Gravy with no drippings? (and more Thanksgiving conundrums)

[DawnM]

Those of you who fry or smoke your turkeys, how do you make your gravy?

DH wants to use the smoker (Komado grill) for the turkey tomorrow, but I just realized I won't have any drippings to make the gravy with.

Help!

And on another note, someone else is bringing several sides.   She told me what she is bringing yesterday and it is all wrong......her descriptions of ingredients and how she makes them is just wrong.     (Ok, I am kidding.....kinda, it isn't my favorite way to make them, I will eat some, but I know DH will want the leftovers to be our way for the weekends, so I will need to make it as well.).  

Edited November 24, 2021 by DawnM

[PinkTulip]

I did Thanksgiving last Saturday with my adult children and used a recipe from Ina Garten. I think it’s called make-ahead gravy or something similar. It turned out well! 

[marbel]

If you have or can get some turkey wings, you can roast them to make gravy; there are lots of recipes online for make-ahead gravy.  Or you can start off with purchased stock and make it without drippings. (I make vegetarian gravy for one of my kids which of course has no drippings and it is fantastic.)

Here are a couple of recipes that don't need drippings:

https://www.delish.com/holiday-recipes/thanksgiving/a22646698/turkey-gravy-without-drippings-recipe/

 

https://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/handling-meat/how-to-make-turkey-gravy-without-roasting-a-turkey/

 

Trader Joe's also sells turkey gravy. That's what I use. 😄  Yes, I make the vegetarian stuff but not the "real" stuff.

 

 

 

 

Edited November 24, 2021 by marbel

[DawnM]

4 minutes ago, PinkTulip said:

I did Thanksgiving last Saturday with my adult children and used a recipe from Ina Garten. I think it’s called make-ahead gravy or something similar. It turned out well! 

this one?

https://barefootcontessa.com/recipes/make-ahead-roast-turkey

It still calls for drippings.   Did you make it with no drippings?

[teachermom2834]

I would love to find a store bought gravy that we find acceptable. I have too many crazy relatives breathing down my neck to make gravy on the spot Thanksgiving day. What I do is cook up some Turkey wings and drumsticks the day before for the drippings and make the gravy ahead of time. Doing that right now, actually 🙂

It might be too late to find the turkey parts now or you might not want to go out looking. But that is what I do.

[PinkTulip]

I made this one but used only chicken stock and no drippings. I added a little Worcestershire sauce for more flavor. 
 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/homemade-gravy-recipe-1940501.amp

[alisoncooks]

I’ll be honest: in a pinch, I’ve bought gravy in a jar and it was acceptable. My in laws (who always host) never ever provide gravy, so it’s always a last minute grab. 

[Alte Veste Academy]

DP

Edited November 24, 2021 by Alte Veste Academy

[Alte Veste Academy]

Does it have to be turkey gravy? My kids don’t actually like turkey gravy as much as cream (milk) gravy, so I always make that for them. DH doesn’t care what kind of gravy, so I think I’ll drop the turkey gravy completely this year to make my life easier.

ETA: DH has smoked our turkey for years, and in previous years I did simmer other turkey pieces to get stock.

[MeaganS]

DH is roasting ours but we made turkey stock in the instant pot from the spine and wing tips (spatchcocked it). It was a pretty concentrated stock and he'll use it for making stuffing and gravy later.

[KSera]

43 minutes ago, marbel said:

If you have or can get some turkey wings, you can roast them to make gravy; there are lots of recipes online for make-ahead gravy.  Or you can start off with purchased stock and make it without drippings. (I make vegetarian gravy for one of my kids which of course has no drippings and it is fantastic.)

Here are a couple of recipes that don't need drippings:

https://www.delish.com/holiday-recipes/thanksgiving/a22646698/turkey-gravy-without-drippings-recipe/

 

https://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/handling-meat/how-to-make-turkey-gravy-without-roasting-a-turkey/

 

Trader Joe's also sells turkey gravy. That's what I use. 😄  Yes, I make the vegetarian stuff but not the "real" stuff.

 

 

 

 

Do you know if they work fine made a day early and refrigerated?

[HomeAgain]

15 minutes ago, alisoncooks said:

I’ll be honest: in a pinch, I’ve bought gravy in a jar and it was acceptable. My in laws (who always host) never ever provide gravy, so it’s always a last minute grab. 

