Quick & easy turkey gravy is just 3 ingredients and 5 minutes and results in a swoon-worthy, rich and flavorful gravy. Includes step-by-step details and trouble-shooting to get the perfect smooth, delicious gravy.
Prep Time1 minutemin
Cook Time4 minutesmins
Total Time5 minutesmins
Yield: 2cups
Ingredients
⅓cupunsalted butter
⅓cupall-purpose flour
1 ½ - 2cupsturkey basting liquid (can supplement with turkey or chicken broth)
Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Strain your turkey cooking liquids using a fine mesh strainer into a heat-safe container (such as a Pyrex measuring cup or bowl). Let sit for a few minutes so the fat rises to the top. Use a spoon to carefully skim off the fat and discard.
Melt the butter in a small pot over medium low heat. Once melted, add the flour and whisk to combine. Let the mixture cook over medium low for 1-2 minutes, whisking on occasion, to cook out the raw flour taste.
Slowly pour the strained turkey drippings into the sauce pan, whisking well to incorporate and starting with 1 ½ cups. The gravy will seize up at first, which is normal. Keep adding the liquid slowly and whisking constantly until you get a smooth, uniform gravy. Add additional turkey drippings, up to the full 2 cups, to get your desired consistency for the gravy. (If you run out, you can also use turkey or chicken broth or a bit of water.)
Continue to cook the gravy for 2-3 minutes, until the gravy reaches your desired consistency and is nice and hot. (Keep in mind that the gravy will continue to thicken as it sits.) Season to taste with black pepper if desired. (It should not need any salt.)
Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
Turkey liquids: Don’t have enough turkey liquids to make 2 cups? Here are a few options.
Supplement with store-bought turkey broth or even chicken broth. I’d recommend low sodium so you can control the amount of salt.
Or, you can use the giblets and neck to make a rich stock. Place the giblets (minus the liver) and neck in a large sauce pan with about 6 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat then reduce the heat and simmer for 1 hour. Skim off and discard any foam as it simmers. Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh strainer.
Regardless, make sure to strain the liquid, whether from cooking the turkey or from the liquids, really well and skim off the layer of fat that rises to the top. You want a smooth liquid to use for making the gravy. (See the photos in the post above.)Hot gravy: I recommend you keep the gravy heating on the stove until the last minute, when everyone is coming for their plates, before you transfer it to your gravy boat. Be sure it hasn't thickened up too much before you transfer it (add some extra of your turkey basting liquid or some broth if it has). And feel free to put that gravy from the gravy boat back in the pan and rewarm it before everyone goes for seconds. Hot gravy is the best gravy!