How To Make Gravy Without Turkey Drippings

updated Feb 5, 2020
thanksgiving
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Credit: Lauren Volo

Skipping the turkey this year? This is how you can still make delicious gravy for all your sides.

Makesabout 2 cups

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(Image credit: Lauren Volo)

For some folks, the ideal Thanksgiving gravy is built on pan drippings from a roasted turkey. But there are times when the pan drippings need to go into other dishes, or the drippings are too salty for gravy, or we just need to make our Thanksgiving gravy before the big day and reheat it before eating. You might need a vegetarian gravy to satisfy all of your guests, or maybe you just need extra gravy for eating up Thanksgiving leftovers. This gravy is a basic recipe you can make anytime, built from a flavorful mix of onions, a simple roux, and broth seasoned with fresh herbs.

(Image credit: Lauren Volo)

Fond for Flavor

Since traditional gravies are built on the back of flavorful drippings made by roasting meat slowly in the oven for hours, the intricate taste of roasted drippings are hard to replicate. Instead of roasting more meat or frying bacon to cheat our way to pan drippings, caramelize an onion slowly over medium heat. Let the onions cook long enough to create a deeply brown sticky base of flavor in the pan — this is what professional cooks know as fond. When the broth is added to the gravy, use your spoon or spatula to scrape these tasty bits off the bottom of the pan.

(Image credit: Lauren Volo)

How to Make a Pan Roux

Roux isn’t a new kitchen concept for anyone who has made gravy before. A mixture of flour and fat, roux thickens gravy by releasing the starchy power of all-purpose flour. Roux can be a thick paste kneaded together before cooking gravy, or it can be a thin slurry added to already-cooking liquid. You can also make a roux as you’re cooking by sprinkling a pan that already has fat in it (butter, oil, bacon fat, doesn’t matter which) and then cooking the flour slightly before adding the gravy liquid. For gravy without drippings, building a pan roux is another way to add roasted flavor. Let the flour brown a bit, adding even more caramelization to the onions, their fond, and the final gravy.

Learn more about roux: Building Blocks: How To Make a Roux

(Image credit: Lauren Volo)

Customizing This Gravy for Guests

This gravy makes a smaller portion than most because it’s built to be fully customizable for every guest at the table. Make a small boat for each of the following friends and become the most revered host of all.

  • For the vegetarian: Use vegetable stock instead of chicken or turkey stock.
  • For the vegan guest: Substitute more oil in place of the butter called for and use vegetable stock.
  • For the allium-averse: Skip the onions and sauté a handful of chopped celery and carrots instead.

Need a gluten-free gravy? Try this instead: How To Make Gluten-Free Gravy

(Image credit: Lauren Volo)

Make-Ahead Gravy

This gravy freezes incredibly well. Yes, you can cool and freeze this gravy before the holidays. Just thaw the frozen gravy in the fridge overnight before reheating the gravy slowly over low heat. Whisk the gravy regularly to avoid separation as it reheats.

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Caramelize the onions. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are tender and light golden-brown, about 10 minutes. Some bit of onion will stick to the pan and get very dark, and this fond will add tons of flavor to the gravy. (Image credit: Lauren Volo)

How To Make Gravy Without Turkey Drippings

Skipping the turkey this year? This is how you can still make delicious gravy for all your sides.

Makes about 2 cups

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons

    olive oil

  • 1

    small sweet onion, finely chopped

  • 2 tablespoons

    unsalted butter

  • 1/4 cup

    all-purpose flour

  • 2 cups

    low-sodium turkey, chicken, or vegetable broth

  • 1 teaspoon

    soy sauce

  • 1/4 cup

    finely chopped fresh herbs, such as thyme and sage

Equipment

  • Measuring cups and spoons

  • Chef's knife

  • Cutting board

  • Medium saucepan

  • Immersion blender (optional)

Instructions

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  1. Caramelize the onions. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are tender and light golden-brown, about 10 minutes. Some bit of onion will stick to the pan and get very dark, and this fond will add tons of flavor to the gravy.

  2. Make a pan roux. Add the butter and let it melt a bit before sprinkling on the flour. Once the flour is added, stir and scrape the pan until the flour no longer appears dry and the mixture has a nutty aroma, about 2 minutes.

  3. Add the broth. Carefully add the broth and quickly stir and scrape the pan to prevent any lumps and to raise up the lovely fond created from the onions. Bring the mixture to a simmer to thicken.

  4. Purée (optional). For a super-smooth gravy, you can purée the mixture off the heat with an immersion blender or in a stand blender.

  5. Season and serve. Add the soy sauce and herbs and stir to combine. Transfer to a gravy boat or Thermos to keep warm for serving.

Recipe Notes

Make ahead: Cool the gravy slightly, then pour into a freezer-safe container or zip-top freezer bag and freeze. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat over low heat, whisking to recombine.

Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 3 months.