Homemade Gravy From Scratch (Chicken or Turkey)

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This homemade gravy recipe is made from scratch with simple ingredients and full of flavor from shallots, garlic and fresh sage and can be used to make chicken or turkey gravy. 

I have been perfecting this gravy recipe for a couple of years now, and every Thanksgiving my family can’t get enough of it! (I now double the amount I make to ensure there’s enough to go around!) Homemade gravy is really simple to make, I have no idea why people buy the flavorless packets at the store! Not only do those packets lack flavor, they are also full of preservatives and junk. No thank you!! After you make this easy gravy recipe, you’ll never use store-bought again! 

Using turkey or chicken drippings in this recipe is optional, but does add some incredible flavor. However, the flavors infused in the gravy thanks to the shallots, garlic and fresh sage will still make an incredible gravy. It just depends on if you are roasting a whole chicken or turkey with the gravy or if you just want to serve it with homemade mashed potatoes! 

The key to the best gravy

My secret ingredient for the best ever gravy is using homemade chicken stock. Or, turkey stock if you are using this recipe for Thanksgiving turkey gravy. If it is your first time making homemade stock, I promise it is so much easier than you think but it is a total game changer! All you need is a leftover chicken carcass with bits of meat on it, or pieces of meat with bones such as wings or drumsticks, simple seasonings and a few veggies. If you are making turkey stock I recommend using turkey necks and turkey wings. I can usually find the wings and necks at the butcher counter a week or two before Thanksgiving. Homemade stock is something that you prep ahead of time but makes a huge difference and adds so much extra flavor to the gravy. Get my easy homemade stock recipe here! 

More holiday recipes

My favorite way to serve this gravy is with this Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes recipe. The potatoes have a beautiful flavor and perfect consistency thanks to the addition of butter and heavy cream. A great recipe to serve it next to is this Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan and Crispy Shallots, or Bacon Brussels Sprouts. If you would like more holiday or Thanksgiving dinner recipe ideas, checkout this post here! 

Tools to make homemade gravy

It is a good idea to use a skillet with high edges to ensure the liquid will not splash out. And the best way to prevent lumpy gravy is to use a whisk when you combing the broth with the rest of the ingredients. 

Ingredient list to make this simple gravy from scratch

• Butter – You can use salted or unsalted butter to make the gravy 
• Shallot – Shallots have a milder flavor than onions and also have a little bit of a garlic taste that goes perfect in this gravy. 
• Fresh sage – The addition of fresh herbs takes this gravy to another level! You could also substitute for rosemary or thyme. 
• Garlic – You will need minced garlic for the gravy. I recommend using fresh garlic over garlic powder for more flavor. 
• Flour – unbleached all-purpose flour
• Stock or broth – You can use turkey or chicken broth, stock, or bone broth. I think that homemade stock or bone broth will make the best flavor for the gravy. 
• Pan drippings – The pan dripping from the bottom of the roasting pan from either a roasted chicken or roasted turkey are optional. So if you are making this gravy without roasting a whole bird you will still get a beautiful and delicious gravy. However, the addition of the pan drippings will definitely take this gravy to another level. 
• Salt and Black pepper – This salt and pepper are to taste because it depends on how much salt the the stock or pan drippings have. Give the gravy a taste and then add at the end. 

How to make gravy from scratch

Heat a medium to large skillet with high sides over medium heat. Add 6 tablespoons of butter and melt. Next, add in the shallots and sauté until they are translucent, about 5-7 minutes. 

Add the garlic and cook until fragrant. About 1 minute. Then add the chopped fresh sage and sauté for another 2 minutes.

Sprinkle the flour all over the pan, and then use a whisk to evenly combine. Let it cook for 1 minute. 

Next slowly add in the stock, whisking as you go so to ensure you have smooth gravy and that you do not have any clumps. Then add in pan drippings, Bring the mixture to a boil to thicken, about 5 minutes. 

Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately and enjoy! 

How to store the gravy

To store, add to an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3-4 days. The gravy can also be frozen if you want to save it for another meal! Just add cooled gravy to a freezer safe container or freezer bag and store in the fridge for 3 months. Defrost in the fridge and than add to a pan on the stove to reheat. 

Have extra gravy?

One of my favorite easy ways to use leftover gravy is to use it as a base for a pot pie! Next time you have extra gravy, save about a 1.5 cups and make this easy dinner recipe! It is designed to use leftover ingredient you have laying around from Thanksgiving, but it can be easily customizable any time of year with turkey or chicken!