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You are here: Home / Recipes and Cooking Tips / How to Make Turkey Gravy

How to Make Turkey Gravy

November 22, 2024 by Alea Milham 6 Comments

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This quick and easy homemade turkey gravy recipe is naturally gluten-free.

Hosting the holiday dinner this year? You are going to love this easy turkey gravy recipe!

This quick and easy recipe for turkey gravy produces a smooth, lump-free gravy this Thanksgiving. Use it to make homemade turkey gravy with drippings or to make turkey gravy without drippings. Cornstarch is used to make this a naturally gluten-free turkey gravy recipe. It is also dairy-free.

There is absolutely no reason to buy gravy. Ever. Homemade gravy is not only out-of-this-world delicious, but it is also easy to make. For some reason, people have heard stories of lumpy gravy and have the impression that it is difficult to make a smooth, lump-free gravy. This is not the case.  You can easily make a smooth turkey gravy for your Thanksgiving dinner in less than 5 minutes.

strain the turkey dripping before using them to make broth

How to Make Turkey Gravy with Drippings

First, start by pouring your turkey drippings through a strainer or slotted spoon. It isn’t essential that you catch everything. Removing the largest chunks will go a long way towards helping you create a smooth gravy.

Next, grab a whisk.

For every cup of turkey drippings you add to the pot, you need to add a tablespoon of cornstarch.

Use your whisk to blend the drippings and the cornstarch.

Place your pot over a medium-high flame. Keep whisking until it reaches a boil. Then, lower the flame and allow it to simmer until it thickens, gently whisking the entire time.

I know it seems like a lot of whisking, but it is really only 3 – 4 minutes total. And it is worth it! Get ready to taste gravy like you have never tasted out of a jar.

How to Make Turkey Gravy Without Drippings

What to do if you don’t have enough drippings to fill a cup? If you don’t have enough turkey drippings to make gravy, add turkey broth, chicken broth, or vegetable broth to the bottom of the roasting pan.

Then use your whisk to deglaze the roasting pan. Basically, you scrape the bottom of the pan and mix the cooked-on bits with the broth. This will reconstitute the baked-on drippings and add a richer flavor to the broth.

Use this mixture as you would turkey dripping in the Turkey Gravy Recipe below.

Easy Turkey Gravy Recipe

This gravy recipe is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free. You can double or triple this recipe if needed.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup turkey drippings
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Directions:

    1. Pour the turkey drippings through a strainer or slotted spoon.
    2. Add to the drippings to a small pot.
    3. Add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the drippings.
    4. Use a whisk to blend the ingredients.
    5. Place your pot over a medium-high heat. Keep whisking until it reaches a boil.
    6. Lower the heat and allow it to simmer until it thickens, whisking the entire time.

Homemade turkey gravy poured over sliced turkey

Use these tips to keep your turkey moist and prevent the sliced turkey from drying out.

Printable Recipe for Turkey Gravy

How to make turkey gravy
Print

Easy Turkey Gravy Recipe

This easy turkey gravy recipe can be made with drippings or without drippings. Uses cornstarch to thicken the gravy so it is naturally gluten-free.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword homemade turkey gravy, how to make turkey gravy, turkey gravy recipe
Prep Time 2 minutes minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes minutes
Total Time 7 minutes minutes
Servings 8
Calories 14kcal
Author Alea Milham

Ingredients

  • 1 cup turkey drippings
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions

  • Pour the turkey drippings through a strainer or slotted spoon.
  • Add to the drippings to a small pot.
  • Add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the drippings.
  • Use a whisk to blend the ingredients.
  • Place your pot over a medium-high heat. Keep whisking until it reaches a boil. Lower the heat and allow it to simmer until it thickens, whisking the entire time.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 14kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 42mg | Potassium: 31mg | Sugar: 1g | Iron: 1mg

 More Thanksgiving Recipes:

How to Cook a Turkey in a Slow Cooker

Homemade Orange-Cranberry Sauce

Pumpkin Pie Spiced Sweet Potatoes

Leftover Turkey Recipe Ideas

This turkey gravy recipe was originally published on November 18, 2013. It was updated on November 22, 2024.

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About Alea Milham

Alea Milham is the owner of Premeditated Leftovers and the author of Prep-Ahead Meals from Scatch. She shares her tips for saving money and time while reducing waste in her home. Her favorite hobby, gardening, is a frugal source of organic produce for her recipes. She believes it is possible to live fully and eat well while spending less.

Comments

  1. Cherie says

    November 16, 2021 at 8:33 pm

    Will arrowroot powder work instead of cornstarch? I am planning to make a Keto gravy.

    Reply
  2. Clarice r. says

    April 6, 2016 at 6:54 am

    This is NOT how to make real homemade gravy! Straight cornstarch will give you a gluey consistency! Real gravy starts by making real turkey broth ( stock)… It’s cooked in the roasting pan after removing the cooked turkey. Then it’s thickened with a mixture of 1/2flour& 1/2 cornstarch mixed with cold water. The gravy gets strained at the very end when you are happy with the flavor, color and consistency.

    Reply
    • Margaret says

      November 1, 2018 at 8:09 pm

      But yours is not gluten free. Hers is. There are trade offs.

      Reply
    • Rebecca says

      November 14, 2018 at 6:28 am

      Yeah they are trying to help people who are gluten free! Obviously normal gravy is made with flour but some can’t have it. I’m glad I found this.

      Reply
  3. April @ The 21st Century Housewife says

    November 25, 2013 at 8:02 am

    Your gravy looks really smooth and luscious – I always think a good gravy makes a meal extra special!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Friendsgiving: An Easy Guide to Hosting, Food, Invitations & Decor | Savoring Today says:
    November 17, 2019 at 9:58 am

    […] Nine More Recipes Ideas for Friendsgiving Get the Recipe Roast Turkey Get the Recipe Turkey Gravy Get the Recipe Sprouted Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls Get the Recipe Pumpkin Dream Pie with Graham Cracker Crust Get […]

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Welcome. I'm Alea!

On Premeditated Leftovers I share simple recipes made with whole foods, practical shopping tips, time saving techniques, and meal planning strategies. I also share tips for minimizing food waste, so more of the food that is purchased ends up on the table.

While volunteering as a budget counselor, I realized that food is the element of most people’s budgets where they have the greatest control. I set out to develop low-cost recipes from scratch to prove it’s possible to create delicious meals on a limited budget. Eating well while spending less is about more than just creating recipes using inexpensive ingredients; it’s about creatively combining ingredients so you don’t feel deprived and are inspired to stick to your budget.

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