How to Easily Separate Fat from Turkey Drippings

When cooking a turkey for Thanksgiving or any festive meal, you’ll likely end up with delicious, flavorful drippings in the bottom of the roasting pan These turkey drippings are full of taste from the turkey juices, browned bits, herbs, and spices. However, they can also contain a lot of excess fat. If you want to use the drippings for gravy or another recipe but want to cut down on the fat content, there are several easy ways to separate the fat from the drippings.

Why Separate the Fat?

There are a few good reasons to remove some of the fat from the turkey drippings:

• Creates a smoother less greasy gravy or sauce.

• Reduces the overall fat and calorie content

• Intensifies the turkey flavor without as much grease.

• Prevents dishes made with the drippings from being overly oily.

You don’t have to eliminate every last bit of fat, but separating at least some of it can take your gravy, sauces, soups and more to the next level.

Chilling Method

One of the simplest ways to separate fat from pan drippings is by chilling the drippings first. Here’s how:

• Let the hot drippings cool slightly, until warm but not scalding hot.

• Carefully pour the drippings into a large bowl.

• Refrigerate the bowl for 2-3 hours or ideally overnight.

• As the drippings chill, the fat will rise to the top and solidify into a layer.

• Use a spoon to scoop off and discard just the solidified fat layer.

• Use the defatted drippings as desired in your recipes.

This method takes a bit of planning ahead, but lets you easily lift off just the solid fat portion once chilled.

Gravity Separation

If you don’t have time to chill the drippings, you can also separate some of the fat using gravity:

• Allow the hot drippings to sit undisturbed for 5-10 minutes after roasting.

• Gently pour the drippings into a large liquid measuring cup or bowl.

• Let sit for 5 more minutes. The fat will rise to the top.

• Slowly pour the drippings into another container, stopping before you get to the fat layer.

• Use the drippings, leaving the fat layer behind.

This warm separation method removes some surface fat quickly without extra tools or time. Pour slowly to keep the fat and drippings layers intact.

Using a Fat Separator

For the quickest and easiest separation, use a specialized fat separator tool. These handy items have a spout that drains liquid from the bottom, leaving the fat at the top.

• Let the drippings cool slightly first.

• Pour into the fat separator and let sit 1-2 minutes.

• Place a bowl under the spout.

• Slowly pour out the drippings, stopping before the fat layer.

Fat separators provide fast, convenient separation without chilling or extra steps. They’re inexpensive tools that make separating fat foolproof.

Alternative Methods

Don’t have a fat separator? Some other common kitchen items can work too:

• Turkey baster – Use to suction fat off the top of chilled drippings.

• Spoon – Carefully spoon solidified fat off chilled drippings and discard.

• Cheesecloth – Strain warm drippings through a cheesecloth-lined strainer to collect fat.

• Freezer bag – Pour drippings into a bag, chill until fat separates, then snip corner and pour out liquid.

While not as effective as specialized tools, a bit of creativity can help reduce some fat content using what you have on hand.

Tips for Success

Follow these tips for the best results when separating fat from turkey drippings:

• Cool drippings slightly first so they aren’t boiling hot.

• Let drippings sit a few minutes to allow fat to fully separate.

• Move slowly and gently when pouring, skimming or draining fat.

• If chilling, refrigerate overnight so fat fully solidifies.

• Use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to catch small fat particles.

• Accept that some fat will remain in the drippings after separating.

• Never pour hot fat directly into the sink. Allow it to cool first.

Get Creative with Defatted Drippings

Once you’ve removed excess fat, get creative using those tasty defatted drippings. Consider making:

• Gravy

• Savory soups or stews

• Flavorful pan sauces

• Turkey rice pilaf or risotto

• Turkey maple glaze for pork or chicken

• Baked goods like cornbread or biscuits

• Sautéed vegetables or mushrooms

The possibilities are endless for these delicious, lower-fat drippings. Put them to flavorful use in your holiday meals and everyday cooking.

Separating out some of the excess fat from turkey drippings can lead to healthier, tastier holiday dishes. With chilling, gravity separation and the right tools, it’s easy to reduce the fat before making gravies, sauces and more. Get creative with those defatted drippings to enhance flavors all season long.