Name: Homemade Turkey Gravy from Drippings Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon flour; 4 cups turkey drippings plus water as needed; Granulated chicken bouillon, as needed (optional); Seasonings as needed (dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, ground sage, dried rosemary, pepper); 6 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon flour; 4 cups reduced sodium chicken broth; 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon (granulated, crushed cube, or base); 1 teaspoon dried parsley; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/4 teaspoon onion powder; 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 1/8 teaspoon ground sage; 1/8 teaspoon dried minced rosemary; Salt to taste

There’s something irresistibly comforting about a rich, silky gravy that’s made from scratch. This Homemade Turkey Gravy from Drippings Recipe captures all those deep, savory flavors you get straight from the pan and turns them into the perfect finishing touch for your turkey dinner. Trust me, it’s worth every minute you spend on it.

The dish shows three thick slices of light tan cooked meat, covered with a smooth, shiny beige gravy with specks of black pepper and green herbs on top. To the right of the meat, there is a mound of creamy white mashed potatoes topped with the same beige gravy. Behind both, there is a fresh green salad with different green leaves, some small red seeds, and light-colored slices of vegetables. The food is arranged on a white plate with a thin brown edge, set on a white marbled surface, with golden salad tongs resting behind the plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Turkey Gravy from Drippings Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Homemade Turkey Gravy from Drippings Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Homemade Turkey Gravy from Drippings Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I love making this gravy because it feels like the essence of the entire turkey captured in a luscious pourable sauce. Whenever I whisk up this homemade turkey gravy, it elevates even the simplest of meals. Plus, making it yourself means you’re in full control of seasoning and texture.

Genuine Flavor Boost: Using drippings straight from the roasting pan ensures you get that authentic, savory depth you just can’t replicate with store-bought gravy.
Customizable Seasoning: Because you’re cooking it fresh, you can adjust salt, herbs, and spices to match your family’s preferences perfectly.
Lump-Free Guarantee: I’ll share my foolproof tips so your gravy is always silky smooth—no clumps, no stress.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a holiday feast or a cozy weeknight dinner, this gravy makes everything it touches taste better.

The dish shows several thick slices of cooked turkey layered on the right side of a white plate, each slice covered with smooth, light brown gravy that has small black pepper specks. On the upper left side, there is a pile of mashed potatoes topped with the same gravy, and the mashed potatoes have a creamy texture with small green herb bits sprinkled on top. Around the slices and mashed potatoes, there are small red pomegranate seeds scattered and green herb sprigs placed near the edges of the plate. The background has a soft white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this gravy has a purpose—some add thickness, others deepen the flavor. Using turkey drippings is the star, but combining it with butter and flour creates that silky base everyone loves. Here’s a quick look at why each ingredient is essential.

Flat lay of unsalted butter sticks with a smooth, creamy texture; a small white ceramic bowl filled with pale beige all-purpose flour; a simple white ceramic bowl containing rich golden turkey drippings with a slightly oily surface; a small white ceramic bowl of granulated chicken bouillon powder; a few sprigs of dried parsley with deep green color; a small white ceramic bowl of fine garlic powder; a small white ceramic bowl holding onion powder with a soft off-white tone; a few dried thyme sprigs with muted green leaves; a small white ceramic bowl of ground sage in light brown powder; a few dried rosemary sprigs with slender, dark green leaves; a small white ceramic bowl filled with freshly cracked black peppercorns; whole brown eggs with clean, uncracked shells placed neatly together, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps create a roux, the base that thickens your gravy perfectly.
Flour: Works with butter to thicken the gravy smoothly, giving it just the right body.
Turkey Drippings: The flavorful juices left after roasting, packed with savory depth and a concentrated turkey essence.
Water: Adjusts the volume without diluting flavor too much, balancing thickness.
Granulated Chicken Bouillon (optional): A handy way to enhance savory depth if your drippings are a bit mild.
Seasonings: Garlic powder, dried thyme, sage, rosemary, onion powder, pepper, and parsley all build layers of herbaceous flavor—feel free to tweak these to suit your taste!

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Homemade Turkey Gravy from Drippings Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. I often tweak the herbs depending on what I have on hand or how the meal is flowing, and you can too!

Variation: When I want a brighter flavor, I add a splash of white wine or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end—it cuts through the richness beautifully.
Dietary Modification: For a gluten-free gravy, swap the all-purpose flour with cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend and adjust the amount for thickening.
Seasonal Twist: During the holidays, I might stir in a pinch of ground nutmeg or even a hint of fresh thyme for a more festive aroma.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Turkey Gravy from Drippings Recipe

Step 1: Collect and Strain the Drippings

Once your turkey is out of the roasting pan, pour all the drippings (both liquid and solids) through a fine mesh sieve into a fat separator or a large freezer bag. I like using a fat separator because it makes removing the excess fat easy and efficient. If you don’t have one, don’t worry—you can tilt the sealed freezer bag so the fat pools at the top, then cut a tiny corner at the bottom to slowly pour out the defatted drippings. Set aside about 4 cups of liquid; if you’re short, add water to make up the difference.

