This incredibly delicious gravy will leave a lasting impression.

Turkey Gravy on Mashed Potatoes

Really good gravy can make a lasting impression when it comes to a memorable meal.

And this is definitely one of those gravies.

It has the most delectable smoky flavor from barbecued turkey drippings.

These drippings come from a turkey cooked on a kettle barbecue grill.

Cooked Whole Turkey on BBQ Grill

Like this turkey right here.

As the turkey cooks in the barbecue, it smells so good because of the smoky flavor from the mesquite charcoal (here’s the link) “How to Barbecue a Turkey“).

About the Pan with the Turkey Drippings

Can you see the drip pan under the turkey in the picture above?

The drippings from the turkey, plus the juice from basting end up in this drip pan, and that’s the base for this gravy.

Sliced Turkey Topped with Gravy

About this Recipe

Broth – The broth in this recipe is made by simmering the turkey giblets (minus the liver).

And as a bonus, as the broth simmers, it makes the kitchen smell delicious…just like the holidays.

Turkey Drippings – After the turkey’s done cooking, the drip pan is removed out from under it.

The drippings are poured through a fine mesh strainer and combined with the broth and other ingredients to make the gravy.

Let’s check out the ingredients.

Turkey Gravy Ingredients

Turkey Broth – turkey giblets (excluding the liver)*, water and salt

Gravy – pan drippings from cooking the turkey (strained), turkey broth (or chicken broth can be used instead if preferred), milk, water, cornstarch, Kitchen Bouquet (just a bit to add color to the gravy), butter, salt and pepper

*I generally exclude the liver because the taste is strong to my taste buds; but feel free to include it if desired.

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE

A printable recipe with the measurements and instructions is located at the bottom of this post.

For the Broth:

Boiling water in pot on stove top

To a medium size pot, add water (about 3/4’s full) …

Add salt to boiling water in pot

…and salt.

Bring to a boil.

Add turkey neck in boil water in pot

To the pot,

Turkey neck in boiling water in pot

add the turkey neck…

Add turkey meat in boiling water in pot

…and…

Add turkey meat to boiling water in pot

…the remaining giblets (excluding the liver).

Turkey meat in boiling water in pot

Turn the heat down to low and let simmer until the giblets are fully cooked (about 1 hour).

As it’s cooking keep an eye on the water level.

When the water level decreases, add hot water to the pot to fill it back up to 3/4’s full.

Strainer in measuring glass

After the giblets are cooked, remove them from the pot (discard if desired).

Strain broth in strainer into measuring glass

Carefully pour the broth through a fine mesh strainer and into a large heat-proof pouring measuring cup or bowl.

Strained broth in measuring glass

Set aside 1/4 cup broth and chill in the refrigerator (for use when making the cornstarch slurry).

Set the remaining broth aside (if made ahead of time, store in the refrigerator).

For the Turkey Drippings:

The turkey drippings are used to make the gravy which is made right after the turkey is done cooking (while it’s resting before being carved).

Cooked whole turkey on BBQ grill

Turkey drippings in metal pan

To the pan of drippings, add a cup of water.

Stir until the drippings are mixed in with the water.

Strainer in measuring glass

Pour the drippings through a fine mesh strainer and into a large heat-proof pouring measuring cup or bowl.

For the Gravy:

Pour broth into pot

To a medium size pan, add 1/2 cup of the drippings…

Pour broth into saucepan

…2 cups of broth…

TIP – Leftover broth can be used to make the stuffing or dressing.

Pour milk into saucepan

…and milk.

Stir gravy in pot with spoon

Heat the pan on low heat and stir the ingredients together.

Add pepper to gravy in pot

Add pepper, and…

Add salt to gravy in pot

…salt.

Stir gravy in pot with spoon

Stir.

Continue to stir as the ingredients cook.

Add corn starch to bowl

In a small bowl, add cornstarch…

Water in measuring spoon

…and…

Add water to corn starch

…the chilled broth (1/4 cup).

Water and corn starch in bowl

Stir together. 

Water and corn starch in bowl

Sometimes cornstarch will stick to the bottom of the bowl so just make sure the mixture is all dissolved.

Add water and corn starch in gravy

To the pot, slowly add the cornstarch mixture while continuously whisking or stirring.

Stir gravy in pot with spoon

Continue to whisk or stir.

Add Kitchen Bouquet to gravy in pot

Add Kitchen Bouquet; start with 1/2 teaspoon and stir, then add a very small amount more if needed to get the desired coloring.

TIP – Only add Kitchen Bouquet in very small amounts so not to make the gravy too dark. A beige color gravy looks nice alongside turkey meat.

Stir gravy in pot with spoon

…stir.

Stir gravy in pot with spoon

Continue to stir.

