This Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Gravy is rich, savory, smooth, and incredibly easy to make. Made with flavorful turkey drippings, butter, flour, and broth, it is the perfect finishing touch for mashed potatoes, roast turkey, stuffing, and all your favorite Thanksgiving sides.
The best part is that you do not need complicated ingredients or special techniques. Once the turkey comes out of the oven, you can turn those flavorful pan drippings into a homemade gravy that tastes far better than anything from a jar.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy homemade Thanksgiving gravy
- Uses flavorful turkey pan drippings
- Ready in about 15 minutes
- Rich, savory, and smooth
- Perfect for mashed potatoes and roast turkey
- Easy to adjust for thicker or thinner gravy
- Great for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner
Ingredients
- ¼ cup turkey drippings
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups turkey or chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, optional
Ingredient Notes
Turkey drippings: Use the flavorful juices left in the roasting pan after cooking your turkey. If there are browned bits stuck to the pan, scrape them up because they add wonderful flavor.
Butter: Unsalted butter gives you better control over the saltiness.
Flour: All-purpose flour creates a classic gravy texture and helps the gravy thicken.
Broth: Turkey broth is ideal, but chicken broth works very well too.
Seasonings: Taste the gravy before adding additional salt because turkey drippings and broth can already contain quite a bit of seasoning.
How to Make Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Gravy
Step 1: Collect the Turkey Drippings
Once your turkey is finished roasting, carefully remove it from the roasting pan and allow it to rest.
Pour the liquid from the roasting pan through a fine-mesh strainer into a measuring cup or bowl.
If desired, reserve some of the browned vegetables and herbs from the roasting pan for additional flavor.
Let the drippings sit for a few minutes so the fat naturally rises to the top.
Step 2: Make the Roux
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
Add the flour and whisk continuously.
Cook for approximately 1–2 minutes, until the flour mixture is smooth and lightly golden.
Do not let the flour burn.
Step 3: Add the Drippings
Slowly whisk the turkey drippings into the butter and flour mixture.
Keep whisking as you add the liquid to prevent lumps.
Step 4: Add the Broth
Gradually pour in the turkey or chicken broth while whisking continuously.
The gravy will begin to thicken as it heats.
Step 5: Season
Add black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and fresh thyme if using.
Taste the gravy before adding salt.
Continue cooking for approximately 5–7 minutes, whisking occasionally, until the gravy reaches your preferred consistency.
Step 6: Strain if Needed
For an especially smooth gravy, pour it through a fine-mesh strainer before serving.
This removes any small lumps or bits of herbs.
Step 7: Serve
Transfer the hot gravy to a serving bowl or gravy boat.
Serve immediately over turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, biscuits, or roasted vegetables.
Helpful Tips
- Whisk constantly when adding the liquid to prevent lumps.
- Add broth gradually rather than all at once.
- Taste before adding salt.
- For thicker gravy, simmer it a little longer.
- For thinner gravy, whisk in additional warm broth.
- Strain the finished gravy if you want an extra-smooth texture.
- Keep the gravy warm until serving.
How to Make Gravy from Turkey Drippings
The easiest way to make flavorful turkey gravy is to use the liquid left in the roasting pan.
After removing the turkey, carefully pour the pan juices into a measuring cup. The fat will naturally separate and rise to the top.
Use some of the fat with flour to create the roux, then gradually whisk in the flavorful juices and broth.
The browned bits from the bottom of the roasting pan can add even more depth to the finished gravy.
How to Fix Gravy That Is Too Thick
If your gravy becomes thicker than you want, simply whisk in warm turkey or chicken broth a little at a time.
Continue heating gently until you reach your preferred consistency.
How to Fix Gravy That Is Too Thin
Allow the gravy to simmer for a few additional minutes while whisking occasionally.
If it is still too thin, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water to make a slurry. Whisk a small amount into the simmering gravy and cook until thickened.
Make-Ahead Instructions
You can make this gravy a day ahead of Thanksgiving.
Prepare the gravy as directed, allow it to cool, and refrigerate it in an airtight container.
When ready to serve, gently reheat it in a saucepan over low to medium-low heat. Add a splash of broth if the gravy has become too thick.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat gently on the stovetop, whisking occasionally.
You can also freeze turkey gravy in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months for best quality.
What to Serve with Turkey Gravy
This homemade gravy is perfect with:
- Roast turkey
- Mashed potatoes
- Stuffing
- Sweet potato casserole
- Dinner rolls
- Roasted vegetables
- Biscuits
- Turkey sandwiches
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make turkey gravy without drippings?
Yes. Use butter, flour, and turkey or chicken broth to make a simple gravy. Turkey drippings simply provide additional roasted flavor.
Can I use chicken broth instead of turkey broth?
Absolutely. Chicken broth is an easy substitute and works especially well when you do not have enough turkey drippings.
Why does my gravy have lumps?
Lumps usually happen when flour is not whisked properly into the fat or when liquid is added too quickly. Add the broth gradually while whisking continuously.
Can I make gravy ahead of Thanksgiving?
Yes. Turkey gravy can be prepared a day ahead and gently reheated before serving.
How do I make darker gravy?
Cook the flour and butter mixture slightly longer until the roux becomes a deeper golden brown. Be careful not to burn it.
Can I make gluten-free turkey gravy?
Yes. Replace the all-purpose flour with a suitable gluten-free flour blend or use cornstarch as the thickener. Make sure your broth is also certified gluten-free if necessary.
Recipe Card
Recipe Name: Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Gravy
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: About 2½ cups
Course: Sauce / Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- ¼ cup turkey drippings
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups turkey or chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, optional
Instructions
- Strain the turkey drippings from the roasting pan.
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Whisk in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes.
- Slowly whisk in the turkey drippings.
- Gradually add broth while whisking.
- Add pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and thyme.
- Simmer for 5–7 minutes until thickened.
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Strain if desired for an extra-smooth gravy.
- Serve hot over turkey and mashed potatoes.
Note: Add additional warm broth if the gravy becomes too thick.