Thanksgiving dinner just wouldn’t be the same without a generous pour of delicious gravy to soak through that stuffing and bring the whole plate together. But with the popularity of deep fried or air-fried turkeys, some folks are wondering how they too can have homemade gravy (usually made with the leftover drippings from the baked bird). So how do you make homemade turkey gravy without the drippings?
What are drippings?
In case you’re confused about drippings, let me give a quick explanation. Drippings are the liquid that falls from the bird into the pan as the meat roasts. That liquid caramelizes and browns and takes on a deep, rich flavor (it’s what gives gravy almost all of its flavor). You would take those drippings and add butter, flour, broth, and some seasonings, and whisk that into a delicious gravy.
So how to make gravy without drippings?
You can still make gravy even if you don’t have turkey drippings. Whether you fried your turkey and all those juices disappeared, or if you just want to make an extra batch for your gravy-loving family, here’s how:
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, halved
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup white wine (or water)
- 1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
- 2 cups turkey broth (or chicken if that’s what you have on hand)
Directions
- In a large skillet on medium heat, melt butter until it browns slightly. Add onions and garlic. Stir often until everything is lightly browned but not burnt. Remove from heat.
- Add flour and whisk until combined. Return to heat. Let brown slightly before pouring in the wine to help release any bits stuck to the pan. Remove from heat.
- Add poultry seasoning and whisk.
- Add broth 1/4 cup at a time. Whisk in completely before adding another 1/4 cup. Bring mixture to a low simmer. Stir often.
- Strain gravy through a mesh strainer before serving.
Also see, How much turkey should you buy per person, and other turkey questions answered.
