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Perfect Make Ahead Turkey Gravy Recipe for Thanksgiving

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A rich, velvety turkey gravy made with roasted turkey wings and aromatic vegetables, perfect for preparing ahead of time to make your Thanksgiving stress-free and delicious.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 23 large turkey wings
  • 2 medium carrots, roughly chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 1 large yellow onion, quartered
  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 6 cups chicken or turkey broth
  • 2 bay leaves
  • A few sprigs fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400Β°F (200Β°C). Roughly chop the carrots, celery, and onion, and smash the garlic cloves.
  2. Place the turkey wings, vegetables, and garlic in a roasting pan. Roast for 45-50 minutes, turning once, until the wings are golden brown and the vegetables are caramelized.
  3. Transfer the roasted wings and vegetables to a large stockpot. Add 6 cups of chicken or turkey broth, along with bay leaves and thyme. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for 1.5 hours. Skim off any foam or fat that rises to the surface.
  4. Remove the wings and vegetables from the pot. Pour the broth through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean bowl or another pot. Discard the solids.
  5. In the same stockpot, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in 4 tablespoons of flour and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until golden and bubbly.
  6. Slowly pour the strained broth into the roux, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Once combined, bring to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes until thickened to your desired consistency.
  7. Season the gravy with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and let it cool completely.
  8. Transfer the cooled gravy to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
  9. Reheat the gravy over low heat, whisking occasionally, and if needed, add a splash of broth or water to adjust the consistency.

Notes

[‘Roast the turkey wings and vegetables for added depth of flavor.’, ‘Use a sturdy balloon whisk for blending the roux and broth seamlessly.’, ‘Adjust the consistency by adding more broth or simmering longer.’, ‘Taste and adjust seasoning to suit your preferences.’, ‘Gravy often tastes better the next day as flavors meld together.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: Thanksgiving, turkey gravy, make-ahead recipe, holiday recipe, rich gravy, velvety gravy