This is the Turkey Gravy recipe that converted me. It’s the only brown gravy made with drippings that I will cook. It’s rich, very smooth, complex, and thankfully easy.
Transforming Leftover Turkey Gravy into a Savory Pork Sauce
The holidays often leave us with an abundance of leftovers, including turkey gravy. This rich, brown sauce is a staple on many Thanksgiving tables. But what do you do with extra gravy after the big feast? Can you use turkey gravy on other meats like pork?
The answer is yes! With a few simple tweaks, turkey gravy can become a delicious sauce for pork The key is balancing the original turkey flavors with spices and fat that complement pork Follow these tips for giving leftover turkey gravy new life as a stellar pork accompaniment.
Evaluating Traditional Turkey Gravy
First, let’s break down what gives turkey gravy its classic flavor. Traditional turkey gravy starts with pan drippings from roasting the turkey often enhanced by simmering the neck giblets, or wings. Turkey broth boosts the meaty taste. Aromatic herbs like sage, thyme, and rosemary season the sauce. Flour or cornstarch thickens and enriches the gravy.
The resulting gravy has a rich, concentrated turkey flavor. Its velvety texture coats the palate. For many, turkey and gravy are inextricably linked. But with creative tweaking, turkey gravy can pair beautifully with pork as well.
Boosting Flavor for Pork
To balance turkey gravy’s flavor profile for pork, stir in pork elements like:
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Pork drippings or pork stock – Infuses a meaty, savory pork essence
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Minced garlic and onion – Provides a flavor boost ideal for pork
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Cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes – Adds subtle heat to cut through pork’s richness
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Fresh sage and thyme – Earthy flavors that bridge turkey and pork
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Butter – Contributes a creamy mouthfeel
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Salt and black pepper – For seasoning the gravy to taste
The goal is to retain some of the original turkey gravy notes while introducing new layers of spice and pork flavor. Taste the gravy as you add ingredients until it seems like a cohesive, well-balanced pork sauce.
Serving Suggestions for Pork and Modified Gravy
Once you’ve adapted leftover turkey gravy for pork, there are endless serving possibilities. Consider these tantalizing pairings:
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Smother pork chops in the revamped gravy for added moisture and flavor.
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Use as an au jus-style dipping sauce for juicy pork sandwiches.
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Drizzle over sliced pork roast or tenderloin before serving for a glossy finish.
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Toss cubed pork in spiced flour, fry, and top with the gravy for crispy, saucy pork nuggets.
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Mix into ground pork as a binder for ultra-juicy meatballs, meatloaf or sausage.
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Spoon over pork cutlets before breading and frying for next-level chicken fried pork steak.
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Bake a pork pie with chunks of meat and finish with the transformed gravy on top.
With a little creativity and seasoning adjustments, turkey gravy can become an ideal match for nearly any cut or preparation of pork. This gravy remix breathes new life into leftovers.
Troubleshooting Tips
When experimenting with turkey gravy on pork, keep these tips in mind:
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Add pork drippings or stock for the most authentic pork flavor. Bouillon cubes can work in a pinch.
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Go light on additional salt until tasting, since turkey gravy and pork both contain sodium.
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If the gravy seems too thin after adding pork elements, thicken it with a cornstarch slurry.
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For thicker chops, increase broiling time and finish cooking in the gravy to allow it to penetrate.
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For casseroles or pie, bake only until the pork is cooked through, so the gravy doesn’t dry out.
With trial and error, you can master turkey gravy transformation for pork. This inventive way to use leftovers prevents waste while expanding your recipe options.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it safe to use turkey gravy on pork?
Yes, it is completely safe. Both pork and turkey are fully cooked meats, so there are no safety concerns when repurposing gravy.
- How can I adjust store-bought turkey gravy for pork?
Stir in pork drippings, stock or bouillon along with garlic, sage and other pork-friendly spices to balance out the turkey notes.
- What’s the best cut of pork to pair with turkey gravy?
Chops, roasts, tenderloin, and cutlets work especially well since they can readily absorb the rich gravy.
- Can I use broth thickened with cornstarch instead of gravy?
Yes, but it won’t have quite the same concentrated flavor. Optimal flavor comes from real turkey drippings.
- Is it okay to cook pork in turkey gravy?
Absolutely! Braising pork in your repurposed gravy provides incredible moisture and flavor infusion.
Creative gravy use prevents waste while expanding your recipe options. With a few simple additions like pork essence and spices, leftover turkey gravy can transform into a mouthwatering sauce for all kinds of pork dishes.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Use Whatever Herbs You Have. You can use other herbs instead of sage if you have them on hand. Some thyme, rosemary, parsley, or bay leaves sound good to me.
- Separate the Fat. If you want to make turkey gravy from drippings, don’t forget this step! If you don’t get rid of the fat, your gravy will taste greasy. Tips on how to do this can be found above under “Separate Fat from Drippings.”
- Whisk it Real Good. Mixing the gravy often with a whisk is one way to make sure there are no lumps in it. To get a smooth, delicious gravy, make sure you whisk the ingredients when and how the recipe says to.
SLOWLY Add the Drippings
You’ll need 2 cups of liquid to make turkey gravy.
- To begin, measure the drippings. If you follow my recipe for Thanksgiving Turkey, yours will have a lot of yummy wine in it! Next, add stock until you reach 2 cups. You will have less drippings if you make a Spatchcock Turkey.
- Add the drippings a little at a time while whisking ALL THE TIME.
- Your gravy will be smooth if you add the ingredients slowly and whisk them a lot.
- If your gravy is lumpy, read “How to Fix Floury Gravy” below.
How to make gravy for any kind of roasted meats. Turkey, chicken, pork or beef. One tasty method.
FAQ
Can I use turkey gravy instead of brown gravy?
Does beef or chicken gravy go better with pork?
What’s the difference between turkey gravy and regular gravy?
Are pork gravy and brown gravy the same?
Can I use pork drippings to make gravy?
Broth: however much you are lacking in pork drippings you can simply make up with beef broth! Salt as-needed: whether you need additional salt added to your gravy will depend upon how salty your pork drippings and broth are – so just taste and add as much as you need. See Also: try our Ham Gravy recipe!
How do you make turkey gravy taste good?
To make sure your gravy has great flavor: Take your time sautéing the onion. Let it get nice and soft. You can do this while the turkey is still in the oven, or even earlier in the day. Cook the flour for AT LEAST 1 full minute. Seriously, set a timer. Raw flour taste will ruin your gravy. You’ll need 2 cups of liquid to make turkey gravy.
What can you use turkey gravy on?
You can use this gravy on so much more than just roasted turkey. It’s scrumptious over Crockpot Turkey Breast, Baked Fried Chicken, Air Fryer Turkey Breast, and even Drop Biscuits (count me in for a breakfast of sausage, biscuits, and gravy!), and more. Turkey gravy comes together in 4 basic steps. You can remember them as S-S-S-S.
How do you make turkey gravy?
Turkey gravy comes together in 4 basic steps. You can remember them as S-S-S-S. Separate the fat from the drippings. Sauté an onion, butter, and the thickener (flour or cornstarch). Slowly whisk in the drippings and stock. Simmer until thickened. If you don’t separate the fat from the drippings, your gravy will be greasy.