No Thanksgiving is complete without delicious, homemade Turkey Gravy. This recipe includes instructions on how to make turkey gravy with or without pan drippings.

My Turkey Gravy recipe serves 16 (makes 4 cups) and costs about $2.79 to make, which is only $0.18 per serving! Scroll for a recipe video! 

Drizzle this gravy over my Oven Roasted Turkey and my Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes alongside this Oven Roasted Broccoli recipe, and you will have the perfect meal. 

RELATED: FREE Thanksgiving Planner

Gravy being poured over turkey and mashed potatoes.

Picture this it’s Thanksgiving, you killed it in the kitchen, the table set, your family is on their way over, and you made the most delicious turkey. Everything is ready. But it all comes down to one thing.

The gravy makes or breaks the turkey. No pressure, right? Don’t stress, I’ve got you covered with this easy and delicious turkey gravy

So don’t even think about getting one of those premade gravy jars. Homemade turkey gravy is so much better.  This gravy is rich, smooth, and full of deep flavor that is indeed some Thanksgiving manna!

This Turkey Gravy recipe packs a lot of flavors! The excellent taste is due to the layering of flavors — sautéed veggies, fresh thyme, bay leaves, turkey stock, and cooking wine

All of these flavor elements together make for the best, most flavorful, savory turkey gravy that I’m sure will be the highlight of your holiday table.

Overhead picture of gravy in a white gravy boat.

I love using Holland House Cooking Wines in my recipes because they give a flavor boost to any dish. I get so many compliments on my turkey gravy recipe, and I have to credit Holland House Sherry Cooking Wine. Their Sherry Cooking Wine gives my gravy recipe a flavor boost that is just spectacular.

Recipe FAQ’s

How do you make turkey gravy from scratch without drippings?

If you cannot use the drippings from a Turkey to make gravy, you can substitute Chicken or Turkey Broth instead. 

Can you freeze turkey gravy?

Yes! If you are not going to use it all, you should freeze it, so you do not waste all that goodness. Store it in a Ziploc bag or an airtight container and stick it in the freezer.

Overhead picture of gravy in a white serving dish.

How do you separate turkey fat from drippings?

  1. To separate turkey fat from drippings, grab a Ziploc bag, some scissors, and two bowls.
  2. Now strain the drippings into a bowl.
  3. Pour the liquid from the bowl into the Ziploc bag.
  4. Seal the bag securely and turn the bag upside down.
  5. Then, hold the bag over the bowl, so one corner is facing down.
  6. Using the scissors, cut a small hole in the corner of the bag. The broth will come through the hole in the bag into the bowl.
  7. After most of the broth has poured through the bag, pinch the hole in the bag shut. Place the bag over the second bowl.
  8. Next, open the hole in the bag and let the remaining fat pour into the second bowl. 

Ingredients and Cost

Per Serving Cost: $0.18

Recipe Cost: $2.79

NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have.

  • 3 Tablespoons fat from turkey drippings or 3 Tablespoons Chicken Broth – $0.06
  • 1 small yellow onion about 1 cup – $0.25
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme – $0.20
  • 1 carrot – $0.14
  • 1 celery – $0.18
  • 5 Tablespoons all-purpose flour – $0.10
  • 1 cup defatted turkey drippings of 1 cup Chicken Broth – $0.33
  • 3 ¼ cups Turkey stock$1.07
  • ¼ cup Sherry Cooking Wine – $0.34
  • 2 Bay leaves – $0.06
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme – $0.06

How to Make Turkey Gravy:

Instructions

To make gravy, first strain drippings from the turkey with a fine-mesh strainer. Then, let the liquid sit for 15 minutes, then scrape fat from the surface of the liquid. Keep three tablespoons of turkey fat and reserve turkey drippings.

In a large pan, add turkey fat until simmering, and then add the vegetables cooking them until they are soft for about 5 minutes.

Next, sprinkle flour over vegetables. Cook, while continually stirring, until flour is absorbed into the liquid for about 1-2 minutes.

The cooked veggies in a pan.

Whisk in reserved turkey drippings, continually whisking, until thickened about 60 seconds. Then whisk in stock and then wine until combined.

Next, add bay leaves and bring to simmer, and simmer until thickened—season gravy with salt and pepper to taste.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is image-1.jpeg

Then, pour through a fine-mesh strainer and discard solids. (I like to add the solids to my mashed potatoes or stuffing.)

Finally, stir in chopped thyme. Pour gravy into a serving dish and serve.

***See a complete recipe video in the recipe card below.

The turkey gravy being strained into a bowl.

Need a great turkey recipe to go along with this gravy? Then check out my delicious and easy Turkey Brine and Roast Turkey recipe!