Add butter to gravy in pot

Add butter…

Butter in gravy in pot

…and…

Stir gravy in pot with spoon

Stir gravy in pot with spoon

…stir.

Add salt to gravy in pot

Salt to taste and…

Stir gravy in pot with spoon

…stir.

Turkey Gravy on Mashed Potatoes

Serve warm.

Gravy on Mashed Potatoes and Turkey

Turkey Gravy on Mashed Potatoes

Thank you so much for stopping by CCC!

Sliced Turkey Topped with Gravy

SUBSCRIBE TO CCC

Don’t Miss a CCC Recipe!  Subscribe now to Coupon Clipping Cook and get an email each time we have a new post.  CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO COUPON CLIPPING COOK.

Turkey Gravy on Potatoes

Turkey Gravy from Pan Drippings

This incredibly delicious gravy will leave a lasting impression.
5 from 2 votes

Ingredients

For the Turkey Broth:*

  • Turkey giblets (excluding the liver) (generally found in a pouch inside of the cavity of the turkey)
  • Water
  • 3 dashes salt

* Chicken broth (2-1/4 cups) can be used instead of making the turkey broth if preferred

For the Turkey Drippings:

  • Pan with the turkey drippings in it
  • 1 cup water

For the Gravy:

  • 1/2 cup strained turkey drippings
  • 2 cups turkey broth strained with fine mesh strainer
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt or salt to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2-1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup chilled turkey broth (for making the cornstarch slurry)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kitchen Bouquet (browning and seasoning sauce)
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Instructions

For the Turkey Broth:

  • The turkey broth is started right after the turkey is prepared for cooking; at least one hour prior to when the gravy is made.
  • To a medium size pot, add water (about ¾’s full) and salt. Bring to a boil. 
  • To the pot, add the giblets (except for the liver). Turn the heat down to low and let simmer for an hour, until the giblets are fully cooked.
    As it's cooking keep an eye on the water level. When the water level decreases, add hot water to the pot to fill it back up to about ¾’s full. 
  • After the giblets are cooked, remove them from the pot (discard if desired). 
  • Carefully pour the broth through a fine mesh strainer and into a large heat-proof pouring measuring cup or bowl. 
  • Set aside 1/4 cup broth and chill in the refrigerator (for use when making the cornstarch slurry). 
  • There should be at least 2 cups of broth remaining (if not, add water to the broth to equal 2 cups in total). 
    Set the remaining broth aside (if making this ahead of time, store in the refrigerator).

For the Turkey Drippings:

  • In the pan of turkey drippings, add a cup of water and stir until the drippings are mixed in with the water.
    Pour the drippings through a fine mesh strainer and into a large heat-proof pouring measuring cup or bowl.

For the Gravy:

  • The gravy is made while the turkey is resting after being cooked, prior to carving the turkey.
  • To a medium size pan, add the strained turkey drippings (1/2 cup), turkey broth (2 cups), milk, salt and pepper.
    Heat the pan on low heat and stir the ingredients together. Continue to stir as the ingredients cook.
  • For the cornstarch slurry - In a small bowl, add cornstarch and the chilled broth. Stir the cornstarch until it's completely dissolved. Make sure there isn't any dry cornstarch left in the bottom of the bowl. 
  • To the pot, slowly add the cornstarch mixture while continuously whisking or stirring. Continue to whisk or stir. 
  • Add Kitchen Bouquet; start with 1/2 teaspoon and stir, then add a small amount more if needed to get the desired coloring.
    Continue to stir. 
  • Add butter, stir and salt to taste. Serve warm.

Video

Notes

TIPS:

  1. When stirring the cornstarch slurry, move the spoon along the bottom of the bowl to mix cornstarch that may be sticking to the bottom.
  2. When adding Kitchen Bouquet to the gravy mixture be very careful to add only small amounts at a time so that the gravy doesn't turn too dark.  A beige color gravy looks nice alongside turkey meat.
  3. Leftover turkey broth can be used to make the stuffing.

Serving Suggestions

The gravy tastes wonderful on mashed potatoes, turkey, dressing and for that matter, maybe on everything other than the ambrosia and cranberry sauce.

Holiday Recipes

More Thanksgiving and Christmas Recipes You May Like:

No-Bake Cherry Cheese Pie with Helpful Tips

Pumpkin Pudding Puff Pastry Desserts

Easy Potato Salad with Egg

Potato, Ham and Spinach Breakfast Pie

Comfort Food Recipes

Comfort Food Recipes you may like:

Candied Yams (Sweet Potatoes) with Pecans and Marshmallows

Candied Sweet Potatoes (Canned Yams), with Walnuts and Marshmallows

Baked Herb and Parmesan Potato Slices

Biscoff Cookie Butter Blondie Brownies

Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Potatoes and Carrots

Easy Skillet Smoked Sausage with Caramelized Barbecue Sauce