How To Make Gravy Without Drippings - From A Chef's Kitchen

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4.80 from 5 votesHow to Make Gravy Without Drippings

By CarolPublished Nov 20, 2021Jump to Recipe ▼

2 Comments

1 hr 5 mins

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There are few things in life like good gravy! But what if you’re deep-frying, smoking or just doing a turkey breast for your holiday dinner? With only five ingredients, this method for How to Make Gravy Without Drippings will be your go-to gravy solution all year round! Serve with my Roast Turkey Breast with Traditional Stuffing and Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes!

“This gravy turned out perfectly!“

Gravy in white gravy boat on beige napkin with ladle.

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Why This Recipe is a Keeper!
No-Drippings Gravy Recipe:
Chef Tips and Tricks:
recipe faqs:
Serve gravy with:
How to Make Gravy Without Drippings Recipe

Why This Recipe is a Keeper!

With only five ingredients–including salt and pepper–this gravy solution is one you want in your back pocket so you don’t need to rely on packaged mixes or gravy from a jar.

Reducing the broth/stock/bone broth intensifies the flavor which can be done two to three days in advance as can the gravy.
It can then be reheated in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stovetop when you’re ready to serve it.
Make it vegetarian with vegetable broth or mushroom broth!

Here’s how to make gravy without drippings!

Gravy in white gravy boat on beige napkin.

No-Drippings Gravy Recipe:

Recipe Ingredients:

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this gravy recipe. See the recipe card below for the exact quantities.

Ingredients for How to Make Gravy Without Drippings.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions:

Broth or Stock: The best broth or stock is the one you make yourself but that’s not always possible. When I can’t make my own or don’t have any homemade, I use a good MSG-free, lower-sodium chicken broth such as Swanson’s Natural Goodness Chicken Broth or their chicken bone broth. Kitchen Basics makes a turkey stock that you can usually find around Thanksgiving. Always use a lower-sodium broth/stock because as it reduces, the flavor concentrates, as will the salt level.
Butter: I always use unsalted butter in cooking because I can adjust the salt level myself.
All-Purpose Flour: Using all-purpose flour rather than cornstarch will enable you to reheat the gravy better and easier. If you want to make it gluten-free, then use corn starch, arrowroot, a gluten-free flour blend or sweet rice flour which is a favorite gluten-free thickener in the personal chef industry.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Gather the ingredients.
Pour 6 cups of chicken broth/stock/bone broth or turkey stock into a saucepan.

Chicken broth in stainless steel saucepan.

Bring it to a boil, reduce heat to medium and let it reduce until it’s reduced to approximately four cups (or by 1/3).

Reduced chicken broth in stainless steel saucepan.

Pour the reduced broth/stock/bone broth into another container such as a stainless steel bowl or get another saucepan ready.
Melt the butter over medium-high heat in a saucepan.

Melted butter in stainless steel saucepan.

Add the flour and cook that for three to four minutes or until it JUST begins turning a deeper color and takes on a nutty aroma. You don’t want it too roasty-toasty or your gravy will taste like gumbo. 🙂

Flour added to melted butter in stainless steel saucepan.

Whisk whisking butter and flour in stainless steel saucepan.

Slowly pour the reduced broth/stock/bone broth into the roux and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for four to five minutes or until thickened.
It will thicken upon standing so let it stand for 5 to 10 minutes to thicken up a little more before making any adjustments.
Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
That’s it! How to Make Gravy Without Drippings!
MAKE AHEAD: Can be made 2 to 3 days ahead of time. Reheat in the microwave on medium heat until heated through, stirring halfway through. Can also be transferred to a saucepan and reheated on the stove.

Pour it into your fanciest gravy boat and everyone will think you’re a magician!

Gravy in white gravy boat on beige napkin with sage sprig.

Chef Tips and Tricks:

To keep track of how much broth/stock is reducing, I insert the handle of an old wooden spoon into the broth to measure the depth. I then make a tiny, inconspicuous notch with a paring knife in the handle of the spoon to where the broth came. Then, I periodically insert the handle back in to see if the broth has reduced as much as I want. You could also do this with a wooden skewer and mark it with a pen or marker, but you’ll want to discard and not reuse the skewer.
If the gravy is not as thick as you like, combine a tablespoon of flour with a little of the gravy, stir well, add it back to the gravy, and simmer a little while longer. (Be sure to let it rest as it thickens upon standing.)
If the gravy is too thick, add a little extra broth or make it creamy with a touch of cream, half-and-half, or milk.

