Thanksgiving gravy is a must-have on the feast table. This delicious and flexible sauce makes everything on the plate taste better and goes well with the savory flavors of the freshly roasted turkey that was just brought to the table. That must mean you’ll be using the fresh pan drippings, right? As if cooking, reheating, plating, and serving wasn’t enough work for the host, now they have to make gravy at the last minute. Pass. If you freeze your gravy now and then add the pan drippings later, you can save time and still get that rich turkey flavor.
After enjoying a perfectly roasted turkey on Thanksgiving or Christmas, you’re often left with a flavorful pan of drippings. This savory turkey juice is liquid gold for making gravies soups and sauces. But with the hectic holidays you may not use it up right away. So can you freeze turkey drippings to save all that tasty flavor? The answer is yes!
Freezing is a great way to preserve those drippings to use later. With some simple preparation, you can keep that turkey flavor around for months. Here’s how to properly freeze drippings to make the most of your holiday bird.
Straining is the First Step
Before you can freeze turkey drippings, it’s important to strain out any solid bits. This leaves you with just the tasty seasoned liquid to store.
First, remove your roasted turkey from the pan and let it drain back into the drippings. Then pour the drippings through a fine mesh strainer over a bowl. Discard the solids in the strainer.
You may need to add a bit of hot broth or water to the pan to loosen up all those flavorful browned bits on the bottom. Be sure to scrape the pan well before pouring the liquid into the strainer.
Remove the Fat Before Freezing
The next step is to remove excess fat from the drippings before freezing. Excess fat can cause the drippings to go rancid more quickly.
Pour the strained drippings into a tall, narrow container and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. This allows the fat to rise to the top and solidify for easier removal.
Once solid, simply spoon off and discard the fat layer. Now you’re ready to freeze just the tasty defatted drippings.
Choose the Right Freezing Container
You can freeze drippings in ice cube trays or small containers. This makes it easy to pop out just the amount you need later.
Wide, shallow containers are not ideal, as that allows for too much surface area exposure. Go for narrow, deep freezing containers instead to limit air contact.
Glass jars or freezer-safe plastic containers with tight lids work great. Just be sure to leave a little headspace at the top for expansion during freezing.
Label and Freeze for Up to 6 Months
Clearly label your frozen turkey drippings with the contents and freeze date. Place the containers in the freezer, where the drippings will keep for up to 6 months.
For even longer storage, consider freezing in smaller 1-2 tablespoon portions. Smaller frozen drippings cubes thaw more quickly when needed.
If using ice cube trays, transfer the frozen cubes to an airtight freezer bag. Remove cubes as needed, resealing the bag each time.
Defrosting and Using Your Drippings
When ready to use, defrost the frozen drippings overnight in the fridge. For faster thawing, place the sealed container in a bowl of warm water or use the defrost setting on your microwave.
The possibilities are endless for how to use your thawed turkey drippings! Stir them into gravies, rice, soups, sauces, casseroles and more. They add incredible savory flavor to anything.
Quick Tips for Freezing Drippings
Freezing turkey drippings takes just a few simple steps. Follow these helpful tips for storing your flavorful drippings:
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Strain out solids first through a mesh strainer
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Chill drippings so fat solidifies, then remove fat layer
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Use narrow containers and allow headspace for expansion
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Label with contents and freeze date
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Store frozen drippings for up to 6 months
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Defrost slowly in fridge before use
Creative Ways to Use Frozen Drippings
Don’t let those frozen turkey drippings just sit in your freezer! Here are some delicious ways to use them:
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Make easy turkey gravy by whisking with a roux
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Stir into stuffing, mashed potatoes or rice for flavor
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Add to turkey soup, stew or chilis
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Mix into any sauce, braise or casserole
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Use as the liquid when cooking greens or grains
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Add richness to pan sauces for chicken, pork or fish
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Flavor creamy turkey and wild rice soup
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Liven up plain cooked vegetables like carrots or broccoli
Enjoy Your Turkey Drippings All Season
Freezing is a great way to save every last drop of flavor from your Thanksgiving or Christmas bird. With frozen turkey drippings on hand, you can add incredible savory taste to dishes any time.
