Quick Summary: A make-ahead turkey gravy base built on homemade giblet stock, shallots, and sage, finished on the day with the turkey drippings. Plus what to add when gravy tastes bland, and how to fix lumpy, salty, or thin gravy. Prep: 20 min | Cook: 2 hr 30 min (mostly ahead) | Serves: 12
Jump to: RECIPE | Basic Ingredients | Adding Flavor to Gravy | Additions to Jarred Gravy | Fixing Common Problems (Gravy Rescue) | Liquid to Fat Flour Ratios | Make Ahead Base | FAQ
If you’re stressing about gravy this Thanksgiving, stop. Gravy can be a handful because it’s usually the last thing to make, and you want to serve it hot. Make this homemade turkey stock a day or two ahead of time to avoid the last-minute stress, and ensure your gravy is full of flavor.
Even with the best of recipes however, bad things can happen so I’m also sharing tips on how to rescue your gravy when things go sideways. Stress-free cooking is the goal during the holidays (and always actually).
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Gravy Making 101
I’m pretty sure gravy is a must on everyone’s Thanksgiving table. It can save a dry turkey, bring boring mashed potatoes to life, and keep on giving for the next-day (i.e., the open-faced turkey sandwich.)
There are many, many versions of gravy, from country gravy with sausage drippings to Cumberland sauce for lamb, to red-eye gravy with coffee. This post is focused on turkey gravy, but the ”gravy-saver” tips hold for all different types of gravy.
Unfortunately, gravy is a bit of a “stress dish” for many cooks. We’ve all been there: guests are pouring in, wine is flowing and you’re stuck in the kitchen trying to breathe life into something that turned out lumpy and bland for some reason. Not this year!
Let’s get your gravy game plan ready. First off, make sure you’ve got all the ingredients and tools on hand to avoid having to run out to buy something at the last minute. Preparation is the key to (gravy) success.
For the rest of the menu, browse my Thanksgiving recipes.
Basic Ingredients for Great Thanksgiving Gravy:
- The drippings and brown bits (from the roasted turkey or chicken, or whatever your Thanksgiving go-to protein is).
- A good stock. The stock is the key to great instead of good. Make a homemade stock a day or two ahead (recipe for a good one is in the recipe card below) and avoid using prepared stock if possible.
- All purpose flour.
- Fresh herbs (sage and thyme are my go-to, but go with your preference; just make sure they are fresh).
Helpful Kitchen Equipment for Turkey Gravy
- Saucepan (I like a cast iron skillet)
- Spring whisk
- gravy separator (or 4-cup measuring cup)
Tip: Brining your turkey can make it more difficult to achieve a great gravy, as it can be overly salty. Keep some butter on hand as a substitute if you are using a heavily brined turkey.
What to Add to Turkey Gravy for More Flavor
The fastest ways to add flavor to turkey gravy are fresh sage and thyme, a splash of dry sherry or white wine, Worcestershire or soy sauce, and the browned bits from the roasting pan.
The ingredients mentioned above are all you need to make a basic gravy that will taste absolutely fine. But since this is Thanksgiving, you probably want to go beyond “fine” and aim for impressive.
Luckily, there are many different additions that can give your gravy a little “je ne sais quoi”:
- Fresh sage and thyme are classic herbs that complement turkey gravy
- Wine, sherry or apple brandy are popular alcohol additions
- Shallots are less pungent than onions but still offer max flavor
- Heavy whipping cream if you like a creamy gravy
- Homemade stock (using the turkey neck and giblets, as well as some vegetables. See the recipe below for an excellent make ahead stock).
- If you’re making your gravy base ahead of time, use a gravy fat separator to easily remove excess fat if need be.
- Spices: black or white pepper, a pinch of nutmeg, or crumbled dried sage if you’re out of fresh
- Lastly, make use of all that roasted turkey goodness by making it directly in the roasting pan. That way, you get all of those tasty crusty bits stuck to the bottom, which is where all the flavor is.
