Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and, of course, delicious food. But between the turkey, stuffing, and all the other fixings, the last thing you want to worry about is making gravy. That’s where this make-ahead turkey gravy comes in.
This recipe is a lifesaver for busy cooks. You can make it up to 3 months in advance and freeze it until you’re ready to serve. When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat it on the stovetop and enjoy.
Key Ingredients:
- Turkey wings: These add a rich flavor to the gravy.
- Onions: They add sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Carrots: They add a touch of sweetness and color.
- Thyme: This herb adds a classic Thanksgiving flavor.
- Flour: This thickens the gravy.
- Butter: This adds richness and creaminess.
- Black pepper: This adds a bit of spice.
Instructions:
- Roast the turkey wings and onions until browned.
- Transfer the wings and onions to a stockpot and add water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 90 minutes.
- Discard the wings and onions.
- Skim the fat from the broth and bring to a gentle boil.
- Whisk the flour into the reserved broth, then whisk the mixture into the simmering broth.
- Continue to simmer until the gravy thickens.
- Add the butter and pepper.
- Cool the gravy and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat on the stovetop when ready to serve.
Tips:
- You can use turkey thighs instead of wings, if desired.
- If you don’t have time to roast the turkey wings, you can use store-bought turkey stock.
- To make the gravy even richer, add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the flour mixture before whisking it into the broth.
- This gravy is also delicious served over mashed potatoes, stuffing, or even green bean casserole.
FAQs:
- Can I make this gravy ahead of time? Yes, you can make this gravy up to 3 months in advance and freeze it.
- How do I reheat the gravy? Thaw the gravy in the refrigerator overnight. Then, reheat it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently.
- Can I use this gravy for other dishes? Yes, this gravy is delicious served over mashed potatoes, stuffing, or even green bean casserole.
Additional Resources:
- Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy Recipe (Allrecipes): https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/76604/make-ahead-turkey-gravy/
- Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy Recipe (Simply Recipes): https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/make_ahead_turkey_gravy/
This make-ahead turkey gravy is a delicious and convenient way to save time on Thanksgiving Day. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have a flavorful gravy that will impress your guests. So go ahead and give it a try!
How to Make Gravy Ahead of Time
My goal was to ensure that this gravy could be prepared ahead of time with as much flavor as it would if it were made after roasting your Thanksgiving turkey. So, I started by roasting some turkey wings with onions, carrots, and celery in the oven. This gives the stock youll make, and the resulting gravy, a deep, roasted flavor.
Once the wings and veggies are roasted, move them to a stock pot, deglaze the roasting pan with chicken broth, and then simmer the mixture with additional broth to create an incredibly rich stock for your gravy.
Although roasting the vegetables and making the stock takes some time, the result is the most flavorful gravy you’ve ever made. Additionally, this entire process involves less hands-on labor than actual labor; that is, while the stock is simmering, you can catch up on binge-watching your favorite show.
Once the stock has been reduced in volume, you have two options: either refrigerate it overnight to allow the fat to solidify, or remove the fat right away to create gravy.
How to Make Gravy Without the Drippings
Typical Thanksgiving morning: You’ve just finished preparing the mashed potatoes and the turkey is out of the oven. You’re scratching your head now, trying to recall just how Mom made her gravy (she wisely skipped this year’s trip to the Caribbean). Insult to injury: she took Granny with her).
Even though that ship sailed about four hours ago, the entire family is gathered in the kitchen, asking how they can help.
But this year, you’re on top of things! You won’t be scurrying around with your hair on fire because, because of a little forethought, the gravy you prepared weeks ago is now warming up in the saucepan on the stovetop (or microwave!).
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__simply_recipes__uploads__2018__10__SR-Make-ahead-gravy-1-7f67a55bdc6d4b9c8136028b0fa718ca.jpg)