While the Thanksgiving turkey is being carved, you’ll find me, whisk in hand, making pan gravy at the stove right from the roasting pan. I never use premade gravy because I think it tastes awful compared to a fresh pan gravy. Besides, pan gravy is a pretty fast & easy process. Flour, cornstarch or arrowroot flour are traditionally added to pan drippings to thicken your gravy, but these have 6 to 7 grams of carbs per tablespoon. A keto-friendly alternative is to use guar gum. Make sure you have your guar gum on hand before your holiday in order to make a low-carb pan gravy.
Guar gum is made from the Guar bean which grows in India. It has been extensively tested for safety in animals. Studies have shown that it’s consumption is associated with lowered body weight and blood glucose, all of which is ideal on a ketogenic diet! (1) Guar gum is a soluble fiber so the nutritional label lists 9 grams of carbohydrate per tablespoon, but it is all fiber, so those carbohydrates are essentially unused by the body, making it a natural carb-free thickening agent for gravy.
You’ll use about 1 tsp. or more of guar gum per cup of gravy, depending on how thick you like it.
My best tips for gravy are to not worry about it having little bits of turkey in it or straining it to make perfectly smooth. No one cares, they only want to eat it when it’s hot. Also, I prefer to serve my gravy in a warmed covered bowl set on a plate with a ladle. This way, your gravy stays warm by the time you get to your second helping.
Turkey and gravy go hand-in-hand for holiday meals and family gatherings. But traditional gravy made from a roux of butter and flour is loaded with carbs that can quickly knock you out of ketosis. Thankfully, there are easy ways to make a keto-friendly turkey gravy that’s just as delicious and satisfying as the high-carb version. This article provides the ultimate keto turkey gravy recipe along with tips for making it perfectly smooth and flavorful every time.
Why Make Keto Turkey Gravy?
For those following a ketogenic diet around the holidays, having a luscious gravy to pour over turkey, dressing, and veggies is a must. Gravy adds moisture and incredible flavor. It brings the entire meal together. But regular gravy made with a butter and flour roux can have up to 20 grams of carbs per half cup serving!
By making a few simple substitutions, it’s easy to cut the carbs down significantly while keeping all the richness and flavor. This keto turkey gravy recipe has only 1 net carb per serving! Now you can enjoy gravy guilt-free.
Benefits of Keto Turkey Gravy:
- Ultra low in carbs and keto-friendly
- Silky smooth texture without flour
- Easy to make with few ingredients
- Packed with savory turkey flavor
- Keeps turkey and side dishes moist
- Elevates flavor of entire holiday meal
- Pairs perfectly with low-carb stuffing and veggies
- Can be made ahead of time and reheated
With the easy keto gravy recipe below you’ll have a rich and delicious low-carb gravy ready in under 15 minutes using simple ingredients.
Ingredients For Keto Turkey Gravy
The ingredients for this recipe are simple
- Turkey drippings/pan juices
- Chicken or turkey broth
- Butter or oil
- Fresh or dried herbs (sage, thyme) *optional
- Xanthan gum or guar gum to thicken
- Salt and pepper to taste
Key Ingredients:
Turkey drippings – This adds unbelievable flavor and is integral to making it taste like real turkey gravy. Be sure to drain off most of the clear fat, reserving just 1-2 Tbsp.
Broth – Use chicken or turkey broth ideally low sodium. Broth adds moisture and extra flavor.
Butter – Adds richness along with the drippings. Ghee or olive oil can also be used.
Xanthan or guar gum – These replace flour as the thickening agent. Use sparingly as they are highly effective binders.
Herbs – Dried sage, thyme, rosemary enhance flavor. Use 1/2 tsp each.
That’s it! By combining turkey drippings, broth, butter, and xanthan gum you have an easy keto-friendly gravy base ready to transform your holiday meal. Now let’s get to the recipe.
Step-By-Step Instructions for Making Keto Turkey Gravy
Follow these simple steps for gravy that rivals the high-carb version in both texture and flavor.
Step 1 – Collect Turkey Drippings
After removing your turkey from the roasting pan, pour the juices and drippings into a fat separator or gravy separator. Let sit 5 minutes so the fat rises to the top. Pour off excess fat, reserving just 1-2 Tbsp of drippings.
