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 plus 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 minced rosemary, pepper); 6 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1/3 cup plus 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 truly magical about drizzling rich, velvety gravy over your turkey and mashed potatoes. This Homemade Turkey Gravy from Drippings Recipe captures all the savory goodness that comes from those roasted bird juices, making every bite feel like a cozy celebration.

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 can’t tell you how many times I thought I’d skip the gravy or just grab store-bought—until I made this homemade version. It’s a game-changer that’s surprisingly simple and incredibly satisfying.

Real Flavor Boost: Using the turkey drippings means your gravy has the authentic roasted turkey taste that store-bought just can’t match.
Simple Ingredients: You probably already have everything you need in your kitchen, making it super easy to pull together.
Customizable Seasonings: You control the salt and herbs, so it tastes perfect for your family’s palate.
Consistent Texture: Taking the time to cook the roux properly guarantees a smooth, lump-free gravy every time.

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

Each ingredient in this Homemade Turkey Gravy from Drippings Recipe plays a key role, especially the butter and flour that make the roux — the backbone of any good gravy. The turkey drippings bring a depth that broth alone can’t replicate, but I’ll also share a no-drippings option for when you don’t have them on hand.

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: Gives a rich, creamy base without adding salt too early, so you can control seasoning later.
Flour: Thickens the gravy naturally while cooking out the raw flour taste when browned properly.
Turkey Drippings: The star of the show – packed with flavor and fat that forms the foundation of the gravy.
Water: Used to adjust thickness and volume if you don’t have enough drippings.
Granulated Chicken Bouillon (optional): Adds a savory punch if your drippings are light on salt or flavor.
Seasonings: Dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, sage, rosemary, and pepper enhance the natural turkey flavor beautifully.

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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

I love to tweak this Homemade Turkey Gravy from Drippings Recipe depending on the meal. Sometimes I add a splash of white wine for a little tang, or a sprinkle of fresh herbs right before serving for a pop of color and aroma.

Variation: Once, I made this gravy using vegetable broth and mushroom seasoning to create a vegetarian-friendly version when we had a guest who doesn’t eat turkey. It was surprisingly rich and flavorful!

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

Step 1: Strain and Separate the Drippings

After roasting your turkey, I always start by carefully straining the drippings through a fine mesh sieve to catch any bits of burned herbs or crispy skin. Let the drippings rest for a few minutes so the fat rises to the top—you can either skim off the fat with a fat separator or use the freezer bag method to drain the flavorful juices without the grease. This step is key to keeping your gravy silky and not greasy.

Step 2: Make the Roux

In a saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter, then whisk in your flour. This isn’t the time to rush — cooking the roux for 4 to 5 minutes until it’s a beautiful deep golden color develops the flavor and keeps your gravy lump-free. If you’re impatient like I was initially, you’ll notice how much the flavor suffers without this step done right.

Step 3: Whisk in the Drippings and Simmer

Gradually pour the turkey drippings into the roux, whisking constantly to keep things smooth. Bring it to a gentle simmer, whisking as it thickens in 6 to 8 minutes. If it gets too thick, just whisk in water a splash at a time until you hit that perfect pourable consistency. Taste often here—I usually add a pinch of granulated chicken bouillon to deepen the flavor before adjusting salt and pepper.

Step 4: Season and Keep Warm

This Homemade Turkey Gravy from Drippings Recipe really shines when you season it thoughtfully. I add garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, thyme, sage, rosemary, and a bit of pepper. Keep it warm on low heat, stirring now and then until your turkey is ready to carve. It’s best served hot — that velvet texture disappears quickly as it cools!

Top Tip

Every time I make this gravy, I remind myself not to rush the roux. Trust me, that extra few minutes of whisking makes a world of difference in taste and texture. Here are a few more nuggets from my kitchen adventures that’ll help keep your gravy perfect.

Patience with Roux: Cooking the butter and flour until golden gives your gravy that deep, toasted flavor that is worth waiting for.
Degrease Thoroughly: I learned the hard way that skipping the fat skimming leads to greasy gravy. The freezer bag trick is my favorite—easy and effective!
Adjust Thickness Gradually: If your gravy feels too thick, add water a tablespoon at a time rather than all at once to keep control over the consistency.
Taste As You Go: Since drippings vary depending on your turkey and seasonings, keep tasting and adjust salt and herbs bit by bit for the perfect balance.

How to Serve Homemade Turkey Gravy from Drippings Recipe

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle just a little fresh minced parsley on top of the gravy for a fresh green contrast and a mild herby note. Sometimes I add a few sage leaves crisped in butter for a festive touch. These simple garnishes make the presentation extra inviting.

Side Dishes

This gravy pairs perfectly with classic mashed potatoes, roasted root vegetables, stuffing, and of course, the turkey itself. On casual nights, I love dipping warm crusty bread into any leftover gravy. It’s comforting in the best way!

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners, I sometimes serve the gravy in a beautiful ceramic gravy boat or an insulated jug that keeps it warm right on the table. To get a little fancy, I drizzle some pan juices or a sprinkle of crispy shallots on top as a finishing flourish—simple yet impressive.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I pour leftover gravy into an airtight container and refrigerate it. It keeps beautifully for up to 4 days. I’ve found it thickens considerably in the fridge, but you can easily fix that when reheating.

Freezing

I usually freeze any extra gravy in smaller portions using freezer-safe bags with as much air removed as possible. It freezes well for about 3 months. The texture stays good as long as you thaw it slowly overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To warm up leftover gravy, gently heat it in a saucepan over medium-low heat, whisking constantly. Add water or broth a little at a time to loosen it back up if it becomes too thick. This brings back the smooth pourable consistency that makes it irresistible.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this gravy without turkey drippings?

Absolutely! I’ve included directions for making this recipe with broth and seasonings so you can still enjoy flavorful gravy even when you don’t have drippings from the turkey.

How do I prevent lumps in my turkey gravy?

Whisking the butter and flour (roux) until the flour is cooked and golden before adding liquid is the key. Adding the drippings slowly while whisking constantly helps keep everything smooth. Patience during these steps will save you from lumpy gravy!

Can I prepare turkey gravy ahead of time?

Absolutely, you can make the gravy a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just rewarm gently on the stovetop, whisking in a bit of water to loosen it back up if needed.

How do I adjust the thickness of my gravy?

If your gravy is too thick, whisk in a little hot water or broth one tablespoon at a time. If it’s too thin, continue to simmer until it reduces to your desired thickness. Keep in mind that gravy thickens as it cools.

Final Thoughts

This Homemade Turkey Gravy from Drippings Recipe is one of those kitchen treasures that makes me smile every time I prepare it. There’s nothing quite like pouring a silky, flavorful gravy over your favorite holiday dishes—or even your everyday meals. Give it a try, take your time with the roux, and don’t be shy with seasoning. I’m confident once you taste the difference, you won’t want to go back to anything else.