Make Ahead Turkey Gravy
This make-ahead turkey gravy allows you to spend more time on other parts of the meal on Thanksgiving day. It's rich in flavor thanks to roasted turkey wings. I discovered this recipe years ago! Store it in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Ingredients:
- 6 large turkey wings
- 2 medium onions, peeled and quartered
- 1 cup water
- 8 cups chicken broth, divided
- ¾ cup chopped carrots
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Direction
- Gather all ingredients.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Arrange turkey wings in a single layer in a large roasting pan; scatter onions over top.
- Roast in the preheated oven until wings are browned, about 1 hour 15 minutes.
- Transfer wings and onions to a 5-quart stockpot.
- Add water to the roasting pan and stir, scraping up any brown bits on the bottom of the pan.
- Pour water and pan scrapings into the stockpot.
- Stir in 6 cups chicken broth, carrots, and thyme. Set over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, for 1 ½ hours.
- Transfer wings to a cutting board and let sit until cool enough to handle. Pull off skin and meat. Discard skin and reserve meat for another use.
- Pour contents of the stockpot through a large strainer into a 3-quart saucepan. Press on vegetables in the strainer to extract any remaining liquid; discard vegetables.
- Skim and discard fat from the turkey broth, then bring to a gentle boil.
- Whisk flour into the remaining 2 cups chicken broth in a bowl until smooth.
- Gradually whisk flour mixture into the simmering turkey broth. Simmer, whisking occasionally, until gravy has thickened, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in butter and pepper.
- Serve immediately or pour into containers, cool, and refrigerate or freeze.