Turkey gravy without drippings can be made in advance of any holiday meal with a few fresh herbs and a handful of simple ingredients.
Load up your gravy boat with this delicious gravy to spoon over the mashed potatoes and roasted turkey. This easy make-ahead gravy recipe is ready in under 15 minutes, and you don't have to worry about not having enough meat drippings.
What is it?
Traditional turkey gravy is made with leftover pan drippings from the roasted turkey. This easy turkey gravy recipe without drippings substitutes butter to form a roux as the thickening agent that is then transformed into a flavorful gravy with milk, broth, and fresh herbs.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Butter - Butter is the best substitute for turkey drippings.
- All-purpose flour
- Garlic clove - Substitute ¼ teaspoon garlic powder.
- Chicken broth - Chicken stock can be substituted. Turkey stock, or turkey broth is actually the best choices, but is often hard to find unless you make it yourself.
- Milk - Milk makes a creamy gravy. This can be left out if you want a traditional brown gravy.
- Fresh herbs - Any combination of fresh sage, rosemary, and thyme can be used. A bay leaf is also a great addition. You can substitute dried herbs if needed, but you will lose some extra flavor.
- Fresh ground black pepper
- Table salt - Kosher salt is also great.
How to make it
Begin making this turkey gravy without drippings recipe by melting the butter in a medium saucepan set over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic, then sprinkle in the flour. Whisk continually for two minutes so the flour doesn't burn.
Begin to slowly add the chicken broth and milk, while still whisking. Ensure the liquid is fully combined with the flour mixture before adding more. This will prevent lumps. Continue until all of the liquid has been added.
Add the fresh herbs and black pepper to the gravy, and set the stovetop to medium heat, and bring everything to a simmer. Let the gravy simmer for five minutes, or until it thickens to your desired consistency. Finally, taste for salt and adjust as needed.
Making it in Advance and Storing Leftovers
Since we don't need to wait for the whole turkey to roast for the rendered turkey drippings, we can make this easy gravy recipe ahead of time. Simply store the leftover gravy in an airtight container or covered in plastic wrap in your refrigerator for up to five days and reheat it in the microwave when ready to serve.
This gravy can also be frozen in an ice cube tray to be used as needed. Store in a freezer safe container for up to two months.
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Turkey Gravy without Drippings
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 sprig fresh sage
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 1 sprig fresh thyme
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Melt butter in a saucepan set over medium-low heat and whisk in flour and minced garlic. Continue to whisk for two minutes to prevent the flour from scorching.
- Slowly add chicken broth and milk a few splashes at a time, while continuing to whisk. To prevent lumps, ensure the liquid is fully incorporated before adding more. Repeat until all of the chicken broth and milk have been added.
- Add the fresh sage, rosemary, thyme, and black pepper. Bring the gravy to a simmer a cook for five minutes, or until thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Taste for salt and adjust as needed, then serve in a gravy boat.
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