If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a beautifully roasted turkey, but without enough pan drippings to make gravy, don’t worry! This Best Turkey Gravy Without Drippings recipe saves the day every single time. It’s creamy, deeply savory, infused with aromatic herbs, and honestly? It tastes so good that even people who do have drippings still choose to make it this way. Moreover, it comes together easily with pantry ingredients, meaning you can whip it up at the last minute or prepare it ahead of time for stress-free holiday hosting.
Background Turkey Gravy Recipe Without Drippings
Traditional gravies rely on turkey drippings for flavor and color. But what many home cooks don’t know is that a roux-based gravy has been a classic technique in French cooking for centuries providing consistent thickness, depth, and richness. This gravy’s flavor echoes classic Thanksgiving herbs and tastes like it simmered all day even though it’s ready in minutes.
A Short Story Behind The Turkey Gravy Recipe Without Drippings Recipe
I made turkey for the first time for Thanksgiving a few years ago. The turkey turned out good but there were only two tablespoons of dripping. Panic mode activated.
With guests arriving in less than an hour and mashed potatoes waiting for their soulmate, I grabbed butter, flour, broth, and herbs and hoped for magic.
What happened next shocked everyone.
The gravy turned out silky, aromatic, and richer than traditional drippings-based gravy. People kept asking what “secret ingredient” I used.
If you enjoy lighter meals, you can swap chicken with turkey in our Healthy Grilled Chicken Salad and drizzle a bit of warm gravy on top.
Jump to:
Gravy Without Turkey Drippings Ingredients
- Unsalted Butter forms the base of the roux and adds richness without overwhelming saltiness. Using unsalted butter allows precise seasoning later.
- Cup All-Purpose Flour This is what thickens the gravy. When cooked with butter, it forms a roux that gives your gravy body while keeping it silky smooth.
- Cloves Garlic, Minced adds warm, savory undertones. As it cooks, it mellows and blends beautifully into the base.
- Shallot, Finely Diced bring a delicate sweetness and slight sharpness, more refined than onions and perfect for elegant gravy.
- Turkey Broth or Chicken Broth Use 1 cup for thicker gravy or up to 2 cups for a pourable, lighter consistency. Turkey broth gives a deeper flavor, but chicken broth works perfectly too.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
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Add butter to a large saucepan and heat over medium heat until the butter has melted. Sprinkle in the flour and stir until it makes a smooth paste.
Add in the minced garlic and shallots let cook until they are softened
Let this cook while slowly stirring until it’s a nice golden color, 5-8 minutes.
Pour in the broth, whisking while you pour it in.
Continue to stir while it cooks and thickens.
Season the gravy by adding in the black pepper , salt and thyme. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust as needed.
Hint: Warm your broth before adding it to the roux.
Cold broth can cause the gravy to seize and develop lumps. Even microwaving it for 30–45 seconds makes a big difference in smoothness and consistency.
Substitutions
- Butter → Olive Oil produces a lighter flavor. Ghee adds nutty richness and works well for dairy-free guests.
- All-Purpose Flour → Cornstarch For gluten-free: Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoon cold broth, then add near the end. Don’t use cornstarch at the beginning it won’t make a roux.
- Shallots → Yellow or White Onion Use 2 tablespoon finely minced onion if you don’t have shallots.
- Turkey/Chicken Broth → Vegetable Broth A surprisingly delicious alternative for vegetarian guests (just replace butter with oil).
Variations
- Mushroom Turkey Gravy Sauté: ½ cup finely chopped mushrooms before adding the flour. Earthy, hearty, and perfect for turkey cutlets.
- Herb-Infused Golden Gravy Simmer broth with: A sprig of rosemary, a bay leaf and extra thyme. Then strain before adding to the roux for deeply layered flavor.
This gravy pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes try it alongside our Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe for a complete comfort-food dinner.
Why you will adore this recipe?
Velvety smooth texture — no lumps, no fuss.
Make-ahead friendly — perfect for Thanksgiving meal prep.
Simple ingredient list — nothing fancy, but tastes luxurious.
Storage
Refrigerator:
Store in an airtight container for 3–4 days. It will thicken as it cools you just have to whisk in a splash of broth when reheating.
Freezer:
Freeze for up to 3 months. Let cool completely, then freeze in a zip-top bag or airtight container. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating:
- Warm gently in a saucepan.
- Add broth or water (1–2 tbsp) to loosen.
- Whisk continuously for a perfectly smooth texture.
Top tip
Brown the butter slightly before adding flour.
Allow the butter to turn a light golden color this transforms your gravy with nutty, rich, almost caramel-like undertones that taste gourmet.
This Best Turkey Gravy Without Drippings recipe proves that you don’t need a turkey pan full of juices to make something out of this world. With simple ingredients, a classic roux technique, and aromatic herbs, you’ll have a gravy that complements every Thanksgiving dish on your table. Whether you're preparing a full holiday feast or just craving cozy comfort food, this gravy is the dependable, delicious recipe every cook should keep in their back pocket.
Got leftover turkey? Add it to one of our High-Protein Breakfast Ideas for a delicious morning boost.
FAQs
Absolutely! This gravy is perfect for meal prep. Make it up to 3 days ahead and reheat gently with a splash of broth.
Just whisk in warm broth, a few tablespoons at a time, until it reaches your preferred consistency.
Yes! Replace butter with olive oil or vegan butter, and use vegetable broth. The texture and flavor remain outstanding.
Yes, you can make rich, smooth gravy using butter, flour, and turkey or chicken broth as the base.
The most common substitutes are turkey broth, chicken broth, or bouillon for a deeper flavor.
Use a roux (butter + flour) or a cornstarch slurry to achieve a smooth, thick consistency.
Yes, this gravy reheats very well. Just warm it on the stove and add a little broth if it thickens too much.
Add herbs (thyme, sage, rosemary), garlic, onion, or a splash of Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce for depth.
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Pairing
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