what can i add to store bought turkey gravy

Instructions

1. Add dripping Liven up store-bought gravy by adding the scrapings from the bottom of the roasting pan and a little bit of the drippings.
2. TIP: You can also add bits of the meat you're pouring the gravy on.
3. Add onions or shallots Spice up the flavor by sauteing caramelized onions or shallots in butter. ...

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Full Answer

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How We Tested the Gravy Options

Out of the nine different options we found, there were quite a few variations. Some were too thick, some were too thin, some lacked flavor, some had TOO much flavor — the list goes on. But one (our winner!) was Goldilocks-level “ just right” as a standalone option.

The Best Standalone Turkey Gravy Mix: Knorr Roasted Turkey Gravy Mix

Maybe you don’t plan to roast a whole turkey, so drippings will be scarce. Maybe you just want/need to keep things super-simple. If that’s the case, this gravy mix is very full-flavored, so you can serve it as is (just follow the instructions) and be perfectly satisfied.

The Best Gravy Mix to Upgrade Pan Drippings: McCormick Turkey Gravy Mix

On its own, this just-add-water mix won’t win any flavor awards. It tastes like the kind of poultry-flavored gravy you’d get on a frozen dinner — savory, sage-y, lightly salty, with a pleasant buttery flavor and the aroma of turkey stuffing.

Add Herbs

Try thyme, sage, chopped parsley, a teeny bit of tarragon, some chives. When using fresh herbs, add toward the end of cooking.

Add a Splash of Wine

A couple of tablespoons of dry white wine brightens up lighter poultry gravy, while red wine adds complexity to beef and pork gravy. Not a wine fan? Go with beer or hard cider.

Mustard Adds Character

Half a teaspoon of mustard brings in that rustic character, with Dijon-style and coarse ground topping the list. In a pinch, the yellow stuff you love to slather on top of hot dogs works, too.

For Umami's Sake

A couple shakes of fish sauce bumps up the umami factor. That's the name of the fifth taste that's sometimes called the definition of deliciousness. Don't have it? Try soy sauce instead.

Veggies Deliver Fresh Flavors

Chop a shallot or a couple tablespoons' worth of an onion and saute it in the pan with a little butter before pouring the gravy on top to heat up.

Finish with Heat

Fresh ground pepper gives a lighter gravy a sharp edge and a striking appearance. Don't go overboard, though, because the flavor deepens as it cooks.

Visit the Roasting Pan

Pan drippings are the foundation of a traditional gravy, but if you're skipping that step, swirl in a tablespoon from the roast for added depth.

1. Stir in turkey drippings

Classic turkey gravy is made with the pan drippings from the roasted bird. These drippings are primarily fat, juice, broth, and any flavorings from a brine or rub you use to flavor the turkey before it’s cooked.

2. Brown up some butter

Most turkeys will release enough drippings for a decent gravy, but every once in a while, a bird can be stingy with its juices. In that case, make a flavorful fat option of your own.

3. Pour in the wine

Dry white wines like unoaked chardonnay, pinot grigio, and sauvignon blanc are often used in pan sauces for a quick hit of flavor. In a light sauce like turkey gravy, it’s a simple way to add depth and complexity to a basic boxed option.

4. Roast a head of garlic

While you’ve got the oven going for the turkey, green bean casserole, or mac and cheese, slip in a bulb of garlic and let it roast. Fresh or raw garlic is highly assertive and entirely too pungent for a simple turkey gravy.

5. Cheat with aromatics

If you were making your own gravy, you may start with a base of sauteed vegetables like onion, leeks, carrots, celery, and more. The flavors from these vegetables are delicate, but they help elevate a basic recipe with a subtly sweet earthiness.

6. Boost with umami

Umami is a five-dollar word for “richness” or “savoriness.” Whenever umami-rich foods are used, the dish tastes incredibly full-bodied. That’s because the glutamates (a type of amino acid) that are in umami ingredients can fake “depth” and “concentration” of flavor like no other.

