This is the perfect Turkey Gravy Recipe with instructions to make it with or without drippings. You only need butter, flour, black pepper, chicken or turkey stock, and/or drippings. This is a great way to feed a lot of people on Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving dinner isn’t complete without turkey gravy! I used to be very afraid to make gravy because, for some reason, it seemed too hard to do. I can tell you right now that this turkey gravy is one of the easiest Thanksgiving dinner recipes you’ll ever make. Of course, Thanksgiving isn’t the only time when this turkey gravy will come in handy. You can use this any time of year. I tend to use it any time I am making my favorite roast chicken.
Part of what makes this the perfect turkey gravy recipe is how simple the ingredients are. For the measurement of each ingredient, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Turkey and gravy are like peanut butter and jelly – they just go together. When we think of turkey gravy, the first thing that comes to mind is a rich, brown turkey gravy made from the natural juices of the roasted bird. But chicken gravy can also be an amazing substitution, adding delicious new flavors to your holiday centerpiece. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of chicken gravy on turkey, tips to make it work, and creative recipe ideas to inspire you.
Using chicken gravy on turkey may seem unorthodox at first After all, turkey gravy made from the drippings of the cooked turkey is a no-brainer pairing. The brown, savory gravy effortlessly complements and moistens the turkey meat However, with the right preparations, chicken gravy can also be a great stand-in. It provides that same luscious texture and flavor enhancement that turkey gravy does. As long as the chicken gravy is seasoned well and made from quality ingredients, it can beautifully accentuate the flavors of the turkey.
Why Make the Switch from Turkey Gravy to Chicken Gravy?
So why mess with success and swap out traditional turkey gravy in the first place? Here are some of the biggest motivations for taking a walk on the wild side with chicken gravy on your holiday bird
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It allows more creativity and uniqueness Homemade chicken gravy opens up a whole world of possibilities for adding your own spin through ingredients like garlic, herbs, vermouth, mustard, mushrooms and more You have free reign to craft a signature gravy.
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You can make it ahead of time: Chicken gravy can be prepared in advance and reheated, taking some of the pressure off on a busy holiday when you have multiple dishes going. Turkey gravy is best made fresh.
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It can be tailored for dietary needs: For vegetarian or vegan guests, you can make chicken gravy without meat drippings or use a plant-based substitute. Turkey gravy is difficult to replicate.
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The costs may be lower: Quality canned or jarred chicken gravy can provide gourmet flavor for less than exotic turkey gravy options. It’s an affordable way to free up budget for other dishes.
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It brings something new: For turkey aficionados or repeat holiday hosts looking to change it up, chicken gravy can provide that exciting twist. Guests will be delighted by the succulent flavors.
Tips for Ensuring Chicken Gravy Complements Turkey
Chicken gravy may sound foolproof on turkey, but proper preparations are key to making this unorthodox pairing work beautifully. Here are some top tips:
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Start with a high quality gravy: Opt for homemade, canned or jarred gravy made with real, natural ingredients like chicken stock, flour, spices and herbs. Powdered gravy mix won’t cut it.
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Choose deeply flavored gravy: Look for umami-rich flavors like roasted garlic, caramelized onions, mushroom, red wine reductions, etc. This gives a savory depth that pairs perfectly with turkey.
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Amp up the seasonings: Since you’re combining two different proteins, add extra savory seasonings like sage, thyme, salt and pepper to make the flavors marry together.
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Incorporate turkey drippings: For extra turkey flavor, whisk some of the roasted turkey pan drippings into your chicken gravy. This bridges the two and creates cohesion.
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Ensure your turkey is well seasoned: A bland turkey will clash with flavorful gravy. Brine your turkey and be generous with herbs, spices and aromatics.
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Consider lighter gravy textures: Heavy, overly thick chicken gravy could overpower the turkey. Aim for a nice, smooth consistency that perfectly blankets the turkey.
Creative Recipe Ideas for Chicken Gravy with Turkey
To give you some appetizing recipe inspiration for your next turkey dinner, here are a few delicious ideas for using chicken gravy with turkey:
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Provencal Turkey with Herbed Garlic Chicken Gravy: Roast turkey seasoned with thyme, rosemary, fennel. Deglaze the pan with white wine and chicken stock. Whisk in minced garlic, flour and herbs for the gravy.
