Apple Cider Turkey Gravy - Easiest Gravy Recipe Ever! (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good gravy? ›

Browning adds more flavor to the gravy and gets rid of the raw flour taste. You're basically making a roux. We find that a flour-based gravy holds up better and reheats better later, which is why we tend to prefer using flour over cornstarch to make gravy unless we have a guest who is eating gluten-free.

Acid: When you think of gravy, you think of a velvety, lightly salty and sometimes fatty sauce that makes anything on your plate better. But when you cut it with a little bit of lemon juice or vinegar, the acidity enhances all of the ingredients and goodness that goes into your gravy.

Bonus: Seasoning for Tasty Gravy

I only season my homemade gravy with salt and pepper, and it's delicious! If you want to add more spices, avoid anything with large pieces (such as dried rosemary) to keep gravy smooth. Thyme, onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, paprika, and oregano all taste great.

Fortunately, Shannon has several suggestions for fixing bland gravy, starting by adding a bouillon cube, herbs or a splash of wine or cognac. But if you have time to spare, add pan drippings from turkey, bacon or bacon drippings, caramelized vegetables (like onions, leeks, carrots and celery), herbs or garlic.

Cornstarch should thicken gravy in less than a minute when at a simmer. If it doesn't thicken enough, it's a sign that you need more cornstarch. Whisk in more cornstarch slurry a little at a time, and let each addition come to a simmer before adding more.

Melt butter in a medium-sized sauce pan. Add flour and whisk constantly until mixture is golden caramel color and smells fragrant (3-5 minutes). Slowly whisk in liquids, while whisking, until mixture is smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened and bubbly, 5 minutes or longer.

You can use either stock or broth for keeping dressing moist or as a basis for gravy, but a strong flavor will give you better results.

If your gravy is tasting a little less than stellar, all you have to do is stir in some cooked, chopped bacon, caramelized onions and/or some Dijon or spicy/whole grain mustard for a major flavor upgrade. Need a good gravy recipe to get started? Get Rach's no-fail gravy recipe here and get ready for oohs and aahs.

What's the difference between turkey gravy and regular gravy? ›

Thus, turkey gravy is a brown gravy. You can also make brown gravy with the drippings from other kinds of meat, such as a roast or chicken. White gravy is made with milk, fat, and a thickening agent; white gravy is made without drippings, and with sausage added is popular for biscuits and gravy.

Apple cider vinegar adds a nice tang and taste to dressings and sauces. Mixed with herbs and olive oil, cider vinegar makes an excellent vinaigrette, especially for hearty salads comprised of kale, arugula, or spinach, topped with nuts, cheese, beans, and seeds.

If you have added too much vinegar to a recipe, you can try adding a bit of sugar or honey to help balance the acidity. You could also try diluting the vinegar by adding more of the other ingredients in the recipe.

Cornstarch works remarkably well as a thickener in sauces, gravy, and pie fillings, and some prefer it to flour. 2 You won't be able to taste the cornstarch the way you sometimes can taste the flour. Be aware that these foods will be more translucent.

If your gravy is on the skimpy side, you can thicken it quickly with flour or cornstarch. But don't add your thickener directly to the gravy, which will create lumps. Instead, try stirring in three or four tablespoons of flour or cornstarch into a small amount of cold water until you have a smooth paste.

If the gravy lacks oomph, adjust seasoning as necessary with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. If you used canned stock instead of homemade, the gravy might not be as flavorful. Homemade stock, even made with chicken stock rather than turkey, will produce a superior gravy—so it's worth the effort.

One easy way to thicken gravy is to simply reduce the liquid. Add any pan drippings you have to a small or medium-sized saucepan. Then, add in 1 cup of liquid, and simmer on medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces by at least a third and the flavors are more concentrated.

Gravy Master® contains a concentrated blend of celery, onion, parsley, garlic, caramel, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, apple vinegar, salt and pure cane sugar. It does not have any chemical preservatives or any artificial coloring. It is a all vegetarian and can be used in any vegetarian or vegan dish.