Turkey Giblet Gravy Recipe (no drippings) (2024)

FAQs

What to do if turkey has no drippings? ›

So how do you make turkey gravy without drippings? It's all about finding a replacement for the browned, complex meaty flavor the drippings offer. For a no-drippings gravy, aromatics such as onions, celery, carrot, bell pepper, and/or garlic, can help, as can umami-rich elements like mushrooms.

Browning adds more flavor to the gravy and gets rid of the raw flour taste. You're basically making a roux. We find that a flour-based gravy holds up better and reheats better later, which is why we tend to prefer using flour over cornstarch to make gravy unless we have a guest who is eating gluten-free.

You can use either stock or broth for keeping dressing moist or as a basis for gravy, but a strong flavor will give you better results.

As Mark Bittman has pointed out, gravy is but one of many sauces that can bring flavor and moisture to a plate of turkey and stuffing, like parsley purée, eggless béarnaise or bourbon barbecue sauce. There's homemade cranberry ketchup, or cherry ketchup, tangy and sweet.

You can pour a little of water in the bottom of the roasting pan, but keep in mind the turkey will release drippings as well as it cooks. However, if you're making gravy, it's best to add about a cup of water to the roasting pan.

Cornstarch should thicken gravy in less than a minute when at a simmer. If it doesn't thicken enough, it's a sign that you need more cornstarch. Whisk in more cornstarch slurry a little at a time, and let each addition come to a simmer before adding more.

Directions. Add the butter and flour to a skillet over medium heat and cook, stirring, until melted together and well combined, 2 to 3 minutes. Slowly stream in the stock while whisking and continue to cook until thickened, 8 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and stir in a little shredded turkey.

What giblets not to use in gravy? ›

You should remove these parts from the cavity and save all but the liver (which can impart a mineral, bitter taste to stock) for making gravy. The neck, gizzard, and heart contribute meaty favor to stock.

This giblet gravy recipe calls for turkey giblets and neck, turkey broth, onions, carrots, celery, bay leaf, dried thyme, pan drippings from a roasted turkey, butter, all-purpose flour, hard-cooked eggs, and salt and pepper.

It's bland.

You can also try simmering the gravy with some sautéed onions or mushrooms for added depth of flavor. A little bit of browned butter can also add a toasty, nutty flavor.

INGREDIENTS: POULTRY_STOCK (WATER, POULTRY BROTH CONCENTRATE* [CHICKEN BROTH AND TURKEY MEAT*, SALT, POTATO FLOUR*, SOY SAUCE*, [WATER, SOYBEANS*, SALT, ALCOHOL*], NATURAL FLAVORS, CHICKEN FAT*, ONION POWDER*, SPICES*, LACTIC ACID]), COOKED TURKEY MEAT (TURKEY MEAT, SALT), ENRICHED FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED ...

If you let the turkey rest a bit, the juices reabsorb into the meat rather than running out of the bird and landing on the cutting board. Carve it to order. The longer you let it sit after you slice it, the drier it will be. If you need to slice it, cover it with foil or plastic wrap to keep it from drying out.

To collect the drippings, place a large drip pan filled with a liter of water, beer, wine, or juice underneath the turkey while it is cooking. You will want to make sure that they turkey is not sitting in the pan, you can put the pan below the grate or use a roast holder for the turkey.

The Fork Method

To find out if your turkey is done without a thermometer, pierce the mid-thigh muscle with a fork, explains Johnson. "When the juices run clear, and no longer reddish or pink in color, it's a good indication that your turkey is done."

Then use a baster (or a spoon, but more on that below) to drench the breast meat in the cooking liquid. Place the roasting pan back into the oven. In the last hour of cooking, you can baste the turkey in additional melted butter or olive oil instead of the pan juices to really make sure that skin turns golden brown.