Best Turkey Giblet Gravy Recipe Without Drippings
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This truly is the BEST giblet turkey gravy recipe without drippings, which means you can make it ahead! Silky, rich, and oozing with amazing turkey flavor! This ain’t no boxed gravy my friends and much easier than you think! Incredible depth of flavor with fresh herbs, giblets and veggies.
This has been my go-to easy gravy recipe for years. I love it because you can make your Thanksgiving gravy ahead, it comes together at the last-minute for amazing gravy, bursting with flavor and depth and no need to wait for the pan drippings!
Need more ideas for a full Thanksgiving dinner try these popular dishes, Air Fryer Turkey Breast, Whole Turkey, Cheesy Funeral Potatoes and the must have classic Green Bean Casserole (cleaned up!)
Can you freeze giblet gravy?
YES! This gravy stock or full on finished gravy freezes beautifully! Cool completely, freeze in an airtight container. Thaw overnight in fridge and re-heat when ready to serve.
Sometimes it gets a bit thick, if needed, thin with a little extra chicken or turkey stock, or turkey drippings if you happen to have them!
Why You Will Love this Recipe for Easy Turkey Gravy
- Thaw Turkey Faster | Removing the giblets helps you to determine if your turkey is fully thawed and will enable it to thaw quicker if still frozen.
- Flavor-FULL | The flavors in this creamy, rich gravy are outstanding! Total Thanksgiving turkey win!
- Stress Free | Making the gravy at the last minute is always stressful, make it the day ahead and assemble at the last minute and you are the hero!
How to prepare giblets for this great tasting gravy
- Retrieve giblets; (yes, you have to get your hands dirty) place turkey in a sink on a plate and cut the package open. The neck is typically in the larger cavity while they usually put the sack of giblets in the other end.
- After removing giblets, rinse the turkey with cold water, pat dry using paper towels, dry it well, cover it in plastic wrap, place on a plate (or you’ll have turkey juice all over your fridge) and return to fridge until ready to place in roasting pan.
- Try my super easy, air fryer turkey thighs or this Instant Pot Turkey Breast.
- Rough chop giblets, you can leave the neck whole, or you can try and cut off the neck meat.
Ingredients for turkey gravy without drippings
Ingredients, directions and nutritional information in the printable recipe card at the end of the post.
Turkey Stock Ingredients
- Turkey Giblets | You cannot very well make giblet gravy without the giblets! What are giblets you ask? In every turkey, fresh or frozen, unless it is marked without giblets, tucked in one cavity or another, will be a bag filled with the giblets; the heart, kidneys, liver and neck of the turkey — this is what gives this gravy the best flavor!
- Veggies | All of the best giblet broth begin with veggies, we’ll use the classics here; celery, carrots, onion and garlic
- Chicken Broth or Stock | Unless you can find turkey stock (which Trader Joe’s often carries during the holidays) chicken stock or broth will be just fine, you can even use vegetable broth!
- Marsala Wine | This is a flavor kicker! But, use Sherry or even Apple juice, if you can’t find Marsala.
- Herbs | Delicious gravy has fragrant herbs, I used a bay leaf, fresh rosemary and fresh sage.
Classic Turkey Gravy Ingredients
- Butter | Use real butter, no blends, it adds creaminess and smoothness — we don’t count calories on holidays and birthdays! I recommend unsalted butter, though I have used both, adjust your salt at the end.
- All-Purpose Flour | Used as a thickening agent, I use organic AP flour, or good Gluten-Free All Purpose flour if trying to make Gluten-Free Turkey Gravy, I do it all the time!
- Apple Cider Vinegar | Apple cider vinegar works best, but you can certainly use regular vinegar or a wine vinegar if you can’t get ACV! Some people use soy sauce, either way you are adding a little acidic flavor, balancing out all of the flavors.
How to Make Gravy from Scratch
Step One | Make Turkey Stock
Chop onions, celery and carrots, a rough chop is fine for all. I ran out of regular carrots and had some shredded carrots — improvise, it’s okay!
Heat olive oil in a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat, increase to medium-high heat and toss in your giblets and your veggies; stand back it’ll spit and spurt at you!
Allow to brown for a little bit, then turn the giblet pieces and give your veggies a stir.
Once they are nice and browned and you have some brown bits sticking to the bottom of the pan, increase the heat slightly and pour in your marsala, (or sherry, I’ve used both), deglazing the pan.
Prefer not to use alcohol? Use apple juice, chicken or turkey stock instead.
Pour in chicken stock, stir well. Add pepper and bay leaves. Add sprigs of fresh rosemary and sage. Give it all a good stir and bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer for an hour.
If you are putting it together right away, strain after you’ve simmered for an hour. If you are making the gravy a day or two ahead of time, then let it sit as is overnight in the refrigerator.