This'll be our go-to this year.  But the gravy isn't a big deal here.  The turkey gets mostly paired with the savory cranberry sauce (chicken stock, orange zest, rosemary, white balsamic and shallots added to a homemade cranberry sauce), and the potatoes are full of so much cream and butter that we don't really care if gravy gets added.

[math teacher]

Does Better than Bouillon come in Turkey flavor? If not, I know it comes in Roast Chicken flavor, Would this work? Melt butter in a pan and stir in the same amount of flour. Add some Better than Bouillon. When it is the dark, but not burnt, add cold water and stir over heat until it reaches the consistency you want. 

[silver]

We spatchcock chicken when we smoke or roast it, and then I use the spine to make gravy. I'd imagine you could do the same thing with turkey. I use the jus recipe from here, and then thicken it with cornstarch when it's done:
https://www.seriouseats.com/butterflied-roasted-chicken-with-quick-jus-recipe

[marbel]

9 minutes ago, KSera said:

Do you know if they work fine made a day early and refrigerated?

I have actually never made those exact recipes, but every time I do make gravy, I make it the day before. 

The BH&G link says:

Ideal for anyone who makes deep-fried turkey, smoked turkey, or those who prefer some of their dishes to be part of a make-ahead Thanksgiving menu, a no-drippings gravy is the perfect Thanksgiving menu addition. Mix it up 2 days in advance and refrigerate, or freeze for up to 4 months in an airtight freezer-safe container ($30, Target). 

[Kassia]

41 minutes ago, alisoncooks said:

I’ll be honest: in a pinch, I’ve bought gravy in a jar and it was acceptable. My in laws (who always host) never ever provide gravy, so it’s always a last minute grab. 

LOL, I'll be honest and admit that this is the only gravy I've ever used.  To be fair, I've only cooked turkey a couple of times - we used to always have something different.  And now I just cook a prepared sliced turkey breast.  

[DawnM]

23 minutes ago, silver said:

We spatchcock chicken when we smoke or roast it, and then I use the spine to make gravy. I'd imagine you could do the same thing with turkey. I use the jus recipe from here, and then thicken it with cornstarch when it's done:
https://www.seriouseats.com/butterflied-roasted-chicken-with-quick-jus-recipe

Ok, I had never even heard the term spatchcock before.   I just looked it up.   I didn't know that method had a name. 😂

[cintinative]

My husband uses the giblets to make the gravy (along with chicken broth).  He doesn't use pan drippings. He uses the recipe "Best Turkey Gravy" by Cooks Illustrated.  https://www.food.com/recipe/best-turkey-gravy-from-cooks-illustrated-401624

[DawnM]

49 minutes ago, cintinative said:

My husband uses the giblets to make the gravy (along with chicken broth).  He doesn't use pan drippings. He uses the recipe "Best Turkey Gravy" by Cooks Illustrated.  https://www.food.com/recipe/best-turkey-gravy-from-cooks-illustrated-401624

Thanks, I don't like the giblets in any form.....just my preference.

[cintinative]

45 minutes ago, DawnM said:

Thanks, I don't like the giblets in any form.....just my preference.

If it matters, there aren't any in the finished gravy.  They get strained out.

[DawnM]

9 minutes ago, cintinative said:

If it matters, there aren't any in the finished gravy.  They get strained out.

Ah, I didn't read that.  Maybe.   DH's mom chops them up and puts them in her gravy......I just can't.....😅

[saraha]

You could always make noodles to top the potatoes and stuffing! You can make them ahead of time 
I’m on a crusade to make this a viable option for all 😆😆😆

[Frances]

2 hours ago, alisoncooks said:

I’ll be honest: in a pinch, I’ve bought gravy in a jar and it was acceptable. My in laws (who always host) never ever provide gravy, so it’s always a last minute grab. 

We use the turkey gravy packets and it’s just fine. We normally cook most things from scratch, but many years ago we decided to make Thanksgiving as easy as possible because at the time it was a short break in a hectic fall. And we realized we all liked the food just as much, so continued the tradition even after life slowed down. We also do Stove Top Stuffing and use a pre-made pie crust. We do make mashed potatoes and applesauce from scratch and roast up a big bag of precut veggies to go with the turkey or turkey breast. And my husband uses most of the turkey leftovers to make a delicious turkey stew.