What readers are saying about this recipe:

Stephanie H.:

This sounds like a great gravy recipe. I’ve never thought to saute some veggies and build up the flavors in my gravy just as I would when making soup. Thank you for this great tip!

Courtney:

This is a great recipe – love all the flavoring and what you’ve got going on here from the veg to the sherry.

COOK’S NOTE

  • If you plan on making the gravy ahead of time or don’t wait to use pan drippings, you can use three tablespoons of butter instead of turkey fat. Also, you can use an additional cup of turkey stock instead of turkey drippings.
  • If you can’t find turkey stock, then you can use chicken stock instead.
  • Fun Fact – If you make this with Turkey drippings/broth, this recipe will cost $1.33 for 4 cups! 
    • If made with Chicken broth and NOT Turkey drippings, this recipe costs $2.79 for 4 cups.  
    • Purchasing Turkey gravy will cost you $4.76 for 4 cups. 
Turkey gravy in a gravy boat with text overlay for social media.

Cook’s Tools:

  • fat separator
  • fine mesh strainer
  • large saucepan 
  • wooden spoon
  • whisk
  • mixing bowls
  • gravy boat

More Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Overhead picture of gravy in a white serving dish.
4.58 from 19 votes

Turkey Gravy Recipe

Recipe Cost $ $2.79
Serving Cost $ $0.18
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
16 people
No Thanksgiving is complete without delicious, homemade Turkey Gravy. This recipe includes instructions on how to make turkey gravy with or without pan drippings.

Equipment

  • fat separator
  • fine mesh strainer
  • large saucepan
  • wooden spoon
  • whisk
  • mixing bowls
  • gravy boat

Ingredients
 
 

  • 3 Tablespoons fat from turkey drippings see step 1 below or cook’s note for substitution
  • 1 small yellow onion about 1 cup, small dice
  • 1 carrot small chop
  • 1 celery rib small chop
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 5 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup defatted turkey drippings see step 1 below or cook’s note for substitution
  • 3 ¼ cups Turkey Stock
  • ¼ cup Sherry Cooking Wine
  • 2 bay leaves
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme

Instructions

  • After turkey comes out of oven, strain drippings from bottom of the pan through fine-mesh strainer, discarding solids. Let liquid sit 15 minutes, then scrape fat from the surface of the liquid. Keep 3 tablespoons of turkey fat, and reserve turkey drippings.
  • In a large saucepan over medium heat add turkey fat until just shimmering. Add onion, carrots, celery and thyme sprigs; stir frequently and cook until vegetables are softened and edges of onions begin to brown, about 5-6 minutes.
  • Sprinkle flour over vegetables and cook, stirring constantly, until flour is absorbed into liquid and turns light golden brown, about 1-2 minutes.
  • Whisk in reserved defatted turkey drippings and cook, whisking constantly, until thickened, about 30-60 seconds.
  • Whisk in stock, and then whisk in wine until combined. 
  • Add bay leaves, and bring to simmer, and simmer until thickened and glossy, about 10 minutes. Season gravy with salt and pepper to taste. 
  • Pour through a fine-mesh strainer over a medium-sized bowl, and discard solids. 
  • Stir in chopped thyme. 
  • Pour gravy into a serving dish. Serve.

Video

Notes

  • This recipe makes 4 cups of gravy. 
  • If you plan on making the gravy ahead of time or don’t wait to use pan drippings, you can use three tablespoons of butter instead of turkey fat. Also, you can use an additional cup of turkey stock instead of turkey drippings.
  • If you can’t find turkey stock, then you can use chicken stock instead.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25cup | Calories: 189kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 99mg | Potassium: 80mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 665IU | Vitamin C: 1.3mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 0.3mg

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No Thanksgiving is complete without delicious, homemade Turkey Gravy. This recipe includes instructions on how to make it with or without pan drippings.

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52 Comments

  1. Great idea!! Love this flavor, can’t wait to make this for thanksgiving 🙂

    1. My gravy has always been so so. This recipe allowed me to make great gravy. It was easy and so delicious! In my favorite recipe file now.

      1. Vicki,

        I am thrilled that you enjoy this recipe! I make it every Thanksgiving and Christmas! 🙂

  2. M’mmm….this sounds amazing. Can’t wait to make this!

  3. Thank you for the recipe! There never seems to be enough gravy for Thanksgiving and it is a big joke in our family.

    1. Haha, you can never have enough gravy! Extras I like repurposing into Turkey Pot Pie!

  4. I CANNOT wait to try this. Looks SO good!

  5. Renee Goerger says:

    I always struggled with the perfect turkey gravy until I found your recipe!

  6. Just in time for Thanksgiving! Thanks!

  7. Is there a substitute for the Sherry wine?

    1. Hi Anne, just use chciken broth/turkey stock. It will still be super delicious!

      1. Thanks I kinda figured but sometimes it can make a big difference.