If you’re looking to elevate your holiday meal with rich, deeply savory flavors, Homemade Turkey Gravy with Giblets is your secret weapon. This classic gravy combines the natural juices of the turkey with flavorful giblets, creating a luscious sauce that complements every slice and side. Whether it’s Thanksgiving or a festive gathering, this step-by-step guide will show you how to make a beautifully velvety gravy that’s far beyond store-bought, turning your feast into an unforgettable experience.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Full-bodied flavor: Using giblets enhances the gravy’s richness and adds complex, meaty notes you won’t find in simple pan drippings.
Perfect texture: The silky, smooth consistency makes every bite of your turkey moist and delicious.
Simple ingredients: Easy-to-find pantry staples come together effortlessly, making this recipe approachable for cooks of every level.
Versatile use: Ideal not just for holiday turkeys, but also great with chicken, mashed potatoes, and stuffing.
Customizable depth: You can tweak herbs and seasoning to suit your family’s unique taste preferences.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Homemade Turkey Gravy with Giblets starts with a handful of essential ingredients, each playing a critical role in building the perfect balance of flavor, color, and texture. From the savory giblets to aromatic vegetables and savory broth, the list is simple but powerful.

Turkey giblets: The chopped liver, heart, and gizzard provide a deep, robust essence to the gravy.
Turkey drippings: Collected from roasting the bird, these juices carry a natural savory base brimming with flavor.
Butter: Adds richness and helps in creating a smooth roux for thickening.
All-purpose flour: The thickening agent that transforms your stock into luscious gravy.
Onion and celery: Aromatics that boost the savory notes and add subtle sweetness.
Chicken or turkey broth: Enhances the depth and ensures a silky consistency.
Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings to round out the flavors perfectly.
Fresh herbs (thyme, sage, or parsley): Brighten and add a fragrant, herbal touch to finish the gravy.

Variations for Homemade Turkey Gravy with Giblets

Feel free to personalize this recipe to suit your palate, dietary preferences, or what you have on hand. These adaptations make it easy to create your perfect gravy experience.

Vegetarian option: Skip the giblets and use mixed mushrooms and vegetable broth for a rich, earthy gravy alternative.
Wine-infused gravy: Add a splash of dry white or sherry wine to the broth for a subtle acidity and layered flavor.
Spicy kick: Incorporate a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to amp up the warmth and complexity.
Herb variations: Experiment with rosemary or tarragon for a unique aromatic twist.
Gluten-free version: Substitute all-purpose flour with cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend for thickening.

How to Make Homemade Turkey Gravy with Giblets

Step 1: Prepare the Giblets

Start by rinsing the giblets thoroughly under cold water. Then, gently simmer the liver, heart, and gizzard in water with a pinch of salt and half an onion for about 45 minutes until tender. This simmering creates a flavorful giblet broth that forms the foundation of your gravy.

Step 2: Collect Turkey Drippings

After roasting your turkey, carefully pour the drippings from the roasting pan into a fat separator or bowl. Let the fat rise to the top and skim off most of it to avoid greasy gravy, reserving a few tablespoons for cooking.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatics and Giblets

In a large skillet or saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and celery; cook until translucent and fragrant. Chop the cooked giblets finely and stir them into the sautéed vegetables to build flavor depth.

Step 4: Make the Roux

Sprinkle flour over the butter and vegetable mixture, stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes. Cooking the flour removes its raw taste and ensures a smooth, velvety gravy once liquid is added.

Step 5: Add Broth and Drippings

Slowly whisk in the giblet broth, turkey drippings, and chicken or turkey broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Simmer until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency.

Step 6: Season and Finish

Season with salt and pepper to taste. For a fresh finish, stir in chopped thyme, sage, or parsley just before serving. Strain the gravy through a fine sieve if you prefer a silky smooth texture.

Pro Tips for Making Homemade Turkey Gravy with Giblets

Use a fat separator: It helps remove excess fat from drippings, giving your gravy a perfect balance of richness without greasiness.
Don’t skip the giblet broth: Simmering giblets creates a flavorful stock that truly elevates the gravy.
Stir constantly: To avoid lumps and burn spots in your roux or gravy, continuous stirring is key.
Adjust thickness gradually: If your gravy becomes too thick, stir in additional broth a little at a time.
Make ahead: Gravy often tastes better the next day after flavors meld; just reheat gently with a splash of broth.

How to Serve Homemade Turkey Gravy with Giblets

Garnishes

Adding a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or thyme on top brings vibrant color and an herbal fragrance that brightens the rich gravy.

Side Dishes

This gravy pairs beautifully over mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, stuffing, and of course, turkey itself, enhancing every bite with moistness and depth of flavor.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve your gravy in a warm gravy boat or even pour it over fluffy biscuits or buttery dinner rolls for an unexpected, delightful twist at your holiday table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Give it a good stir before reheating to redistribute any separated fat.

