The Best (Do-Ahead) Turkey Gravy

Submitted by Dee514

"Thought I'd post this recipe I found in the Nov. 2002 issue of Good Housekeeping magazine early (for those who don't suscribe). I have always made my turkey gravy (in large quantities) in advance of cooking Thanksgiving dinner (only so many burners, and limited oven space available on "turkey day"). I'm posting this recipe because I think its better than the one I've used for years, and any "short cut/advanced prep" that frees up oven/burner space on "turkey day" is a big help to me, so I wanted to share it with all my Zaar friends :) This recipe can be prepared up to 3 days in advance of serving, and reheated in the microwave when needed. BTW: Turkey wings can usually be had at a major discount at most supermarkets/butchers prior to the holidays, since they frequently remove the wings when they "package" the breast roasts. Ask your poultry supplier/butcher to put some aside for you ;)"

 

• Ready In: 1hr 40mins
• Ingredients: 11
• Yields: 6 Cups (approx)

ingredients

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 turkey wings (about 1 1/2 pounds, separated at the joints)
• 1 large onion, quartered
• 2 carrots, each cut into 4 pieces
• 2 stalks celery, each cut into 4 pieces
• 1 clove garlic, sliced in half
• 1⁄2 cup dry white wine (my preference is Chardonnay)
• 3 1⁄2 cups chicken broth (or two 14 1/2 ounce cans)
• 1⁄4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups water

directions

1. In deep 12 inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat until hot.
2. Add turkey wings and cook 10 to 15 minutes or until golden on all sides.
3. Add onions, carrots, celery and garlic, and cook 8-10 minutes or until turkey wings and vegetables are browned, stirring frequently.
4. Transfer turkey and vegetables to a large bowl.
5. Add wine to skillet, and stir until browned bits are loosened.
6. Return turkey and veggies to skillet.
7. Stir in broth, thyme and 3 cups water, heat to boiling over high heat.
8. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, uncovered, 45 minutes.
9. Strain into an 8-cup measure or a large bowl; discard solids.
10. Let broth stand a few seconds until fat separates from meat juice.
11. Spoon 1/4 cup fat from broth into 2-quart saucepan; skim and discard any remaining fat.
12. Add flour to fat in saucepan; cook, stirring over medium heat until flour turns golden brown.
13. Gradually whisk in reserved broth and cook until gravy boils and thickens slightly, stirring constantly.
14. Pour gravy into a 2-quart container or medium bowl, cover and refrigerate.
15. At serving time, reheat gravy and add pan drippings (and/or cooked diced giblets) from the roast turkey if you like.
16. Gravy can be reheated in microwave prior to serving.

Reviews

[Gold Medal Flower]

I printed this recipe at Thanskgiving time and misplaced it, so I came back to Zarr today just to get it again, so I can make it again for Christmas dinner. Since deep frying turkey at Thanksgiving has become a rather new tradition in our home, making a good gravy without the drippings from a roast turkey had become a challenge. Until I found this recipe!! Thank you, thank you, thank you Dee!!! It's simply delicious! I didn't change a thing and it's great to be able to make this the day before! This gravy will become a tradition along with the deep fried turkey. And Dee514 will forever be known as my gravy HERO!

 

[Carmen B.]

I found this gravy to be very easy to make except I only got approximately 3 1/2 cups and had to make more.This is a great do ahead gravy for turkey especially at Christmas when there just isn't enough time.

 

[D. Duckie]

This was so good! My SIL especially couldn't stop raving about it and asked for some of the leftovers! (We had 15 for dinner and had plenty left!) This was easy to make though definitely time consuming. The only thing I did different was use a sweet wine and it didn't seem to cause any problems. I'll be making a double batch next time just to freeze and have on hand! Thanks for sharing!

 

[DeniseMB]

I'll be honest - I'm 57 and am gravy-making impared - jarred gravy was better than mine. ;) Gave this a whirl & my husband said it was the best ever (great compliment as both our late mothers were fabulous cooks). I also had the problem of reduction after simmering, but supplemented it with some commercial roasted chicken broth while whisking into the desired consistancy. As we brine & rotissiere our turkey, removing the (usually) unwanted wings ahead of time worked well. Froze a small portion of leftover gravy - will be interested to see how it thaws/reheats. THANK YOU, DEE!

 

[Dreamer in Ontario]

This recipe makes a delicious gravy with the convenience of being able to make gravy ahead of time. I added the neck and giblets to the broth and simmered everything for about an hour. The gravy was frozen until the day of the dinner. Update Dec/09: This year I made this using 2 lbs of neck pieces. The resulting gravy was wonderful.