agreed! Thank you for the 5-star rating!
Absolutely delicious! Making it for Thanksgiving this year.
have used this recipe before, super good!
Turkey gravy goes hand in hand with turkey & mashed potatoes!
Where r the giblets? Won’t that work also in this recipe?
This sounds SO good!
This is one of my favorite recipe, its very nutritious, easy to prepare and very delicious. It the best Christmas recipe.
I haven’t tried this recipe, but I give it 5 stars for how easy it looks to make.
This gravy sounds almost like the one I make only I use water instead of milk. This Thanksgiving I will try the milk.
Thank you for the easy-to follow recipes! I can’t wait to try this one out next week.
Easy to make with lots of flavor.
This is how my mom made it many years ago & I followed suit. I especially like the fact that you separate the gravy from the fat & strain it. Old school & the best! Great gravy!!!! Lol!
My family loves this gravy! This is a delicious recipe that is on our table every holiday.
This sounds like a delicious turkey gravy recipe. I am definitely going to make it for Thanksgiving.
5 Stars. Full of flavour, light & delicious.
Easy peesy, I put cold water and cornstarch in a small 1/2 pint Mason jar and shake until smooth. Reserving leftover slurry in refrigerator, for stir-fry recipes
Love this gravy recipe!! So rich, creamy, delicious. Had a turkey dinner for out of town guests and now will be making this gravy for Thanksgiving.
Very tasty and creamy.
The gravy is the cherry on top!
I love good turkey gravy! This sounds like a really good one. I will be using it. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
After discovering this recipe as a subscriber a few years ago this quickly became my go-to gravy. Deep, flavorful gravy delicious on yummy sides like mashed potatoes or drizzled over a hot turkey sandwich (my personal fave!). Such a simple recipe it really is a no-fail way to make gravy every single time. Never disappoints!
It’s no meal without the gravy. With good gravy bread can become the main course.
Very good recipe can’t wait to try
My wife makes her own but she likes this recipe just as well
This sounds delicious, I have never added milk to my gravy, I will have to give this a try this year. Anxious now for Thanksgiving so I can try.
Very yummy perfect gravy for Thanksgiving!!
I have never been a successful gravy maker, but this sounds incredibly easy and delicious!!! Thanks!!!
Kimberly Rice
This recipe sounds delicious! Nothing like home made gravy! I use my leftover gravy for open face sandwiches.
Absolutely AMAZING!!!!
I have been looking for a perfect gravy for perfect mashed potatoes and turkey and this sounds like it and so easy to make wish me luck this year
This mirrors the way I was taught to make gravy too except my mother used flour. Thank you for instructions so everyone can make perfect gravy! Because many people don’t use a recipe it seemed a mystery to many.
This is the best Gravy ever! Lots of flavor, the only recipe you need!
This is seriously the only way I do my gravy now. The addition of milk adds so much richness and flavor. You guys have totally changed the way I do my Thanksgiving dinner. I use your turkey recipe, your gravy recipe, your pistachio fruit salad recipe and your coconut cream pie recipe. Happy Thanksgiving!!
I needed a good gravy recipe because mine is always horrible! This may be it!
perfection!
Gravy is my favorite thanksgiving item. It goes with everything. And yours is the best!! This is a staple in our house.
5 Stars Same gravy I make! Handed down from my Polish Aunt Helen. So very tasty!
I’ve used this gravy recipe the last two thanksgivings and my family loves it! We have to make three times as much for my gravy loving family! Thank you, and your mom for this recipe!
Once you get the potatoes, meat complete, just pour that gravy on and everything is so lucious. You just want to put it in everything. Then you grab all your rolls and pickup every bit of that precious, delicious gravy. What a way to finish off a wonderful meal.
Good recipe, but I wouldn’t use the packet from the Turkey, some brands aren’t good
Sounds fabulous. Reminds me of my mother’s famous gravy that I was never able to match.
Great gravy recipe!!! It not only goes great with mashed potatoes. We also love it on top of our dressing.