Step 2 – Make Turkey Broth
Place reserved drippings in a saucepan over medium heat. Add 2 cups chicken or turkey broth. Bring to a simmer and allow to reduce slightly, about 5 minutes.
Step 3 – Thicken Gravy
Whisk in 1-2 tsp xanthan gum and continue simmering until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat.
Step 4 – Finish Gravy
Stir in 2-3 Tbsp butter, herbs, and salt/pepper to taste. For a darker gravy, add 1 tsp cornstarch dissolved in 1 Tbsp water.
That’s it! You now have a rich and luscious keto-friendly turkey gravy ready for your holiday table.
Pro Tips:
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For a smoother gravy, use an immersion blender to fully incorporate the xanthan gum.
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Add broth gradually until desired consistency is reached.
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Simmer the finished gravy 5+ minutes to eliminate raw taste from thickeners.
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For darker color and depth of flavor, add 1 tsp cornstarch dissolved in water.
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Drizzle in pan juices from roasted turkey for even more flavor.
In just 15 minutes you can have the perfect low-carb gravy to complement your roasted turkey, keto stuffing, green bean casserole, and cranberry sauce. This keto turkey gravy is ideal for holidays but also makes a quick and delicious weeknight gravy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use instead of xanthan gum?
Guar gum or glucomannan powder can be used in place of xanthan gum. Start with 1/2 tsp and add more as needed.
How do I fix lumpy gravy?
An immersion blender is the best tool to quickly get rid of lumps. Slowly add broth and blend until smooth. For minor lumps, pressing through a mesh strainer also works well.
Can I make turkey gravy without drippings?
While drippings add the most flavor, gravy can be made without them. Increase broth to 3 cups and use 1 Tbsp olive oil instead of butter. Add sage, thyme, onion, and garlic powders for flavor.
How long does gravy last in the fridge or freezer?
Properly stored, gravy will last 4-5 days in the fridge and 4-6 months in the freezer. Allow frozen gravy to thaw overnight before reheating.
More Delicious Low-Carb Thanksgiving Recipes
- Easy Keto Pumpkin Pie
- Keto Green Bean Casserole
- Buttery Keto Biscuits
- Keto Stuffing with Sausage
- Baked Spaghetti Squash
Take your keto holiday feast to the next level with this easy turkey gravy recipe. By combining flavorful turkey drippings with broth and xanthan gum, you get an ultra-rich and decadent gravy with only 1g net carb per serving. Pour it over turkey, dressing, veggies or even keto biscuits for a satisfying low-carb meal.
How to Make Keto Turkey Gravy
The full recipe is below, but here is a quick overview with extra tips:
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Mix seasoning blend (savory, xanthan gum, onion powder, garlic powder, pepper, salt)
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Strain turkey drippings, reserving 1-2 Tbsp fat
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Simmer drippings and broth to reduce
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Whisk in seasoning blend
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Remove from heat and stir in butter
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Adjust consistency if needed
For best results:
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Use an immersion blender if the gravy seems lumpy
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Add broth to thin or xanthan gum to thicken
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Store leftovers in fridge up to 5 days
Now that you know how easy it is to make smooth and delicious keto turkey gravy, you can enjoy it guilt-free this holiday season! It complements turkey and low-carb sides perfectly.
Give this recipe a try for your next keto-friendly Thanksgiving dinner. Your family will be going back for seconds of this ultra rich and flavorful gravy.
keto Thanksgiving pan gravy
INGREDIENTS
- 1 -3 TBS guar gum
- ½-1 C white wine depends on how much gravy you’re making
- 3-4 cups organic turkey or chicken stock
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/3-1/2 C organic heavy cream optional
INSTRUCTIONS
- Take everything out of the roasting pan that you cooked the turkey in. There should be at least about 1/2 C of rendered fat in the bottom of the roasting pan. If there’s more than that, you can take some out, if not you can add some butter to make up the difference.
- Set your roasting pan across two burners set to medium/medium-high heat. Once the fat drippings are bubbling, add guar gum, a few teaspoons at a time, whisking constantly, until the gravy is thick. (guar gum works best when added to fat first before then thinning it with stock/wine.)
- Add the wine & cook, stirring constantly with a whisk, about 2 minutes.
- Slowly add stock, whisking occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes until gravy is reduced and pan drippings have incorporated. Add a little more guar gum if needed to make it thicker.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Optional: add heavy cream to your taste.
- Serve immediately while hot.