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    Recipes » Side Dish

    Turkey Gravy without Drippings

    Published: Nov 16, 2021 by Marissa Stevens ·

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe
    turkey gravy served in a white ceramic gravy boat

    There are two secrets to making turkey gravy without drippings: toasted flour and brown butter. Together, they create a roux that delivers the same rich depth of flavor as even the most delicious roasted turkey drippings. 

    Turkey Gravy without Drippings in a white ceramic gravy boat.

    Turkey gravy elevates holiday meals by adding moisture and buttery richness to warm turkey slices, hot mashed potatoes and dressing or stuffing. It's what pulls all of the flavors on the plate together. 

    It's essential at the Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner tables, but there's no need to limit this delicacy to just twice a year. This quick, convenient method using just 3 simple ingredients plus salt and pepper means you can make flavorful gravy from scratch without drippings any time you like. 

    Jump to:
    • Plan Your Holiday Menu
    • Ingredients You Need to Make Turkey Gravy Without Drippings
    • How to Toast Flour
    • How to Make Brown Butter
    • Recipe Options
    • How to Reheat Leftover Gravy 
    • FAQ
    • Serve With
    • How to Make Turkey Gravy without Drippings
    • Turkey Gravy without Drippings
    • 💬 Comments

    Plan Your Holiday Menu

    • Thanksgiving Menu Planner
    • Christmas Menu Planner

    Ingredients You Need to Make Turkey Gravy Without Drippings

    Turkey Gravy without Drippings Ingredients on a white marble board.
    • Chicken Broth: or turkey stock
    • All-Purpose Flour: sifted if lumpy
    • Butter: salted or unsalted

    How to Toast Flour

    Many people don't realize that toasting flour is even an option, but it’s one of the best-kept secrets behind adding flavor to recipes like homemade pasta, breads, pizza crusts, and, of course, homemade gravy!

    The best part is that it’s very easy to do. Simply toss a cup of flour into a pan, turn the stove up to a moderate heat, and whisk it for 3 to 5 minutes (depending on how well-toasted you want it to be). The result is a deep, nutty taste. But don’t toast your flour until you’re ready to use it — ideally, you should use it right away.

    toasted white flour in a skillet.
    Toasted Flour

    How to Make Brown Butter

    Turning butter into brown butter is a straightforward process, but it results in a nutty, caramelized ingredient used in all kinds of sweet and savory recipes. You don’t even need any other ingredients — just salted or unsalted butter, a pan, and a spoon or spatula.

    First, cut the butter into equal pieces to help it cook evenly. Then add the butter to a skillet over medium heat and stir until it sizzles and starts to foam; continue stirring for 3 to 4 minutes, or until it turns a golden brown with darker brown flecks. 

    brown butter in a skillet.
    Brown Butter

    A word of warning — there’s a thin line between brown butter and burned butter, so don’t stop stirring and don't walk away from the pan. Once the foam has subsided and the butter has deepened in color with some darker brown flecks at the bottom and exudes a nutty aroma, remove it from the heat and transfer to a heat safe bowl if you're not using it immediately to make a roux. Don't leave the brown butter in the hot pan on its own or it will burn.

    Recipe Options

    Feel free to embellish the recipe any way you like by adding fresh herbs, caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, or any of your favorite gravy additions.

    How to Reheat Leftover Gravy 

    Spoon leftover gravy into a small or medium saucepan (depending on the amount you have to reheat) and set over low heat. Bring to simmer slowly, stirring often, adding more stock or broth to thin if necessary. Once hot, season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.

    FAQ

    Can you make turkey gravy ahead of time?

    Yes! You can make turkey gravy 3 to 4 days in advance when stored in the refrigerator or freeze for 4 to 6 months and reheat before serving. (See reheating instructions above.)

    What if my turkey has no drippings?

    No problem! You can make delicious gravy without drippings using toasted flour and brown butter instead as the base of the gravy.

    Is cornstarch or flour better for gravy?

    Either will work to thicken gravy, but toasted flour stirred into a roux with brown butter adds a lot more flavor than neutrally flavored cornstarch.

    How do you make thin turkey gravy?

    Add more stock or broth to thin gravy as desired, but note that doing so may dilute the flavor so you may need to adjust the seasoning as well.

    How do you get rid of lumps in gravy?

    To avoid lumpy gravy, be sure to sift your flour before toasting if it's lumpy and whisk constantly once you add the roux to the simmering broth. But don't panic if you end up with lumps in your gravy. Just pour it through a mesh strainer, using a spoon or rubber spatula to press it through, and discard any solids (lumps) left behind. Reheat the strained gravy and serve. 