Step 2: Make the Roux and Cook It Until Golden

In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, melt 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Once melted, sprinkle in ⅓ cup plus 1 tablespoon of flour and whisk constantly for about 4-5 minutes. Don’t rush this part; you’re looking for a deep golden color that will develop a nutty aroma without burning the flour. This step makes all the difference between lumpy, pasty gravy and smooth silky perfection.

Step 3: Whisk in the Drippings Slowly

With the heat reduced to low, slowly whisk the turkey drippings into your roux. Go gradually, making sure the mixture stays lump-free. Keep whisking until the gravy is totally smooth. This part might take a couple minutes, but once it’s smooth, you’re almost there.

Step 4: Simmer and Adjust the Thickness

Bring the gravy to a gentle simmer while whisking constantly. It will start to thicken in about 6-8 minutes. Remember, it will thicken even more as it cools, so if it’s too thick for your liking, whisk in a little water, a tablespoon at a time, until you hit the perfect pourable consistency.

Step 5: Season to Perfection

Taste your gravy and adjust the salt and flavors. Since turkey drippings vary, I usually add granulated chicken bouillon a pinch at a time before adding salt, which helps deepen the savory bite without over-salting. From there, I sprinkle in a touch of dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, sage, rosemary, and fresh cracked pepper. Taste as you go—it’s all about what you like.

Step 6: Keep Warm and Serve

Gravy is at its silky best when warm, so time your prep accordingly. Keep it over low heat and stir occasionally until you’re ready to serve. I like to pour it into a warmed insulated gravy jug which keeps the temperature steady and encourages smooth, lump-free pours.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few secrets to making homemade turkey gravy that always comes out perfect. These are the little things that help you avoid common pitfalls and elevate your gravy to “restaurant quality.”

Golden Roux First: Taking the time to cook your roux to a golden brown gives your gravy a slightly nutty flavor and prevents that raw flour taste.
Slow Drippings Addition: Add your drippings gradually to keep lumps at bay—whisk like your life depends on it!
Taste Early and Often: Because every turkey is different, I always season my gravy at the end—it’s how I get the perfect balance.
Don’t Skip Resting: Allowing the fat to rise and removing it prevents greasy gravy—this step transformed my gravy game.

How to Serve Homemade Turkey Gravy from Drippings Recipe

homemade turkey gravy - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to keep garnishes simple—just a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or thyme brightens the gravy and adds a welcome dash of color. Sometimes, if I’m feeling a little fancy, I’ll float a few crispy fried sage leaves on top. It’s a subtle touch but really adds that wow factor.

Side Dishes

This gravy pairs beautifully with classic mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, and stuffing. I swear by serving it alongside buttery dinner rolls so everyone can sop up every last drop. It’s a cozy, comforting pairing that never disappoints.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners, I love pouring the gravy into a rustic ceramic gravy boat to complement my table setting. Another fun idea is to serve it in mini sauce pitchers for each guest—makes the presentation feel extra special and invites everyone to customize their plate just how they like.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I transfer leftover gravy to an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It keeps well for up to four days. Just remember, it will thicken substantially as it chills, so don’t be alarmed when it looks dense in the container.

Freezing

Freezing this gravy is a lifesaver for later meals. I pour it into freezer-safe containers, squeezing out as much air as possible, and freeze for up to 3 months. When thawing overnight in the fridge, it comes back perfectly and tastes just like fresh.

Reheating

To reheat, I gently warm the gravy on the stovetop over medium-low heat. It often thickens overnight, so I whisk in small amounts of water until it reaches that ideal creamy flow. Stirring consistently helps keep it smooth and luscious.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make Homemade Turkey Gravy from Drippings Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the gravy a few hours ahead and keep it warm on the stovetop, stirring occasionally to prevent a skin from forming. If needed, reheat gently and whisk in a little water to adjust the thickness before serving.

What if I don’t have enough turkey drippings?

If you have limited drippings, supplement with water or low-sodium chicken broth to reach the 4 cups liquid needed. Adding a bit of granulated chicken bouillon can boost flavor when drippings are light.

How do I avoid lumps in my gravy?

The key to lump-free gravy is to cook the roux slowly to a golden color and whisk constantly when adding liquid. Adding the drippings or broth gradually and whisking thoroughly after each addition helps keep the texture silky smooth.

Can I freeze leftover gravy?

Yes! Homemade turkey gravy freezes well. Store it in an airtight container or freezer bag with minimal air and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove with a splash of water to loosen the texture.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, I consider this Homemade Turkey Gravy from Drippings Recipe to be one of those kitchen magic moments. It’s simple, lovingly rich, and can turn any meal into a special occasion. I hope you find joy in making it as much as I do—because nothing beats the taste of gravy made with a little patience and a lot of love.