Make Ahead Turkey Gravy for Thanksgiving
This Make Ahead Turkey Gravy is so easy and saves tons of time and stress on Thanksgiving Day! No more running around while the turkey gets cold, trying to skim fat and whisk out lumps while everyone stares at you because you misjudged your time and they are starving. (Oh, is this just me??)
Originally published November 18, 2015
Sometimes when I’m in public I pretend to be a more concerned mother than I actually am. Like when Truman falls and bumps his head and the ENTIRE populace of Starbucks stops in its tracks to make sure he’s okay. And what I say out loud is, “Aw, yeah, poor guy, he hit his head!” But what I really want to say is, come on people, this happens every day, let’s not get choked up here. Two-year-olds have heads made of STEEL.
It was actually kind of awesome. Truman fell from a barstool and hit the back of his head going down. Before I could maneuver myself to a position where I could pick him up, an Asian man came out of nowhere and swooped Truman up in his arms, then handed him to me. I wish more strangers would do this kind of thing for each other! It was so refreshing.
It reminded me of this video Eric showed me about a Japanese reality TV show that films kids as they complete their first errand. Apparently in Japan, parents start sending their kids on short errands when they are very young, like 3-5 years old. This would be impossible here in the US because 1) there are no stores close enough to walk to and 2) children are taught to mistrust adults they don’t know. It’s the opposite in Japan. Kids there are taught that they can trust adults, even if they are strangers.
I think this is how the world ought to be, personally. Our culture has taken the distrust so far that I can no longer leave my sleeping son in the car for 5 minutes while I pick up some milk without worrying that someone will take a video and turn me in to the police. We were all raised not to trust each other, and so we don’t. A bystander doesn’t trust that I’m not negligent, and I don’t trust a bystander not to turn me in. It’s so sad. I would much rather teach my children that MOST people are kind and well-meaning, with a few who aren’t, instead of the other way around.
So I really just love it when a random stranger (a MAN, no less, not a fellow mother-warrior) has the guts to scoop up my kid when he falls down, even if it goes against the American “mind your own business” culture. It fills me up when I see people taking care of people. Do you have any opinions about this? I’d love to hear what you think in the comments.
Make Ahead Turkey Gravy
Who loves making gravy at the last minute on Thanksgiving? I just love pulling that bird out of the oven and frantically pouring off the juices to whisk up my homemade gravy. Said no one ever! I feel like gravy is the most stressful part of the entire meal. You need the turkey juices to make it (pray there is enough!), but you can’t get the juices until the turkey is done, and then your turkey sits getting cold while you whisk like mad over a hot stove. It’s kind of a nightmare.
Enter make-ahead gravy! My mother-in-law Kris has been using this recipe for years and she just told me about it. You use turkey wings and whatever other parts you can find (neck, thighs, whatever), roast them, boil them, and then make a gravy from those drippings.
Below on the right is the broth after I froze it for 20 minutes. It makes it so easy to skim the fat! (Update Nov 2017: You can also use a Fat Separator Measuring Cup. They work amazingly well and are way faster. My sister sent me one in the mail after she read on this post (in 2015) that I still put my gravy in the freezer. Thanks Laura!!)
Then you stick it in the freezer and forget about it until a couple hours before you want to eat. You could literally make this gravy TODAY and have one less thing to do on the big day. Mine’s already in the freezer ready to go!
More great make ahead recipes for Turkey Day:
Sea Foam Salad (Creamy Pear Jello)
Make Ahead Creamy Italian Mashed Potatoes
Pumpkin Roll with Lots of Cream Cheese
Thanksgiving classics that never fail:
Aunt Shirley’s Famous Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts
Pecan Pie Recipe with Buttery Streusel Topping
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Make Ahead Turkey Gravy for Thanksgiving
Ingredients
- 4 turkey wings or other parts, 4 to 5 pounds total
- 2 medium onions, roughly chopped
- 1 cup water
- 6 cups chicken broth, *
- 1-2 carrots, chopped
- ½ teaspoon thyme, dried
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth, *
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper, more to taste
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a large baking sheet. (I used foil in the photo above out of habit, but there is no need.)