I don’t always get that much drippings from the roasted turkey. Adding more chicken bouillon/ broth would fix that. And since I learned to make gravy from my Mother I follow her lead and use flour rather than cornstarch.
There can never be enough gravy!
This is the best gravy I have had yet,,Even my kids loved it,, Easy to make and so yummy
My family’s go-to gravy recipe!!
Great recipe
Great gravy will make it over and over
Gravy is always the toughest part for me so this is perfect to get my own 5 stars on Thanksgiving.
Awesome Recipe
New recipe for me. My gravy has always been ok, but never great and I think this one will be my new new.
All this needs is a straw
Best bloody gravy ever. Love it.
I also love the gluten free option on making this gravy! Thank you so much!
I never could get the gravy to be right even with the turkey’s instructions! You have made it beyond what I wanted! Can’t wait to have my hubby have this on Thanksgiving! Thank you so much!
I did put 5 stars on this but for some reason it didn’t show up! That’s my luck! Lol
I love this recipe! I can cook and bake all kinds of things but when it comes to gravy, I’m just not interested in trying it. After it came out alittle lumpy I got discouraged. This step by step recipe has renewed my faith that it will come out delicious!
Finally a recipe for bigger volumes with lots of flavor and adjustable to thickness desires!
Yummy! I have necer added milk but loved the taste and creaminess of this recipe. Family favorite!
My family absolutely loved this gravy!!! I made it with the step-by-step pictures & directions so it was super simple!!!
Lets face it, smooth gravy is the hardest part of Thanksgiving! The super fine gravy flour works wonders or if all else fails strain it ! Only you will know.
Love this recipe!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️ I’ll follow every detail this thanksgiving ✌️✌️
My gravy always comes out lumpy, will give this a try!
Happy Thanksgiving!
I love the gravy recipe. It is going back to basics for me. I love making food from starch.
I enjoy sharing all the comfort foods of the Thanksgiving holiday with family and close friends.
This gravy recipe reminds me of treasured stored memories… of sitting around the dinning room table with my beloved mother. My mother took pride in the food she would cook and serve our family. I lost my mother, my dearest friend over 9 years ago.
The recipe takes me back on how she made her gravy. The best part! My family would fight for the very last bit of it, scrapping the sides of the gravy bowl.
Thank you for having this contest and thank you for sharing your delicious recipes.
Many Blessing to all of you and your families. May your belly’s always be full!
Kindest Regards,
Gina Oeser
Delicious gravy
This gravy perfectly complements our Thanksgiving meal. And as a novice cook, the tips are super helpful.
This gravy perfectly complements our Thanksgiving meal. And as a novice cook, the tips are super helpful.
Perfect recipe and great tips! It’s our new favorite for the holidays.
Was looking for turkey gravy and came across this. It’s perfect!
I’ve made this twice now and it’s simply phenomenal. Two thumbs up!!
I will definitely try this…but wondering if you could help me ,,,at Thanksgiving last year, we deep fried our turkey…of course we all want gravy! any suggestions on how to make gravy without pan drippings ????
Sometimes the turkey will come with a packet of drippings, if you can find one that includes the drippings in a separate pack, that is definitely the way to go! Otherwise you will probably be best off getting a packet of turkey gravy if you are frying the turkey. I’m not sure how you can make a true homemade turkey without drippings. :/
Hi Erica!
Happy Thanksgiving! I just picked up one of these vintage Magnalite roasters (the 21″!) and for the price my husband is expecting his Thanksgiving dinner to be amazing. Could you help me out with a few questions I have about it?
-How do you monitor the temp of the meat inside the pot? Seems like if I keep opening the oven and the pot to take the temp, it will really throw the temp off.
-Would the small wire from a remote meat thermometer disrupt the seal of the lid enough to affect the roasting or could I use one?
-Any idea approximately how long I might cook a 20 lb. turkey? I have read by some that these cook much faster than normal and I would like all of my food to come out about the same time.
