Turkey Gravy Without the Drippings
Turkey Gravy Without the Drippings | We usually smoke our turkey which means I don’t have any drippings for my gravy. Trust me I have tried to make gravy with the smoked turkey drippings and it was disgusting. This easy to make Turkey Gravy Without the Drippings is just as delicious with rich dark brown flavor. Keep the kids busy with FREE activity sheets and Coloring Pages! Scroll down for the link. ↓
Traveling with your Turkey Gravy Tip:
If making the gravy in advance—pour cold gravy into a small slow cooker. Turn the heat on high. Heat through. At first the gravy will be lumpy but as it warms and gets hot the lumps will disappear. Whisking helps too. Once the gravy is hot, turn the slow cooker to warm until ready to serve. To transport: If your small slow cooker is like mine it doesn’t have any clamps on the handle. First, place a piece of foil on top of the slow cooker, then place the lid on top of the foil. This will create a suction. Then, add bungee cords to keep the lid nice and tight. No spills! Then when I got to my destination I plugged it in!
How to get Gravy Brown
Free Activity Sheets and Coloring Pages
How about Beef Gravy?
Maybe turkey isn’t on the menu this year—instead you’re grilling beef! This delicious gravy is great on mashed potatoes, meat and rolls. We love grilling or smoking meat but that leaves us without any drippings. Click here for the printable recipe—->>>>BEEF GRAVY WITHOUT THE DRIPPINGS
SMOKED TURKEY
Recipes to go with the Turkey Gravy without the Drippings
- The Best Holiday Mashed Potatoes
- Smoked Turkey
- Smoked Baked Beans
- Six Dazzling Dinner Rolls
- Maple Blackberry Orange Glazed Ham
Turkey Gravy Without the Drippings
The perfect solution for Smoked Turkey
Ingredients
- 4 cups turkey broth
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
Pour turkey broth into a medium saucepan and heat until warm. NOTE: You don't have to bring the broth to a boil just until steamy and warm. In a large skillet melt the butter. Sprinkle the flour over the butter and whisk together. Continue cooking and whisking until the flour has become brown. Add warm broth a ladle at a time to the flour mixture whisking as you go. TIP: Make the gravy thinner than you want because when the gravy cools it will thicken up. Or if you're making the gravy ahead of time save some of the broth for when you re heat the gravy. Add salt and pepper.
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I’m terrible at making gravy, but yours looks delicious! I’ll have to give it a try!
This gravy looks SO delicious, Sheryl! I’m not a huge fan of gravy made from the drippings, so this is perfect for me!
Im going to try your tips on the Gravy and Potatoes being cooked the day before and heated up on the Big day.
Hi Linda, I’ve been doing it this way for a couple of years and love it!
Love the idea of making gravy and potatoes ahead! Do you need to add any additional milk to the potatoes when reheating?
Hi Nancy, I didn’t need to add more milk but I did stir them through out to make sure they heated through evenly. Maybe that kept them creamy.
I put the mashed potatoes in the crock pot on low. This keeps them warm and one less last minute thing to do! I love the idea of making gravy early. It’s always a last minute “mess” in the kitchen! I serve everything buffet style from the kitchen island!
The more dishes I can make ahead of time the better Cathy. 🙂
how much does this make ?
Hi Gayle, This recipe makes approx. 4 cups.
if there’s not a Trader Joe’s where I live where is the best place to buy turkey broth? I’ve seen chicken & beef broth but not turkey
Hi Cynthia, Swanson has turkey broth. If your store carries that brand they will probably have it this time of year. You can also order it from Amazon or just use chicken broth.
I’m going to try your Turkey Gravy recipe, looks good! Would it be ok to freeze it?
Hi Barbara, Yes, I think you can.
Making this gravy recipe today. Any tips on reheating it tomorrow?
Hi Jennifer, Yes, the recipe has some tips.
Can one use chicken broth for this gravy?
Hi Carol, Yes you can us chicken broth.
Seen turkey broth at Wal-Mart & Dillons/Kroeger
Thanks for this recipe. I have used bottled gravy, gravy from packets, even gravy from high end culinary retailers. Will definitely try this one for our Christmas turkey!!
Yay Jackie! It’s super good. 🙂
Made this gravy tonight ! Turned out great, thank you!
Awesome! Thanks Brittany.
I made this gravy tonight, and it is so good! I used 50/50 chicken and vegetable and I could eat it with a spoon!
