Make Turkey Gravy Ahead of Time for a Stress-Free Thanksgiving

As Thanksgiving approaches, preparations for the big feast can quickly become overwhelming. There are so many dishes to coordinate that it’s easy to feel frantic juggling everything at the last minute. However, there are some components of the meal that can be made ahead of time to ease the burden on Turkey Day. One such recipe is turkey gravy – with a little advance preparation, you can have silky, flavorful gravy ready to go without the hassle.

At my house, making gravy was always a panicked endeavor on Thanksgiving morning. After removing the turkey from the oven, my mom would hurry to whisk together a gravy from the drippings, often while simultaneously handling a million other tasks. The gravy sometimes came out lumpy or bland in the rush. I dreaded being put in charge of gravy duty, worrying I wouldn’t get it right.

When I started hosting Thanksgiving myself, I looked for an easier way to take this recipe off my holiday stress list. The solution was to prepare the gravy ahead of time so it could be gently reheated when needed without a harried last-minute effort.

Why Make Turkey Gravy in Advance?

Preparing gravy ahead takes a lot of the pressure off on Thanksgiving Day. Here are some of the biggest benefits of this approach:

• Saves time – No need to hurriedly make gravy right after the turkey comes out of the oven The gravy is already done.

• Allows flavors to meld – Gravy made 1-2 days in advance allows flavors to fully develop as the ingredients mingle

• Prevents lumps – Gravy can be whisked smoothly when not rushing. No lumps!

• Makes leftover gravy easy – Extra gravy can go right into the fridge or freezer without dirtying more dishes on Thanksgiving.

• Lets cook focus elsewhere – Making gravy ahead leaves cooks free to focus on other dishes come Thanksgiving morning.

• Allows for adjustments – If the gravy seems too thick or thin when reheated, there’s time to tweak it.

Clearly, preparing this component ahead is a winning strategy for a less frenzied, more enjoyable holiday!

Tips for Making Turkey Gravy in Advance

To get perfect gravy that you can prepare ahead of time, here are my top tips:

Start with flavorful turkey stock

For the richest, most flavorful gravy, it helps immensely to start by making a robust turkey stock. I like to do this 1-2 days before Thanksgiving.

To make the stock, roast turkey wings, onions, carrots and celery until deep golden brown. This caramelization adds incredible flavor. Simmer the roasted vegetables in chicken broth for several hours to extract all their tasty essence.

Once strained, this concentrated turkey broth is the liquid gold that serves as the base of your gravy.

Use a roux for thickening

A flour and fat roux is the ideal thickener for gravy with the richest texture. Whisk together equal parts butter and flour in a saucepan until smooth.

Cook the roux briefly before slowly pouring in the turkey stock while whisking constantly. This prevents lumps. Simmer until thickened.

Cool and refrigerate

Let the finished gravy cool completely before storing. Transfer to airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Skim the fat

Once cooled, a layer of fat will solidify on the surface. Scrape off and discard this fat before reheating the gravy. This makes the gravy healthier and improves the flavor.

Reheat gently

When ready to serve, transfer the gravy to a saucepan and reheat slowly over low heat, whisking frequently. Do not let it boil or the starch will break down, causing thin gravy. Warm through until simmering.

Adjust consistency

If the gravy seems too thick once reheated, whisk in additional chicken broth until the desired consistency is reached. For thinner gravy, make a quick roux of equal parts butter and flour to whisk in.

Finish with flavorings

Check the seasoning after reheating and adjust if needed. I like to stir in a splash of Madeira wine and some fresh thyme for brightness right before serving.

Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy Recipes

Here are a couple delicious gravy recipes that hold up beautifully when made 1-2 days ahead:

Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy with Roasted Wings

• 6 turkey wings
• 2 onions, quartered
• Chicken broth
• Carrots, celery, garlic, herbs
• Turkey fat
• Flour
• Butter

This recipe from AllRecipes produces incredibly rich, flavorful gravy by using roasted turkey wings and vegetables to make the stock. The roux thickens it to silky perfection. It keeps for 3-4 days refrigerated or 3 months frozen.

Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy from Scratch

• Turkey wings or thighs
• Onions, carrots, celery
• Chicken broth
• Turkey fat
• Flour
• Kosher salt
• Pepper

Simply Recipes offers another wonderful recipe for make-ahead gravy starting with roasted turkey parts. The gravy holds for 4 days refrigerated or 4 months frozen. It reheats beautifully!

Enjoy Your Best Thanksgiving Yet!

As you can see, preparing your gravy in advance is one of the smartest strategies to decrease stress on the big day. With flavorful, lump-free gravy ready to go, that’s one less thing to worry about!

I hope these tips help you pull off a smooth, relaxed Thanksgiving with all the focus on enjoying time with loved ones, not kitchen chaos. Take gravy off your holiday to-do list by preparing it 1-2 days early. Your future Thanksgiving self will thank you!