Learn how to make ultra-flavorful Gravy Without Drippings using just five basic ingredients. This quick and easy recipe will make your favorite family dinners, Thanksgiving and holiday dishes even better!
This easy homemade gravy is a great staple recipe that I am excited to share. I reach for it all the time because it’s just so simple and works well with any meal. You can drizzle it on everything from roasted meat to a roasted turkey or baked turkey breast with creamy mashed potatoes and all the sides!
Plus, it’s such an easy gravy recipe that you’ll have it memorized after you make it just one time.
Why This Recipe Is A Staple
Rich Flavor – This easy homemade gravy recipe proves that you don’t need turkey pan drippings to make flavorful gravy. This one is packed with savory flavors from the chicken and beef bouillon and onion powder.
Minimal Ingredients – You don’t need anything special to make this recipe. Just 5 simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand. And it has no preservatives like pre-packaged gravy mixes.
Versatile Recipe – Gravy without drippings is such a quick and easy recipe that you can whip up any time. It’s a nice go-to that you can use for family dinners or a fancy holiday spread.
You’ll Need 5 Key Ingredients
Making homemade turkey gravy without drippings is easy and quick. You only need five main ingredients: water, bouillon cubes, spices, butter and flour. It’s not necessary to use cornstarch for this recipe.
If you don’t have bouillon cubes, use equal parts low-sodium chicken broth, turkey, or beef broth instead. You can also add some poultry seasoning for extra flavor. It’s definitely better than using just water, but honestly, bouillon cubes still give the dish a deeper, richer taste.
To make this homemade gravy without dripping vegetarian, simply use vegetable broth.
How To Make Gravy Without Drippings
First: Break the bouillon cubes into small pieces, then add boiling water. Cold water will make them harder to dissolve.
Second: Stir the bouillon into boiling water until it’s completely smooth.
Third: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
Four: Add flour and whisk until combined.
Next: Add onion powder and pepper and whisk a bit more.
Then: To avoid lumpy gravy, slowly pour in half of the liquid while whisking until it thickens. Then, add the remaining liquid and stir until smooth.
Finally: Cook for 1.5 to 2 minutes until the gravy thickens to your liking. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Top with fresh herbs like rosemary. Enjoy this delicious gravy.
Tips For The Best Consistency
- This gravy thickens fast, so watch it closely. Keep stirring until it reaches the thickness you prefer.
- If it’s too thick you can add a splash more liquid or chicken broth to thin it out a bit.
- To thicken the gravy, you can let it simmer on low for a few minutes until the liquid cooks down some.
- Use gluten-free all purpose flour for a gluten-free gravy.
How Do I Keep Gravy Hot?
Keeping gravy nice and warm without cooking it down and making it too thick requires a certain art. I usually keep the gravy on the stovetop with the burner off until I finish everything else. The heat from the stove keeps it warm enough. But, I can also turn the burner on if it needs a quick warm-up before serving.
If you don’t have a burner to spare, then you can keep the gravy on a metal trivet in the middle of the burners. The best place depends on your kitchen setup, but indirect heat is the key. The best place depends on your kitchen setup, but indirect heat is the key.
Make Gravy Ahead of Time
Gravy is a great recipe to make in advance and save yourself some time, especially when you’re cooking for the holidays. Keep it in an airtight container and it’ll last for up to 3 days in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve it, reheat it with a splash of broth and it’ll be good to go.
You can also freeze gravy without drippings for longer storage up to 3 months. Just be sure to use a good freezer-save container and remember to leave extra room for the liquid to expand as it freezes. Then, thaw it in the fridge the night before you plan to use and reheat it.
More Thanksgiving Recipes
If you make gravy without drippings don’t forget to leave a star rating and comment to let me know how it goes! And be sure to check out the full collection of easy how-to recipes here at Primavera Kitchen.
Gravy without Drippings
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Ingredients
- 1 chicken stock cube / bouillon cube*
- 1 beef stock cube / bouillon cube
- 2 1/4 cups 565ml boiling water
- 4 tbsp butter unsalted
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp onion powder or garlic powder
- Salt and finely ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Break the cubes into boiling water and stir until dissolved.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour, onion powder, and pepper, mixing with a wooden spoon or whisk until combined.
- Gradually pour in half of the liquid while stirring. Once the mixture is incorporated into the flour-butter roux and thickens, add the remaining liquid and stir.
- Cook for 1.5 to 2 minutes until the gravy reaches your desired consistency (it thickens quickly since the water is already hot). Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Tips
- The bouillon already has sodium in it, so just add enough salt to your taste preference.
- Consistent stirring will ensure that your gravy does not have lumps.
- Add in your favorite herbs or seasonings for even more depth of flavor.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
Michael says
We have a guest coming for Thanksgiving who must follow a gluten free diet. I see this recipe says to use “gluten free flour.” What kind of gluten free flour would work best?
Olivia says
Yes this recipe can be made with gluten-free all propose flour. This HERE is the one that I use and love it 😉
Barbara J. Housel says
My friend revealed a great tip: instead of discarding the water used for boiling potatoes when making mashed potatoes, she saves it to make gravy. The starch and flavor from the potatoes add a wonderful consistency to the gravy. Just be sure not to add salt to the boiling water.
Olivia says
That’s an awesome tip! Using the starchy potato water for gravy sounds delicious. Thanks for sharing! 😊