Gravy in white gravy boat on beige napkin with plates, wine glass and stuffing in the background.

recipe faqs:

How far in advance can I make gravy?

You can make this gravy two to three days in advance. Just refrigerate until needed.

Can I freeze gravy?

Absolutely! Just cool thoroughly then place in an airtight container. Freeze for one to two months. Thaw in the refrigerator or in the microwave.

How can I make this gluten-free?

Use a gluten-free flour blend, corn starch, arrowroot or sweet rice flour (Mochiko) which we use a lot in the personal chef industry.

Serve gravy with:

Roast Turkey Breast with Traditional Stuffing
Roast Chicken Half with Fingerling Potatoes
Garlic Herb Butter Roast Chicken with Root Vegetables
Twice-Baked Mashed Potatoes (Mashed Potato Casserole)

Sweet on sauces? Get all my Sauce, Dressing and Marinade Recipes at Sauces, Dressing and Marinades – From A Chef’s Kitchen

SaveSaved Pin Print 4.80 from 5 votes

How to Make Gravy Without Drippings

By Carol | From A Chef’s Kitchen With only five ingredients, this method for How to Make Gravy Without Drippings will be your go-to gravy solution all year round! Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes Servings: 8 Save this recipe!Get this recipe and a weekly serving of fresh recipes and menu inspiration delivered to your inbox!Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Email Email Post Post Save

Equipment

Saucepan
Measuring Cups
Whisk
Gravy Boat

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients 1x2x3x

▢ 6 cups chicken broth or stock, or turkey or beef broth or stock
▢ 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
▢ 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
▢ Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Pour the chicken broth or stock into a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium and let simmer 30-45 minutes or until reduced by 1/3 or to approximately 4 cups.
Transfer to a heat-proof bowl or use another saucepan to complete.
Cut the butter into 3 or 4 pieces then place in a saucepan. Melt over medium heat.
Add the flour and cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes or until it JUST begins to turn darker in color and takes on a slightly nutty aroma.
Slowly pour in the reduced broth/stock. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 4-5 minutes or until thickened. It will thicken upon standing so let it stand for 5-10 minutes to thicken up a little more before making any adjustments.
Taste to see if it needs salt. If so, add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Notes

SUBSTITUTIONS:

To make it gluten-free, then use corn starch, arrowroot, a gluten-free flour blend, or sweet rice flour which is a favorite gluten-free thickener in the personal chef industry.

TIPS:

To track how much broth/stock is reducing, I insert the handle of an old wooden spoon into the broth to measure the depth. I then make a tiny, inconspicuous notch with a paring knife in the spoon’s handle to where the broth came. Then, periodically insert the handle back in to see if the broth has reduced as much as I want. You could also do this with a wooden skewer and mark it with a pen or marker, but you’ll want to discard and not reuse the skewer.
If the gravy is not as thick as you like, combine a tablespoon of flour with a little of it, stir well, add it back to the gravy, and simmer a bit longer. (Be sure to let it rest as it thickens upon standing.)
If the gravy is too thick, add a little extra broth or cream, half-and-half, or milk to make it creamy.

MAKE AHEAD:

Can be made 2-3 days ahead of time and refrigerated.
Reheat in the microwave on MEDIUM until heated through, stirring halfway through. Or, transfer to a saucepan and reheat on the stove.

FREEZER-FRIENDLY:

Cool completely, then place in an airtight container. Freeze for one to two months.
Thaw in the refrigerator or the microwave.
Reheat in the microwave or stovetop.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 113kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 2gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 720mgPotassium: 152mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 266IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional values are automatically calculated using unbranded products and are estimates only. Actual results may vary based on ingredients used and portion sizes. Adjust as needed for dietary restrictions, allergies, or health concerns.

Like this? Leave a comment below! Chicken gravy in white gravy boat garnished with sage leaves.

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About Carol

Carol is a personal chef with 22 years of experience cooking food people want to eat! Here, you'll find expert techniques, time-saving tips, and flavor-packed dishes you'll be proud to serve family and friends.

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4.80 from 5 votes (4 ratings without comment)

2 Comments

This gravy turned out perfectly! Thank you!
Reply
1. Hi, JD, Awesome!! Thanks so much and happy it worked out so well for you.
  Reply

Carol Borchardt in black chef's jacket holding a camera.

Welcome!

I’m Carol, a personal chef with 22 years of hands-on experience cooking for hundreds of happy clients. Here you’ll find over 600 thoughtfully developed, restaurant-quality recipes that are creative yet practical, so you can cook with confidence and make food worth staying home for.

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