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A white ceramic gravy boat filled with smooth, rich turkey gravy, garnished with fresh thyme, with a roasted turkey and holiday candles blurred in the background.

Foolproof Turkey Gravy Recipe (Lump-Free, With or Without Drippings!)

Save your Thanksgiving! Our foolproof hack guarantees rich, creamy, lump-free turkey gravy from pantry staples, even if you have no drippings.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 cups
Course: Sauce, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Holiday
Calories: 45
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Method 1: 'No Drippings' Hack
  • 1/4 cup Unsalted Butter (57g)
  • 1 Onion (Optional) Finely chopped.
  • 2 sprigs Fresh Sage or Thyme (Optional)
  • 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour (30g)
  • 4 cups Turkey or Chicken Broth (960ml) Low-sodium, warmed.
  • Salt and Pepper To taste.
Method 2: 'With Drippings'
  • 1/4 cup Turkey Fat (from Drippings) (60ml) Skimmed from the pan.
  • 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour (30g)
  • 4 cups Turkey or Chicken Broth (960ml) Low-sodium, warmed.
  • Pan Drippings The liquid under the fat.
  • Salt and Pepper To taste (be careful, drippings are salty).
  • Thickening Hack (Optional):
  • 1 tbsp Cornstarch (8g) For Gluten-Free or "Emergency Fix".
  • 2 tbsp Cold Water (30ml)

Equipment

  • 1 Medium Saucepan (for Method 1)
  • 1 Roasting Pan (for Method 2)
  • 1 Whisk Essential for a lump-free gravy.
  • 1 Fine-Mesh Sieve (Strainer) The "emergency" hack for any lumps.
  • 1 Fat Separator (Optional) Makes getting drippings easier.

Method
 

Method 1 - 'No Drippings' Hack (Make-Ahead Friendly))
  1. Sauté Aromatics: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the optional onion and herbs. Cook until soft and fragrant (about 5-7 minutes).
    A wooden spoon stirring chopped onion, fresh sage, and thyme in melted butter in a stainless steel skillet, building the base flavor for a homemade turkey gravy.
  2. Make the Roux: Sprinkle the flour over the butter. Whisk constantly for 2-3 minutes until it turns a light golden brown and smells nutty.
    A hand whisking flour into melted butter, herbs, and onions in a skillet, creating a light golden-brown roux for a homemade turkey gravy base.
  3. Whisk in Broth (The Secret): Slowly pour in the WARM broth, whisking constantly as you pour. This is the #1 trick to prevent lumps.
    A hand slowly pouring warm turkey broth from a glass measuring cup into a pan of light brown roux, whisking constantly to create a smooth, thick homemade turkey gravy.
  4. Simmer: Bring the gravy to a simmer (do not boil). Continue whisking until it is thick and creamy (about 5 minutes). Strain through a sieve if you used aromatics. Season with salt and pepper.
    A white ceramic gravy boat filled with smooth, creamy turkey gravy, with a saucepan and fine-mesh strainer in the background after the gravy has been strained.
Method 2 - 'With Drippings' Traditional Way)
  1. Separate Fat: Pour all drippings from the roasting pan into a glass cup. Let the fat rise to the top (about 5-10 minutes).
    A glass measuring jug showing two distinct layers: dark turkey drippings on the bottom and a thick layer of liquid fat on top, with an empty roasting pan in the background.
  2. Make the Roux: Skim 1/4 cup of the clear turkey fat from the top. Add this fat back to the hot roasting pan over medium heat. Sprinkle the flour over the fat and whisk constantly for 2-3 minutes.
    Hands whisking in flour that is being sprinkled into clear turkey fat in a stainless steel pan on a stovetop, creating the roux base for a turkey gravy from drippings.
  3. Whisk in Broth (The Secret): Slowly pour in the WARM broth, whisking constantly. Scrape the bottom of the pan to lift all those delicious browned bits (the "fond").
    A hand whisking vigorously in a skillet as warm turkey broth is slowly poured from a glass measuring cup into the golden-brown roux and turkey drippings.
  4. Simmer: Whisk in the remaining pan drippings (the non-fatty part). Bring to a simmer until thick and glossy. Season with salt and pepper (taste first!).
    A white ceramic gravy boat filled with smooth, steaming, rich brown turkey gravy from drippings, sitting on a marble counter with a serving spoon.

Notes

  • Lump-Free Hack: The secret is WARM broth whisked in SLOWLY. Never add cold broth to a hot roux.
  • Emergency Fix (Lumps): If you get lumps, don't panic! Just pour the gravy through a fine-mesh sieve (strainer).
  • Gluten-Free Hack: Skip the flour/roux. Thicken the simmering broth at the end with a Cornstarch Slurry (1 tbsp Cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water).
  • Make-Ahead: Prepare Method 1 up to 3 days in advance. Store in the fridge.
  • Freezer Hack: Freeze the gravy for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat gently, whisking often.