Gluten-Free Turkey Gravy

An easy turkey gravy made without flour or butter is the perfect complement to your roasted turkey. Our homemade turkey gravy is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free. This gluten-free gravy recipe can be made with pan drippings or without. Either way, it is a delicious gravy and is ready in about 10 minutes.

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Whether you are hosting Thanksgiving dinner or you are celiac and have to bring your own gravy to the next holiday gathering, this is the only gravy recipe you need.

This was inspired by my herb-roasted turkey breast recipe when I didn't have enough pan sauce during testing. I make this so often that it never occurred to me that I didn't share with you any of my gravy recipes.

📖Why This Recipe Works

Making gravy without a roux eliminates the need for butter or flour. Making this recipe suitable for both a dairy-free and gluten-free diet.

This recipe can be made with or without pan drippings. This is ideal if you deep fry or smoke your turkey.

This recipe can be made in advance and reheated on Thanksgiving Day. It is as delicious as traditional gravy and better than a powdered gravy mix.

🧾 Ingredients

Turkey Broth- You can use stock or pan drippings or a mix but you need at least 2 cups in total.

Potato Starch- You can substitute arrowroot starch or cornstarch for the potato starch. I prefer potato starch because the texture is smoother than cornstarch and it is easier to find than arrowroot starch.

Kosher Salt and Ground Black Pepper

Lemon- Optional but recommended if you optional

See the recipe card for exact quantities.

🦃 The Best Turkey Stock for Gravy

Every year I make turkey broth from my turkey carcass and deep freeze it for the following year.

However, there are two store-bought turkey stocks I recommend. Both are gluten-free and available year-round.

• Kitchen Basics Original Turkey Stock, which is owned by McCormicks.
• Pacific Foods Organic Turkey Stock (note: link is for a 12 pack, you can find in single quantities at Whole Foods and other stores).

If you can't find turkey stock you can try chicken stock or chicken broth. The gravy won't be as rich but it will still be tasty.

⏲️ How to Make Gluten-Free Turkey Gravy

This recipe comes together in less than 10 minutes. First, we need to get two cups of total stock and or drippings.

Step 1- Gather Turkey Drippings

Pour drippings from the bottom of the pan into a glass measuring cup or fat separator. I don't bother straining at this point because we are going to strain when transferring to a gravy pitcher.

Allow the drippings to cool a bit so that the fat rises to the top and starts to solidify. Use a spoon to remove the fat if using a glass measuring cup.

Otherwise pour from your separator into a measuring cup. If you don’t have enough pan juices to equal 2 cups for your turkey gravy recipe, add enough turkey stock until you have 2 cups of drippings.

Step 2- Reduce Stock

Pour your two cups of stock/ drippings into a small saucepan. Cook on medium-high heat until it bubbles. Reduce the stock by 25%. About 5 minutes.

Turn down the heat on the saucepan until your homemade gravy is simmering. You don't want a rolling boil, just a few nice bubbles.

Step 3- Make a Slurry

In a small bowl mix together a ¼ cup of the warm stock and the potato starch. Stir until smooth and dissolved.

Whisk potato starch mixture into the pan, and continue to whisk for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until thickened.

If your gravy is too thin you can make another round of slurry and add a little at a time until thickened.

Step 4- Season to Taste

Add salt and black pepper to taste. If you have any lumps pour the gravy through a fine-mesh strainer and into your gravy pitcher.

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tip

When using plain turkey stock without pan drippings I like to add a splash of acid. Either lemon or cider vinegar will give the gravy a boost of flavor.

💭 Turkey Gravy Variations

Herb Turkey Gravy

Add one tablespoon of finely chopped fresh herbs. I recommend any combination of thyme, parsley, and sage. Use a smaller quantity if using dried herbs as they are stronger. Especially dry-rubbed sage.

Mushroom Gravy

Saute 2 tablespoons of shallots in olive oil over medium heat until soft. Add 12 ounces of thinly sliced cremini mushrooms. Saute to release the liquid, once the liquid is almost evaporated add your turkey stock.

Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce for a richer flavor.

Creamy Turkey Gravy

Stir in ¼ cup heavy cream BEFORE adding your potato starch. You made need less of the starch slurry. This variation is not dairy-free.

🌡️ Storage

Leftover turkey gravy should be stored in the fridge in a airtight container. It will be good for 3 to 5 days.

Reheat leftover gravy in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally to incorporate the fat.

You can reheat it in the microwave, and cover it with a pepper towel to prevent splatters.

More Gluten-Free Holiday Recipes

💬Frequently Asked Questions

📖 Recipe

Gluten-Free Turkey Gravy

Delicious turkey gravy without flour making it gluten-free and dairy free.

Servings: 8

Prep: 10 mins

Total: 10 mins

5 from 14 votes

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Equipment

• Fat Separator
• Small sauce pan

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 2 cups turkey stock or drippings from turkey 's roasting pan
• ▢ 2 teaspoons potato starch
• ▢ kosher salt to taste
• ▢ ground black pepper to taste
• ▢ lemon

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

 

With Turkey Drippings

• Pour drippings into a glass measuring cup, then allow the drippings to cool a bit so that the fat rises to the top and starts to solidify. Use a spoon to remove the fat. If you don’t have enough drippings to equal 2 cups, add enough chicken or turkey stock until you have 2 cups of drippings.
  2 cups turkey stock

Without Turkey Drippings

• Use 2 cups chicken broth or turkey stock.
  2 cups turkey stock

Turkey Gravy

• Pour your two cups of stock/ drippings into a small saucepan. Cook on medium-high heat until it bubbles. Reduce by 25%.
• In a small bowl mix together a ¼ cup of the warm stock and the potato starch. Stir until smooth and dissolved.
  2 teaspoons potato starch
• Reduce the heat to a simmer. Whisk potato starch mixture into the pan, continue to whisk for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until thickened.
• Add salt and pepper to taste. If you have any lumps pour the gravy through a fine mesh strainer and into your gravy pitcher.
  kosher salt, ground black pepper

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Notes

• Cornstarch can be substituted for potato starch. Leave the pan over low heat when whisking in the cornstarch. It may take up to 5 minutes of whisking and cooking on low for the gravy to completely thicken.
• When just using turkey stock and no pan juices, add a splash of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to brighten up the flavor.
• The gravy should taste slightly saltier than a typical sauce. When serving over foods like turkey and mashed potatoes, a heavy hand on seasoning is welcome. 

Nutrition

Calories: 23kcal | Carbs: 3g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Fiber: 1g

Author: Jen Wooster

Course:: Condiment, Sauce

Cuisine: American, Christmas, Thanksgiving

Keyword dairy free gravy, gluten free gravy, gluten free turkey gravy, turkey gravy without flour

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