Step Two | Straining the Homemade Turkey Stock
Strain through a mesh colander into a large bowl or medium saucepan, let sit for a few minutes to allow all of those yummy juices to drip out.
DOGGIE THANKSGIVING | If you have a dog, give them the veggies and the giblets (not the neck) they can choke on the bones.
Toss or compost the rest away and keep that homemade turkey stock, will probably measure about 3 cups, you’ll need about 4 cups, you should get another cup from the turkey drippings which you’ll add later. However; the turkey drippings are not necessary to make this gravy!
If you are making the gravy before you cook the turkey, just add chicken or turkey stock to yield 4 cups. Set aside.
If you have time, refrigerate, until fat rises and becomes solid, then using a spoon or spatula skim off the fat. Or use a handy fat separator like this one!
How to Make Turkey Gravy without Drippings
- Melt butter in a large or roasting pan over medium-high heat
- Add all-purpose flour (or sub Gluten Free All Purpose) to make a flour mixture, called a roux.
- Whisk for 1-2 minutes until slightly browned, this gets rid of the flour pasty flavor, an important step.
- Slowly pour in reserved stock whisking while you pour, which is hard to do when you are trying to take a picture with one hand and pour with the other.
- Bring gravy to boil; whisking and cook 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low and cook 10 minutes.
- Stir in vinegar and adjust seasonings with sea salt and pepper.
Pro Tip | Why add vinegar to giblet gravy?
- I receive a lot of questions about adding vinegar. The gravy will still taste delicious without it, believe it or not a touch of vinegar brightens the flavors of sauces and gravies. Just a touch, you don’t want to taste the vinegar. Apple Cider Vinegar may be replaced with a red or white wine vinegar, regular vinegar (start out with a little less) or even balsamic vinegar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Allow to cool completely, then store in fridge until ready to use, may even be frozen up to 3 months.
When ready to serve, return to pot on stove, warming over low heat, thinning with chicken or turkey stock if too thick.
Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper if needed. Drippings from the roasted turkey are perfect to add in to continue to bring added flavor!
Absolutely, it freezes beautifully! Make it a couple weeks ahead of time, either the giblet broth or the entire gravy. Cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer storage baggie. Freeze up to 3 months.
To reheat, thaw overnight in fridge, or on counter until mostly thawed, then pour into saucepan, thinning if need with a little more stock, water or turkey drippings. Heat and whisk until ready to serve.
What to serve with turkey giblet gravy without drippings
- Classic Green Bean Casserole with Bacon
- Stuffing, try my Best Thanksgiving Stuffing or this Maple Sausage Stuffing
- Fall Harvest Salad or try this Holiday Salad with Pomegranate Dressing.
- Classic Garlic Mashed Potatoes or Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Autumn Squash Soup
- Cheesy Broccoli Au Gratin
- Potatoes au Gratin (Potatoes Dauphinoise)
- Southern-Style Green Beans
- Classic Pumpkin Custard Pie or this juicy Apple Pie Recipe.
- Wash it all down with this Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail (also great as a mocktail)
I hope you loved this Turkey Giblet Gravy Recipe without Drippings — if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!
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Equipment
Ingredients
Turkey Giblet Stock
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 ribs celery chopped
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1 large carrot chopped, about 1 cup
- 3 cloves garlic smashed and minced
- turkey giblets heart, liver, turkey neck, chopped
- ½ cup dry Marsala wine or try Sherry or apple juice
- 6 cups chicken broth or stock veggie broth or turkey broth also okay
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary or replace with 1 ½ teaspoons dried rosemary
- 2 sprigs fresh sage Or replace with 1 teaspoon dried sage
Gravy
- 1/2 cup butter unsalted preferred, salted ok just taste before addig any additional salt
- ½ cup all-purpose flour or replace with gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
For the Turkey Stock
- Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add celery, onion, garlic, carrot, neck and giblets; cook until well browned about 10 minutes.
- Deglaze the pan with Marsala, Sherry or apple juice, scraping up the brown bits on the bottom, reduce until nearly evaporated.
- Stir in the broth, pepper, bay leaves, rosemary and sage sprigs. Reduce heat to low; simmer for 1 hour, covered.
- If making ahead, allow to cool completely, store in refrigerator until ready to use.
- Once ready to finish the gravy, strain out the veggies and giblets using a fine mesh strainer, be sure to place a pot or bowl under your strainer.
- Discard veggies and giblets, reserve stock, should be about 3-4 cups, you'll want a total of about 4 cups, if necessary use drippings from turkey to attain 4 cups, or chicken or turkey stock.
For the gravy
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour; cooking 1-2 minutes. Works great with Gluten Free AP flour too.
- Whisk in reserved 4 cups turkey broth slowly, whisking until thick and smooth. Bring mixture to boil; cook 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low and cook for 10 minutes.
