How to Make Perfect Turkey Gravy
No Lump, Delicious Dark Gravy for Thanksgiving Day Feast
Nov 9, 2009
Roast turkey with all the trimmings can be a delicious and healthy feast any time of year, especially at Thanksgiving. The bird is perfectly juicy and cooked, the mashed potatoes creamy and rich, the vegetables prepared just right. With such a great meal on the table, a cook will want to top it off with the perfect turkey gravy. Roast turkey gravy that is pale, has lumps, or isn’t seasoned properly can ruin the feast.
How to Make Perfect Turkey Gravy
There are many things to consider when making the perfect turkey gravy. The color of the gravy gives it a special appeal. If it is too light, it looks like chicken gravy. Too dark, and it looks like it belongs with roast beef. Another thing to keep in mind is how much fat to add to the turkey gravy. The proper fat content of the gravy will keep flour lumps at bay.
The perfect turkey gravy always starts out with a perfectly seasoned and adorned turkey roast. Always consider the flavors of salt, pepper, seasonings, and vegetables added to the roast during cooking. These can make for a delicious turkey gravy, or one that is too bland or too salty.
Turkey Gravy Recipe
Try this recipe for the perfect turkey gravy at the next turkey meal served to family and friends. If possible, season the turkey well while roasting with salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, and then optionally cook with plenty of onions, celery, and carrots. Then with the delicious turkey drippings, follow the recipe directions below.
Ingredients:
- Turkey drippings from a roasted turkey, defatted and strained
- Chicken or turkey broth to make 3 cups of liquid
- 2 beef bouillon cubes (or for slightly different flavor that also adds a deep color, use Gravy Master)
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons butter, margarine, or turkey fat
Method:
- In a medium saucepan, cook flour in butter or other fat over medium low until slightly brown and bubbly.
- Add turkey drippings and broth slowly into pan, whisking vigorously to combine.
- Add beef bouillon cubes and bring to a boil over medium high heat.
- Reduce heat to low and cook for 10 minutes.
- Stir frequently to avoid lumps or flour skin from forming.
- If gravy becomes thick, add more broth.
- Strain gravy if necessary, and place into gravy boat for serving.
What to Do If Gravy Lumps Appear
If the turkey gravy tastes delicious but has developed lumps, don’t despair. Lumps can be easily strained out before serving the Thanksgiving Day feast. Pour the lumpy gravy through a colander or hand held strainer and directly into the gravy boat.
Kitchen Tool Necessities for Turkey Gravy
Any cook who wishes to serve a delicious turkey dinner will need to have some special tools to make the gravy. Making the perfect turkey gravy requires these special kitchen items:
- Wire whisk
- Strainer
- Fat separator
- Gravy boat for serving
To stir the gravy, a cook will want to use a wire whisk so that lumps can be kept to a minimum. A strainer will be very useful to strain out vegetables or pieces of turkey that may have fallen into the drippings, and eventually any lumps that may form during the gravy making process.
An essential kitchen utensil to have when making turkey gravy is a fat separator. This plastic measuring cup has a spout attached to the bottom so that the fat that rises to the top can be separated out of the gravy drippings (defatted). Finally, a gravy boat has a convenient pour spout and looks great on the table, allowing guests to serve themselves easily.
Making the perfect turkey gravy is not hard to do and it is the ultimate finishing touch to any turkey dinner. Enjoy no lump, delicious dark turkey gravy with the Thanksgiving Day feast or at any other time of year.
For more Thanksgiving Day recipes, see the following:
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