[cintinative]

41 minutes ago, saraha said:

You could always make noodles to top the potatoes and stuffing! You can make them ahead of time 
I’m on a crusade to make this a viable option for all 😆😆😆

I was just telling my family about the noodles on potatoes discussion and they looked at me like I had two heads. LOL!

My husband likes to layer his turkey and stuffing on top of the potatoes with gravy over all of it. 

[Innisfree]

49 minutes ago, cintinative said:

If it matters, there aren't any in the finished gravy.  They get strained out.

This is what I do. Use the neck and giblets for stock, which then gets used to make the gravy. Sometimes I use packaged chicken stock to make more in subsequent days once the original batch runs out (gravy is popular here 😁), and no one complains. Having drippings to add intensifies the flavor, certainly, but I've also used Better than Bouillon for the same purpose. It all works.

[marbel]

36 minutes ago, Frances said:

We use the turkey gravy packets and it’s just fine. We normally cook most things from scratch, but many years ago we decided to make Thanksgiving as easy as possible because at the time it was a short break in a hectic fall. And we realized we all liked the food just as much, so continued the tradition even after life slowed down. We also do Stove Top Stuffing and use a pre-made pie crust. We do make mashed potatoes and applesauce from scratch and roast up a big bag of precut veggies to go with the turkey or turkey breast. And my husband uses most of the turkey leftovers to make a delicious turkey stew.

I think this is a really good way to do traditional meals. We pick and choose what's important to be homemade, and let the rest go. That's why I buy turkey gravy but make vegetarian gravy for the one person who does not eat meat. I have happily used pre-made pie crusts and I am not sure anyone can tell the difference between that and homemade. The important thing is the filling anyway. I have made elaborate cranberry sauce with wine, orange, other additions, but really following the recipe of water, sugar and cranberries on the back of the bag tastes great too. This year I decided not to make the stuffing the includes sausage, fennel and other stuff and just doing a basic one. 

Of course it's also fine to do everything from scratch if that's what makes people happy. But it's not a failing not to do it that way. (And for some people I know, it's a rather ugly point of pride that everything on their table is homemade.) 

[WildflowerMom]

We use packets.  I think mccormicks makes some.   It's easy and honestly I'd rather have that than the jar stuff.  😬

[DawnM]

11 minutes ago, WildflowerMom said:

We use packets.  I think mccormicks makes some.   It's easy and honestly I'd rather have that than the jar stuff.  😬

and you don't need stock to put in it at all?

[DawnM]

22 minutes ago, cintinative said:

I was just telling my family about the noodles on potatoes discussion and they looked at me like I had two heads. LOL!

My husband likes to layer his turkey and stuffing on top of the potatoes with gravy over all of it. 

 

Maybe I can just get several cans of this:

 

 

[WildflowerMom]

1 minute ago, DawnM said:

and you don't need stock to put in it at all?

I don't.  I think it calls for water.  🤦🏻‍♀️  Seriously.   it's still good.  I've done the chicken and beef ones, but I'm sure turkey would be good, too.  If they're out of turkey, I'd just grab a chicken packet, probably 2.   It's better than a jar and better than chunky gravy.  
Back when I used to cook cubed steak, I still used packets for the gravy.  

[WildflowerMom]

2 minutes ago, DawnM said:

 

Maybe I can just get several cans of this:

 

 

I could've gone my whole life without looking at that pic. 😆😆😆

[WildflowerMom]

3 minutes ago, DawnM said:

 

Maybe I can just get several cans of this:

 

 

It reminds me of when Rachel on Friends made that English trifle. 😆

[DawnM]

2 minutes ago, WildflowerMom said:

I could've gone my whole life without looking at that pic. 😆😆😆

You're welcome!

[alisoncooks]

13 minutes ago, DawnM said:

 

Maybe I can just get several cans of this:

 

 

And there’s always these (mentioned in a thread weeks ago but I never managed to actually find in a store):

[sassenach]

Boxed turkey broth, flour, butter.

[saraha]

39 minutes ago, cintinative said:

My husband likes to layer his turkey and stuffing on top of the potatoes with gravy over all of it. 

Oooorrrrrr noodles! How good what that be 😆

[saraha]

Just now, alisoncooks said:

And there’s always these (mentioned in a thread weeks ago but I never managed to actually find in a store):

We went to two Walgreens but could t find them. Walgreens was rumored to carry them

[alisoncooks]

2 minutes ago, saraha said:

We went to two Walgreens but could t find them. Walgreens was rumored to carry them

Yep, I think it was only Walgreens. I checked 3 before I gave up. 

