Skip to Content

How to Make Gravy From Drippings

No Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner is complete without some homemade gravy! Learn how to make gravy from drippings, for an easy way to add a rich flavor to everyone’s plate.

The dripping gravy in a gravy boat with a wooden spoon.


 

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

Gravy is the sauce that brings your dinner together and is a must-make for Thanksgiving and the holidays. Gravy can seem intimidating, but don’t make that stop you from stirring some up before dinner.

Made with turkey or chicken drippings from your main course, this homemade gravy is thick, rich, and full of flavor. Made from scratch on the stovetop, it’s easy to make while your turkey is resting before serving on the table.

Be sure to try my Easy Recipe for Gravy without Drippings, for those times you don’t have any drippings.

Dripping gravy being poured over mashed potato.

How to make gravy from drippings

  • After roasting your chicken or turkey, remove the meat from the roasting pan or baking dish and set aside. You’ll notice some liquid, fat, and brown bits stuck to the bottom. This is flavor, do not toss it out. Make sure you’ve got about 2 Tablespoons of liquid in the roasting pan.
Drippings in a pan.
  • Place the roasting pan on the stove over medium heat and add butter.
  • Melt the butter and use a wooden spoon or whisk to melt the butter and lift some of the drippings.
  • Sprinkle flour in the roasting pan and stir until the flour is incorporated. Continue stirring for about 1-2 minutes.
  • Slowly stir in the broth and continue stirring. Allow the broth to come to a simmer and simmer for about 15-20 minutes.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
The gravy ready to serve.
  • Remove from the stove and strain the gravy through a fine mesh strainer for a smooth gravy.
gravy being strained

How long does it keep?

If you have any leftovers, this gravy will keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can reheat it gently on the stovetop to serve, adding in a little water if needed. You can also freeze it for up to 4 months and defrost it in the fridge before reheating.

Can you use any kinds of dripping?

Yes! This gravy recipe works well with any meat drippings. Turkey, chicken, beef, lamb, and pork all work well. Dripping gravy works so well to pull your whole dinner together and the drippings add a wonderful rich flavor.

What else can you add to the gravy?

This is a basic dripping gravy recipe and it’s delicious in its simplicity, though you can make it your own easily. You can brown some diced onion in the drippings before making the rest of the gravy, or add in some garlic. You can stir in some dijon mustard or Worcestershire sauce for a tangier flavor if you prefer. Herbs are also a welcome addition.

Can I make this gravy without a roasting pan?

Yes! If you roasting your chicken or turkey in a baking dish that cannot be placed on the stovetop, just transfer the drippings and bits stuck to the pan into a large stovetop skillet before following the remainder of the instructions.

Can I make gravy without flour?

Yes! If you want to keep your gravy gluten-free, you can thicken it with cornstarch instead of flour. To thicken the gravy with cornstarch, you’ll omit the flour and stir the broth into the melted butter and drippings over medium heat. Allow the broth to simmer for about 5-10 minutes. In a separate bowl, create a slurry by whisking together 2 Tablespoons cornstarch and 1/4 cup water. Pour the slurry into the simmering liquid while whisking to combine. Allow it to simmer for an additional 1-2 minutes before removing from heat.

Spooning the dripping gravy into a gravy boat.

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • I’ll occasionally add fresh or dried herbs to the gravy, such as rosemary, basil leaves, and thyme. If adding herbs, add them once your gravy begins to simmer. Make sure to drain the gravy when it’s done cooking.
  • Your gravy may be a little salty depending on the broth you use. Add a squeeze of lemon juice to fix a salty gravy.
  • Add only 2 cups of broth for a thicker gravy and 3 cups for thinner gravy.
  • This recipe is based off of 2 Tablespoons of drippings, which is the amount common for 5 lb chickens. If you happen to have more drippings, add more flour and liquid to accommodate the increase. For example, if you end up with 6 Tablespoons of drippings, add 6 Tablespoons of flour and 3-4 cups of broth.

More Thanksgiving Recipes

The dripping gravy in a gravy boat with a wooden spoon.
Print Pin Save
4.45 from 9 votes

How to make Gravy from Drippings

No Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner is complete without some homemade gravy! Learn how to make gravy from drippings, for an easy way to add a rich flavor to everyone's plate.
Course Condiment
Cuisine American
Keyword gravy with turkey drippings, Thanksgiving gravy recipe, traditional gravy recipe
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 160kcal
Author Tanya

Ingredients

  • Pan drippings from roasted chicken/turkey about 2 Tablespoons of liquid and bits in the pan
  • 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2-3 cups unsalted or low-sodium chicken broth
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh herbs and dried bay leaves optional

Instructions

  • After roasting your chicken or turkey, remove the meat from the roasting pan or baking dish and set aside. Place the roasting pan on the stove over medium heat and add butter.
  • Melt the butter and use a wooden spoon or whisk to melt the butter and lift some of the drippings.
  • Sprinkle flour in the roasting pan and stir until the flour is incorporated. Continue stirring for about 1-2 minutes.
  • Slowly stir in the broth and continue stirring. Allow the broth to come to a simmer and simmer for about 15-20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from the stove and strain the gravy through a fine mesh strainer for a smooth gravy.

Notes

  • I’ll occasionally add fresh or dried herbs to the gravy, such as rosemary, basil leaves, and thyme. If adding herbs, add them once your gravy begins to simmer. Make sure to drain the gravy when it’s done cooking.
  • Your gravy may be a little salty depending on the broth you use. Add a squeeze of lemon juice to fix a salty gravy.
  • Add only 2 cups of broth for a thicker gravy and 3 cups for thinner gravy.
  • This recipe is based on 2 Tablespoons of drippings, which is the amount common for 5 lb chickens. If you happen to have more drippings, add more flour and liquid to accommodate the increase. For example, if you end up with 6 Tablespoons of drippings, add 6 Tablespoons of flour and 3-4 cups of broth.
  • If you want to keep your gravy gluten-free, you can thicken it with cornstarch instead of flour. To thicken the gravy with cornstarch, you’ll omit the flour and stir the broth into the melted butter and drippings over medium heat. Allow the broth to simmer for about 5-10 minutes. In a separate bowl, create a slurry by whisking together 2 Tablespoons cornstarch and 1/4 cup water. Pour the slurry into the simmering liquid while whisking to combine. Allow it to simmer for an additional 1-2 minutes before removing from heat.

Nutrition

Calories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 54mg | Potassium: 112mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 175IU | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg
My Southern Air Fryer ECookbookFind all my Top Southern Air Fryer recipes in one place! My Southern Air Fryer ECookbook!
Subscribe to my YouTubeSubscribe to my YouTube Channel for full length recipe videos. Click the bell icon to be notified when I upload a new video.
Tried this recipe? Share on InstagramMention @Myforkinglife or tag #myforkinglife!
Although myforkinglife.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Under no circumstances will myforkinglife.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.
4.45 from 9 votes (7 ratings without comment)
Recipe Rating




Kerry

Thursday 23rd of November 2023

I am speechless! The absolute BEST gravy I have ever tasted!!!! Thank You!

Tanya

Friday 24th of November 2023

Thanks Kerry! So happy you liked it.

Pam Elkin

Sunday 10th of October 2021

This gravy looks delicious! With your excellent instructions, I believe that I can make it! I love your recipes! Thank you.