To finish off your Thanksgiving Day meal prep, roast the turkey, peel the yams, and casserole the green beans. If you don’t feel like standing over a saucepan and pleading with the gravy gods for lumps to dissolve, then skip it.
Several good varieties of store-bought gravy are available. Many companies release products specifically for the holidays, knowing that busy cooks are searching for a few quick fixes.
But the truth is that homemade gravy will always taste better than any jar or carton of prepared gravy. That doesn’t mean, however, that it can never taste as good as the from-scratch sauce. This year, try one of these seven flavoring techniques to add greater flavor satisfaction to jarred gravy.
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and of course, delicious food. While some may prefer to make their turkey gravy from scratch, there’s no shame in reaching for a jar of store-bought gravy. But what if you want to take that jarred gravy to the next level? Here are 7 simple hacks to transform your store-bought gravy into a homemade masterpiece:
1. Wine Not?
Adding a splash of white wine, like a dry Chardonnay, can elevate the richness of your gravy. Simply add a couple of tablespoons while heating the gravy, and let the wine evaporate for a few minutes.
2. Thicken It Up
If your gravy is a bit thin use a cornstarch slurry to thicken it. Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1-2 tablespoons of cold water until smooth, then whisk it into the simmering gravy. Stir until it reaches your desired consistency.
3. Dripping with Flavor
Those pan drippings from your roasted turkey are a goldmine of flavor. Use them to add a homemade touch to your jarred gravy. For a rustic touch, you can even mix in some shredded turkey. Remember, 2 tablespoons of drippings per cup of gravy is a good rule of thumb.
4. Fresh Herb Magic
Simmering your gravy with fresh herbs like thyme, sage, parsley, or bay leaf can infuse it with a fragrant aroma and subtle flavor. Strain the gravy before serving to remove the herbs.
5. Umami Boost
Your pantry and fridge are full of umami-rich ingredients that can add depth to your gravy. Experiment with soy sauce, miso paste, Worcestershire sauce, or even a splash of sherry or cider vinegar. Start with small amounts and adjust to your taste.
6. Veggie Power
Sautéing some vegetables like onions, leeks, shallots, celery, carrots, or mushrooms can add sweetness and complexity to your gravy. Simply sauté them before adding the gravy and simmering on low heat. You can strain out the vegetables before serving or use an immersion blender to purée them for a smoother texture. Aim for about 1/4 cup of vegetables per cup of gravy.
7. Roasted Garlic Goodness
Roasted garlic adds a smooth, sweet flavor to anything it touches. Roast a head of garlic beforehand, then chop and whisk in a couple of tablespoons for every cup of gravy as it simmers.
With these simple hacks, you can transform your jarred turkey gravy into a delicious and flavorful masterpiece that will impress your guests and make your Thanksgiving dinner even more special. So, ditch the stress of making gravy from scratch and embrace the convenience of store-bought with a few simple upgrades.
Cheat with aromatics
If you were creating your own gravy, you might begin by sautéing a base of various vegetables, such as carrots, celery, onions, and leeks. These veggies have delicate flavors, but they add a subtle sweetness and earthiness to a basic recipe.
Start the DIY gravy steps by sauteing several of these chopped vegetables in butter. When they’ve turned soft, stir in the premade gravy. Let the aromatics and gravy mingle until you’re ready to serve the meal.
Then, you can strain out the vegetables. Alternatively, you could leave them in and blend them into the gravy with an immersion or stick blender. This will produce a thick sauce, but the extra flavors from the sautéed vegetables might make up for it.
Brown up some butter
The majority of turkeys will yield enough drippings for a good gravy, but occasionally one will be particularly frugal with its juices. In that case, make a flavorful fat option of your own.
Butter that is cooked over medium heat will separate out the milk solids and butterfat from water. When cooked, milk solids will turn nutty, toasty, and warm. The butter itself will turn from a bright yellow hue to a deeply golden one.
The positively delicious browned butter that remains is rich and comforting. You can use browned butter in any number of dishes, from cookies to roasted vegetables. With jarred gravy, however, it’s an easy way to add tremendous flavor.