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    Grits and Pinecones » Recipes » Christmas

    Easy Southern Homemade Turkey Gravy

    November 12, 2017 by Sharon Rigsby, Updated October 15, 2020 Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    It’s all about the gravy on Thanksgiving, and this easy and delicious Southern Homemade Turkey Gravy recipe is foolproof. This make-ahead gravy recipe is also a perfect base for giblet gravy, and you can substitute chicken stock for turkey stock to make chicken gravy.

    Easy Southern Homemade Turkey Gravy ready for Thanksgiving

    Perfect gravy always starts with a roux. And if you have never made a roux before, don’t let the word scare you. A roux is just equal parts of butter or another fat and flour cooked together. That’s it! How long you cook the roux determines whether it will become a bechamel or white sauce, gravy, or be used as a thickening agent in soups or gumbo.

    Great turkey gravy also starts with a great stock, and because it’s Thanksgiving and you are most likely cooking a turkey, I’m also going to show you how to make homemade turkey stock.

    Recipe ingredients:

    To make this recipe, you will need turkey stock (homemade or purchased), dried thyme and dried parsley or poultry seasoning, all-purpose flour, unsalted butter, and kosher salt and pepper.

    How to make Easy Southern Homemade Turkey Gravy:

    • Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Gradually add the flour, whisking constantly.

    Making a roux for Easy Southern Homemade Turkey Gravy

    • Cook for 5-10 minutes until the mixture has turned a nutty brown color and is just starting to smoke.

    Roux for Easy Southern Homemade Turkey Gravy

    • Gradually add the turkey stock, constantly whisking, and cook for 5 minutes more or until the gravy has thickened. Add pepper. Taste and add a little salt if needed.

    Whisking the gravy ingredients for Easy Southern Homemade Turkey Gravy

    • Serve immediately.

    Thanksgiving side dish, Easy Southern Homemade Turkey Gravy

    If making ahead, cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Reheat and serve.

    Sharon’s tips:

    To make homemade turkey stock, place the turkey neck and giblets in a small saucepan over medium heat. Fill the pan almost to the top with water. Add half a peeled onion, one celery stalk cut in half, half of an apple, and one teaspoon of poultry seasoning.

    Making turkey stock for Easy Southern Homemade Turkey Gravy

    When the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for approximately 2 hours. Remove from the heat and pour through a strainer. Reserve the stock to make the gravy. If you are making giblet gravy, chop up the giblets and add them to the gravy.

    If you like this holiday side dish recipe, you might also like these other classic recipes:

    SIMPLE AND PERFECT ROAST TURKEY

    Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes

    EASY SPICY SOUTHERN CORN CASSEROLE

    TRADITIONAL SOUTHERN CORNBREAD DRESSING

    SOUTHERN SWEET ONION CASSEROLE

    ULTIMATE BROCCOLI CHEESE CASSEROLE

    CRANBERRY SAUCE WITH ORANGES AND APPLE

    GREEN BEAN BUNDLES WRAPPED IN BACON

    If you liked the recipe above, please consider rating it and leaving a comment below. Also, follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram. And finally, to be the first to receive new notifications of new posts by email, enter your email address in the Subscribe box. Thank you so much for visiting Grits and Pinecones!

    Thanksgiving side dish, Easy Southern Homemade Turkey Gravy

    Easy Southern Homemade Turkey Gravy Recipe

    Sharon Rigsby
    It's all about the gravy on Thanksgiving, and this easy and delicious make-ahead Southern Homemade Turkey Gravy or Giblet Gravy side-dish recipe is foolproof.
    4.34 from 9 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American, Southern
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 134 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 tablespoon unsalted butter
    • 4 tablespoon all-purpose flour
    • ½ teaspoon thyme you can substitute 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning for the thyme and parsley
    • ½ teaspoon parsley leaves
    • 2 cups turkey stock* see recipe in notes or use purchased stock
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Gradually add the flour whisking constantly.
    • Cook for 5-10 minutes until the mixture has turned a nutty brown color and is just starting to smoke. Gradually add the turkey stock, constantly whisking, and cook for 5 minutes more or until the gravy has thickened. Add pepper. Taste and add a little salt if needed.
    • Serve immediately.
    • If making ahead, cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Reheat and serve.

    Notes

    *Notes: To make homemade turkey stock, place the turkey neck and giblets in a small saucepan over medium heat. Fill the pan almost to the top with water. Add half a peeled onion, one celery stalk cut in half, and one teaspoon of poultry seasoning. When the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for approximately 2 hours. Remove from the heat and pour through a strainer. Reserve the stock to make the gravy. If you are making giblet gravy, chop up the giblets and add to the gravy.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 134kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 3gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 215mgPotassium: 48mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 650IUVitamin C: 0.8mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 0.7mg
    Tried this recipe? Tag me today! Mention @gritspinecones or tag #gritspinecones!

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    Sharon Rigsby, blogger at GritsandPinecones.com

    Hello, I'm Sharon Rigsby, blogger, recipe developer, videographer, and photographer for Grits and Pinecones®. I have over 50 years of experience in the kitchen, and I like nothing better than developing and reimagining recipes for my family, friends, and you!

    More about me →

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