Freezing

Homemade Turkey Gravy with Giblets freezes very well. Pour it into freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving space for expansion, and store for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat gravy gently on the stove over low heat, stirring often to prevent scorching. Add a bit of broth or water if it has thickened too much during storage.

FAQs

Can I make Homemade Turkey Gravy with Giblets without the giblets?

Absolutely! While giblets add depth and richness, you can still make delicious gravy using just the turkey drippings and broth. Consider adding extra herbs or sautéed onions to boost flavor.

How do I avoid lumpy gravy?

The key is to whisk continuously when adding liquid to the roux and to cook the flour thoroughly before adding broth. Straining the gravy is also a helpful tip for smooth texture.

Is it safe to use giblets from the turkey packaging?

Yes, as long as the giblets are fresh and properly cooked. Always rinse and simmer them thoroughly before incorporating them into your gravy.

Can I prepare the gravy ahead of time?

Yes, making the gravy a day ahead allows flavors to meld beautifully. Just refrigerate and reheat gently before serving, adding extra broth if needed.

What can I substitute if I don’t have turkey drippings?

If turkey drippings are unavailable, use a combination of chicken or vegetable broth with butter and sautéed aromatics to create a flavorful gravy base.

Final Thoughts

Making Homemade Turkey Gravy with Giblets might seem like a small detail, but it truly transforms your holiday meal into something unforgettable. From the rich flavors to the velvety texture, it’s worth every step. So grab those giblets and get ready to impress your family and friends with a gravy that feels like a warm, comforting hug on every plate. Happy cooking!

Homemade Turkey Gravy with Giblets

Print Recipe

Homemade Turkey Gravy with Giblets is a rich and deeply savory sauce made from turkey drippings and flavorful giblets. This velvety gravy enhances holiday meals with a full-bodied, meaty flavor and smooth texture that pairs perfectly with turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and more. Simple pantry staples and fresh herbs combine for a customizable, versatile gravy that elevates every festive feast.

Author: Julia
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: About 2 to 3 cups of gravy 1x
Category: Sauces and Gravies
Method: Simmering and sautéing
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free (with flour substitution)

Ingredients

Scale

Giblets and Broth

Turkey giblets (liver, heart, gizzard), rinsed and chopped
Water (for simmering giblets)
Half an onion (for simmering giblets)
Chicken or turkey broth, about 2 cups
Turkey drippings from roasting pan, reserved with some fat skimmed off

Base Ingredients

2–3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour/cornstarch for gluten-free version)
1 small onion, finely chopped
1–2 stalks celery, finely chopped

Seasonings and Herbs

Salt, to taste
Ground black pepper, to taste
Fresh herbs (thyme, sage, or parsley), chopped, for finishing

Instructions

Prepare the Giblets: Rinse the giblets thoroughly under cold water. Simmer the liver, heart, and gizzard gently in water with a pinch of salt and half an onion for about 45 minutes until tender. This simmering process creates a rich giblet broth that will form the base of your gravy.
Collect Turkey Drippings: After roasting your turkey, pour the drippings from the roasting pan into a fat separator or bowl. Allow the fat to rise to the top and skim off most of it, keeping a few tablespoons to cook with, so your gravy won’t be greasy but retains richness.
Sauté Aromatics and Giblets: In a large skillet or saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and celery, cooking until translucent and fragrant. Chop the cooked giblets finely and stir them into the sautéed vegetables to deepen the flavor.
Make the Roux: Sprinkle the flour over the butter and vegetable mixture. Stir constantly for 2-3 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste and ensure a smooth, velvety base for your gravy.
Add Broth and Drippings: Gradually whisk in the giblet broth, reserved turkey drippings, and chicken or turkey broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer while stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Let it simmer until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency.
Season and Finish: Season the gravy with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in chopped fresh herbs such as thyme, sage, or parsley just before serving to add brightness. Optionally, strain the gravy through a fine sieve for an ultra-smooth texture.

Notes

Use a fat separator to remove excess fat from drippings for a perfectly balanced gravy.
Don’t skip simmering the giblets; the giblet broth intensifies the gravy’s depth and richness.
Continuous stirring is essential to prevent lumps and burning when making the roux and gravy.
Adjust thickness by adding broth gradually if the gravy is too thick.
Make the gravy a day in advance—flavors meld beautifully. Reheat gently, adding broth if needed.
For gluten-free gravy, substitute all-purpose flour with cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend.
Variations: use mushrooms and vegetable broth for a vegetarian gravy; add a splash of white wine or sherry for extra flavor; add cayenne or smoked paprika for a spicy kick; experiment with rosemary or tarragon as alternative herbs.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 cup
Calories: 90
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 250mg
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 5g
Fiber: 0.5g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 25mg

Keywords: turkey gravy, giblets gravy, homemade gravy, holiday gravy, Thanksgiving sauce, savory gravy, turkey sauce, gluten-free gravy option