- Place wings and other turkey parts on the pan. Scatter the onions over the pan.
- Roast at 400 for 1 hour, up to an hour and 15 minutes. Make sure the parts are browned on top.
- Remove the turkey parts to a large stock pot.
- Place the baking sheet over two burners on your stove and turn both of them up to medium. Add 1 cup water and use a wooden spoon to stir up all the browned bits. When the bottom of the pan is clean, scrape the water into the pot with the turkey.
- Add 6 cups chicken broth (or 6 cups water and 6 teaspoons turkey base.) Add the chopped carrots and the thyme.
- Simmer uncovered for about 1 and 1/2 hours.
- Remove the turkey parts and set aside. (You can pull off the meat and save it for something else, but I found that it was pretty tough.)
- Pour the remaining onion and carrot mixture through a colander into a bowl. (You can discard the veggies or snack on them).
- At this point I stuck the bowl in the freezer for about 20 minutes so that it was easy to skim the fat from the top.
- Pour the broth back into the pot. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Whisk together the flour and 2 cups broth, making sure to get out all the lumps.
- Slowly whisk the flour mixture into the broth. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring. Stir in butter, pepper, and salt.
- Taste it and see what you think. You can add more salt, pepper, thyme, or up to 1 teaspoon of turkey base.
- Let cool and freeze in ziplock bags. Let the gravy thaw in the fridge overnight, or just stick it in the microwave.
- If you are making a turkey on the day you plan to serve this gravy, add the fat-skimmed pan drippings to the gravy!
Notes
Nutrition
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The gravy was my top anxiety trigger on Thanksgiving when I remarried. My husbands family didn’t even know gravy in a jar or packet existed and they thought gravy was the most important part of the meal. Our first Thanksgiving I had 25 people including mother in law. I was trying to have mashed potatoes, gravy, etc. all done at the same time. I hid a powdered gravy packet in case mine failed ha ha! If only I had this recipe then!! Thank you so much, my husband loves it and I can get it out of the way and enjoy cooking!
If my store only has turkey legs, will that work?
Yeah I think that will work fine Terri! Enjoy!
Thank you for your quick reply… I wanna tell you this is the VERY best turkey gravy I’ve ever had in my life… and I thought the the 2 generations of women before me, made the best♥️
This was well worth it. Super yummy and I used the meat and vegetables to make a turkey soup for later.
Great idea with the soup Erika! I have mine simmering on the stove right now :) Thank you so much for commenting and reviewing!
Karen, your stories are so entertaining as always😊 Yes I agree with you – it is heartwarming, refreshing, satisfying, hope-inspiring when those crazy acts of caring, concern and kindness are shown instead of the usual: impatience, irritation, me-first. So I’m glad the gentleman scooped up Truman. It is a shame we don’t live in the world of 40, 50 or more years ago but we don’t – and unfortunately, we do have to have those guards up, we just do – especially when it comes to our children. That’s also an interesting story you shared, about the Japanese culture. I also have to laugh when you say that you have to pretend to be a more concerned mother than you might always be lol. I so remember feeling that way! Mine are now grown and we can laugh about it:) Anyhoo, look forward to trying this gravy recipe – I’m sure it will be a winner as all the others I’ve tried. Keep ’em coming!
Would this work for a steak gravy using pieces of steak and beef bouillon?
Hi Kelly! I definitely wouldn’t use steak to make the broth, that would be so expensive! Use a cheap cut of beef. And yes in theory it would work, but I don’t think you would need to roast the beef as long? I really don’t know. I would probably have to do a few tests on this idea before I would be confident with the recipe. Let me know how it goes if you try it!
Seriously! I could drink this! I don’t want to make an entire turkey because I like mashed potatoes with turkey gravy. Just finished making this for the second time. Fool proof! I am not a good cook and I haven’t screwed it up. Thank you!
That is so awesome Patricia! I’m so glad you are enjoying the recipe, and hey, I think this means that you’re a better cook than you think ;) Thank you so much for commenting! Merry Christmas!
