ABK’s Free Thanksgiving Ebook, with printable timeline checklist, grocery list, more recipe links for ABK Thanksgiving favorites and additional Thanksgiving tips to help you keep everything running smoothly!
Making delicious simple pan gravy like your grandmother made is easy to do! This recipe is adaptable to any type of poultry or meat drippings, or using canned broth as well.
Simple Pan Gravy from any meat or poultry!
Have you ever made gravy using drippings from chicken, turkey or a pot roast? How about a pork roast? Drippings are the fat and juice leftover in the pan after meat has been cooked and are packed full of flavor!
Whether you make gravy from drippings or canned broth, it will taste better than a package mix, or gravy from a (yikes!) can. There are several different options when using a pre-made broth if you don’t have drippings. My first choice is good quality broth in a carton.
How to choose broth for gravy
I look for a broth without MSG or sugar. Depending on where you live, the choices will vary. My favorites are Swanson’s Natural Goodness Chicken Broth or Trader Joes’ Natural Chicken Broth. I also purchase Costco Kirkland brand chicken or beef stock when it is available.
Should I separate the fat from drippings?
When making Simple Pan Gravy from drippings, I remove most of the fat that rises to the top of the drippings before using the drippings. To do this, pour the drippings into a jar or large measuring cup or container. Place in refrigerator for about an hour. The fat will rise to the top and will be easy to scrape off of the top of the drippings and discard. For more detailed instructions, this Cook’s Illustrated article about separating and skimming fat may be helpful!
Secret ingredient…butter!
Some will argue that scraping the congealed fat off the top of the drippings is blasphemy! But seriously, to me, the fat from the drippings tend to taste greasy in gravy. I opt-out of using the fat in drippings and instead add butter to the pan. It may seem counterproductive, but it works for me, and I love the flavor of the end product!
Step by step tutorial to make the best pan gravy!
Give this recipe a try next time you cook a turkey, chicken, pork or beef roast. I think you will love it and never, ever, go back to pre-made gravy! Here’s my step-by-step photo tutorial for making Simple Pan Gravy, with recipe below:
Simple Pan Gravy
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup sifted flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 3 cups drippings from turkey, fat skimmed from top (or 3 cups canned broth)
- plus
- 1 3/4 cups additional broth, canned or bone broth*
- 1-2 packets stock see note below*
Instructions
- Melt butter in pan over medium to mneadium-high heat. Let butter become slightly browned. Be careful to not burn the butter!
- Add flour, sifting over pan. Use a whisk, and continue cooking butter and flour until smooth. This should cook for about 1-2 minutes, while whisking continually.
- Add drippings from turkey while whisking. Keep heat on medium to medium high. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until smooth and gravy thickens.
- Add the additional broth. Continue cooking until gravy is smooth and thickens back up a bit. Taste gravy.
- If you have only used canned broth, and the flavor is not strong enough, add 1-2 packets of flavor enhancer (see recipe notes).
- Mix until smooth. Taste and add more pepper if needed.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Be sure to leave a comment and give this recipe a rating, letting me know how you liked it. I’d love to see a photo, tag @abountifulkitchen on Instagram!
brittany Knudsen
I’ve always been intimidated by gravy but this pan gravy was so easy to make and super delicious!
Cass King
Super tasty! I baked a smaller turkey so only had 1 1/2 c of the turkey juice so I just halved the recipe and turned out great! Thicker gravy but yummy when fresh
Karen
i made this tonight to freeze until thanksgiving! it is delicious! i used the TJ’s turkey stock, warmed and one packet of the Knorr. It is awesome. I will always make this recipe!
Alexis
I love your Thanksgiving guide. I’ve used it the three times I’ve hosted. But this year I have a large group (15 adults, 13 kids). Should I use the same amounts listed or should I add more chicken broth to have enough gravy for everyone? Thanks!
Si Foster
Hi Alexis, this recipe should yield enough for everyone, but I might add a little more chicken broth just to be safe. Thanks so much for reading ABK!
xo
Si
alexis
Thank you for your reply! Phew, I feel relieved to know that. Yes, Becky Rosenthal @vintagemixer led me to you when I hosted my first Thanksgiving a few years back and I’m so thankful.
Trisha Burghardt
Delicious gravy every time! I’ve made this a few times and everyone always comments on how much they love it.
Si Foster
Trisha,
I’m so glad you love this recipe!
xo,
Si
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Cooking Queen
Where did you purchase your flat whisk? I would love to have one.