Yay Joanne! I’m so glad you liked it!
This is so freaking good. I wanna drink it like soup.
Lol….Tiffany. I totally know what you mean! 🙂
I was browsing for new holiday recipes (don’t tell my family, I was told many years ago to ALWAYS fix the same foods) when I ran across this one. This is how I’ve been making mine too. As in most homes around the holidays it’s crazy around here. I bought some pans with the plastic tops just for the holidays. Makes stacking them in the fridge easier. I make all my pies & desserts 2 days before. The day before I fix all my sides up to the point where they go in the oven ie…holiday mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole etc. Except for the one’s that go in the crockpots. And night before I get my turkey and ham ready then all I have to do while my family and friends are here is just slide pans in & out of the oven. So much easier & less stressful…a win win for me!!
That’s the only way to do holiday meals Patty. 🙂
Do you use salted or unsalted butter
Hi Crystal, I use unsalted butter.
Can’t wait to try this recipe. Trying to do all the prep the day before so that the “cook” can enjoy the day. thanks for all your great recipes.
I totally agree Claudia. That’s the only way to go. Have a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving!
I used this recipe for our early Thanksgiving yesterday. The turkey drippings were from a citrus/herb brine, marinade and rub, so wouldn’t have translated well into gravy. I used half beef stock and half chicken, following the rest of the recipe. It was perfect, and my gravy-junkie person was completely wowed. Thank you!
WooHoo!!! Doing a happy dance! I love it Sandy. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
I’m in the market for a thicker gravy. Where is this one on the thickness scale? And have you ever added some giblets for enhanced flavor?
Hi Bart, This is a thick gravy. If you would like it to be a little thicker, take a tablespoon of cold butter and mash a tablespoon of flour into it and stir into the hot gravy. No, I haven’t added any turkey to the gravy because I usually either don’t have a turkey or I have smoked it. That would be a wonderful addition.
This gravy is amazing! It has a rich buttery flavor! I made it tonite for thanksgiving tomorrow as we are using an oil-less fryer to “deep fry” our turkey and there won’t be dripping. Goodz God is this gravy awesome and I love making a roux!!
WooHoo! That’s awesome Ally. Happy Thanksgiving!
Wish I made ahead of time. Looks great going to try in a bit. But when reheating how can you prevent chunky up the gravy.
Hi Baskuta, As the gravy heats it will become creamy again. Just whisk occasionally as the gravy heats and if you need to add more broth or water to thin it.
Thanks so much for the quick reply. Have a great thanksgiving. Making it now.
Came out amazing. Thanks. I used crisco cause we have dairy allergies. Came out perfect. Taste great.
Oh…..I’m so glad! Happy Thanksgiving! 🙂
Haven’t tried it yet but, DEFINITELY will. Gravy is always my failing.
You’ll have total success with this recipe Yvonne! 🙂
Is there any way I can make this in a slow cooker so I can make enough for 24 cups of gravy?
Hi Tara, I don’t think the slow cooker will get hot enough to brown the flour. My advice would be to make it a few days early in a stove top pot and re heat it in your slow cooker.
Thank you, thank you for this recipe!!! I will be making your turkey gravy recipe from now on. I work long hours this time of year and whatever I can make ahead for holiday meals,I do. I have even made mashed potatoes weeks before, freeze them in a safe freezer,oven safe serving dish. I just take it out in plenty of time to thaw in the fridge before heati g in the oven. Sure is a time saver.
You’re Welcome! I love your mashed potato idea. I’m totally trying it this year! 🙂
I made this gravy today as a trial run for Thanksgiving. It was awesome and easy. I have cooked at least 48 Thanksgiving dinners in my married life and have really turned out some whoppers for gravy!! Next time I will brown the butter & flour a little longer. It was the perfect gravy I have been looking for! I’m glad I found it. I googled “turkey gravy without the drippings”!!!
Pat, Central Texas
WooHoo Pat! A win for you and a win for me! I’m so happy you found this recipe too!
Next I’m going to try
the broccoli salad!
This is the best and the easiest. The only change I made was to double the recipe because it goes very fast once it hits the table, and I reduce the turkey stock by about 1/3. It seems to concentrate the flavor, or at least I have convinced myself it does. YUM!
That’s awesome Carl! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe as much as my family and I did!
Do you add any herbs?
Hi Barbara, No….for this recipe there are no herbs.
