Easy Make Ahead Turkey Gravy
Elevate your holiday table with this rich and flavorful Easy Make Ahead Turkey Gravy, a stress-free solution that guarantees smooth and savory perfection on the big day. Crafted with a golden butter and flour roux as the base, this recipe incorporates aromatic fresh thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf for a depth of flavor that pairs beautifully with your roasted turkey. Simmered to silky perfection using turkey or chicken stock, this gravy can be prepped up to three days ahead or frozen for long-term convenience. Optional heavy cream adds a luxurious touch, while pan drippings on serving day bring an extra layer of savoriness. Perfect for Thanksgiving or any festive gathering, this make-ahead recipe ensures you’ll have one less thing to worry about without compromising on taste.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 6 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 4 cups Turkey or chicken stock
- 3 sprigs Fresh thyme
- 1 sprig Fresh rosemary
- 1 piece Bay leaf
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Heavy cream (optional)
- as needed Pan drippings (optional, for serving day)
Instructions
Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
Once the butter is fully melted, whisk in the flour to make a roux. Continue whisking for 2-3 minutes, until the mixture becomes golden and fragrant.
Gradually whisk in the turkey or chicken stock, a little at a time, to prevent lumps from forming.
Add the thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, and garlic cloves to the pot. Simmer the mixture over low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gravy thickens.
Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Strain the gravy into a clean pot to remove the herbs and garlic.
If using, stir in the heavy cream for added richness.
Let the gravy cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
On serving day, reheat the gravy over low heat, whisking frequently. If desired, stir in pan drippings from the cooked turkey for additional flavor.
Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed, before serving warm.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1077 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 98.4 g | 126% | |
| Saturated Fat | 54.5 g | 272% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 250 mg | 83% | |
| Sodium | 6026 mg | 262% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 43.3 g | 16% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.3 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.0 g | ||
| Protein | 12.9 g | 26% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 116 mg | 9% | |
| Iron | 3.5 mg | 19% | |
| Potassium | 304 mg | 6% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
