Gluten-Free Gravy

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This gluten-free gravy is ultra smooth and oh, so flavorful. Trust me when I say that it’s the best turkey gravy and no one will even notice it’s gluten-free. So don’t toss away the pan drippings after roasting your Thanksgiving turkey – use them in this luscious sauce!

Turkey gravy in a white gravy boat.

Aside from cranberry sauce, gravy is a Thanksgiving essential that ties everything together. It brings the turkey to life, makes mashed potatoes extra creamy, and adds a rich touch to roasted vegetables.

But for those who need to eat gluten-free during the holidays (like me), you’re in for a treat. Because this turkey gravy is super easy to make and just as good as any other gravy made from scratch. Let me show you how to make it!

Ingredients for gluten-free turkey gravy on a counter.

Gluten-Free Gravy Ingredients

  • Turkey Drippings: The flavorful drippings from your roast turkey add layers of flavor to this gravy. If you don’t have turkey drippings, just use turkey broth! You could also use chicken drippings and chicken broth. 
  • Arrowroot Powder: I prefer arrowroot powder as a gluten-free thickener, though you could also use cornstarch.
  • Butter or Ghee: Just a little bit of butter or ghee adds that buttery richness to the gravy, but if you’re dairy-free you can use water to dissolve the flour. No problem!
  • Salt & Pepper: A pinch is all you need.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

How To Make The Best Gluten-Free Gravy

Once you try this gravy, you won’t believe that it’s gluten-free, paleo, and Whole30 friendly. It’s just as rich, layered, and flavorful as any classic recipe.

First, strain the drippings. When the turkey is done roasting, strain the pan drippings through a fine mesh sieve into a large measuring cup. Use a spatula to to scrape off any remaining bits as well for extra flavoring.

Turkey drippings being drained into a measuring cup for gravy.

Second, skim the fat. As the drippings sit, the fat will separate and rise to the top. Once it does, skim off most of the fat and keep the broth below. Then pour everything into a pot and bring it to a boil.

Turkey broth being poured into a pot for turkey gravy.

Third, create a slurry. Whisk together the melted butter and arrowroot powder in a small bowl. If you’re dairy-free, you can use water here.

A slurry being mixed for a turkey gravy

Lastly, stir in the slurry. Once the broth boils, turn the heat off and slowly whisk in the slurry until it starts to thicken. Then, season with salt and pepper. The gravy will continue to thicken as it cools.

Whisking turkey gravy in a pot.

Common Questions

What if I’m not roasting a turkey and don’t have turkey drippings?

No problem, you can swap in store-bought turkey broth.

Can I make chicken gravy instead of turkey gravy?

Absolutely! If you’re making a roast chicken, you can use the drippings from that. Or you can use chicken broth as well.

What if my gravy isn’t thickening up?

You can add a little bit more arrowroot powder mixed with an equal amount of liquid (butter or water). But just be careful, as it can quickly go from watery to gel-like.

Make This Gravy Ahead Of Time

If you’re looking to save yourself from a kitchen frenzy on Thanksgiving day, make this gravy one day in advance. But instead of using turkey drippings, you’ll use turkey broth. Then, on Thanksgiving day (if you’ve made a turkey), you can add in a little bit of your turkey drippings for added flavor.

Storing And Reheating

Having leftover gravy is almost like liquid gold. But the downside is that it doesn’t last too long in the fridge. Here’s a tip below to get around that.

  • To store: Pour the gravy into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 2 days.
  • To Freeze: If you’re looking to keep this for longer, it will keep in the freezer for 4 months. You can store it in freezer safe containers, bags, or ice cube trays.
  • To reheat: Pour the gravy into a small pot then turn the heat to a low. Stir the gravy as it reheats so that it’s evenly cooked. You can also microwave it until warmed through.
Pouring the gluten-free gravy over a plate of turkey and vegetables.

Ways To Use Leftover Gravy

Complete Your Thanksgiving Menu

Hosting Thanksgiving can always be a bit nerve wracking. But as long as you plan ahead, figure out what dishes you’re making, and what ingredients you’ll need, it’ll be a breeze. Here are a few easy Thanksgiving side dishes to add to your menu this season.

If you’ve recently made this gluten-free gravy recipe, let me know how it turned out in a comment below! Your reviews greatly help this community. 

Gluten-free turkey gravy in a white gravy boat.

Gluten-Free Gravy

4.96 from 21 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Author: Lisa Bryan

Description

This gluten-free gravy is ultra-smooth and flavorful. Trust me when I say that it's the best turkey gravy and no one will even notice it's gluten-free. Watch the video below to see how I make it in my kitchen!

Video

Equipment

  • Gravy Boat This is the classic white gravy boat I'm using.

