18 Excellent Gravy Recipes

Updated October 21, 2008
Credit: HOWARD L. PUCKETT

From classic gravy recipes straight out of the classic recipe book to quick five-ingredient recipes fit for modern day speed, we have a gravy recipe to suit every kind of cook and palate. Use these fantastic gravy recipes to top the turkey and mashed potatoes for the Thanksgiving feast,  to compliment a great dinner for a special occasion, or even to go along with a great weeknight dinner. With a great gravy, the culinary options are nearly endless. 

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Classic Turkey Gravy

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Classic Turkey Gravy Recipe

Slow-roasted turkey juices reduce and intensify for a divine sauce. Use any reserved giblets here. If you didn't roast the neck, sauté it for 8 minutes. Remove and discard the neck once the gravy is done.

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Make-Ahead White Wine Gravy

Credit: Romulo Yanes, Styling: Claire Spollen

Make-Ahead White Wine Gravy Recipe

To take the last-minute hassle out of gravy making, we created this recipe that relies on turkey broth, wine, and richly toasted flour rather than pan drippings for flavor. Before you start browning the flour, have broth measured and ready to whisk in to stop the flour from browning further. Well-browned flour thickens less than raw flour, so you'll use quite a bit of flour to start.

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Pan Gravy

Credit: Michael Paul

Pan Gravy Recipe

For leaner turkey gravy, use just some of the fat from the turkey pan drippings and discard the rest. Combine defatted drippings with canned stock, flour, salt and pepper for a thick, rich gravy with a little less fat than usual.

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Redeye Gravy

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Annette Joseph

Redeye Gravy Recipe

If you serve ham at your holiday gatherings, try pairing this flavorful gravy with the ham and a heaping bowl of mashed potatoes. Redeye gravy, a traditional Southern gravy, is made from bacon and/or ham drippings mixed with black coffee. It's the perfect partner for a nice holiday ham.

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Classic Gravy

Credit: James Carrier

Classic Gravy Recipe

An easy version of the giblet gravy Grandma used to make, this cornstarch-thickened favorite is made by using turkey necks, giblets, carrots, celery, and onions to enhance store-bought chicken stock. Giblets can be strained out of the stock or chopped up into the finished gravy.

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Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy

Credit: Tara Donne; Styling: Alistair Turnbull

Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy Recipe

The key to flavorful gravy is a good turkey stock. In November, it's easy to find turkey wings, which make an especially rich stock. Try this classic gravy; it can be made ahead, cooled, and frozen up to two months. Thaw; then reheat over medium-low, stirring with a whisk.

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Uncle Ellis' Cornmeal Gravy

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Annette Joseph

Uncle Ellis' Cornmeal Gravy Recipe

This easy gravy calls for cornmeal instead of flour, and is a wonderful use for bacon drippings. The buttermilk adds authentic Southern flavor.

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Quick Gravy

Credit: Sang An

Quick Gravy Recipe

Start with the pan juices from roasting the turkey and add broth, cornstarch, salt and pepper for this super-easy gravy.

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Anytime Turkey Gravy

Anytime Turkey Gravy Recipe

Not cooking a whole turkey but still want homemade turkey gravy? Here's a quick alternative. Sauté turkey wings and necks with some veggies and then simmer the mixture with canned chicken broth. Finish it off with poultry seasoning, sage, chopped parsley and a little bit of flour.

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Sunset's Best Easy Gravy

Credit: Annabelle Breakey

Sunset's Best Easy Gravy Recipe

Take the turkey drippings, add some stock, thicken with flour and cornstarch, and then season with salt and pepper. It's just your basic gravy with few ingredients, minimal fuss, and a big, rich turkey flavor.

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Classic Roast Turkey with Fresh Herbs and Make-Ahead Gravy

Credit: Randy Mayor

Classic Roast Turkey with Fresh Herbs and Make-Ahead Gravy Recipe

If holiday meal preparations have you stressed to the max, try this strategy for making the gravy ahead of time. On the big day, you'll just need to add drippings from the fresh cooked turkey to lend another layer of rich turkey flavor to your gravy.

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Pork Chops with Country Gravy

Credit: Beau Gustafson; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke

Pork Chops with Country Gravy Recipe

The country-style gravy that tops the chops is easily adapted to any meal for the holidays. For a different version of this same gravy, cook turkey thighs instead of pork, and dredge them in the dried herb-flour mixture. Using milk as the liquid instead of broth adds a creamy color and flavor to the thick gravy.

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Sausage Gravy

Sausage Gravy Recipe

A classic breakfast splurge for the holidays or any special occasion, this sausage gravy is foolproof. Five ingredients and a few minutes in the kitchen make a thick milk-based sauce that's a perfect topping for homemade biscuits or toast.

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Make-Ahead Gravy

Credit: Alison Miksch; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Make-Ahead Gravy Recipe

Make Ahead: Pour cooled gravy into quart-size zip-top plastic freezer bags; seal and lay bags flat on a baking sheet. Place in freezer. Once frozen, the bags are easily stackable. Thaw three to four days in the fridge before reheating on the stovetop.

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Pine Nut Gravy

Credit: Jim Henkens; Karen Shinto

Pine Nut Gravy Recipe

Crushed pine nuts and a homemade stock made with the turkey neck and bay leaves help add an unusual but fun twist to traditional turkey gravy. The extra step of browning the flour makes for rich, mahogany colored gravy.

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Mushroom Gravy

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Mushroom Gravy Recipe

Sage gives this gravy a more traditional Thanksgiving flavor, but to change it up, try some chopped rosemary, tarragon, thyme, or parsley. This is slightly thinner than some gravies because we found the consistency to be more pleasing to the palate.

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Secrets from the Test Kitchen

For more hints and tips, check out our how-to videos with easy step-by-step instructions for making gravy and deglazing a pan.

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Honey-Apple Turkey with Gravy

Credit: HOWARD L. PUCKETT

Honey-Apple Turkey with Gravy Recipe

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