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The Best Giblet Gravy Recipe

Homemade turkey giblet gravy with chopped giblets and eggs served in a white gravy boat.

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This old-fashioned giblet gravy is made with tender turkey giblets, homemade broth, buttery pan drippings, and an optional addition of chopped hard-boiled eggs. It is the perfect homemade gravy for Thanksgiving turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Giblet Broth

  • Turkey neck
  • Turkey heart and gizzard
  • Turkey liver, optional
  • ½ medium yellow onion, cut into large pieces
  • 1 celery stalk, cut into large pieces
  • 1 sprig fresh sage
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3 cups low-sodium turkey or chicken broth
  • 2 cups water

For the Gravy

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter or rendered turkey fat
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups strained giblet broth, turkey pan drippings, or a combination
  • Cooked turkey neck meat and giblets, finely chopped
  • ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, optional
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Salt, to taste
  • 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped, optional
  • Chopped fresh parsley, for serving, optional

Instructions

  • Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey. Set the liver aside or discard it. Place the neck, heart, and gizzard in a medium saucepan.
  • Add the onion, celery, sage, thyme, bay leaf, broth, and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
  • Reduce the heat to low and partially cover the saucepan. Simmer for 1 to 1½ hours, or until the giblets are tender and the neck meat easily pulls away from the bone. If using the liver, add it during the final 15 minutes.
  • Remove the neck and giblets from the pan. Strain the broth through a fine-mesh strainer, discarding the vegetables and herbs.
  • Pull the meat from the turkey neck and discard the bones, skin, and cartilage. Finely chop the neck meat, heart, gizzard, and liver, if using.
  • Measure 3 cups of liquid using the strained giblet broth, turkey pan drippings, or a combination of both. Add extra broth if needed to reach 3 cups.
  • Melt the butter or turkey fat in a large saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk until smooth.
  • Cook the roux for 2 to 3 minutes, whisking frequently, until it becomes light golden brown and smells slightly nutty.
  • Slowly pour in the measured broth and drippings while whisking continuously.
  • Bring the gravy to a gentle simmer. Cook for 5 to 8 minutes, whisking occasionally, until it is smooth and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  • Stir in the chopped giblets, neck meat, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper. Add the chopped hard-boiled eggs, if using.
  • Simmer for another 2 to 3 minutes. Taste and add salt only as needed.
  • Transfer the hot gravy to a gravy boat and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Check both turkey cavities for the neck and giblet package before roasting.
  • Turkey liver can become bitter when cooked too long. Leave it out or add it during the final 15 minutes.
  • Wait until the gravy is finished before adding salt because broth and turkey drippings may already be salty.
  • If the gravy becomes too thick, whisk in additional broth.
  • If it is too thin, simmer it uncovered or add a small amount of cornstarch slurry.
  • The giblet broth and cooked meat can be prepared up to two days ahead.
  • Southern-style giblet gravy often includes chopped hard-boiled eggs, but they can be omitted for a smoother gravy.
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