This Homemade Turkey Gravy is the best compliment to a perfectly roasted turkey. This ridiculously easy recipe makes the best gravy from turkey drippings you’ve ever tried. It’s super tasty, with the addition of fresh herbs to give it an extra pop of flavor.

If you don’t think you’ll use it all up at once, freeze it and enjoy over mashed potatoes for a future weeknight dinner!

Easy Turkey Gravy Recipe

Once you’ve made your juicy and moist roast turkey, the only thing left for the perfect Thanksgiving dinner is this homemade gravy! Made with the pan drippings from the turkey itself, it’s not only ridiculously easy but SO flavorful. You’ve got all the flavor of the turkey, plus the addition of fresh herbs. It’s so good you may be tempted to just eat it by the spoonful!

This turkey gravy from turkey drippings takes about 10 minutes to prepare, which is just the perfect amount of time as the bird needs to rest before carving anyway. By the time this gravy is done, it’ll be time to slice the turkey and enjoy your holiday meal.

Ingredients Needed

The key ingredient in this easy gravy recipe is the pan drippings. Other than that, you’ll need just a few other items.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)

• Turkey pan drippings – Remove all of the fat before using.
• Chicken broth – Combined with the drippings to render a liquid gravy. You can also use turkey broth or vegetable broth, if preferred.
• Fresh herbs – I used a combination of thyme, rosemary, and sage.
• Cornstarch – Thickens the gravy.
• Cold water – For making the cornstarch slurry.
• Salt and pepper – For added flavor.

How to Make Turkey Gravy from Turkey Drippings

This easy recipe comes together in just a few minutes.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)

1. Bring the ingredients to a boil. Add the defatted turkey drippings to a pan, with enough chicken broth to equal 3 cups of liquid. Add the fresh herbs and bring to a boil.
2. Simmer. Mix the cornstarch with water to dissolve it then add to the boiling broth. Simmer for 2-4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Tips & Variations

Here are a few tips and variations to making the absolute best gravy from turkey drippings.

• Add the turkey neck. To fortify your broth, you can add the neck that has been roasted along with the turkey to the broth and simmer. Remove before you add in the cornstarch.
• Use some of the turkey fat in the gravy. For an even richer gravy, you can use the turkey fat that has been separated from the broth, or butter, mixed with equal parts of flour to make a roux (3 tablespoons each). Cook the roux in a medium size saucepan for 1-2 minutes. Then whisk in the broth and defatted pan drippings, and bring it up to a boil. Add in the herbs and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
• Remove any lumps. As long as you mix the cornstarch into the water and it is all dissolved, you should have a nice smooth gravy. If you do end up with any lumps that you can’t whisk out, you can pass it through a fine mesh strainer.

How to Thicken Gravy From Turkey Drippings

If you find your turkey gravy isn’t thick enough after simmering for a few minutes, add in a bit more cornstarch slurry. On the other hand, if the gravy is too thick, you can easily thin it out by adding in more broth until the desired consistency is reached.

Serving Suggestions

This gravy is, obviously, intended to be served over roasted turkey since you need the drippings to make the gravy. I always offer it up on the table so that guests may drizzle as much over their turkey as desired. I also definitely recommend adding some to your mashed potatoes and stuffing too. So good!

How to Store & Reheat Leftovers

• Storing leftovers. Leftover turkey gravy can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days. I recommend reheating in a saucepan on the stove over low or medium heat. You may need to add a little extra broth when reheating, if it’s thickened too much.
• To freeze turkey gravy. Freeze gravy for up to 3 months in containers, freezer-safe ziploc bags, or even ice cube trays, which are great for using up just a little bit at a time.

More Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes:

• Dinner Rolls
• Cranberry Sauce
• Green Bean Casserole
• Roasted Beets with Maple Glaze
• Creamed Corn
• Baked Sweet Potatoes

I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!