The Best Do Ahead Turkey Gravy Recipe

This Thanksgiving, conquer your kitchen chaos with our incredible make-ahead turkey gravy recipe! Adapted from a Good Housekeeping classic, this recipe lets you prepare a rich and flavorful gravy days in advance, freeing up precious oven and stovetop space on Thanksgiving Day. Impress your guests with a gravy so delicious, they'll think you spent hours simmering it on the big day—but you'll know the secret! This recipe produces a generous amount, perfect for large gatherings.

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 100 mins
Calories 286.3 kcal
Protein 43g
Rating Be the first
The Best Do Ahead Turkey Gravy 45

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Forktionary editorial kitchen team

The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for The Best Do Ahead Turkey Gravy

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How to Make The Best Do Ahead Turkey Gravy

  1. Heat olive oil in a deep 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Add turkey wings and cook for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown on all sides.
  3. Add the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the turkey wings and vegetables are well browned.
  4. Transfer the turkey wings and vegetables to a large bowl.
  5. Add the white wine to the skillet and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom, stirring constantly.
  6. Return the turkey and vegetables to the skillet.
  7. Stir in the chicken broth, thyme, and 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat.
  8. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes.
  9. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into an 8-cup measuring cup or large bowl. Discard the solids.
  10. Let the broth stand for a few seconds to allow the fat to separate from the meat juices.
  11. Carefully spoon 1/4 cup of fat from the broth into a 2-quart saucepan.
  12. Skim and discard any remaining fat from the broth.
  13. Add the flour to the fat in the saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the flour turns a light golden brown (about 2-3 minutes).
  14. Gradually whisk in the reserved broth, stirring constantly, until the gravy boils and thickens slightly.
  15. Pour the gravy into a 2-quart container or medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  16. At serving time, reheat the gravy gently. Stir in pan drippings from the roast turkey if desired.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

21 g

Sugar

11g

Fat

16g

Carbs

4g

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make The Best Do Ahead Turkey Gravy?

The Best Do Ahead Turkey Gravy takes about 120 minutes from start to finish — roughly 20 minutes to prepare and 100 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in The Best Do Ahead Turkey Gravy?

The Best Do Ahead Turkey Gravy has approximately 286.3 calories per serving, with about 43 g protein, 4 g carbohydrates and 21 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for The Best Do Ahead Turkey Gravy?

The key ingredients for The Best Do Ahead Turkey Gravy are Vegetable Oil, Turkey Wings, Onion, Carrots, Celery, Garlic. See the full list with measurements above.

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