Ingredients 
 

  • 2 cups turkey drippings, or low-sodium chicken/turkey broth
  • 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder (or tapioca flour or cornstarch)
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter or ghee (or water for dairy-free)
  • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper , to taste

Instructions 

  • Once the turkey is done roasting, remove the turkey from the pan and strain the pan drippings through a fine mesh sieve into a large measuring cup.
    Turkey both strained in a colander into a cup.
  • Let the drippings sit for a few minutes until the fat separates and rises to the top. Skim off most of the fat, so just 1 to 2 tablespoons remain, but keep the broth below.
  • Transfer the turkey broth to a pot and bring to a boil. Note – If you weren't able to get 2 cups worth through your turkey drippings, you can supplement with turkey or chicken broth.
    Pouring broth into a pot for turkey gravy.
  • In a separate small bowl, combine the melted butter and arrowroot powder to create a slurry.
    Arrowroot flour and butter for turkey gravy.
  • Once the broth is boiling, turn off the heat, and gradually whisk the slurry into the broth until it begins to thicken. If you'd like the gravy thicker, you can add another tablespoon of arrowroot powder mixed with a tablespoon water.
  • Season with salt and pepper, then pour into a gravy boat. The gravy will continue to thicken as it cools.
    Gravy boat with turkey gravy on a table.

Lisa’s Tips

  • If using all broth and no drippings (which contain more fat), I’d recommend starting with less arrowroot powder, as it can turn gel-like quickly. 

Nutrition

Calories: 28kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 230mg | Potassium: 62mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: sauce
Cuisine: American
Keyword: gluten free gravy, gluten free gravy recipe, gluten free turkey gravy
Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

Recipe originally posted November 2020, but updated to include new information.

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About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

4.96 from 21 votes (1 rating without comment)

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50 Comments

  1. This is, by far, the easiest and best gluten free gravy recipe our family has tried! Thank you for the helpful hints!!5 stars

  2. I feel like such a broken record at this point. This recipe is top notch, super easy, and oh so delicious. Another home run Lisa, but as expected since you put so much effort to making sure your recipes are the tops. Thank you thank you!5 stars

  3. Excellent recipe, clear instructions, and great results! My gravy was a darker brown color since the veggies I roasted my turkey on top of got some caremelization in the process–it was so good! I used tapioca flour (a total of 3 TBS) to get the perfect, non-gloopy, gravy texture and everyone raved about it. I ended up with about 1 cup of turkey drippings after I drained the fat, but I had 1 cup of leftover homemade chicken stock to round it out. Thanks!!5 stars

    1. Hi Judy – yes, arrowroot powder can definitely go gooey if too much is added or if it’s heated. It’s really important that the gravy is removed from the heat before the arrowroot powder is added. But I’m happy you were able to remake it with the cornstarch!

  4. Just made this turkey dinner recipe tonight for early Thanksgiving, with your gravy that I’ve doubled up, and it was absolutely fantastic! Thank you so so much for helping make this dinner amazing. Even my 15-year olds and my 3-year old devoured it.5 stars

  5. I just made your roast chicken recipe and decided to whip up this gravy with the chicken drippings (I made this recipe last year for Thanksgiving with turkey drippings). And it’s so good on chicken as well! This definitely needs to be a year-round recipe, not just a holiday one.5 stars

    1. So glad you enjoyed the gravy on your chicken as well as your turkey! It really is a versatile gluten-free gravy that can add a little panache to so many recipes.

  6. Such a delicious recipe! I have one question-How ahead or how many days ahead, can I make this?
    Thank you Lisa, for such a delicious and simple recipe!5 stars

    1. This can be made a day in advance if using turkey broth instead of the pan drippings. Then, on Thanksgiving day (if you’ve made a turkey), you can add in a little bit of your turkey drippings for added flavor.

  7. This is the best gravy recipe! I have made it twice now. After Thanksgiving I make stock with the turkey carcass. I freeze the stock for the following year or when I want to make gravy. I tried this recipe for 2020 with stock from 2019 and it came out great! My first time making gravy from scratch. I just made it again tonight to use with chicken and roasted potatoes from my garden. This time I used my frozen 2020 stock. We BBQ our turkeys so the gravy has a slightly smokey flavor. Thanks Lisa B! From Lisa D!5 stars

  8. I made this for thanksgiving and it was delicious! It was really easy to make. It was perfect! I will definitely be making this again. 5 stars

  9. Hands down the best gravy I’ve ever had. This was really easy to make and it reheated perfectly. My husband does not live gravy but I think he ate more of this than I did! 5 stars

  10. Thank you so much for this super easy, delicious turkey gravy recipe and the tips. I had to add chicken broth to my drippings to make the 2 cups of broth and therefore reduced the salt to 1/4 Teaspoon.5 stars

  11. Such an easy way to make turkey gravy! I made this to go with our turkey breast and will make it again on Thanksgiving. Thanks5 stars

  12. I love gravy!! My mom used to make the best gravy, but never really had a recipe for it. She just said “I feel the recipe” haha. Wasn’t helpful for me because I wanted to make it now that I moved to the US. This one is so similar to hers, so thank you for writing it out as a recipe! This is definitely a keeper :)5 stars

    1. Now you can have an official list on how to make the best gravy! Hope you all enjoy this one over the holidays :)

  13. I am so excited about this recipe. My family has been eating low carb and this will be perfect for Thanksgiving. Thanks for sharing!5 stars