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 deeply satisfying about making your own gravy, especially when it’s crafted from those rich, flavorful turkey drippings. This Homemade Turkey Gravy from Drippings Recipe captures everything that makes me smile at the dinner table—a silky texture, deep taste, and just the right amount of seasoning that brings the whole meal together.

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 honestly think gravy is the unsung hero of any turkey dinner, and making it from the drippings feels like unlocking a secret layer of flavor that you just can't get from jarred gravy. I love how comforting and nostalgic this Homemade Turkey Gravy from Drippings Recipe is—it’s pure kitchen magic.

Pure Flavor: Using the turkey drippings means your gravy inherits all those roasted, meaty notes straight from your bird.
Simple Technique: With just a few ingredients and basic steps, you’ll get a smooth, delicious gravy without any guesswork.
Customizable Seasonings: You can tweak flavors to match your taste or your turkey’s seasoning, making it uniquely yours every time.
Perfect Texture Control: Whisk, simmer, and adjust the thickness so it pours beautifully over every part of your plate.

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

The beauty of this recipe is in how a small handful of ingredients come together to make something so rich and comforting. Choosing the right butter and flour, plus those precious turkey drippings, sets the stage for a gravy that’s smooth and bursting with savory goodness.

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: Using unsalted lets you control the seasoning; its richness is essential for that silky roux base.
Flour: This is your thickening agent—be sure to cook it well to get golden color and avoid a floury taste.
Turkey drippings: These carry the deep, roasted turkey flavor—don’t throw away those tasty pan juices!
Water: To top up the liquid so you get the perfect volume and consistency.
Granulated chicken bouillon (optional): A great way to boost umami and saltiness gently without overwhelming the drippings.
Dried herbs & spices: Parsley, thyme, garlic powder, sage, rosemary, onion powder, and pepper add warmth and complexity.

📝

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 play around with the herbs in this gravy depending on the season or what the turkey’s been seasoned with. Sometimes I add a touch of fresh sage or even a splash of a good dry white wine to amp up the depth. You should definitely feel free to tailor this gravy to your own taste buds.

Variation: One time I swapped some of the turkey drippings with low-sodium chicken broth when I felt the drippings were too concentrated—worked like a charm and still packed plenty of flavor.

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

Step 1: Strain and Separate Your Drippings

Once your turkey is out of the roasting pan and resting, pour those glorious pan juices through a fine mesh sieve into a fat separator or a large freezer bag. I like using the bag method because it’s so easy to catch the separated fat—you just let it sit and carefully pour the lean liquid out from the bottom corner. You want about 4 cups of drippings for this recipe, so top it off with some water if you need to.

Step 2: Make Your Roux

In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter and add the flour. This step is key because cooking the flour until it’s a deep golden color prevents the dreaded lumps and gives your gravy that beautiful nutty flavor. Keep whisking for 4-5 minutes—you can’t rush this!

Step 3: Slowly Whisk in the Drippings

Lower the heat a bit and gradually whisk your drippings into the roux. This slow incorporation helps avoid lumps and creates that silky smooth texture we want. Whisk until everything is combined and the gravy looks glossy.

Step 4: Simmer and Season

Bring your gravy to a gentle simmer, whisking constantly. It should thicken within 6-8 minutes. Remember, it’s going to thicken more once off the heat, so aim for slightly looser than your desired consistency. Taste your gravy and adjust with salt, chicken bouillon, and herbs a pinch at a time. This is where you make it truly your own.

Step 5: Keep Warm and Serve

Gravy is best served warm and smooth, so keep it on low heat stirring occasionally if you need to hold it for a bit. I like to pour it into an insulated gravy jug to keep it perfect for serving—and watch everyone reach for seconds!

Top Tip

From many a turkey dinner, I’ve learned that timing and attention to detail make all the difference with this Homemade Turkey Gravy from Drippings Recipe. The little tricks I share below saved me from clumpy or bland gravy—and they’ll help you get it right every time.

Perfect Roux Color: Don’t rush cooking the flour; a deep golden color adds flavor and stops lumps before they start.
Fat Separation: Using a fat separator or the freezer bag method ensures your gravy isn’t greasy but still richly flavored.
Season in Layers: Add seasoning gradually and taste often, especially because drippings vary between turkeys.
Adjust Consistency: If your gravy thickens too much after resting, warm it gently and whisk in water a tablespoon at a time to soften it.

How to Serve Homemade Turkey Gravy from Drippings Recipe

turkey gravy from drippings - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep garnishes simple—a sprinkle of fresh parsley or a few finely chopped chives right before serving brightens the gravy visually and adds a nice little herbal punch. Sometimes a twist of black pepper on top finishes it off beautifully.

Side Dishes

This homemade gravy shines dripping over roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and even green bean casserole. It’s the glue that unites all those comforting sides with your star of the plate—the turkey.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I love serving gravy in a beautiful vintage gravy boat, surrounded by fresh thyme sprigs. It adds a rustic, elegant touch that guests always notice. Another fun idea is to keep gravy warm in a small slow cooker with a ladle beside it for casual buffets.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After everyone’s enjoyed their fill, I pour leftover gravy into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It keeps well for up to 4 days, making easy weeknight reheating a breeze.

Freezing

I’ve frozen leftover gravy in smaller portions using freezer bags, squeezing out all the air. It holds up nicely for up to 3 months—perfect for quick meals or when you want a taste of that holiday comfort without the fuss.

Reheating

When it’s time to eat again, I reheat gently on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring constantly. If it thickens too much, a splash of water or broth thins it back to that luscious, pourable texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Homemade Turkey Gravy from Drippings Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the gravy a few hours ahead and keep it warm on low heat, or make it a day prior, then reheat gently and adjust thickness with water if needed.

What if I don’t have enough turkey drippings?

If you find yourself short on drippings, simply top up the liquid with good-quality chicken broth or water. This keeps the flavor balanced without diluting it too much.

How do I avoid lumps in my gravy?

The key is cooking the roux until it turns golden and whisking liquids in slowly. Constant whisking and patience prevent lumps from forming.

Can I customize the seasoning?

Definitely—this gravy is a flexible base. Add herbs and spices incrementally, tasting as you go, so you get it just right for your turkey and personal preferences.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Homemade Turkey Gravy from Drippings Recipe feels like the heart of the holiday table to me. It’s dependable, comforting, and always gets those smiles around the dinner plate. Try it the next time you roast a turkey—you’ll be amazed how something so simple elevates your entire meal.