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Citrus Cranberry Turkey with Chicken & Vegetable Gravy: Brine turkey in orange, lemon, cranberries, brown sugar. Simmer turkey neck and veggies into stock. Blend in cranberry sauce and citrus zest.
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Green Bean Turkey Casserole with Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Gravy: Cook turkey with onion, carrots, green beans and stock. Make roux with butter, flour and chicken broth. Fold in sauteed mushrooms and cream.
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Post-Thanksgiving Turkey Pot Pie with Herb Chicken Gravy: Dice up leftover turkey and mix with veggies like peas, carrots, onion. Make herbed chicken gravy and pour over filling into a pie crust.
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Turkey Salad Sandwiches with Chicken Piccata Gravy: Shred roasted turkey breast. Quickly sauté capers, chicken stock, lemon juice, and turkey drippings for a piccata gravy. Pile turkey and gravy on crusty bread or rolls.
The possibilities are endless for crafting scrumptious turkey entrees and leftovers utilizing chicken gravy. Follow the tips above for gravy success, and get ready to wow your guests with succulent new flavors! Don’t be afraid to think outside the box this holiday season with decadent chicken gravy on your festive turkey.
How to Make Turkey Gravy
Here is a brief overview of how to make homemade turkey gravy. The method is so simple and will take only about 10 minutes from start to finish. For the full recipe including all measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Melt your butter. In a saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Then stir in the black pepper.
- Make a roux. Slowly add the flour, whisking to combine. Keep whisking until the flour is fully mixed into the butter.
- Add the liquid. Slowly add your broth or drippings, making sure to whisk all the time to mix. Do not add more until the first amount has been absorbed. Continue until all of the liquid has been added.
- Cook the gravy. Let the gravy cook for a while so that it can get thicker. Serve right away or keep on low heat until you’re ready to serve.
To make this gravy thick and creamy, we make a roux using a fat (butter) and flour. This makes a thickening agent and is an important step in getting the gravy to the right consistency, just like it is in my Ultimate Loaded Baked Potato Soup. You need to keep whisking while you add the flour and the liquid very slowly so that the mixture can soak it up before adding more. This process only takes a minute or two, but you do not want to rush it. Do this until all of your drippings or broth has been added. This recipe comes together quickly but isn’t one you want to walk away from until it is done.
Turkey Gravy With or Without Drippings
This turkey gravy recipe can be made with or without drippings, which is one of the things I love about it. The “drippings” are the juices and bits that are left in the pan or roaster after the turkey or chicken is done cooking. With the meat slowly roasting, the fat that has melted, and any pieces that have fallen off while cooking, it gives it a great flavor. Makes my mouth water just thinking about it!.
If you’re using drippings, pour them into a fine mesh strainer and let them cool down a bit. The fat will rise to the top and start to solidify. Use a spoon to remove the fat. They make it easy for me to see how much I have and add it to the gravy while I whisk it. That’s why I strain them into a big glass measuring cup.
Store-bought chicken or turkey stock is what you’ll need to make this Turkey Gravy without the fat. Make sure you use a good stock, as it will have a direct effect on how the gravy tastes.
If you have drippings from the turkey but not enough to equal four cups, no worries. You can always make up for what you don’t have by adding in store-bought stock. Let’s say you have 2 cups of turkey drippings. Just add 2 cups of chicken stock to make a total of 4 cups of drippings and stock.
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FAQ
Which gravy is best for turkey?
What’s the difference between turkey gravy and regular gravy?
Is poultry gravy the same as chicken gravy?
Can you use chicken instead of turkey?
What is the best turkey gravy?
The best turkey gravy starts with incredible stock, which you get by roasting turkey and veggies in your Traeger. Add the drippings from your roasted turkey and dinner is served. A kiss of pecan smoke flavor makes this simple cranberry sauce an aromatic and gorgeous addition to your Thanksgiving spread.
How do you make turkey gravy from chicken drippings?
1 to 2 cups pan drippings (from roasted turkey, chicken, or Cornish hens) 1 to 2 cups stock (low-sodium or unsalted turkey or chicken stock, or water) Gather the ingredients. Pour the turkey or chicken pan drippings into a 2-cup measuring cup or gravy separator and skim the fat off.
Can you use pan drippings to make turkey gravy?
To add tons of flavor to the gravy, I highly recommend using pan drippings from your turkey in addition to your stock. You’ll want to collect those drippings and pour them through a strainer to get the bits out. Then, allow the drippings to rest for a few minutes to allow the grease to move to the top.