# Traditional Chef John’s Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy Recipe
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If you’re looking for a delicious and stress-free way to make-ahead turkey gravy, Chef John has you covered. This recipe allows you to prepare a rich and flavorful gravy in advance that you can refrigerate and use later.
To start, roast the veggies and turkey wings in the oven until they are browned and caramelized. Then, scrape off the flavorful bits from the pan and simmer them until smooth. Create the gravy by combining flour, roasted turkey wings, and veggies with the broth. Let the mixture simmer until it thickens and warms up.
For added flavor, you can enhance the gravy by incorporating your favorite herbs like rosemary, thyme, parsley, or sage and allow the gravy to absorb their essence while heating.
Follow this step-by-step guide to create a delicious turkey gravy. Below you’ll find the recipe and detailed instructions for Chef John’s make-ahead turkey gravy. You can also explore more of Chef John’s recipes here.
## Other Chef John’s Recipes That You Can Try:
– Chef John’s Salmon Cakes
– Chef John’s Perfect Prime Rib
– Chef John’s Chicken And Rice
– Chef John’s Bread And Butter Pickle
– Chef John’s Quiche Lorraine
– Chef John’s Fried Zucchini Spaghetti
– Chef John’s Pecan Pie
– Chef John’s Mashed Potatoes
– Chef John’s Buttermilk Biscuits
– Chef John’s Meatballs
## What Equipment Will You Need To Make Chef John’s Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy?
– Oven: Roast the turkey and veggies until browned and caramelized.
– Roasting Pan: for roasting veggies and turkey wings.
– Stockpot: used for making turkey stock and boiling for gravy.
– Knife: chop veggies into chunks.
– Chopping Board: for easy cutting.
– Spatula: scrape off the bits from the pan.
## How Much Time Will You Need To Make Chef John’s Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy?
– **Preparation Time:** 15 Minutes
– **Cooking Time:** 3 Hours 25 Minutes
– **Total Time:** 3 Hours 40 Minutes
## What Ingredients Will You Need To Make Chef John’s Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy?
– Turkey wings seasoned with garlic, salt, and pepper.
– Onion cooked until soft and translucent.
– Carrots for a slightly sweet flavor.
– Celery to add a leafy and earthy taste.
– Olive oil to cook the beef and onion.
– Cold water (ten cups) for making the gravy.
– Thyme to provide an earthy, minty, slightly lemony flavor.- Adding garlic to the turkey mixture will give it a unique and intense flavor.
– Butter contributes richness and a beautiful golden color to the gravy that is unmatched by other fats.
– Flour plays a crucial role in thickening the liquid and creating the silky texture expected in gravy.
– Sprinkling cayenne pepper while making the gravy adds a hot and fruity flavor.
– Proper seasoning at each cooking step, including adding salt, is essential.
– Black pepper enhances the overall flavor with its spicy, earthy, hot, woody notes that complement the recipe.
The steps to make Chef John’s Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy are clearly outlined:
1. Start by chopping veggies like onions, carrots, and celery into chunks.
2. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
3. Combine the chopped veggies and vegetable oil in a roasting pan, coating them well, then place turkey wings on top.
4. Roast in the oven until the turkey wings are browned, and the veggies are caramelized.
5. Deglaze the pan with water, then transfer the mixture to a stockpot.
6. Add cold water, thyme, and garlic to the stockpot.
7. Bring the turkey wing mixture to a boil, then simmer until the meat falls off the bone.
8. Skim off the fat and reserve it for making gravy.
9. Whisk flour in a saucepan, add the reserved turkey fat and butter, simmer until thickened, and season with cayenne, salt, and pepper.
Chef John’s Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy is a delicious and versatile option that can be stored in the fridge for up to two weeks. It offers a thick, flavorful sauce made from roasted turkey drippings, resulting in a smooth, rich gravy with a hint of fruity flavor from the white wine used.
This gravy can be confidently served as part of a traditional Thanksgiving spread or any holiday meal to add a savory touch.The instructions for making a delicious turkey wing gravy are simple and easy to follow. Start by coating vegetables in a roasting pan, then place the turkey wings on top. Roast in the oven until the turkey wings are browned and the vegetables are caramelized.
Transfer the roasted turkey wings and vegetables to a stockpot. Deglaze the roasting pan with water to extract all the flavorful bits, then strain the mixture and transfer it to the stockpot. Add cold water, thyme, and garlic to the pot and bring it to a boil. Let it simmer for about 3 hours until the meat falls off the bone. Skim off any fat and reserve it for making gravy.
In a saucepan, whisk flour and cook for a few minutes. Pour in the reserved turkey drippings and butter, whisking constantly. Simmer the gravy until it thickens, then season with cayenne, salt, and pepper.
To make-ahead and reheat the gravy, prepare it up to five days in advance. Reheat the turkey pan drippings for extra flavor before serving. This method creates a flavorful gravy without the last-minute rush.
You can refrigerate the make-ahead turkey gravy for up to 4 days or freeze it for up to 4 months. If the reheated gravy becomes watery, consider using different thickeners like cornstarch or sweet potato starch.
For bland turkey gravy, add herbs, a splash of wine, or additional flavorful ingredients like pan drippings, bacon, vegetables, herbs, or garlic. Enhance the taste of the gravy by incorporating these ingredients.
In conclusion, Chef John’s make-ahead turkey gravy is a delicious addition to your holiday meals. Prepare it in advance and reheat it when you’re ready to serve, allowing you to enjoy Thanksgiving Day without the stress of last-minute cooking.