Thank you in advance!
Jennifer
Great questions.. as a rule of thumb they say 20 minutes per pound of turkey(at 350-degrees) but that can vary because you are using the magnate. A small wire from a remote meat thermometer shouldn’t disrupt the seal of the lid… If you are worried about it you can place some aluminum foil around were the wire is to keep the good seal– but really, it should be ok. 🙂 The meat thermometer is definitely the best way to go to make sure it isn’t over/under done. Hope this helps! Let us know how it turns out.
We love that roasting pan– sometimes the turkey we get is too big to fit the lid over the top so we just cover the pan it with foil as best we can and place the lid on top of the turkey. You just want to trap in that heat/moisture as much as you can.
What great advice! Thank you so much!
I can’t seem to find the gravy recipe…. Only the turkey recipe. Desperately wanting to try this.
Hi Jennifer– Thank you for pointing out that is was missing! I was able to fix the problem.. it should be there now 🙂
Oh wow! I MUST try this gravy! My girlfriend’s mother in law had the best gravy recipe ever but she passed away without ever passing it on and we’ve been searching for a replacement ever since. Nothing measures up! But, if you can eat this by the spoonful then I must give this a try!
I know you don’t do measurements but can you possibly give me any idea at all as to how many cups of turkey drippings you’re talking about? I always make a 20 pound turkey so I am not sure how many cups of drippings a “small” turkey makes! Please help because I am definitely trying this on Thanksgiving this year!
Thanks so much!
Jenn
For a small turkey, I only keep about a cup or two– which is usually all of the drippings available. If it seems like there is excess drippings I will discard some but usually I use as much of the drippings as I can because it adds the best flavor. I hope this helps! Let us know if it turns out like your girlfriend’s mother-in-law’s!
In the recipe for the turkey is that for fresh or dried herbs?
Dried… if you use fresh, you will want to use at least twice as much. Hope this helps!
This is probably a dumb question, but I should NOT be using ground herbs/spices? Looking forward to making this! 🙂
You can definitely use the ground spices if you want. They will also taste great. When I use ground spices instead of fresh, I rub them between my hands before adding them to the gravy. This will bring out more of the flavors of the spices. Thanks for asking!
You rub the powder between your hands?
You rub the spices (parsley, sage, rosemary) between your fingers to break them up a little. This releases more of the flavor of the spice.
I’d heard of breaking up dried herbs and spices to release more flavor, but not the already-ground-into-powder ones. I learn something new all the time! 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving!
Do you take the grease out of the drippings before making the gravy?
If there is excess grease, we will take it out but if there’s just a little bit we will leave it in… It adds a great flavor!
Hi. I am using my mother’s Magnalite roasterfor full 17 lb Turkey. Do you leave the cover on until almost the end of the cooking time and then uncover to brown the turkey? Connie
Hi Connie– aren’t Magnalites the best? Yes, we will cover it for most of the time and then uncover to brown it for 15 minutes or so. It just holds in those juices beautifully! Sometimes the large turkeys don’t fit so we will cover tightly with foil and then place the lid over the top (because sometimes it shrinks and then the lid will fit in place as it is cooking). Hope this helps!
Sounds good. Thank you
Please make sure you get the right roaster. The name ‘Magnalite’. Is now owned by a different company than the company who owns the formula for materials used in original cookware! Please research! The http://www.wagnerware.com site is the correct manufacturer to receive cookware equivalent to the original. I am a careful consumer, no way connected to the company mentioned. I found Amazon.com reviews concerning this cookware will confirm this and provide further information. Be careful before you buy. Good luck. 🙂
Hi
I came across your blog from Pinterest and was hooked! Went to EBay and bought the Magnalite 12 Q pot. Tonight I made your turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy. OMGosh!!! Best meal ever! I have been making those for 20+ years and have never had it turn out so perfect. I “might” have even had a couple of spoonfuls of the gravy by itself! Thank you SOOOO much!
