How To Make Gravy Without Drippings

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Here's how to make gravy without drippings with five ingredients. Use this easy gravy recipe for any dinner, or make turkey gravy without drippings at the last minute!

An essential recipe for gravy without drippings

Knowing how to make gravy without drippings is a home cook's secret weapon. This easy gravy recipe doesn't require drippings and can be made at the last minute. You only need five ingredients and can make it up to five days before serving or freeze for later. Trust me, this easy gravy recipe has saved the day for countless Thanksgiving dinners and family meals.

We enjoy this silky gravy scooped over holiday turkey, whole chicken, pork tenderloin, and mashed potatoes. It comes together at the last minute with on-hand ingredients, making it a rock-solid dinner staple.

Five gravy ingredients

• Butter - I prefer unsalted butter because it allows you to add salt to taste. When using salted butter, consider reducing the amount stated in the recipe.
• Flour - All-purpose flour creates a silkier texture than whole wheat flour, but either will work. You can even use white whole wheat flour.
• Broth or stock - An essential ingredient to create the volume of gravy. Make a Thanksgiving gravy with turkey stock or broth, chicken broth, or vegetable broth.
• Salt and pepper - I like to add these to taste because the salt in your broth or butter might be enough.

Gravy 101

We know that classic pan-dripping gravy is made with pan drippings (fat) from roasted meat, starch (flour), cooking liquid (broth), and seasonings. The drippings are strained and then heated with the flour to make a roux. Cooking liquid is added to the roux, thickens as it simmers, and boom, gravy!

To make turkey gravy without drippings, substitute butter for turkey pan drippings in equal amounts and follow the same instructions. It's perfect for Thanksgiving dinner, chicken entrees, mashed potatoes, or a delicious poutine.

How to make this easy gravy recipe

Here's the step-by-step guide. Grab the ingredient amounts in the printable recipe below.

Start by melting butter or oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until flour dissolves. Cook for a few minutes until golden brown, stirring as needed. Note: the longer it cooks, the browner it gets.

Add broth or stock in small amounts, whisking continuously to incorporate ingredients. Continue cooking for about 5 minutes or until the gravy reaches your desired thickness, whisking as needed.

Add salt and pepper to taste. Transfer gravy to a gravy boat or ceramic bowl with a gravy ladle and serve warm.

Recipe tips and variations

• Substitute butter with your favorite oil in equal amounts.
• To thicken the gravy, mix one tablespoon of flour (or one teaspoon of cornstarch) with one tablespoon of broth or stock. Stir this mixture into the gravy and simmer until you reach the desired thickness, whisking as needed.
• To thin the gravy, add splashes of broth or stock and heat, whisking as needed. Repeat until it reaches the desired consistency.
• Feel free to experiment with soy sauce, Worcestershire, or fresh herbs for added depth and color.
• Add a splash of heavy cream to create a richer flavor.
• To make Thanksgiving gravy, use turkey stock or broth and add a pinch of poultry seasoning.
• If you have pan drippings, use them with this gravy recipe by substituting the butter with an equal amount of drippings.

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📖 Recipe