Can I use frozen wings ?
Hi Maggie! Yes I think frozen wings would work great! I haven’t tried it though. If you have time, thaw them out. If not, bake from frozen and just add on some extra time. Tell me how it goes!
What an excellent idea. I made it yesterday, delicious. It is in the freezer! Now I don’t have to think about the gravy Thursday, hooray!! I used turkey wings and necks.
Where do you find turkey wings or thighs? I’ve looked in three of my local grocery stores.
Oh man that’s a bummer Tracy. I find them at my local Savemart. Upscale grocery stores with a decent butcher department should have them this time of year. I would ask the butcher to order some in for you!
Hey y’all!!! Love your recipes, great stores, and humor. You are so right about our society as well…. Ok, not being able to find turkey necks. Girlfriend, go to the meat market in the hood. They have turkey necks. Right along with oxtails, pigs feet, and beef toung (which is quite amazing… Despite the odor during the four hours it takes to cook it. I make mine like roast. With onions, potatoes, carrots and gravy. If I didn’t tell, you would think it was roast…lol). I’ve found some of the most amazing meat counters at small neighborhood markets. If they are other when you go in, the butcher will, most likey, all of you would like him to order it for you. Hope this helps!!!! Have a great day 🌻
You are so sweet Laurie, thank you for saying that! And oh my gosh, I’m dying over this. Meat market in the hood!! Haha! Clearly I need to expand my meat purchasing locations! I will check out some local places, thank you!
This looks great! We’re thinking of smoking our turkey – so…making gravy ahead would be great. If I wanted to stick it in my instant pot (versus boiling on the stove)….would that work? And if so…how long would you recommend? TIA!
And – yep. We’re spring-loaded to judge and not-trust. I think it’s wonderful that the gentleman helped your son! :)
Hey Mary! I just looked up some recipes for Instant Pot Gravy, but all of the ones I saw just have you use the Saute function on the machine, which is the same as using a pot on the stove, so not sure why you would do that. I don’t think actual pressure cooking would work for gravy. But I’m no IP expert! Let me know if you try it out!
This gravy is delicious! I made it for the second time this week and froze it. It’s ready for Thanksgiving! I added some cornstarch at the end to make it a little thicker but that didn’t change the taste. This is great to make when someone else is cooking the turkey or you just want to get a major dish prepared ahead of time.
I’m so glad you are enjoying the recipe Vicky! Good tip using cornstarch at the end if it’s not thickening up as much as you want. (For other people reading this review: be sure to mix cornstarch with a bit of cold water before adding to boiling gravy, otherwise it will lump on you!) Thanks so much for commenting, good to hear from you!
Made this last year and it was delicious. The fact that it’s a make ahead is the best part. Will be making again this year!!
I just made mine last night Julie! It makes T day so much easier. Glad you are enjoying it! Thanks for commenting!
Good morning, Karen. I was planning on making this gravy today but have a quick question. Have you ever tried using corn starch instead of flour? I need gluten-free gravy for some family members.
Hi Sandi, sorry I didn’t respond to this in time. I haven’t used cornstarch but I’m sure it would work! Don’t add as much though,and be sure to stir it together with cold water before adding to the boiling broth.
Thank you for sharing this recipe, as gravy is definitely a struggle every Thanksgiving. Made this gravy last nite and used 2 turkey wings & 2 thighs. I also used chicken bone broth as my grocery store was sold out of the turkey boullion. Was so easy to prepare and tasted good except seemed a little salty. Should I have used low sodium broth?
Hey Lynn! Chicken broth should work fine in this recipe. I’m surprised it was over salty. Next time you could try low sodium, that would help, and also cut the sale called for in the recipe. What brand bouillon did you use? I recommend Better Than Bouillon. Cheaper brands tend to be more salty.
First, I love you and your column. You have gifted me with so many belly laughs. I think I like your commentary more than the recipes (well, maybe it’s a toss-up).
