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How to Make Gravy without Drippings is perfect for a holiday feast when you don’t have a Turkey with drippings to use! It’s rich, savory, and made with just 4 main ingredients and a few seasonings.
Easy Homemade Gravy Without Drippings
This quick and easy gluten free gravy recipe is exactly what you need in your arsenal for holiday feasts and easy home cooked meals alike.
Whip up this gravy without drippings any time and ladle it over any tasty meal to make it even more delicious! Since you may want gravy for a dish without roasting a whole turkey, we have you covered!
This homemade gravy is perfectly balanced in flavor, deliciously salty and savory, and requires only simple, staple ingredients you probably already have at home.
Now, if you do have turkey made, go make this Turkey Gravy instead!
Ingredients Needed
- Broth – I typically use chicken broth, but you can swap it out for turkey broth, beef broth, or even veggie broth if that’s what you have on hand. You can also make your own broth using my instant pot/ slow cooker chicken broth recipe or my homemade turkey stock recipe. If you’re using store-bought broth, I recommend getting a low sodium one so that you can control the saltiness of your gravy. You can always add more!
- Seasonings – We’re seasoning with a simple blend of garlic powder, onion powder, fresh thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Lemon Juice – A splash of lemon juice gives the more savory gravy a touch of brightness.
- Cornstarch – Cornstarch is our thickener of choice to achieve the best texture.
- Butter – Butter is an optional addition, but does add delicious flavor depth.
How to Make Gravy Without Drippings
This gluten free gravy recipe is ready to go in just 10 minutes!
- Combine ingredients: In a medium saucepan, add broth, herbs and seasonings, and lemon juice. Heat to a boil.
- Add the slurry: In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with a little bit of water until smooth. Slowly add that to the broth, while whisking to incorporate into the gravy.
- Cook and serve: Let the mixture boil for a couple of minutes to thicken. Add the butter, then taste and re-season if necessary. Serve warm!
What is the Best Thickener for Gluten-Free Gravy?
My favorite gluten-free thickener to use for this gravy is cornstarch. It has no real flavor to mask and has twice the thickening power of flour.
In other gravy recipes, I’ve used tapioca or arrowroot powder, but I found those to be a little bit gummy in this one. If that’s all you have on hand, though, they will work in a pinch—you just may need a little bit more to achieve the same thickness.
Tips and Notes
- Whisk immediately when you add the slurry. Letting it sit in the liquid before you stir will likely create lumps. Whisk it in right away until it is evenly distributed throughout the gravy.
- If your gravy isn’t thick enough, simply let it simmer a little bit longer. It will thicken as the excess moisture evaporates.
- If your gravy is too thick, add broth to thin it out a little bit.
- Making this for roasted chicken? Add in the pan drippings! They add tons of delicious flavor. Simply measure the drippings out, then add broth to equal the two cups of liquid needed.
- Have turkey? Now, if you do have turkey made, make this Turkey Gravy instead!
Serving Suggestions
Gravy is, of course, a classic for a holiday meal spooned over:
- Mashed Potatoes
- Gluten Free Stuffing
- Green Bean Casserole
- Spatchcock Chicken
- Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes
It also makes an excellent pairing with:
How to Store
Leftover gravy is best fresh but can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To enjoy again, simply thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen, then warm on low on the stove until heated through. It will likely be pretty thick, so you may need to add a splash of broth or water to thin it out!
More Holiday Side Dishes You’ll Love
- Cranberry Relish
- Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread Muffins
- Easy Pumpkin Soup
- Cranberry Walnut Roasted Acorn Squash
How To Make Gravy Without Drippings
Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken broth see note
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme picked (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon butter optional
Instructions
- In a medium sauce pan add broth, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme (if using), salt, pepper and lemon juice. Heat to medium and bring to a boil.
- In a small bowl whisk cornstarch with 2 tablespoon of water until smooth, to create a slurry to thicken the gravy.
- Add slurry to broth, and whisk immediately to combine. Continue to boil and thicken up for 2-3 minutes.
- Whisk in butter to combine, if using, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