[DawnM]

22 minutes ago, alisoncooks said:

Yep, I think it was only Walgreens. I checked 3 before I gave up. 

I just looked it up, apparently people hoard them to sell on eBay.   sigh.

[saraha]

32 minutes ago, DawnM said:

I just looked it up, apparently people hoard them to sell on eBay.   sigh.

Ugh. That’s stinks 

[Frances]

1 hour ago, WildflowerMom said:

We use packets.  I think mccormicks makes some.   It's easy and honestly I'd rather have that than the jar stuff.  😬

I’ve only made it homemade or used the packets. I can’t really explain it, but there’s something about just seeing the jar stuff that turns me off. It’s the same with jarred Alfredo sauce. I don’t know why, but I just can’t go there.

[marbel]

6 hours ago, DawnM said:

She told me what she is bringing yesterday and it is all wrong......her descriptions of ingredients and how she makes them is just wrong.     (Ok, I am kidding.....kinda, it isn't my favorite way to make them, I will eat some, but I know DH will want the leftovers to be our way for the weekends, so I will need to make it as well.).

I just saw this part. I get you on this, totally. But it's also so nice to have food brought by someone else!  Who knows, maybe you and your husband will like their dishes as well as your own. But there's also nothing wrong with making something the way you like the next day. 

[DawnM]

1 hour ago, marbel said:

I just saw this part. I get you on this, totally. But it's also so nice to have food brought by someone else!  Who knows, maybe you and your husband will like their dishes as well as your own. But there's also nothing wrong with making something the way you like the next day. 

Oh, I have had the cream of mushroom soup version......many times.   I know I don't care for it.   And I don't like marshmallows.   

It's fine, I agree, it is nice to have someone else make it.

[Forget-Me-Not]

My brother is smoking the turkeys and bringing them to our house this year. I just bought some premade gravy Costco had in their cold case. Hopefully it’s good. SIL suggested the powdered packet stuff, so expectations aren’t high lol. 

[DawnM]

1 minute ago, Forget-Me-Not said:

My brother is smoking the turkeys and bringing them to our house this year. I just bought some premade gravy Costco had in their cold case. Hopefully it’s good. SIL suggested the powdered packet stuff, so expectations aren’t high lol. 

I was at Costco Monday, wish I had known.   Oh well.   

[Danae]

Make a roux with equal parts fat (butter or oil) and flour.  When it’s bubbling add broth/stock to get the thickness you want.  My usual is 1-2 tablespoons butter and flour for each cup of broth. Salt/pepper/other seasoning to taste.

[Drama Llama]

I am not making it but my BIL is spatchcocking the turkeys and using the backbone and necks to make gravy.  I have no more details than that, but I am confident it will be yummy.  

[SoCal_Bear]

I roast the neck, giblets with celery, onlons and carrots and make a stock with that which is the base of my gravy. This can be done way ahead of time.

  

Edited November 24, 2021 by calbear

[Storygirl]

I just made Ina Garten's make ahead gravy recipe (mentioned above by others), and it is delicious now, even before any drippings from tomorrow are added. It does take some time and requires some specific ingredients, so it may not work for you this time. But it is a yummy option.

I do agree that you can just make a roux and stir in some boxed stock, and it will be fine, if you want a simpler solution.

[Tap]

I caramelize a quarter to half of a yellow or sweet onion. I slice across the whole onion, and just use the largest sized rings to make it easy to pull them out.

With the caramelized onions still in the pan, I add a quart of chicken broth. Toss in a smidge of Italian Seasoning just to give it a warm flavor, but not enough that you can identify the spices (maybe 1/8 teaspoon for 4 cups of gravy)

If you are making it at the last minute before serving dinner and have some of the cooked turkey skin, you can put some of that in. It will help to give it some turkey flavor, but it is absolutely not necessary if you want to make it ahead of time. 

Salt and pepper to taste

Thicken with corn starch. 

Pour the gravy through a metal sieve or just pull out the onion and skin. 

If I want a ++slightly++ creamy gravy  (not a white gravy) I might puree a small piece of turkey, add a generous splash of milk or cream, and swap out the corn starch for a roux.