Chef John's Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy

This Thanksgiving turkey gravy made with roasted vegetables and turkey wings is made before you roast your turkey. Smooth, savory, and delicious, this make-ahead gravy frees up valuable kitchen time for all the other parts of your Thanksgiving meal, plus it will probably look and taste way better than those frantic, last-minute versions.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 4 hr
• Total Time: 4 hr 15 mins
• Calories: 115 Calories

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons butter
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 large onion, chopped
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 ribs celery, chopped
• 2 large turkey wings
• 10 cups cold water

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Step 2

Bring turkey wing mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until meat falls off the bone, about 3 hours. Skim off turkey fat throughout the process and set aside 2 tablespoons.

Step 3

Strain turkey stock and reserve 6 cups of stock; discard all the solids.

Step 4

Combine onion, carrots, celery, and vegetable oil in a large roasting pan and toss to coat. Place turkey wings on top of vegetables.

Step 5

Roast in the preheated oven until turkey wings are browned and vegetables are caramelized and softened, 45 to 60 minutes.

Step 6

Transfer turkey wings and vegetables to a large stockpot. Place the roasting pan over a stovetop burner set to medium heat. Pour 2 tablespoons cold water into the pan and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits. Transfer mixture to the stockpot and add 10 cups cold water, thyme, and garlic.

Step 7

Heat butter and 2 tablespoons reserved turkey fat in a large saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle in flour and cook, whisking constantly, until it begins to smell like cooked pie crust, 2 to 3 minutes. Slowly pour in reserved turkey stock, whisking constantly.

Step 8

Increase heat to high and simmer gravy until thick and warmed through, about 5 minutes. Season with cayenne, salt, and pepper.