I’ve always made gravy from drippings. Getting a cooked turkey this year due to fractured ankle. Your recipe is the perfect one I was looking for. Thank you.
No they don’t
I’m sorry to hear about your ankle Maureen. But I’m glad you found the recipe! 🙂
Can I make the stock by boiling necks and gizzards purchased at the store.I’m new to this gravy making thing.
Hi Kayla, Yes you can if you want to go to the extra time of making your own stock before you make the gravy.
Can turkey stock be used interchangeably for turkey broth?
Hi Joanne, Yes…stock would be wonderful!
Just made this – yum!! Thanks for such a delicious, easy recipe
I’m so glad you liked the recipe Cynthia!
You’re Welcome Cynthia!
I made as directed. It looks wonderful, but it tastes floury. What can I do?
Hi Julie, I’m guessing you didn’t let the flour cook long enough. You might of had your heat too high which got the flour brown but didn’t allow the flour to cook.
Well, I thought I did, but guess not. Anyway to fix this? I’ll know better next time. Thanks, Sheryl !
I always hated making gravy cause something would always go wrong. Not this time though it is delicious. Thank you for sharing!
Yay Licia!
This is a fantastic gravy recipe! Thank you! I couldn’t find turkey broth, so I used chicken. I added a little poultry seasoning, and it tastes just like Thanksgiving!
Hi Leslie, that sounds amazing!
Thank you! The best gravey ever
This recipe saved Thanksgiving. Love it.
That’s amazing JoAnn! That’s how I feel too! Making the gravy while everyone is waiting is the most stressful part of the whole meal. Take that stress away and it’s wonderful! Happy Thanksgiving! ♥
So, I know this post is fro m several years ago, but I had to thank you for your perfect recipe. I made this gravy ahead last night and when my my husband tasted it, he said I am now in charge of the turkey gravy from now on! It is THAT good! I made it with stock I made from a smoked turkey. So tasty! Now that I know I can make this ahead with any flavor, holidays and special dinners will be so much eaxier! Thank you and may you as yours have a blessed, warm and happy Thanksgiving!
Awww….you are the sweetest Charlisa! I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful too! ♥
Thanks for the recipe! We always smoke our turkey too so no drippings left to use. But hubs does the smoking a couple days early so I can boil the bones for broth, and refrigerate to skim off the fat. This is my new go-to!!
Wow! That’s sounds delicious Lisa!
I love it when my wife makes a big turkey or chicken dinner. We always have enough left over so I can make and freeze my own “TV dinners”. Problem is, I never have enough gravy. Your recipe has solved my dilemma and it’s so easy and quick to make… and delicious! Thank-you!
WooHoo Larry! That’s exactly what my husband does with the leftovers! So glad the recipe worked for you!
Have you ever frozen turkey gravy? We are traveling several hours and arriving at my daughter’s two days before Thanksgiving. Would be nice to make and transport frozen.
Hi Vickie, I haven’t tried it but I think it would be fine. Thaw the gravy, reheat it slowly in a saucepan, whisking to prevent lumps. You might need to add a bit of water or more turkey stock if it seems too thick. It might separate but you can bring it back together by whisking in a little extra liquid….just keep whisking and it should be fine. Happy Thanksgiving! ♥
If you really are busy instead of melting butter and browning the flour, just add a few grains of instant coffee. adjust to desired brown level. You do not taste the coffee!
Hi Irene, It’s not just the color you want it’s also the flavor that the browned flour provides.
Good afternoon. We are have about 18 people that will be coming for Thsnksgiving. About many cup of broth will I need to make the gravy? Thanks
Hi Marge, The recipe states that you will need 4 cups of turkey broth to make 4 cups of gravy.
I made this 3 times already it is so good no more stress over making gravy anymore I also add a little pan drippings to it I also found turkey stock it’s just amazing can’t wait to try beef gravy
Yay! I’m so glad you like the recipe Angela.
I made this gravy as my first time making gravy and everyone loved it! I added pan drippings and it was even more delicious. I was looking for a recipe without drippings since our turkey doesn’t seem to give off much drippings. I was so sad because I thought I lost this recipe but found it and look forward to making it again!
Thanks so much for sharing your story Taylor. I love hearing stories about my recipes.♥
Can I use corn starch instead of flour? Have a family member that is gluten free.
Hi Naomi, Yes….I’ve used corn starch before. It’s a little different and needs a little more whisking but tastes the same.