- Whisk in vinegar and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper.
- Pour into gravy boat or bowl with ladle, serve immediately. If too thick, heat and add additional stock to thin to desired consistency.
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About Kathleen Pope
Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer
Hi, I’m Kathleen Pope. Here at The Fresh Cooky you will find easy, mostly from-scratch, trusted recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen. Read more about Kathleen here.
Just now working on the gravy, but I have to ask; what other sauces should I try the apple cider vinegar on? Do you have other recipes for sauces that use ACV?
I really love the idea!
You could add a splash to any gravy style recipe! Even into thicker mixtures in casseroles and the such!
Just made this for Thanksgiving. Everyone loved the gravy! By far the best gravy recipe I have used in a while
Thank you Joe! So appreciate you taking the time to write a kind comment! Happy Thanksgiving weekend!
OMG this is the best gravy I’ve ever had in my whole life! I put giblets I bought separately in into the broth, let it hang in the refrigerator for two days and just finished it. Smooth and so flavorful 😋
So glad you love it! It’s one of my favorites too!! Thanks for making my month Deborah! Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Can I make it all the way the day before and just reheat?
Absolutely! You might need a little extra broth or use the drippings from your Turkey to thin it slightly! Happy Thanksgiving!
So informative and easy to follow. The ACV made all the difference too! Delicious.
Just brightens it doesn’t it! Thank you!
Quick question…I just made the base. I had to raise it to serve 32. I wanted to either make in 4 cup batches as gravy or save the stock and just make the gravy turkey day. Do I strain out the vegetables and gizzards or leave in broth in fridge until I make the gravy? I don’t want it to mess with the flavor.
How about this, leave it all in there overnight, then strain the next day, that way you will get all that flavor but then will have room to freeze just the stock. You are going to love it Rachael! Happy Thanksgiving! You are having quite a crowd!
This gravy sounds fantastic,. Pinned to make this for Thanksgiving. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
You will love it!
Looks amazing. Saving for Thanksgiving.
It’s a winner every time!
Such a simple yet satisfying gravy! Turned out perfectly creamy, hearty and delicious; looking forward to serving this again on Thanksgiving!
It really does!!
I usually stink at making gravy but your recipe was a success. It tasted great and I will make again to serve with my turkey and mashed potatoes.
Oh that is fabulous Gina, thank you so much!
The marsala wine was a delicious flavor to this giblet gravy! I’m so glad I found a way to use the giblets, delicious!
I’m so glad you found it to, thanks Jamie!
I love how this recipe uses the giblets. I never know what to do with them but now I do! Delicious!
Exactly! I love not wasting things and you get a scrumptious recipe too!
My goal for this Thanksgiving is to master my gravy making skills! I’m looking forward to giving this recipe a try- thank you for all of the details on how to make it.
You will love it!
I used this recipe last year and it was fantastic! Definitely using again this year
Yay, love hearing that! Thanks Tayler!
This old-fashioned, full-flavored homemade giblet gravy is SO tasty! It adds pure deliciousness to turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and leftovers the next day!
Yes, thank you so much Eliza for your kind words!
I made it last year and will make it again this year! It was a success in our Thanksgiving table!
Fantastic, thank you so much!
We cook our turkey on the charcoal grill and I’ve bought gravy. Not any more, this is the most spectacular gravy I have ever had and can’t wait to make it again. I had a vac-sealed bag of carrots, celery, and onions in my freezer, bought Marsala wine and used apple cider vinegar. Couldn’t ask for better; thank you so much!!
So very glad to hear that Denise, it’s become our family favorite as well!
We did a Thanksgiving test run and gave this a shot this past weekend. And WOW. So so so so incredibly delicious! Can’t wait to serve this to the whole fam next week.
I love hearing that Erin, thank you!
Giblet gravy is the BEST – thank you for your step by step directions!
Thank you so much Deb! Appreciate that kind comment!
Gravy is my favorite dish during the holidays! I love pouring it over everything and this gravy is absolutely delicious!
Me too, except maybe on my cranberries! Thank you Kathy!
I LOVE how you really develop the flavors for this gravy!!! Absolutely perfect.
They are really, so very amazing! Thanks Angela!
This makes the most flavorful gravy! A big hit with my family!
This gravy looks so delicious! I can’t wait to make it!
Thank you Madi, everyone who has tried it — loves it!
First ever giblet gravy, and it turned out so well! Thank you
Thank you so much Sam! So loved hearing this!!!
Any suggestions if you do not have apple cider vinegar (I am making T day out of the USA and they just don’t have that here) can I use white vinegar?
Yes, try any other vinegar, do you happen to have balsamic? I think that would be yummy too. Just a touch mind you, maybe a little less of white.
Perfect thanks!
This worked great. I loved doing it ahead of time. Thank you for the recipe.