How to Make Delicious Turkey Gravy Without Flour

Turkey gravy is an essential part of any Thanksgiving meal. It brings all the components of the meal together and adds rich, savory flavor to everything it touches. However, traditional gravy recipes call for a roux made with flour. For those with dietary restrictions or who simply want a healthier gravy, flour can be easily omitted. Read on to learn simple techniques for luxuriously thick and flavorful gravy without flour.

Why Go Flour-Free?

Avoiding flour opens up turkey gravy to more people. Those with gluten intolerance or celiac disease can’t have even small amounts of gluten found in wheat flours. Going flour-free allows them to partake in gravy too. Even folks without dietary issues often prefer the lighter taste of flourless gravy. Making it without flour requires creativity, but with the right approach the gravy turns out perfectly thick and rich every time.

Easy Thickeners for Flourless Gravy

Use Cornstarch

Cornstarch is the most common substitute for flour. It dissolves directly into hot liquids, thickening smoothly without altering flavor. Mix 1-2 tablespoons cornstarch with equal parts cool water or broth until dissolved. Stir this slurry into simmering gravy, stirring constantly. It thickens up within 1-2 minutes. Don’t boil the gravy after adding cornstarch or it can thin out again. Gently simmer to allow the cornstarch particles to swell and thicken the gravy.

Puree Vegetables

Roast vegetables like carrots, onions, celery and garlic alongside the turkey. Puree the cooked veggies in a blender or food processor until smooth Add this puree to the turkey drippings along with some stock or wine. Simmer to reduce and thicken The starch from the pureed vegetables gives body to the gravy for lush thickness and flavor.

Use Milk or Cream

Simmer pan drippings with milk, half and half or heavy cream to gently reduce the liquid and thicken it up. About 1 cup of dairy to 2-3 cups of drippings works well. The proteins in milk or cream act as a natural binder. Just don’t boil, which can cause curdling. Gently bubbling thickens the gravy beautifully.

Try Xanthan Gum

For those avoiding both gluten and corn, xanthan gum is an excellent gravy thickener Just 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon whisked into the gravy as it simmers creates luxurious thickness Xanthan gum has no flavor and dissolves easily without clumping. It’s perfect for gluten and corn-free gravy.

Simmer the Drippings

For simple flourless gravy, simmer pan drippings over medium-low heat until reduced by half or more. The natural gelatin in the drippings helps thicken and bind the liquid. Keep stock or broth on hand to thin if needed. This old-fashioned technique spotlights the pure flavor of the turkey drippings.

Turkey Gravy Tips

• Chill drippings after roasting so fat is easy to remove before making gravy.

• Whisk frequently as gravy simmers to build thickness.

• Add extra liquid to thin or simmer longer to reduce and thicken more.

• Season well with salt, pepper and other spices once thickened.

• Keep gravy warm in a double boiler or thermos if not serving right away.

• Stir in a slurry of cornstarch and water to re-thicken reheated gravy.

Sample Recipe

This simple recipe uses pureed vegetables and cornstarch for a beautifully thick and delicious flourless turkey gravy:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups turkey drippings
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 ribs celery, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 cups chicken or turkey stock
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp water
• Salt, pepper and herbs to taste

Instructions:

1. Roast onion, carrots, celery and garlic alongside turkey. Cool slightly and puree in blender until smooth.

2. Heat drippings in saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in pureed vegetables, stock and any herbs.

3. Mix cornstarch with water. Pour slurry into gravy, whisking constantly.

4. Simmer gravy 5 minutes until thickened. Season generously with salt and pepper.

Follow the simple techniques and ingredients above, and you’ll have rich, luxurious turkey gravy everyone will love this Thanksgiving, no flour required. Get creative with vegetables, dairy or natural thickeners for your own signature flourless gravy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you thicken turkey gravy without flour?

Mix 1-2 tbsp cornstarch with equal parts water to make a slurry. Stir this into simmering gravy to thicken it up smoothly and quickly without flour. Arrowroot powder or tapioca flour also work well.

What are good flour substitutes for gravy?

Cornstarch, arrowroot powder, tapioca flour, milk, cream, pureed vegetables, xanthan gum and reduction are all excellent alternatives to flour for thickening gravy.

Can you make a roux without flour?

Yes, substitute cornstarch, arrowroot powder or tapioca flour for the flour when making a roux. Whisk the starch with water first before adding to melted fat to avoid clumping.

Does gravy have to have flour?

No, flour is a traditional gravy thickener but many alternatives like cornstarch and pureed veggies give great results. Those avoiding gluten can make delicious gravy flour-free.

Is gravy gluten-free?

Traditional gravy made with a flour-based roux contains gluten. However, you can easily make gluten-free turkey gravy using cornstarch, xanthan gum, vegetables or other natural thickeners instead of flour.

With a combination of pan drippings, pureed vegetables, cornstarch and seasonings, you can make phenomenal turkey gravy without a drop of flour. Let your guests enjoy every last savory drop, with no one the wiser. A hearty turkey dinner just isn’t complete without the perfect gravy – flour or no flour. Experiment with different thickeners and flavors for your signature touch. Happy Thanksgiving!