A world-class gravy, such as Chef John’s Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy, is the perfect Thanksgiving recipe that everyone enjoys. Made with simple kitchen ingredients and a little attention, this is a make-ahead recipe that tastes better over time.
I never liked make-ahead recipes because I always liked freshly served food. But now that I have made this recipe for so many years, nobody can beat the rich and creamy flavors of this iconic Chef John’s Turkey And Gravy.
This freezer-friendly recipe reheats easily, so you can serve it whenever you desire. Since gravy complements other dishes, Chef John’s Turkey Gravy recipe can elevate bland dishes to something savory.
I know that gravies have a reputation for being a fuss to make, store, and reheat, but that is untrue in this case. Today, I will show you how to make this delicious Chef John’s Turkey Gravy at home, and how to make it as thin or as thick as you like.
Equipment Required
- Roasting Pan: I use a roasting pan to sauté my veggies.
- Stockpot: A stockpot is handy for making this thick, nutritious gravy.
- Whisk: I like to use a whisk to thicken my gravy.
- Large Knife: Since there are a lot of veggies, I use a sharp knife.
- Chopping board: I cut all of my veggies on the chopping board for hygiene.
- Bowl: I mix and toss all the ingredients together in a medium-sized bowl.
- Wooden Spoon: I use my wooden spatula to give all of the ingredients a nice spin.
Chef John’s Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy Ingredients & Substitutions
Note: The ingredients in this recipe can serve up to four people. You can increase or decrease the quantity of ingredients to make more or fewer portions.
- 4 Turkey Wings: This recipe can be made with fresh or frozen Turkey or, if unavailable, chicken.
- 1 Onion, Roughly Chopped
- 2 Carrots, Roughly Chopped
- 2 Celery Stalks, Roughly Chopped
- 4 Cloves Of Garlic, Smashed
- 4 Sprigs Of Fresh Thyme: Dried Thyme also works for this recipe.
- 4 Sprigs Of Fresh Rosemary: If you are out of fresh rosemary, use dried rosemary instead.
- 4 Cups Of Chicken Broth: You can also use chicken bouillon cubes or vegetable stock instead of chicken broth.
- 1/4 Cup Of All-Purpose Flour: I use almond flour instead when I am out of all-purpose flour.
- Salt And Pepper To Taste
Preparation & Cooking Time
| Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Minutes | 2 Hours | 2 Hours 15 Minutes |
How To Make Chef John’s Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy At Home
Step 1
Start by placing the Turkey wings on the baking rack. Add carrots, garlic, celery, and onions as well.
Step 2
To add flavor to the Turkey, rub it with thyme and rosemary. Once done, put it in the oven for an hour, then preheat to 400 degrees F.
Step 3
Now, put the stockpot on the stove and add chicken broth. To this, add the roasted Turkey wings. Once the Turkey’s flavors have been passed into the broth, remove them.
Step 4
Mix the flour and water in a small bowl to make a smooth slurry, then add it to the pan. This will help thicken the gravy.
Step 5
Then, add salt and pepper to the broth.
Step 6
Let it rest for about 30 minutes, and your Chef John’s Turkey And Gravy at home is ready to be served.
Expert Tips That I Recommend
- Making gravies can be difficult, especially when getting the right taste profile. To ensure it is not a salt bomb or bland, I check the flavor as I cook.
- It is easy to thin out this gravy, but thickening it is another story. So, I always keep this in mind when thinning it out: after I let it sit, it will gradually thicken.
- After roasting the Turkey wings and vegetables, I deglaze the pan with white wine or broth, then add the mixture to the stockpot. This process helps to capture the browned bits stuck to the pan and adds a rich, complex flavor to the gravy.
- I strain it through a fine-mesh sieve after cooking to remove any solid bits, resulting in a more straightforward gravy. This will give you a smooth, elegant gravy that is perfect for special occasions.
- If I am roasting other meats, I like to save the pan juices and incorporate them into my gravy. It adds a depth of flavor and richness that complements the Turkey gravy beautifully.
FAQs About Chef John’s Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy
Nutritional Information Per Serving
No matter how delicious it tastes, Chef John’s Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy is not healthy to eat daily. Turkey’s fat, cholesterol, and flour can raise sodium levels, which can lead to health issues.
To give you a deeper insight, here is the nutritional chart of Chef John’s Turkey Gravy.
| Calories | 1584 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 51 g |
| Protein | 145 g |
| Fat | 86 g |
| Saturated Fat | 23 g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 20 g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 34 g |
| Cholesterol | 480 mg |
| Sodium | 476 mg |
| Potassium | 2327 mg |
| Fiber | 7 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Vitamin A | 20614 IU |
| Vitamin C | 204 mg |
| Calcium | 204 mg |
| Iron | 11 mg |
Although Turkey is paleo-friendly, Turkey gravy is not. However, this gravy is entirely dairy-free, a bonus for those following this diet.