7. Add fresh herbs

There’s almost nothing a few snips of fresh herbs won’t make better. When you’re heating up the gravy, add in a variety of your favorite herbs—think Thanksgiving classics like rosemary, thyme, parsley, or sage—and let the gravy extract some of the flavor while it heats. Strain the herbs from the gravy before serving.

How to Make Gravy from Turkey Drippings

Once you’ve roasted a turkey, those brown bits and drippings in the bottom of the roaster add a ton of flavor. Make sure you add a bit of hot gravy base or water to help lift all those delicious bits!

How to Make Gravy Without Turkey Drippings

For those of you who perhaps purchase a pre-cooked turkey or just want the gravy, you DO NOT need turkey drippings to make a delicious gravy! When you start with a great Turkey Stock (or Broth), all you need is your choice of thickening agent and you are set!

The Best Turkey Gravy Recipe

Rich savory turkey gravy is easy to make and perfect served over mashed potatoes!

Holly

Holly is a wine and cheese lover, recipe creator, shopping enthusiast and self appointed foodie. Her greatest passion is creating in the kitchen and making deliciously comforting recipes for the everyday home cook!

1. Stir in pan drippings

Use those wonderful pan drippings from the turkey (a combination of stock, juices from the meat, and fat) to give jarred gravy a homemade flavor. If you’re game for a more rustic gravy, go ahead and mix in some shredded turkey while you’re at it.

2. Simmer with fresh herbs

Boost the flavor of gravy by simmering it over low heat with fresh herbs, like thyme, sage, parsley, or bay leaf. Strain the gravy before serving.

3. Add an umami-rich condiment

Your fridge and pantry are a treasure trove of possibilities when it comes to adding more layers of flavor to jarred gravy. Just as you might add condiments like soy sauce, miso paste, Worcestershire sauce, or even a splash of sherry or cider vinegar to your favorite gravy recipe, incorporate them into store-bought gravy for a more complex flavor.

4. Sauté some vegetables

Before the gravy hits the pan, sauté a combination of vegetables like onions (or swap in leeks or shallots), celery, carrots, or mushrooms. Once the veggies are soft and fragrant, stir in the gravy and simmer on low heat. The gravy will pick up some of the sweet, earthy, and warm flavors.

5. Add roasted garlic

Unlike the sharpness that comes with fresh garlic, roasted garlic brings a smooth, sweet flavor that adds depth to whatever it’s added to. Roast a head of garlic ahead of time, then chop and whisk in a couple tablespoons for every cup of gravy as it simmers.

Ready-to-Serve Gravy

To prepare ready-to-serve gravy, simply pour it out of its container, zap it, and drizzle it over the bird. Easy peasy!

Eat This: Swanson Ready to Serve Turkey Gravy

Nutrition per 1/4 cup: 25 calories, 1 g fat, 0.5 g saturated fat, 270 mg sodium, 3 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 1 g sugar,1 g protein

Not That! Great Value Turkey Gravy

Nutrition per 1/4 cup: 20 calories, 0.5 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 270 mg sodium, 3 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 1 g protein

Eat This: Pacific Organic Turkey Gravy

Nutrition per 1/4 cup: 40 calories, 2 g fat, 0.5 g saturated fat, 190 mg sodium, 3 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 1 g protein

Not That!: Heinz Home Style Turkey Gravy

Nutrition per 1/4 cup: 25 calories, 1 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 290 mg sodium, 3 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 1 g protein

Eat This: Imagine Foods Organic Gravy Roasted Turkey Gravy

Nutrition per 1/4 cup: 15 calories, 0.5 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 210 mg sodium, 3 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 0 g protein

Not That!: Campbell's Turkey Gravy

Nutrition per 1/4 cup: 25 calories, 1 g fat, 0.5 g saturated fat, 270 mg sodium, 3 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 0 g protein