Easy Gluten-Free Turkey Gravy

By
Teri Gruss, MS
Teri Gruss, MS
Writer and nutrition expert Teri Lee Gruss, M.S. has written hundreds of recipes focusing on healthy gluten-free cooking.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 11/15/22
Quick gluten-free turkey gravy

The Spruce Eats

Prep: 7 mins
Cook: 5 mins
Total: 12 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Yield: 2 cups

Since wheat-based flour is typically used as a thickener for gravies, it's tricky for those following a gluten-free diet during Thanksgiving and other occasions when gravy is a staple. The good news is that gluten-free turkey gravy is easy to make and just as delicious as wheat-based gravy. 

This recipe is a staple for gluten-free Thanksgiving menus, but it's just as enjoyable in July served with grilled turkey. In just minutes with simple ingredients, you can have a gravy anyone at the dinner table can enjoy. 

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Ingredients

  • 2 cups turkey drippings and reserved juices from the roasting pan

  • 2 tablespoons sweet rice flour, or gluten-free cornstarch

  • 1/2 cup water, or milk or white wine

  • Kosher salt, to taste

  • Ground black pepper, to taste

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for gluten-free turkey gravy recipe gathered

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  2. When the roasted turkey is done cooking, pour pan juices into a 2-cup measuring cup or bowl.

    Turkey fat

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  3. Use a spatula to scrape the flavorful pan drippings into the cup or bowl.

    Pour drippings into bowl

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  4. When fat rises to the top of the cup, skim off 1/4 cup of fat and pour in a medium saucepan or skillet. Discard any remaining fat.

    Skim off fat

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  5. Mix the rice flour with water. Stir until smooth and dissolved.

    Mix rice flour with water

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  6. Add remaining pan juices to the fat in the pan.

    Pan drippings added to the saucepan

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  7. Whisk dissolved rice flour mixture into the pan and cook over medium heat while continuing to whisk, about 5 minutes or until thickened.

    Whisk rice flour

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  8. Add salt and pepper to taste.

    Add salt and pepper

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  9. Serve and enjoy.

    Gravy in a pitcher ready to serve

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Recipe Variations

  • Try using gluten-free cornstarch, in place of the sweet rice flour, both provide excellent results for thickening gravies and soups.
  • In addition to using the juices and drippings from the turkey pan, you can use either milk or white wine instead of the 1/2 cup water to enhance the flavor of this turkey gravy. 

Tips

  • Gradually sprinkle in more sweet rice flour if needed to get the amount of thickness you are looking for.
  • If you are using cornstarch for thickening, add more by first whisking 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water. This is called making a "slurry" and will prevent the cornstarch from clumping when added to the hot gravy. Gradually whisk into the gravy to desired thickness.

How to Store and Freeze

  • Store any leftover gravy in an airtight container, and put in the refrigerator for up to two days.
  • Gravy can be frozen in freezer-safe airtight containers, and kept for up to four months in the freezer.
  • Simply reheat the gravy in the microwave, or in a small saucepan on low on the stovetop.

What can you do with leftover turkey gravy?

Leftover turkey gravy is not just for putting on that leftover turkey or a turkey stuffing casserole dish. Drizzle it over your breakfast potatoes, or meatballs, or egg noodles. There are endless ways to use it. Be creative!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
69 Calories
6g Fat
2g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 69
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 6g 8%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 6mg 2%
Sodium 155mg 7%
Total Carbohydrate 2g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 3mg 0%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 12mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)