How to Make Jarred or Packet Gravy Taste Homemade
Store-bought gravy gets much better with a few minutes of work. Melt a tablespoon of butter in a saucepan, soften a minced shallot with a little fresh sage or thyme, then whisk in the jarred gravy (or the packet mix and water) with a splash of turkey or chicken stock. Add a dash of Worcestershire, plenty of black pepper, and a few spoonfuls of the turkey drippings if you have them.
My mom’s trick for color was a little Kitchen Bouquet. Simmer 5 minutes and taste as you go.
How to Fix Common Gravy Problems
In cooking, even with good preparation, things can always go south. The key is not to stress out, and to know some basic fixes or rescue strategies ahead of time.
So here are some “gravy saver tips” for common problems. Read this ahead of time as some of the fixes are preventative and some are last-minute.
My gravy is too salty!
Problem: You added too much salt, or there was too much salt in your stock or turkey drippings. Now your Thanksgiving gravy tastes like the ocean.
Solution: There are actually multiple things you can do. For example, adding some lemon doesn’t make the gravy less salty, but a hint of bright acidity will help to mask the salt. You can also thin the gravy with some unsalted stock or milk, or even go the lush route with heavy cream.
My gravy is lumpy!
Problem: You didn’t whisk enough, didn’t add flour gradually, or the liquid was too hot when the flour was first added…. this is one of the most common gravy problems. Inside of the lumps is raw flour, which is not pleasant.
Solution: The drippings and stock need to be hot before adding the flour but not boiling hot. Add the flour gradually and whisk continuously. I like to make the flour into a slurry by adding flour and warm water to a small jar and shaking it up. You still need to whisk it thoroughly and continuously, but using a slurry results in fewer lumps. Worst case scenario, if the lumps persist, opt to strain the gravy or even just break out the blender.
My gravy is bland!
Problem: You followed all the instructions, but the flavor is lacking. Was all the work for nothing?
Solution: This is the easiest gravy problem to end up with in my opinion, because there’s so much you can do. Salt and pepper are obvious choices, but here are a few popular additions to enhance flavor:
- Worcestershire or soy sauce for umami
- A splash of wine or lemon juice for acidity
- A sprinkle of MSG
- Additional herbs (complementary herbs include chives, parsley, chervil, basil, tarragon, and sage
- A half teaspoon of mustard
- 1-2 tablespoons of soaked, drained and chopped dried porcini mushrooms
- Puree roasted garlic
- And last but not least, my grandmother’s favorite: a tablespoon of Kitchen Bouquet
Don’t worry too much about exact measurements. Add a little of one or more of the above flavor enhancers and then taste. Rinse and repeat. Constant tasting is one of the secrets of a great cook.
My gravy is runny!
Problem: You added a bit too much stock and now your gravy is too thin.
Solution: You should be able to boil some of the liquid out by stirring over high heat. You could also make a cornstarch slurry with equal parts cornstarch plus room-temperature water and whisk that in. Adding more liquid sounds counterintuitive, but give it a few minutes of constant whisking and you’ll see improvement.
My gravy is oily!
Problem: You overdid it with the turkey fat and/or butter.
Solution: This is where the gravy fat separator comes in! Alternatively, you can try to spoon off the fat or let the gravy cool so it congeals at the top and can be removed.
My gravy tastes like flour!
Problem: You didn’t let the drippings and flour roux brown enough, and now the gravy tastes chalky.
Solution: Simmer it at least 5 more minutes while whisking. Flour needs time at a simmer to lose its raw taste
My gravy tastes burned!
Problem: The roasting pan got too hot and the drippings burned
Solution: Make your gravy in a heavy-based roasting pan that is just large enough to hold the turkey. If it is too big or too thin parts of the turkey drippings will burn.
