You won’t waste any food if you learn how to freeze gravy with this complete guide and simple kitchen tips.
Do you ever wonder if it’s okay to freeze gravy? “How to freeze gravy?” is a question that loads of people ask every day.
People often ask this question after the holidays, when they don’t know what to do with all the roasted meats, casseroles, and, of course, turkey gravy they have left over. The good news is that you can freeze gravy for later use.
Even though gravy tastes great and goes with many foods, sometimes you have too much to use all at once. It’s great to always have homemade gravy on hand, but you need to make sure you freeze it the right way to keep the quality and flavor.
Let’s talk about what gravy is first, then we’ll talk about the best ways to freeze it.
When you thicken the juices, pan drippings, and fat that come from cooking meat, you get gravy. Usually, the extra fat is poured off, and the juices are mixed with flour, butter, or fat, as well as a liquid like broth, milk, or wine. The mixture is then simmered and stirred until it thickens into a sauce-like consistency full of rich flavor.
This kind of gravy is made from roasted or fried meats like beef, chicken, and turkey. For extra flavor, the juices and drippings can be simmered with mushrooms and onions. Then, wheat flour or corn starch is added to thicken the sauce. This type of gravy can be made into a homemade beef gravy, Thanksgiving turkey gravy, or chicken gravy.
White gravy is just a sauce that has been thickened by adding butter drippings, flour, milk, and spices like salt and black pepper. Its often called “cream gravy” and is sometimes described as being a milk-based gravy or cream-based gravy. Its usually served at breakfast over homemade biscuits, or at dinnertime over mashed potatoes and chicken fried steak.
A rich and flavorful turkey gravy is part of what makes the Thanksgiving meal so special. But with so much food on the table, there’s often quite a bit of gravy leftover. Can you freeze turkey gravy to save it for later?
The good news is yes, you can safely freeze leftover turkey gravy for future use. Gravy can keep in the freezer for 4-6 months when stored properly.
Freezing is a great way to preserve your leftover gravy so you can enjoy it again in recipes like pot pie, soup, casseroles, and more. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about successfully freezing and thawing turkey gravy.
Should You Refrigerate or Freeze Leftover Gravy?
Freshly made gravy will last 3-4 days when properly stored in the refrigerator. To store, let the gravy cool completely, then transfer to airtight containers. Be sure to use shallow containers, as this prevents bacteria growth.
For longer term storage, the freezer is the best method. Frozen properly, gravy will maintain optimal quality for 4-6 months. Freezing is recommended if you have a large quantity of leftover gravy that you won’t use within 3-4 days.
Portioning gravy into smaller containers allows you to thaw only what you need at a time. This is more convenient than thawing a large batch.
How to Prepare Gravy for the Freezer
Follow these steps for freezing gravy the right way:
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Allow gravy to completely cool after cooking. Never freeze piping hot gravy.
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Transfer cooled gravy to rigid plastic or glass freezer-safe containers. Leave 1⁄2 inch headspace.
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You can also use resealable freezer bags. Lay them flat in a single layer.
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Make sure containers are properly sealed to prevent freezer burn.
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Label bags or containers with contents and freeze date.
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Refrigerate gravy first for 1-2 hours before freezing for faster cooling. This prevents ice crystals from forming.
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Ensure gravy is chilled through prior to freezing. Don’t let it become room temperature.
How Long Does Gravy Last in the Freezer?
For optimal quality and flavor, use frozen turkey gravy within:
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2-3 months for thinner, pan gravies
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4-6 months for thicker gravies like giblet gravy
The gravy will still be safe to consume past these time frames but may suffer in texture and taste. Portioning gravy allows you to thaw only what you need, preserving the rest longer.
Thawing Frozen Turkey Gravy
Always thaw frozen gravy slowly and gently using one of these methods:
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Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. This is the safest method.
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In a bowl of cold water, changing water every 30 minutes. Don’t use hot water.
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At room temperature for no more than 1-2 hours.
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In the microwave, stopping to stir and break up chunks.
Avoid leaving gravy to thaw for too long at room temperature. Only thaw the amount you will use within 2 days and keep the rest frozen.
How to Reheat Thawed Turkey Gravy
Reheat thawed gravy gently on the stove or in the microwave. This prevents curdling:
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In a saucepan over low heat on the stove, stirring regularly.
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In the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between.
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Use a double boiler setup for gentle, even heating.
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Stir in a bit of milk or cream if gravy is too thick after thawing.
