How to Make Turkey Gravy
Tom Jackson
Rated 3.9 stars by 37 users
Category
Condiments
Cuisine
American
Servings
12
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Calories
24
One thing you must have at Thanksgiving is Turkey Gravy. It’s the liquid treasure to elevate a Thanksgiving Turkey. Chef Tom demonstrates to art of crafting a flavorful Turkey Gravy with just a few basic ingredients. The secret is pipping hot turkey drippings fresh off the pan and homemade turkey stock.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (2 oz/55 g) turkey fat and unsalted butter
- 2/3 cup (2 oz/55 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 quart turkey stock and turkey drippings, warmed
-
Jacobsen Salt Co. Tellicherry Black Pepper, to taste
-
Jacobsen Salt Co. Kosher Sea Salt, to taste
Directions
- Melt your turkey fat and/or butter over medium heat in a Lodge 12” Cast Iron Skillet. Add the flour and whisk to incorporated. Continue whisking while the roux cooks, for about one minute, until slightly browned and aromatic.
- Slowly pour the turkey drippings and turkey stock into the skillet, whisking constantly, until fully incorporated. Bring the gravy to a simmer. Lower the heat. Cook to desired consistency.
- Taste and season with black pepper and salt, as needed.
Recipe Note
Other Recipes You Might Enjoy:
Recipe Highlights and Insights:
The Myth behind the wishbone
One memory of Thanksgiving that seems to stand out is the tradition of having children at a Thanksgiving feast breaking the wishbone. It’s a popular tradition in many cultures, especially in the United States. The wishbone or the furcula bone is found in the breast of the turkey. It also can be found in other poultry, but turkey is the one people have developed the tradition of digging out the wishbone.
The tradition goes that you have two people hold one end of the wishbone almost as if they are about to declare a “thumb war” with a wish in mind they want to come true. The belief is the person holding the larger piece of the bone after they break apart from each other, will have their wish come true. It’s not verified if whether your wish is guaranteed to come true but there’s nothing wrong with having the hope it will. This is typically a playful and lighthearted tradition, especially for youngsters who seem to enjoy it during the holiday. Then they pass the tradition to the next generation.
This custom of the wishbone dates to the era of Etruscans an ancient Italian civilization. Etruscans believed poultry to have magical powers and they would harvest these divine powers by pulling out the furcula, and pass it around to spread good luck.
It’s something people look forward to each year as families will have competitions to see who breaks the wishbone, children fight over who gets to break it, and the strategies that go behind figuring out which side will break the larger piece. Whether the wishbone wish comes true, one thing is for sure it will create an unforgettable memory.
What You’ll Love
Deep turkey flavor from real drippings and homemade stock
Silky, lump-free gravy thanks to roux whisked to golden perfection
Customizable thickness—adjust easily with more stock or simmer time
Simple ingredient list, yet delivers professional-level taste
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t have enough drippings?
No worries—top off the amount with warmed turkey stock to reach a total of about a quart. Consistency and flavor remain excellent.
How do I fix lumpy gravy?
Whisk continuously while adding the stock, and if lumps occur, strain gravy through a fine mesh sieve before serving.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes—gravy can be made and refrigerated up to 2–3 days ahead. Gently reheat on the stove, whisking in extra stock if it thickens.
How long does leftover gravy last?
Store cooled gravy in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat with added stock if needed.
Can I cook these indoors?
We rate these as a 5 out of 5. Perfect for indoor or outdoor cooking.
Nutrition
Nutrition
- Serving Size
- 2 oz
- per serving
- Calories
- 24
- Fat
- 1 grams
- 1%
- Saturated Fat
- .5 grams
- 2%
- Cholesterol
- 0 milligrams
- Sodium
- 269 milligrams
- 11%
- Carbs
- 2.9 grams
- 1%
- Fiber
- 0 grams
- Sugar
- 1 grams
- Protein
- 1 grams