It was nice to read of a stranger’s kindness to your son. One thought did pop into my mind though, won’t it be nice when we get to a place in our world where we don’t even think to mention someone’s ethnicity when we tell a story?
I will try this approach to TD gravy. I always have such a mess in the kitchen about that time that skipping the gravy making would be wonderful. Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Thank you so much Delia! It fills my heart to know that you are loving my blog, both the stories and the recipes! Thank you for letting me know. Happy holidays to you too, and I hope you love the gravy! It’s a life saver!
THANK YOU so very much for all of your recipes! I’ll be making the gravy soon! You’re the BEST!
Thank YOU for reading Sasha! I know you are going to love this gravy. Anything that saves you from that last minute Thanksgiving dinner gravy rush is a winner!
Made this for Thanksgiving—it was delicious! I ended up having to make a second turkey, with not enough notice to make more of this gravy, so I’d served it alongside some store-bought gravy. Hands-down this one was better (and the store-bought was pretty tasty!). For me, I love the hearty flavors in this recipe. This is my new gravy recipe. Mahalo for it! :)
Okay, just finished making this gravy in prep for the big day tomorrow. It’s so delicious! I’ve never made homemade gravy before so I wasn’t sure I could pull it off. I’m so happy to report that it was easy and SO worth it! Both my husband and I agree that it’s by far the best turkey gravy we’ve ever had. We’ll just add a touch of the drippings from the turkey tomorrow and it’ll be beyond amazing. Thank you so much!
This gravy looks delicious. I have gluten and dairy intolerances, any suggestions on how I can modify it? Thanks!
Hey Sara! You can leave out the butter no problem. It will be fine. As for the flour, I would try using cornstarch but not as much. Start with 3 tablespoons and move up from there. Make sure you always mix cornstarch with a little COLD water (or broth) before adding to the hot gravy on the stove, otherwise it will clump on you. I hope this works out for you Sara! let me know how it goes!
Made this gravy last year and it was a huge hit! Making it today for next week–I was thinking of using white wine to scrape up all the yummies from the baking sheet. What do you think???
Ooh that would definitely add another layer of flavor Mary! Yum!
My husband is frying a couple of turkeys so no drippings. I’m going to try this and freeze it. The pictures look like it’s nice and dark brown which is the way I like it.
Thanks
Yes, it is a very nice and rich color! Fried turkey sounds so delicious! Hope you enjoy the gravy!
I made this gravy for 2016 Thanksgiving and it saved the day from being a nightmare right before we ate! It was wonderful – thank you! Revisiting the recipe again in 2017 in preparation…
I’m so happy to hear that Chrystal! Thanks for coming back to review the recipe, I so appreciate it!
Karen, this recipe for make ahead turkey gravy looks like it is going to be a lifesaver! I would like to print it but I don’t see a print button. Am I missing it?
Is three weeks in advance bad? Or should I make it and freeze it closer to Thanksgiving?
Hey Carmen! Yes, totally make it right now, but I would freeze it. Then pop it in the fridge a couple days before eating. If you just refrigerate it for 3 weeks it will turn on you. Hope you enjoy! Happy Thanksgiving!!
I made this last year and putting it right back on the menu this Thanksgiving. This gravy is superb! I made mine several days early, reheated on Thanksgiving and enjoyed no stress of making the gravy while all of the other food waited. Thanks for the recipe!
I’m so happy to hear it was a success Wendy! I’m about to make mine soon for Thanksgiving too! Thanks for the review!!
I’ve been making my gravy like that for years too. I too use Better Than Boullion stock. Just a tip – after you’ve boiled your wings etc., strain the broth through a clean linen tea towel. It collects the bits as well as the fat. Then you’re ready to go. Since I’m 72 this year and we can’t lift the whole turkey into the oven, I’m doing it in two stages. First day – legs, thighs, back and wings and make gravy Refrigerate the legs and thighs till dinner. Day of – roast the breast and reheat the dark meat. Gravy is ready, kids have to bring potatoes and veg. Make stuffing balls the day before and reheat with dark meat.
These are great tips Elaine! Thank you so much for sharing! I can’t wait for Thanksgiving now :)
Lovely Food. Thank yours for sharing.