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Heat just until simmering, not boiling, for the best consistency.
Helpful Freezer Tips for Leftover Turkey Gravy
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Chill gravy completely before freezing, about 1-2 hours after cooking.
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Freeze gravy in small, shallow containers or bags for quicker thawing.
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Use frozen gravy within 2-6 months for optimal flavor and texture.
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Always thaw frozen gravy in the fridge or with cold water, never at room temp.
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Bring just to a simmer when reheating for a smooth consistency.
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Don’t refreeze thawed gravy. Use within 2 days. Discard if smells or looks off.
Creative Uses for Leftover Frozen Turkey Gravy
Don’t let any precious gravy go to waste! Try these tasty ways to use thawed frozen gravy:
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Make simple turkey pot pies with vegetables and pie crust.
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Mix into risotto or rice pilaf along with shredded turkey meat.
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Add to turkey noodle soup with egg noodles and veggies.
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Use as a sauce for turkey sandwiches, French dip, or wraps.
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Mix with cream cheese or ricotta for a unique turkey spread.
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Drizzle over mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or cauliflower mash.
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Make fun cocktails like a bourbon turkey nog or gravy greyhound.
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Use as the base for a unique turkey chili.
With proper freezing and reheating techniques, you can enjoy every last drop of your Thanksgiving turkey gravy for months to come. Get creative with recipes to use up thawed frozen gravy.
Step-by-step guide to freeze homemade gravy
Step 1: Cool the gravy completely: Before freezing, make sure your leftover gravy is completely cool. Leaving it at room temperature can cause bacterial growth, which can make the gravy unsafe to eat. After about an hour of cooling on the counter, put the gravy in the fridge to cool all the way down. This will take a few hours, or overnight, depending on the quantity of gravy.
Step 2: Chop up the gravy. Once the gravy is cool, you should chop it up into smaller pieces. This will make it easier to thaw and reheat later on. You can use containers that can go in the freezer or freezer bags like Ziploc bags. Just make sure there is some space at the top so the food can expand when it freezes.
Step 3: Write the date and food item on the containers. You should write the date and food item on the gravy containers so you know what’s inside and when it was made. This will help you remember what needs to be used up first and keep you from having any gravy in the freezer that you can’t remember where it came from.
Step 4: Freeze the gravy. Put the gravy containers in the freezer, making sure they are flat and stable. To save space in the freezer, freeze freezer bags flat on a baking sheet before putting them on top of each other.
How to thaw and reheat the gravy
To thaw the gravy, just move the container from the freezer to the fridge and leave it there overnight. The gravy can be heated up in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring every now and then, once it has thawed. You can add a little water or broth to the gravy if it’s too thick.
If your gravy contains dairy, we recommend against the freezing process for storage. This is because milk separates when it freezes and thaws, which can make your homemade gravy taste bad. If you have to freeze your cream gravy, do it in smaller amounts and for no more than a week. Also, know what could happen.
If frozen properly, gravy can last up the 3 to 4 months in the freezer.
The USDA recommends storing gravy in the refrigerator for 3 or 4 days.
Gravy that is slimy, moldy, discolored or has a bad smell should be tossed and not eaten
You can avoid throwing away gravy by freezing it. This way, you’ll always have some on hand for your next meal. By following these tips, you can ensure your frozen gravy maintains its quality and flavor.
Can you freeze turkey gravy for a year?
FAQ
What’s the best way to freeze gravy?
Can you freeze turkey gravy made with flour?
Does homemade turkey gravy freeze well?
What is the best container to freeze gravy in?
Can you freeze gravy?
You can freeze gravy in airtight containers, freezer bags, or even ice cube trays if you plan to use up just a little of it at a time. To thaw gravy, place the freezer container or bag into the refrigerator and let it sit overnight. Pour the thawed gravy into a saucepan and heat over low to warm through and eat.
Can turkey gravy be refrigerated?
Follow these tips for safely storing and reheating leftover turkey gravy: Let gravy cool for 1-2 hours before refrigerating or freezing. Divide into small portions in shallow containers or bags before freezing. Use frozen gravy within 2-6 months for best quality. Thaw slowly in the fridge or with cold water – never at room temp.
How do you make a quick gravy?
You can make a quick gravy by simply adding flour to the drippings and whisking, but for added flavor (or a larger amount of gravy), a broth that matches whatever meat was cooked (chicken broth for chicken or turkey, beef stock for beef), cream, milk, butter, and/or spices can be added as well.