Description
This Perfect Turkey Gravy recipe delivers a rich, flavorful sauce made from turkey pan drippings, fresh herbs, and a smooth roux base. Ideal for Thanksgiving or any roasted turkey meal, this gravy is silky, well-balanced, and easy to prepare in about 30 minutes, enhancing your holiday feast with comforting homemade goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter
- 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 1 cup turkey pan drippings (or more if available)
- 1 cup (or more) low-sodium chicken broth or turkey stock
- 1 tsp. chopped fresh sage
- 1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Create the Roux: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture turns golden and fragrant, about 1 minute. This step forms the roux, which will thicken the gravy nicely.
- Add Pan Drippings: Gradually whisk in the turkey pan drippings. If you have more than 1 cup of drippings, use all available and reduce the amount of broth later accordingly. Bring the mixture to a boil to activate the thickening properties of the roux, then reduce heat to medium-low.
- Simmer and Thicken: Allow the gravy to simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until it slightly thickens and smooths out.
- Incorporate Broth and Herbs: Whisk in the chicken broth (or turkey stock), fresh sage, and thyme. Return to a simmer and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Finish Cooking: Continue cooking the gravy, stirring occasionally and gradually adding more broth if needed, until the flavors meld and the gravy reaches your desired consistency. This should take about 10 minutes.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs for the best flavor, but dried can be substituted if necessary (use 1/3 the quantity).
- Adjust the thickness by adding more broth for a thinner gravy or cook longer to thicken further.
- Skim off any excess fat from the pan drippings before adding if you prefer a leaner gravy.
- This gravy can be made ahead and gently reheated before serving, stirring occasionally to maintain smoothness.