Thanks Karen. so very much for all of your recipes! I’ll be making the gravy soon! You’re the BEST!
Thanks so much Sabrina! How did the gravy go??
So yummy! Thank you for sharing. I cannot wait to use this Thursday!
We are making up a batch today too Julia! Happy Thanksgiving!
Seeing if someone is ok when they fall or get hurt is just common courtesy. We complain when we see people indifferent to others suffering and yet we don’t even offer it to our own in the most basic of ways. Truly sad. No need to run over hysterically, but a “yo, dude, that was quite the tumble. Are you ok?” seems like the right and considerate thing to do. It has been proven that we are born with a certain amount of empathy when we are born (eg when one baby cries other babies join in), but then how we are raised determines whether our level of empathy increases or decreases.
Hey Katie! No, you’re totally right. It is common courtesy. People just get even MORE concerned when it’s a kid. I’m not really complaining, I think it’s great. I just think it’s kinda funny. Maybe it’s the pessimistic mom in me :)
Thanks for the gravy recipe – I’m making it tomorrow for next week! And funny you should mention that Japanese program about parents sending off their tiny tots on their first solo errands. Our son lives in Kyoto and he taped an episode of the program with his phone and sent it to us. You have to see it to believe it. But when we visited Kyoto, one of Japan’s bigger cities, we saw for ourselves very young school children riding the subway system to and from school on their own. There is almost no crime in Japan. It must be one of the safest places in the world! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family…
Yay I’m glad you’re trying it out Susan, let me know how the gravy turns out! Since writing this post last year, a cousin of mine took a job in Tokyo with her family and she has mentioned the same thing that your son noticed. The culture is just different there. I’m jealous! The American culture of distrust makes me sad.
Just wanted to get back and say that, for the first time in my almost 50 years of making turkey dinners, we had plenty of gravy – AND, it was delicious! Thank you! With only two of us this year I roasted just a turkey breast,, so there were almost no drippings. It would’ve been impossible to make any gravy. I also made extra of the sides and we ate Thanksgiving dinner for four nights in a row, just because it was so good. There was enough gravy to cover the meat and the mashed potatoes, and I have some in the freezer. So good and so easy, and I loved that all I had to do was get it out and warm it up!
SUCCESS! Seriously, not having enough gravy is such a tragedy. I’m so glad you liked it Susan! Thanks for sharing your review!
It’s sad, really, how little we trust one another, how scared we are of our surroundings, how much we worry. It would be kind of awesome if Truman or Charlotte could run their little legs down to the store for those eggs or milk you didn’t realize you ran out of before starting a recipe (I hate to admit how often I do that). Love this gravy! Have a great holiday.
I totally agree with you! It’s sad how no one looks at each other or talks to each other or even smiles anymore. Society is a little out of control! LOVE make ahead gravy!
Funny you should mention this. At my son’s 4 year check up the dr told me that it was time to start teaching him stranger danger. I think it’s good kids to be aware but at the am time I’m having trouble telling him to be wary of everyone. I mean I smile and say hi to people while we’re out. So do I need to stop doing that too so he learns from me?
@DES @ LIFE’S AMBROSIA – I know this is 5 years after the fact:) But to the question you ended your comment with, I say no – never stop smiling and showing kindness to others. You can do this and teach the proper lessons at the same time. Don’t let the world make you unkind – but be aware that everyone is not a friend.
It’s unfortunate we can’t just be generally trusting, but we just don’t live in a world we once did. Just need to remain vigilant and aware – unfortunately, there are a lot of unsavory people in this world:(
Last year I made my gravy ahead for the first time and it was the best! This recipe looks wonderful!! And I agree – we definitely live in a VERY mistrusting culture these days. Kinda sad.
I love this make ahead gravy! Gravy is the one thing I struggle with every Thanksgiving. So glad to have this recipe so I don’t have to stress on the big day!
This looks like perfect gravy! And yes! Christian falls down all the time at church and I just kind of stand there while everyone flocks to him. LOL!