This turkey gravy can be made ahead of time using turkey wings, onions and minced celery leaves. It makes approximately four cups of delicious savory gravy. This gravy can be frozen to be used during the holidays. It is the perfect compliment to your mashed potatoes, stuffing and other holiday dishes.
The full, printable recipe is at the end of this post. There is a recipe card with a Pinterest button on the top right corner for you to pin to your Pinterest. If you would like to follow me on Pinterest, you can find me there at The Tipsy Housewife.
Turkey Wings
I love using these turkey wings to make the turkey gravy ahead of time. I use about 1.5 to 2 lbs so the number of actual wings you get will be based off the size of the wing. In this package for instance, I received one very large wing. I find these easily at my local market that has a butcher. Most stores should have them fresh and if not frozen. You can also ask them in the meat department if they have them or if they can order them.
I like to use the wings to make the gravy ahead of time because the create some flavorful drippings but they are not very greasy like the drippings you get from a whole turkey.
Make Ahead and Save Time
This is a recipe specific to making gravy BEFORE you roast your bird, so that you are not rushing on the big day. You can make extra gravy using the Thanksgiving Day bird when it is done cooking by using a gravy separator. I will link the one I like HERE ON MY AMAZON PAGE.*this is an Amazon affiliate link which means if you use it, Amazon pays me a small commission. If you would like to make gravy the day of, use this separator, add the drippings sans the grease to a sauce pan. Next, use a little WONDRA FLOUR a sprinkle at time to thicken. Add the flour about a teaspoon at a time. You can just shake it in there and whisk as it simmers. Until it is the thickness you like. You can also just add the packet of turkey gravy mix and brown gravy mix to the Thanksgiving Day drippings. Be sure you eyeball the amount of drippings and be sure that you have four cups before determining the amount of gravy packets you will need. Use only one packet to start of you have less than four cups of liquid. Otherwise it will be too salty.
If you do not want to make the gravy the same day, you can add the drippings to a container and put in the fridge overnight. the fat will harden on top and you can skim it off and throw it away. Then use the drippings the same way as I listed above.
Packets Help Things Along
When I make this Turkey Gravy recipe using the wing/make ahead method, I like the idea of using these gravy packets to add flavor. This also helps thicken the gravy. You will have flavor from the wings and the broth and the other ingredients. If you want a more mild gravy flavor than you can just add your corn starch/cold water to thicken. I prefer this to make extra flavorful gravy.