How Much Gravy to Make Per Person
If you’re anything like me, you overdo the amount of food on Thanksgiving. Gravy is one thing that you shouldn’t skimp on. After all, how many times a year do you actually have turkey drippings?
Gravy is a must for leftovers, especially my open-faced turkey sandwich with red-eye gravy, made with a splash of coffee.
And don’t forget about the all-day snacking on leftovers that goes on the next day.
It does depend on the size of your turkey, however, and the number of guests. Here is a handy chart that might help:
A good rule of thumb is ⅓ cup of gravy per person. For each cup of liquid (pan drippings without the fat, plus stock), use 1 tablespoon of fat and 1½ tablespoons of flour.
- 6 servings: 2 cups liquid, 2 tablespoons fat, 3 tablespoons flour
- 8 servings: 2⅔ cups liquid, 2½ tablespoons fat, 4 tablespoons flour
- 12 servings: 4 cups liquid, 4 tablespoons fat, 6 tablespoons flour
- 14 servings: 4⅔ cups liquid, 4½ tablespoons fat, 7 tablespoons flour
- 16 servings: 5⅓ cups liquid, 5 tablespoons fat, 8 tablespoons flour
Make Ahead Gravy Base
Yes, you can make gravy ahead: make the stock and gravy base up to 2 days before, or freeze the stock weeks ahead, then whisk in the turkey drippings on the day.
If you’re aiming for a stress-free Thanksgiving dinner, a make-ahead gravy base is a lifesaver.
So how do you prepare your gravy base ahead of time so all you have to do on the day is finish it off once you’ve got the turkey drippings on hand? It’s easy! Note that we’re assuming here that you haven’t roasted your turkey yet.
- Prepare the stock base by long-simmering (1-2 hours) the turkey giblets and/or wings, plus some vegetables if you choose (see recipe below).
- Use butter and/or the fat spooned off the stock to sauté some shallot, fresh sage and thyme (or your favorite fresh herbs). Do this in a dutch oven so you can add the stock to the shallot and sage butter while hot. This is called deglazing the pan.
- Add the stock to the pan and thicken it with a flour slurry until you’ve obtained the gravy base (slurry is about 2 Tablespoons flour shaken in a jar with 1/4 cup warm water and then whisked into the herb-flavored stock). This can then be stored in the fridge until you’re ready to use it. Warm it gently in a saucepan before adding it to the drippings.
- On the day of the feast, after roasting the turkey, heat up the drippings over a medium high burner in a heavy bottom pan (not too big or it will burn). Whisk in the gravy base and give your guests the pleasure of a classic turkey gravy with a ton of flavor.
Frequently asked questions
Absolutely. Up to 3 months for best quality. Flour-thickened gravy can separate when it thaws, so whisk it as it reheats.
About 1/3 cup should work for most people, though you could make a little extra for the gravy maniacs (me!) just in case. Refer to the gravy math infographic above to quickly figure out the ratios.
Yes. Make the gravy base up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate it, or freeze it for up to 3 months. Reheat it slowly over medium-low heat, whisking, and add a splash of stock if it’s too thick.
Low heat and a whisk. Gravy thickens as it cools, so whisk in a little stock or drippings as it warms. In the microwave, heat it in short bursts and stir between each.
It’s close: about 3 grams of carbs per serving, from the flour. For keto, skip the flour and thicken with a pinch of xanthan gum, or simmer the stock down until it coats a spoon. Slow carb rules cut both flour and butter, so for a slow carb gravy, purée the onion and shallots from the stock back into the strained liquid to thicken it. I haven’t tested that version. Here’s my slow carb food list.
Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy with Homemade Stock
Equipment
- measuring cup
- roasting pan Used for the turkey
Ingredients
For the turkey gravy base
- 2 pounds giblets, turkey neck and turkey wings
- ½ medium onion halved, not chopped
- 1 cup parsley sprigs not chopped
- 1 bay leaf
- 4-6 cups water
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh sage chopped
- 2 shallots thinly sliced
For the gravy
- 6 tablespoons all purpose flour
- pan drippings from a roasted turkey not brined
- 4 cups homemade base stock see above
Instructions
- Prepare the stock: In a large pot add the turkey giblets and/or wings, the onion, the parsley and the bay leaf. Add enough water to cover and bring to a boil. Once it comes to a boil, turn down the heat and simmer for 1-2 hours. Check occasionally and add more water to cover ingredients if necessary. After a couple of hours, strain the stock into a bowl or pan. Set the onion/spice/herbs aside in case you need to make more stock later on.2 pounds giblets, turkey neck and turkey wings, 1/2 medium onion, 1 cup parsley sprigs, 1 bay leaf, 4-6 cups water
- While the stock is simmering, make the herb butter. In a large skillet, saute the shallots about 5 minutes over medium heat, or until softened. Add the sage and cook in the butter another 3-4 minutes.6 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons fresh sage, 2 shallots
- Make the gravy base: add the flour and a few tablespoons warm water to a small jar with a secure lid. Shake it until it is a thoroughly mixed liquid. Over medium heat, whisk the slurry into the skillet with the shallot-sage butter.Slowly add the strained stock to the pan over medium heat, while whisking continuously to prevent lumping (a wire whisk works well for this). This takes about 5 minutes or until your base is thickened to your preference. Taste and add a little salt and pepper.Allow it to cool and then refrigerate until ready to use (can be stored up to 2 days). Warm it gently in a saucepan before adding it to the drippings.6 tablespoons all purpose flour
- Make the gravy: On the day of the feast, after roasting the turkey, remove the turkey from the roasting pan to a large platter and tent with aluminum foil.Strain the liquid from the roasting pan into a a measuring cup or a gravy separator and set aside. (If using a gravy separator, the juices will sink to the bottom while the fat floats on top.Place the roasting pan on the stovetop (it may take up one or two burners) and heat up the drippings over a medium high.Slowly add the homemade gravy stock into the roasting pan with the drippings, whisking continuously and scraping up all the browned bits into the gravy. Simmer until the gravy is smooth and thickened slightly, about 5 minutes, whisking as it thickens.If gravy is too thick, thin the gravy with the reserve juices that you separated from the fat. If gravy is too thin, make some more roux of flour and water and whisk into the pan (make sure the roux is shaken up and a liquid, not just lumpy flour)Taste and season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.4 cups homemade base stock, pan drippings from a roasted turkey
Notes
- Turkey liver makes broth bitter. Leave it out.
- Popular herbs to add include chives, parsley, chervil, basil, tarragon or sage.
- Use a heavy bottomed pan that is not too big when making the gravy. Thin large pans can burn the drippings and brown bits.
- Store the base up to 2 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer.
Shouldn’t the base be strained at some point? Probably before adding the roux?
Thank you for the question Deborah! We made this again for our 2023 Thanksgiving dinner and I changed the recipe to clarify when and what should be strained, as well editing a few other directions. I think the recipe will be much clearer now! I updated it on 11/24/23.
Help! I made my make ahead gravy stock yesterday but since I didn’t have white wine to deglaze with I used apple cider vinegar and now it just is too much of a vinegar taste. How can I fix this? I haven’t made up the gravy as yet as I put the stock into the fridge overnight so I could skim off the fat.
Well, here are some suggestions to try:
– Add some sweetener(sugar,honey, or maple syrup)
– Add some baking soda to the dish. …
– Add some dairy products (like cream or yogurt)
– Add some herbs (like thyme, rosemary, parsley or another robust herb)
– Finally, maybe add some veggies (carrots or celery)
Just be sure to taste as you go. Heating up vinegar to high heat will also tame it a bit.
Great gravy advice!
Thanks! I’m not the gravy queen (yet), but I’m working on making it less intimidating for people. It seems to be a real stress point around the Thanksgiving feast.