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This easy gravy recipe is made with turkey or chicken drippings and is ready in minutes. Perfect to serve up as part of an everyday meal, or serve up with your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. This homemade gravy is the perfect accompaniment to all of your favorite meals.
Don’t let your gravy be an afterthought! This easy gravy recipe is a delicious way to tie your whole meal together, and it takes minutes to make!
Made with chicken or turkey drippings, this gravy from drippings is full of flavor, and it’s made with arrowroot starch so it’s gluten-free too. Simple and easy to make, this is a wonderful addition to your Thanksgiving table.
Be sure to try my Maple Orange Cranberry Sauce and Instant Pot Applesauce too!
Why you will love this recipe!
- Quick: This simple gravy recipe takes minutes to make on the stovetop. You can quickly make it while your chicken or turkey is resting.
- Simple Ingredients: You only need four ingredients to make this homemade country gravy from scratch, and it’s a great way to make use of those drippings.
- Make ahead: You can easily make it ahead of time, the leftovers keep well and it’s simple to reheat.
Ingredients for Homemade Gravy
- Arrowroot starch: I like to use arrowroot starch to thicken the turkey gravy, but cornstarch can be used as well.
- Pan drippings: Use the drippings from your roast chicken or turkey to add a rich umami flavor.
- Stock: Use with chicken stock or turkey stock. You can also use pan juices from the roasting pan if you have enough. Make sure you first strain them through a fine-mesh sieve.
- Heavy cream: I like to add cream for a smooth texture and rich flavor. Milk will work well too.
How to make gravy – Step by step instructions
- In a small bowl mix together the arrowroot starch (or cornstarch) and 3 Tablespoons of chicken/turkey drippings until well combined.
- Add 2 cups of chicken/turkey broth to a saucepan or Instant pot and set over medium-high heat. Whisk in the starch/drippings mixture into the saucepan and continue whisking until well combined.
- Gradually pour heavy cream to the saucepan whisking constantly, and continue to simmer for 2 – 3 minutes. Remove from heat and taste to see if you need to add salt or black pepper. My chicken/turkey drippings are usually salty and I don’t need to add any more salt.
How long does gravy keep?
This homemade gravy recipe is great as it takes minutes to make and you can whip it up while your turkey or chicken is resting. It will keep well covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator, for up to 4 days and can be reheated on the stovetop. Leftovers can also be frozen for up to up to 6 months. If frozen, thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Can you make it with beef drippings?
Yes! If you are cooking up roast beef for Christmas, you can easily adapt this recipe. Use the beef drippings in place of the turkey or chicken drippings, and use a beef broth or stock.
Can you make gravy without drippings?
Yes, you can. If you don’t have any drippings or you prefer to make it ahead of time, you can simply use chicken stock to make the slurry and whisk it with the remaining 2 cups of chicken stock. Add a little bit of heavy cream and a tablespoon of butter. Taste and add more seasonings (like kosher salt, black pepper, thyme, rosemary, onion, and garlic powder) if necessary.
Can you make this gravy with flour?
I prefer making gravy with starch, as it is easier to incorporate and less likely to get lumpy. If you want to use all-purpose flour instead, you will need to alter the cooking method a little. Heat the flour with the drippings and whisk together well to form a roux. Cook it for several minutes to get rid of the floury taste. You can then slowly add the broth, whisking well to get a thick and smooth sauce.
TIPS FROM NELI’S KITCHEN
Recipe Notes and Tips for the Best Gravy Recipe
- As your gravy sits, it will thicken. If it becomes too thick, just whisk in a little extra broth or water when you reheat it.
- If it is too thin, you can thicken it by making another starch slurry and slowly stir it in.
- If your gravy is too salty, you can stir in some water to lessen it. If using store-bought stock, use a low sodium one, and then you can add more seasoning at the end of cooking.
More Thanksgiving and Holiday Recipes
- Green Bean Casserole Recipe
- Cauliflower au Gratin
- Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping
- Roasted Baby Potatoes
- Mashed Potatoes
Gravy Recipe
INGREDIENTS
- 1-2 tablespoons arrowroot starch, or cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons chicken or turkey drippings
- 2 cups chicken or turkey broth, or pan juices if you have enough
- ¼ to ½ cup heavy cream or milk
- Salt and pepper, only if necessary
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a small bowl mix together the arrowroot starch (or cornstarch) and 3 Tablespoons of chicken/turkey drippings until well combined.
- Add 2 cups of chicken/turkey broth to a saucepan or Instant pot and set over medium-high heat. Whisk in the starch/drippings mixture into the saucepan and continue whisking until well combined.
- Gradually pour heavy cream to the saucepan whisking constantly, and continue to simmer for 2 – 3 minutes. Remove from heat and taste to see if you need to add salt or black pepper. My chicken/turkey drippings are usually salty and I don’t need to add any more salt.
TIPS & NOTES
- As your gravy sits, it will thicken. If it becomes too thick, just whisk in a little extra broth or water when you reheat it.
- If your gravy is too thin, you can thicken it by making another starch slurry and slowly stir it in.
- If your gravy is too salty, you can stir in some water to lessen it. If using a store bought stock, use a low sodium one and then you can add more seasoning at the end of cooking.
NUTRITION
Use the tag #DeliciousMeetsHealthy when posting a picture of your recipe, and make sure to follow @deliciousmeetshealthy on Instagram!
Do you have a suggestion for how to make this dairy free?