Properly stored in the freezer, those tasty drippings can be enjoyed for up to half a year. So go ahead and reap the rewards of your holiday turkey for months to come!
How to freeze gravy
First, make the most delicious complete gravy. You can make the roux as toasty and dark as you like. Then, add enough broth to make it a little thicker than you normally would. This accounts for the turkey drippings that will thin it out on the big day. Season the gravy, then let it cool to room temperature or even put it in the fridge to make it colder. Pour the cool gravy into a freezer-safe zip-top bag. Flatten or squeeze all the air out and freeze it flat, or with a pencil to portion it. Lay it flat in the freezer, or in the shape you want, and let if freeze solid.
Note that white gravy (made with the addition of milk or cream) can, sadly, break when thawing. This post tells you how to freeze a roux base of butter and flour ahead of time if you’re making gravy with milk or cream. At least you can still be a step ahead.
How do you thaw frozen gravy?
On Thanksgiving Day, take the frozen gravy and break it up. You can slightly defrost it by putting the bag in a bowl of warm water. Then, put the pieces back together in a pot and heat them over low heat. Whisk it smooth. Store the warm gravy in an insulated bottle to keep it hot all day. When the turkey comes out of the oven, your gravy will be ready to add the concentrated turkey juice. You can either pour the drippings into a measuring cup and skim off the fat, or you can use this handy trick to get rid of the fat. Pour the gravy out of the bottle and into a pot. (You can keep the container handy, itll be used again shortly. ) Gradually whisk in the turkey drippings. When you’re happy with the thickness, stop pouring. Add freshly chopped herbs or bits of turkey meat if you like. Taste the gravy and season it if needed. Pour the gravy back into the insulated bottle to serve.
This trick isnt limited to Thanksgiving either. Any brown gravy you make at home can be frozen. You can add drippings or fresh herbs the day you want to use it. This goes for chicken gravy, beef gravy, vegetable gravy, or mushroom gravy. It also works the other way around: if you make way more fresh gravy than you need, just freeze the extra for another day.
Can you freeze turkey gravy made with flour?
FAQ
How long can you freeze turkey drippings?
Can you freeze meat drippings?
What can I do with leftover turkey drippings?
Can you freeze fat drippings?
Can you freeze roasted turkey drippings?
If you roasted a turkey, don’t throw out the drippings from the pan! This flavorful liquid makes a great base for gravy, stock, or soup. Start by pouring the liquid through a fine mesh strainer and discard the solids. Then remove the fat that floats to the top. You can now freeze the liquid for up to 6 months or use it to make a simple pan gravy.
Can you freeze turkey bones?
Here is a simple recipe, as well as tips for freezing. To a large stock pot add the turkey bones, and cover completely with cold water. Make sure the water level is at least 1 inch from the top of the lip of the pot. Bring to a low boil, reduce heat to low, then simmer gently for about 30 minutes.
Can you freeze turkey ribs?
You can freeze the meat, or eat it straightaway. Next make turkey stock: Then add what’s left of the meat, the bones, and some flavorful aromatics to a big pot and cover with water. Simmer for a few hours, then strain.
How much Turkey drippings do you need to make gravy?
You’ll need a 12 to 14 lb (5.4 to 6.4 kg) roasted turkey to make enough drippings to make gravy. If you’re struggling to lift the turkey, ask another person to lift up the other end of the turkey. Then you can both place the turkey on the cutting board.
How do you clean a fried turkey?
Then you can both place the turkey on the cutting board. Pour 1 cup (240 ml) of broth or water in the pan and scrape the pan. Use a wooden spoon to scrape the bits that are stuck to the bottom of the pan. The broth or water will loosen them.