Turkey Gravy Without Drippings
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This rich, savory turkey gravy without drippings is made in just 15 minutes with turkey stock, butter, flour, poultry seasoning, and a bit of salt and pepper to taste. It’s the perfect recipe when you need a quick and easy gravy or your bird doesn’t produce enough of its own juices.
While homemade gravy from drippings (or with a turkey neck) has the most flavor, learning how to make a delicious turkey gravy without the drippings comes in handy when you want some delicious homemade gravy but aren’t roasting a whole turkey.
The easy gravy recipe is also perfect for whipping up in the days following Thanksgiving dinner when you are out of gravy but still have leftover turkey to enjoy.
Plus, not everyone roasts a Thanksgiving turkey the same way. So, if it’s a slow cooker boneless turkey breast you’re making or you’re smoking or deep-frying your bird, now you have a quick gravy recipe to turn to.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- It has rich flavors and tastes amazing.
- The entire recipe is ready in 15 minutes.
- Great for when you’re not cooking a whole turkey.
- Perfect make-ahead turkey gravy recipe.
Ingredients
This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- Butter – The fat needed to make a rich, velvety gravy.
- All-purpose flour – Combined with the butter, it makes a roux, which is used to thicken sauces, or in this case thicken the gravy.
- Turkey broth – You can use either use turkey broth or stock, homemade or store-bought. Opt for a low sodium broth if available.
- Seasoning – Poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. The salt is to taste and is mainly used if you’re using a low-sodium broth and/or unsalted butter.
How to Make Gravy without Turkey Drippings
This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below.
Step 1: In a saucepan or large skillet, melt butter over medium heat and then whisk in the flour. Keep whisking until there are no lumps and it turns into a light golden brown paste.
Step 2: Gradually pour in the broth, whisking constantly to combine. Sprinkle in the poultry seasoning and pepper.
Step 3: Allow the liquid it to simmer and heat through, whisking often. The gravy will thicken after about 3–5 minutes.
Step 4: Season with salt to taste. Transfer gravy into a gravy boat or bowl and enjoy!
Pro Tip:
For thicker gravy, make a cornstarch slurry. Combine 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water, and stir into the gravy while it is simmering.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store leftover gravy in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezer: You can freeze it for up to 2 months. Just be sure to keep it in a freezer-safe container.
How to Reheat: Pour it back into a saucepan and reheat it on the stovetop. Whisk it often, and because it will have thickened, add a splash of broth or water until the desired consistency is reached.
Recipe Tips
- Have some turkey drippings but not enough to make gravy? Add whatever pan drippings your roast turkey produces to this recipe for extra flavor.
- Make sure to stir the gravy until there are no lumps. Otherwise, your gravy may be lumpy and have a raw flour taste.
- I recommend waiting until the end to taste and add salt if needed.
- Double the recipe for a larger crowd.
Serving Suggestions
There are so many ways to use up this make-ahead turkey gravy besides your Thanksgiving turkey! Smother it over an open faced turkey sandwich or your slow cooker ranch pork chops.
Drizzle it over party potatoes or dip your French fries in it.
Serve it with creamy mashed potatoes, rice, or on the side of your turkey and stuffing balls.
Additions and variations
- Swap the turkey flavor. This easy homemade gravy recipe works just as well with beef stock to make a silky-smooth beef gravy or chicken stock to make a chicken gravy. You may need to alter the seasonings a bit, but you’ll still get a depth of flavor and a really good gravy.
- Substitute for a different flavor broth. If the grocery store doesn’t have any turkey broth I like to use a mixture of beef broth and chicken broth. But you can also simply substitute with just one or the other.
- Use the giblets. Make giblet gravy without drippings by using them to make homemade stock while your bird is cooking. I know you’re probably wondering why you wouldn’t use the drippings if you’re cooking a bird anyway. The truth is, sometimes you just don’t have enough drippings, and other times some folks prefer not to make gravy that way.
More Recipes for your Holiday Table
Turkey Gravy Without Drippings
Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ cups turkey broth or stock
- ½ teaspoon poultry seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Melt butter in a saucepan or large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the flour and whisk until there aren’t any lumps. Cook for 1-2 minutes, whisking constantly, until it turns a light golden brown.
- Slowly and gradually pour in the broth, whisking constantly to combine. Add poultry seasoning and pepper.
- Continue to heat, whisking often, until it comes to a simmer. Allow the gravy to simmer for 3-5 minutes, or until thickened.
- Taste and add salt, if desired.
- Serve in a gravy boat or bowl and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
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