I am SO happy to hear that you liked it!!!! I hear ya about the gravy.. I am frequently “tasting” spoonfuls of the gravy at a time! LOL I should seriously be a spokesperson for Magnalite because I can’t live without their roaster! So glad you found us! Please keep coming back for more recipes!
OH MY GOODNESS!!! My mom and I were trying to find something new and different for our thanksgiving dinner this year and so a couple of weeks ago, we tried this recipe, your rasp. cranberries, and your Island Pecan Pie. We were blown away! Now you have to know, we cook a lot and normally our thanksgiving food is pretty darn good, but this time, (I know we aren’t supposed to brag on ourselves) I believe this was one of the best meals I have EVER eaten. We have always used Magnalite roasters on our roasts and ham, and I have always wondered if you could do a turkey in one (we have always done ours in a bag) we just never have. Well we will never use a bag again! We passed on our knowledge from our attempt a few weeks ago to our extended family and they used the recipes yesterday too and everyone was raving about their dinners. You guys are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! We also made your fruit salad recipe, the one with the pistachio pudding, and also your coconut cream pie and we now have the perfect Thanksgiving meal! Thank you,thank you, thank you for making this the best Thanksgiving EVER! ( Tell your mom hello from Sister Reary (my mom). Have a Merry Christmas, here is hoping you can make my Christmas as good or better than my Thanksgiving!! 🙂
Janelle– Thank you so much for commenting! I am so glad that your Thanksgiving dinner turned out so great… and that you used so many of our recipes! I told my mom “hello” from your mom and she said “Oh I LOVE her! They are such a wonderful wonderful family”… then went on to tell me what a talented and amazing family you have! Sounds like our two families need to get together and have a huge feast of some sort! Promise me that next year you will add our cranberry-sausage stuffing to the mix.. it is life changing. 🙂 I am dying that you have never used your roasting pan for turkey before! We seriously don’t make turkey without it! I am glad we helped you to find another use for it! We even use it on the stove-top to make stews and soups when serving a lot of people. It just has such good, even heating. Sheesh, look at me… I should just be a spokesperson for Magnalite. Anyway– Merry Christmas to your family as well! Tell your mom that OUR mom says “hi” back 🙂
Oh my Gosh!!! I know this is an older post but I’m hoping you see this. I was looking for a turkey gravy recipe and was confused by the “magic pot” comment. So reading on I discovered (I think) that you’re referring to the Magnalite roaster! Well my parents always had the large18” one and ALWAYS Cooked the turkey in it, my sister “borrowed “ it one year (as I ended up with it)
And wouldn’t give it back!! So my MIL. Bought us one. Now my SIL loves it and cooked a large turkey stock in it (which I never did)
Also my grandmother. Always made the pistachio fruit salad and I have never heard of that anywhere else until just now! How funny that those two things (which are not well known) are things we have in common as family recipes!!!
Anyway just wanted to write that and thank you for sharing!
I have one of those roasters-it’s the size of a VW. Barely fits in my oven. But it is fantastic and they come in different sizes.
What size is your “Magic Pot”? I’ve been looking into buying one on eBay! I’m guessing the 18″ would be best for turkey baking.
Mine is the 15″ which is perfect for a turkey breast (we have a smaller family)… when my kids get older I will definitely be upgrading to the 18″ or bigger!
Hi Erica, it’s your Cars Fast Pass line pal 🙂 I love your blog, what size of magic pot or Dutch oven should I get?
Hey!! I am emailing you right now! 🙂
Does it matter if it is whole milk or 2%?
Nope! We usually just use skim!
Where do you buy the magnalite roasters?
I’m interested in the “magic pot”. Can you buy it locally or is it online? Also what size of pot is yours? Thanks!
I have only found them online. I will post a link to where you can buy them in this post in the next little bit…
This all sounds wonderful! What kind of bullion? Beef, chicken, another kind? Thanks!
Whoops! Glad you said something! I fixed it on the recipe… it’s chicken bouillon..