Make Ahead Turkey Gravy

Elevate your holiday meal prep with this rich and velvety Make Ahead Turkey Gravy, designed to save time without sacrificing flavor. Perfectly seasoned and luxuriously creamy, this recipe starts with a buttery roux and blends in savory chicken or turkey stock, with the option to enhance the depth of flavor using cooked turkey drippings. Ready in just 30 minutes, this gravy is ideal for prepping in advance—simply store it in the fridge and reheat on the big day for stress-free serving. Whether poured generously over turkey, mashed potatoes, or stuffing, this foolproof gravy is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Don’t forget to add a finishing touch of fresh thyme for a picture-perfect presentation.

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 6 tablespoons All-purpose flour
• 4 cups Chicken or turkey stock
• 1 cup Cooked turkey drippings (optional)
• 0.5 teaspoons Salt
• 0.25 teaspoons Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 sprig Fresh thyme (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Once melted, add the flour and whisk continuously for 3-4 minutes to create a roux. The mixture should be smooth and golden in color.

Step 3

Gradually add the stock, one cup at a time, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.

Step 4

If using cooked turkey drippings, add them to the mixture for extra flavor and whisk to combine.

Step 5

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency.

Step 6

Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Step 7

If making ahead, allow the gravy to cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Step 8

Reheat gently over medium-low heat before serving, stirring occasionally. Garnish with fresh thyme if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1329.7 grams (1329.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1153

Total Fat 106.00g	136%
Saturated Fat 50.40g	252%
Polyunsaturated Fat NaNg
Cholesterol 265mg	88%
Sodium 5421mg	236%
Total Carbohydrate 39.20g	14%
Dietary Fiber 1.40g	5%
Total Sugars 2.10g
Protein 27.10g	54%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 68mg	5%
Iron 4mg	23%
Potassium 431mg	9%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 78.2%

Protein: 8.9%

Carbs: 12.9%