This delicious homemade Thanksgiving gravy is quick, creamy, and packed with rich, savory flavors. Perfect for a holiday feast, it’s made with simple ingredients like onions, butter, and turkey drippings. Customize it with a splash of Cognac or cream for an extra touch of luxury. Easy to make and absolutely irresistible, it’s the ultimate holiday staple!
Recipe Ingredients:
- 1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion (2 onions)
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Defatted turkey drippings plus chicken stock to make 2 cups, heated
- 1 tablespoon Cognac or brandy
- 1 tablespoon white wine, optional
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream, optional
How To Make Homemade Thanksgiving Gravy?
- Cook the onions: In a large sauté pan (25-30 cm / 10-12 inch), melt the butter over medium-low heat and add the chopped onions. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden brown. Don’t rush this step—it’s key to the flavor.
- Add the flour and seasoning: Sprinkle the flour over the onions and whisk it in, ensuring there are no lumps. Add the salt and pepper, then cook for 2-3 minutes to remove any raw flour taste.
- Incorporate the liquids: Gradually whisk in the hot turkey drippings or chicken stock, followed by the Cognac or brandy. Cook uncovered for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the gravy thickens.
- Optional finishing touches: Stir in the white wine and/or heavy cream for extra richness, if desired.
- Season and serve: Taste the gravy and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve hot with turkey, mashed potatoes, or your favorite Thanksgiving sides.
Recipe Tips:
- Take your time with the onions: Slowly cooking the onions until golden brown is key to creating a deep, rich flavor in the gravy. Don’t rush this step—it’s worth the extra time!
- Use warm stock or drippings: Adding hot stock or drippings helps the gravy thicken smoothly and avoids lumps. Always heat it before adding to the pan.
- Whisk continuously when adding flour: To avoid clumps, sprinkle the flour evenly and whisk it in right away. This step ensures a silky, smooth texture.
- Taste as you go: After adding the liquids and seasonings, taste the gravy and adjust the salt and pepper to suit your preferences. Balancing the flavors is crucial.
- Strain for extra smoothness: If you prefer an ultra-smooth gravy, pour it through a fine mesh sieve before serving. This removes any onion pieces or lumps.
How To Store & Reheat Leftovers?
- Refrigerate: First, let the leftover gravy cool to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Allow the gravy to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Pour the gravy into a saucepan and warm over low heat, stirring constantly to prevent it from sticking or separating. Add a splash of stock if it thickens too much.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories:121
- Total Fat:5g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Cholesterol:4.8mg
- Sodium: 1,373mg
- Potassium:259mg
- Total Carbohydrate:12g
- Dietary Fiber: 0.95g
- Sugars:0.5g
- Protein :6.2g
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Homemade Thanksgiving Gravy
Description
This delicious homemade Thanksgiving gravy is quick, creamy, and packed with rich, savory flavors. Perfect for a holiday feast, it’s made with simple ingredients like onions, butter, and turkey drippings. Customize it with a splash of Cognac or cream for an extra touch of luxury. Easy to make and absolutely irresistible, it’s the ultimate holiday staple!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook the onions: In a large sauté pan (25-30 cm / 10-12 inch), melt the butter over medium-low heat and add the chopped onions. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden brown. Don’t rush this step—it’s key to the flavor.
- Add the flour and seasoning: Sprinkle the flour over the onions and whisk it in, ensuring there are no lumps. Add the salt and pepper, then cook for 2-3 minutes to remove any raw flour taste.
- Incorporate the liquids: Gradually whisk in the hot turkey drippings or chicken stock, followed by the Cognac or brandy. Cook uncovered for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the gravy thickens.
- Optional finishing touches: Stir in the white wine and/or heavy cream for extra richness, if desired.
- Season and serve: Taste the gravy and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve hot with turkey, mashed potatoes, or your favorite Thanksgiving sides.
Notes
- Take your time with the onions: Slowly cooking the onions until golden brown is key to creating a deep, rich flavor in the gravy. Don’t rush this step—it’s worth the extra time!
- Use warm stock or drippings: Adding hot stock or drippings helps the gravy thicken smoothly and avoids lumps. Always heat it before adding to the pan.
- Whisk continuously when adding flour: To avoid clumps, sprinkle the flour evenly and whisk it in right away. This step ensures a silky, smooth texture.
- Taste as you go: After adding the liquids and seasonings, taste the gravy and adjust the salt and pepper to suit your preferences. Balancing the flavors is crucial.
- Strain for extra smoothness: If you prefer an ultra-smooth gravy, pour it through a fine mesh sieve before serving. This removes any onion pieces or lumps.
Homemade Thanksgiving Gravy