15 of Our Best Thanksgiving Gravy Recipes

Updated: Feb. 23, 2024

Forget store-bought! You can make flavorful gravy from scratch in 20 minutes. Here are Thanksgiving gravy recipes to keep handy for the holidays.

1 / 15

This is one of the best homemade gravy recipes for a busy day in the kitchen. You’ll need only six simple ingredients and 15 minutes to whip up a rich gravy for the turkey and mashed potatoes.

[/rms_recipe]

2 / 15

Mushroom Sour Cream Gravy

My grandma made this gravy every Thanksgiving to drizzle over sliced turkey and stuffing. When I have leftover turkey and mushroom gravy, I chop the turkey into small pieces and add it to the gravy. I serve it over a piece of bread, open-face style. —Joy Mellwig, Naples, Florida

Perfect for a plant-based holiday meal, this savory gravy can easily be made vegan by using plant-based butter and sour cream. New to the world of vegan cooking? Be sure to check our guide to the best vegan butter brands.

[/rms_recipe]

3 / 15

Talk about traditional Thanksgiving gravy! This recipe uses fresh vegetables to infuse a homemade broth made from leftover turkey. Then, a cornstarch slurry helps thicken it to the right consistency, while herbs like sage and thyme amp up the fall flavor.

[/rms_recipe]

4 / 15

Apple Gravy

You might want to make a double batch of this rich apple gravy. Yep, it's sensational with beef, but you've gotta try it on mashed potatoes, chops and roasted veggies, too. —Kathryn Conrad, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Wow your guests with one of our top-rated Thanksgiving gravy recipes. The secret ingredients that make this gravy rich and delicious? A quarter cup of apple brandy and an apple like Jonagold or Honeycrisp.

[/rms_recipe]

5 / 15

Chicken Gravy

This is a quick and easy chicken gravy for roasted chicken or baked chicken of any kind. It also goes perfectly with mashed potatoes! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
6 / 15

Best made a day in advance, the aroma of this flavorful Thanksgiving gravy will put the whole house in a holiday mood. Keep the turkey meat for our best leftover turkey recipes of all time!

[/rms_recipe]

7 / 15

Easy Turkey Gravy

A traditional, from-scratch easy turkey gravy recipe will work for any roasted meat or poultry. Switch up the herbs to fit your preferences, or simply use what you have on hand. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

True to its name, this is one of the best Thanksgiving gravy recipes if you’re short on time. Not only is our recipe ready in 20 minutes, but a single batch makes 16 servings and calls for six simple ingredients.

[/rms_recipe]

8 / 15

The key to this hearty Thanksgiving gravy recipe is finely chopped turkey giblets. The addition of fresh sage and white wine further enhance this flavorful recipe. No wine on hand? You can use chicken stock instead.

[/rms_recipe]

9 / 15

Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy

My family loves gravy, so I can never have enough of this make-ahead turkey gravy recipe on hand for a holiday dinner. The base is prepared with turkey wings and can be prepped in advance. —Linda Fitzsimmons, Fort Edward, New York

This is one of the best Thanksgiving gravy recipes for holiday tables that could never have too much gravy! You can bake the turkey wings and steep the broth up to two days in advance. Then, on the day of your feast, whisk in the flour and butter (a flat whisk is ideal for this task).

[/rms_recipe]

10 / 15

Make-Ahead Maple & Sage Gravy

The star of this make-ahead gravy recipe is turkey wings. Simmer the wings in a stockpot with onion, fresh sage and broth for a rich gravy that pairs well with turkey and all of our favorite Thanksgiving sides.
11 / 15

Ready Gravy Mix

This Thanksgiving gravy recipe makes a dry mix that’s perfect for year-round gravy cravings. The mix is ready in 15 minutes and keeps well for up to six months. You can even add garlic powder or herbs de Provence for additional flavor.
12 / 15

Apple Butter & Onion Gravy

This onion gravy recipe is so creamy and good I could eat it like soup. But it's best draped over mashed potatoes and other Thanksgiving fixings. For reheating the next day, if it's too thick, just stir in a bit of milk. — Mindie Hilton, Susanville, California

This gravy recipe packs a serious punch, thanks to the addition of cream cheese and apple butter. Drizzle it over mashed potatoes and other Thanksgiving side dishes for a truly decadent dinner.

[/rms_recipe]

13 / 15

Foolproof Gravy

Make your Thanksgiving or other special-occasion dinner easy with this can't-miss homemade gravy recipe. Use the drippings from your roasted turkey, and the gravy is done in just 20 minutes. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah

Ready in 20 minutes, this recipe is truly foolproof. Don’t skip the poultry seasoning or chicken bouillon granules—both are essential ingredients that make this Thanksgiving gravy recipe a keeper!

[/rms_recipe]

14 / 15

This six-ingredient gravy uses flour to thicken a mixture of turkey drippings and broth. The best part? A quarter-cup serving of this herby goodness is only 74 calories.

[/rms_recipe]

15 / 15

Orange Tarragon Gravy
Taste of Home

Orange Tarragon Gravy

Tarragon adds terrific flavor to this gravy, while orange juice adds a bit of sweetness. —Shirley Bedzis, San Diego, California

Looking for a unique gravy recipe for the holidays this year? This one is perfect! Fresh tarragon results in a rich gravy with a distinct flavor, while the orange juice lends a hint of sweetness.

[/rms_recipe]