Recipe Variations For Different Diets
- Keto-Friendly: To make this dish keto-friendly, I avoid using all-purpose flour and use it to coat the Turkey wings. Instead, I season the turkey wings with the rest of the toppings. I also prefer using a low-sodium chicken broth, which is low in carbs, while making it keto style.
- Gluten-Free: Since this recipe uses all-purpose flour, I prefer replacing it with almond flour when making it gluten-free. Also, I always pre-check whether the chicken broth is store-bought to ensure it is gluten-free.
Storing And Reheating This Recipe
Storing
- Refrigeration: I like refrigerating Chef John’s Turkey gravy for about 3-4 days. However, I always put it in an airtight container to prevent moisture from seeping in.
- Freezer: Freezing Chef John’s Turkey gravy is relatively easy. I use a freezer-friendly bag and store it in the freezer for about 3 months.
Reheating
- Microwave: Reheating Turkey Gravy in the microwave is an ideal option. To do so, I place it in a microwave-friendly dish and heat it on medium heat for 30 seconds. I check and stir it in between to prevent lump formation.
- Skillet: Ideally, I like to reheat my Turkey Gravy in the skillet. To do so, I only add a little water to the broth if necessary. Then I stir it for 15-20 minutes to avoid lumps until it’s warm enough.
What To Serve With This Recipe
I have already mentioned a million times that I can have this turkey gravy with anything. But it’s time to give you some objective suggestions. One classic pairing that impresses any guest is Mashed Potatoes with a drizzle of Chef John’s Turkey gravy on top. The creaminess of the potatoes, paired with the thick gravy, is a must-try for everyone.
If the above food option sounds very heavy and filling, you can have it with a bowl of Green Salad. Instead of regular toppings and dip, try it with this gravy to discover new flavors you never knew existed.
To amplify the flavors of the Turkey gravy, you can also serve it with baked or air-fried Turkey Wings, and I promise you will crave it more often.
Printable Version
Chef John’s Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy
Ingredients
- 4 Turkey Wings
- 1 Onion Roughly Chopped
- 2 Carrots Roughly Chopped
- 2 Celery Stalks Roughly Chopped
- 4 Cloves Of Garlic Smashed
- 4 Sprigs Of Fresh Thyme
- 4 Sprigs Of Fresh Rosemary
- 4 Cups Of Chicken Broth
- 1/4 Cup Of All-Purpose Flour
- Salt And Pepper To Taste
Equipment
- Roasting Pan
- Stockpot
- Whisk
- Large Knife
- Chopping Board
- Bowl
- Wooden Spoon
Instructions
- Start by placing the Turkey wings on the baking rack. Add carrots, garlic, celery, and onions as well.
- To add flavor to the Turkey, rub it with thyme and rosemary. Once done, put it in the oven for an hour, then preheat to 400 degrees F.
- Now, put the stockpot on the stove and add chicken broth. To this, add the roasted Turkey wings. Once the Turkey's flavors have been passed into the broth, remove them.
- Mix the flour and water in a small bowl to make a smooth slurry, then add it to the pan. This will help thicken the gravy.
- Then, add salt and pepper to the broth.
- Let it rest for about 30 minutes, and your Chef John's Turkey And Gravy at home is ready to be served.
Notes
- Making gravies can be difficult, especially when getting the right taste profile. To ensure it is not a salt bomb or bland, I check the flavor as I cook.
- It is easy to thin out this gravy, but thickening it is another story. So, I always keep this in mind when thinning it out: after I let it sit, it will gradually thicken.
- After roasting the Turkey wings and vegetables, I deglaze the pan with white wine or broth, then add the mixture to the stockpot. This process helps to capture the browned bits stuck to the pan and adds a rich, complex flavor to the gravy.
- I strain it through a fine-mesh sieve after cooking to remove any solid bits, resulting in a more straightforward gravy. This will give you a smooth, elegant gravy that is perfect for special occasions.
- If I am roasting other meats, I like to save the pan juices and incorporate them into my gravy. It adds a depth of flavor and richness that complements the Turkey gravy beautifully.
Nutrition
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Conclusion
This finishing touch brings it all together on your Thanksgiving table. But when you can make it from scratch at home, you do not need to wait for any event or occasion; you can enjoy it whenever you want.
This perfectly thick and flavorful gravy can is the definition of deliciousness. It can be served with so many options. I have shared everything in detail, so hopefully, you will try it out and have it stocked in your fridge for other food servings.
If you try this, please let me know how it turned out in the comment section below, along with any questions you have about this recipe.
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