    Serve With

    • Dry Brine Turkey
    • Turkey Roulade with Garlic and Herbs
    • Mashed Red Potatoes
    • Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
    • Cornbread Dressing
    • Brioche Rolls

    How to Make Turkey Gravy without Drippings

    In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring chicken broth to simmer. While it comes to simmer, toast flour in a dry skillet until light golden brown; transfer to a small bowl. Wipe out skillet.

    whisking white flour in a skillet.
    toasted white flour in a skillet.

    Add butter to same skillet; cook stirring constantly over medium heat until butter, melts, foams and turns a golden brown with darker brown flecks.

    melting butter in a skillet.
    butter sizzling in a skillet.
    butter foam starting to subside.
    butter foam starting to subside
    brown butter in a skillet.

    Immediately stir in toasted flour. Add butter and flour mixture all at once to simmering broth, whisking constantly, Cook and stir over medium heat until thick, smooth and bubbly (adding more broth to thin as desired). Season to taste with salt and black pepper and serve.

    adding toasted flour to brown butter.
    whisking toasted flour and brown butter mixture into simmering chicken broth.
    Turkey Gravy without Drippings in a white ceramic gravy boat.
    Turkey Gravy without Drippings in a white ceramic gravy boat.

    Turkey Gravy without Drippings

    Marissa Stevens
    With just 3 simple ingredients, you can make mouthwatering turkey gravy - no drippings required!
    5 from 3 votes
    Save Recipe Saved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American, Southern
    Servings 6 people
    Calories 91 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups chicken broth or turkey stock, or more for thinner gravy
    • ¼ cup all-purpose flour sifted if lumpy
    • ¼ cup butter cut into 4 1-tablespoon size pieces

    Instructions
     

    • Bring chicken broth to simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
    • Meanwhile, add flour to a dry skillet over medium-low heat and cook, whisking constantly for 3 to 5 minutes until it's toasted to a light golden brown. Immediately transfer to a small bowl (to keep from over-browning) and wipe out skillet.
    • To same skillet, add butter. Cook and stir constantly over medium heat until it begins to sizzle and foam at the edges. Continue stirring for 3 to 4 to minutes until the butter turns golden brown, has deeper brown flecks and smells nutty. As soon as it reaches this point (do not allow the butter to burn - recipe note #1), add toasted flour and whisk or stir until smooth; add mixture all at once to simmering chicken broth in saucepan. Cook, whisking constantly, over medium heat until smooth, thickened and bubbly; season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

    Notes

    1. If your butter burns, pour it out and wipe out the skillet. Then start again at step 3.
    2. If you end up with lumps in your gravy, strain them out before serving.
    3. You can easily double or triple this recipe.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 91kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 1gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 354mgPotassium: 71mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 238IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword Christmas, comfort food, Thanksgiving
    Tried this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.

    More Side Dishes

    • Garlic Butter Mushrooms
    • Roasted Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts
    • Garlic Butter Sauce for Seafood
    • Roasted Green Beans and Potatoes

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Judy PEEPLES says

      September 27, 2022 at 10:30 am

      5 stars
      This was finger licking good. Never made gravy without drippings and this turned out to make the foodies in the family very happy. Key to taster was the toasting of the flour. What a great idea. I used super fine wheat flour from Italy. Total gravy satistaction

      • Marissa Stevens says

        September 28, 2022 at 1:12 pm

        I'm so happy to hear that you and your family enjoyed the gravy, Judy! Thank you for coming back to let me know!

    2. Thanksgiving question says

      September 26, 2022 at 1:39 pm

      Can this be made ahead and refrigerated until Thanksgiving?
      Will this gravy reheat well?

      • Marissa Stevens says

        September 28, 2022 at 2:54 pm

        You can make turkey gravy up to 4 days in advance according the USDA - some sources say up to 5 days in advance. This does reheat well - see the post for detailed instructions. Hope that helps!

    3. Karen (Back Road Journal) says

      November 18, 2021 at 9:30 am

      I've never thought to toast the flour, thank you so very much for sharing your tip.

      • Marissa Stevens says

        November 18, 2021 at 2:38 pm

        My pleasure, Karen!

    4. Ben | Havocinthekitchen says

      November 17, 2021 at 6:13 pm

      5 stars
      Ooo I can certainly imagine a large bowl of those Yukon gold mashed potatoes and this gravy - no other additions needed for me 🙂

      • Marissa Stevens says

        November 30, 2021 at 8:26 am

        haha, same! Thanks, Ben.

    5. David @ Spiced says

      November 17, 2021 at 4:49 am

      5 stars
      Oooo - I like the twist here with the toasted flour! That would really bring a lot of flavor. Definitely giving this recipe a try soon - it's gravy season!!

      • Marissa Stevens says

        November 17, 2021 at 10:29 am

        I'm excited for you to try it, David! Happy gravy season! 😉

    6. angiesrecipes says

      November 16, 2021 at 11:34 am

      Who needs drippings if it has brown butter? This looks so good.

      • Marissa Stevens says

        November 17, 2021 at 10:29 am

        haha...exactly!

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