Easy Homemade Turkey Gravy – Real Flavor, No Drippings

Don’t forget the gravy! Honestly, no holiday plate feels complete without spoonfuls of rich, savory gravy. It’s the final touch that brings it all together: the turkey, the stuffing, and the potatoes. And the best part? This one comes together in minutes, no drippings required.
I love to put gravy on my potatoes, stuffing, and turkey, but I don’t love putting much time into it. Since I began roasting turkeys breast side down, I rarely get enough broth to make gravy. Also, since I brine my turkey, any broth I do get tends to be too salty. So now, I buy a carton of turkey stock to make my gravy. I also use the broth to add extra moisture to my stuffing and sometimes stir a little into my Turkey Corn Chowder.

Courses: Seasonings and Sauces

Ingredients

4 tbsp butter , use unsalted if planning to use any broth from a brined turkey (½ stick)
4 tbsp flour
2 cups turkey stock, including some broth from the turkey if it’s not too salty
¼ tsp garlic salt (substitute garlic powder if using salty broth)
¼ tsp pepper; adjust to taste
¼ tsp onion powder

Instructions

1
Combine all ingredients. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
2
Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat.
3
Slowly add turkey stock while whisking constantly. This helps prevent lumps.
4
Whisk in garlic salt (unless using broth from a brined turkey), pepper, and onion powder.
5
Continue whisking until the gravy thickens.

Note

Quick tips

Make ahead: If using store-bought turkey stock, the gravy can be made 1 to 2 days in advance. Allow it to cool, then store it in an airtight container.

If the gravy isn’t thickening, be patient and keep stirring. You can add a little extra flour if needed, but don’t add it directly to the pan. Spoon about 2 tbsp of gravy into a small bowl and stir in 1 to 2 tsp of flour until smooth. Use a fork to remove any lumps, then return the mixture to the pan and continue stirring until thickened.

Grocery List (by Department)

Dairy:
Butter (unsalted preferred)
Pantry:

All-purpose flour
Turkey stock (carton or canned)
Garlic salt
Black pepper
Onion powder

Note

This gravy is perfect next to your mashed potatoes on the holiday table. It's simple, savory, and ideal for real-life holiday cooking. Pass the gravy!