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Turkey Gravy

Turkey Gravy
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This Turkey Gravy recipe delivers a rich, smooth, and flavorful sauce made from real turkey drippings. Perfect for holiday meals like Thanksgiving and Christmas, it comes together quickly and easily in under 20 minutes, enhancing your turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and roasted vegetables with a homemade savory touch. Customizable variations and expert tips make it suitable for various dietary preferences including gluten-free options.

Ingredients

Base Ingredients

  • Turkey drippings: 1/2 to 1 cup, collected from roasting pan
  • All-purpose flour: 2 to 3 tablespoons (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free)
  • Turkey or chicken broth: 2 cups
  • Butter: 2 tablespoons (or olive oil/vegan butter for dairy-free)
  • Salt: to taste
  • Black pepper: to taste

Optional Herbs and Variations

  • Fresh or dried thyme: 1 teaspoon
  • Fresh or dried sage: 1 teaspoon
  • Fresh or dried rosemary: 1 teaspoon
  • White wine: 1/4 cup (optional for deglazing)
  • Cayenne pepper or smoked paprika: pinch for spicy kick (optional)

Instructions

  1. Collect the Turkey Drippings: Once your turkey is roasted, carefully pour the drippings from the roasting pan into a fat separator or a measuring cup. Let the fat rise to the top, then skim it off and reserve both the fat and juices separately to achieve the best richness and flavor balance.
  2. Make a Roux: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter or turkey fat over medium heat. Whisk in the flour continuously to form a smooth paste called a roux. Cook it for a few minutes until it turns golden brown to build flavor and ensure the gravy will thicken without lumps.
  3. Add Broth and Drippings: Slowly whisk in the turkey or chicken broth along with the reserved drippings, blending everything smoothly. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the gravy thickens to your liking.
  4. Season and Finish: Season your gravy with salt, black pepper, and optional herbs like thyme or sage to taste. Stir occasionally, and if the gravy is too thick, add a bit more broth or water to thin it out. For extra richness and a glossy finish, add a final swirl of butter just before serving.

Notes

  • Use a fat separator to accurately measure and skim turkey fat from drippings for balanced flavor and texture.
  • Whisk constantly when making the roux to prevent lumps and achieve a silky smooth gravy.
  • Simmer gently to avoid a floury taste and over-thickening.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning as turkey drippings and broth saltiness can vary.
  • Strain gravy through a fine mesh sieve for an ultra-smooth finish, if desired.
  • For gluten-free gravy, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch (use half the amount for cornstarch).
  • To make it dairy-free, replace butter with olive oil or vegan butter.
  • Store leftover gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days; freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Reheat gently over low heat, whisking frequently and adding broth or water as needed to maintain texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey gravy, holiday gravy, Thanksgiving gravy, turkey drippings, gravy recipe, gluten free gravy, homemade gravy, easy gravy

Find it online: https://mealsbylina.com/turkey-gravy/