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A white gravy boat filled with smooth, crockpot turkey gravy for Thanksgiving, on a bright white table.

Crockpot Turkey Gravy: Easy Make-Ahead Recipe!

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This is my secret weapon for a stress-free holiday! My easy crockpot turkey gravy recipe is the best make-ahead turkey gravy for Thanksgiving. It simmers to perfection, creating a rich and creamy turkey gravy that is guaranteed to be a no-lump turkey gravy. It’s a truly foolproof Thanksgiving gravy that stays warm for hours in the slow cooker, so there’s no last-minute panic. We make it as a flavorful turkey gravy without giblets, and then stir in those delicious turkey drippings at the end for the best homemade flavor!

  • Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 12

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 large rib of celery, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups (32 oz) low-sodium turkey or chicken broth
  • 2-3 sprigs fresh sage
  • 2-3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1-2 cups turkey drippings, fat skimmed (Optional, but highly recommended!)

Instructions

  1. Sauté Aromatics: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter. Add the finely chopped onion and celery and sauté for 5-7 minutes, until very soft.
  2. Make the “No-Lump” Roux: Add the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter to the pan. Once melted, sprinkle the flour all over and whisk immediately. Continue whisking and cooking for 1-2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste. This smooth paste is your “roux.”
  3. Create the Base: Slowly pour in the broth, about one cup at a time, whisking constantly. The mixture will seize up and then smooth out. Once all the broth is whisked in and the gravy is smooth, bring it to a gentle simmer for 1 minute to thicken.
  4. Transfer to Crockpot: Pour the smooth gravy base into the insert of a 4-quart (or larger) slow cooker.
  5. Simmer & Infuse: Add the fresh sage sprigs, fresh thyme sprigs, and the Worcestershire sauce. Stir, cover, and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours.
  6. Strain for Silkiness: About 30 minutes before serving, place a fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl. Carefully pour the hot gravy through the strainer. This will catch all the herbs and aromatics, making your gravy perfectly silky. Discard the solids in the strainer.
  7. Final Step (Add Drippings!): Pour the strained gravy back into the warm crockpot. Skim the fat from your hot turkey drippings (from the roasting pan) and whisk 1-2 cups of the good, brown drippings into the gravy base.
  8. Serve or Keep Warm: Turn the crockpot to HIGH for 15-20 minutes to get the gravy piping hot, then turn it to the “Keep Warm” setting. It will stay perfectly hot and ready to serve for hours!

Notes

  • No-Lump Secret: The secret to this no-lump turkey gravy recipe is making that smooth roux (flour/butter paste) before you slowly whisk in the broth. Straining it at the end is the final guarantee for a perfectly silky texture!
  • The Make-Ahead “Gift”: This is the perfect make-ahead Thanksgiving gravy. You can make it completely (Steps 1-6) up to 3 days in advance! Let the strained gravy cool, store it in the fridge, and then just pour it into the crockpot on LOW on Thanksgiving morning to reheat. Then, just add your hot drippings (Step 7) right before serving!
  • No Drippings? No Problem! This is a delicious homemade turkey gravy in crockpot even without drippings! The herbs and aromatics give it a deep, rich flavor all on its own.
  • To Thicken: If your gravy is too thin, turn the crockpot to HIGH. Whisk 1 tbsp of cornstarch with 2 tbsp of cold water, then whisk this “slurry” into the gravy. It will thicken in 10-15 minutes.
  • To Thin: If your gravy is too thick, simply whisk in a splash of warm broth until it’s the perfect consistency.
  • Author: Ellie
  • Prep Time: 15
  • Cook Time: 180
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://www.spoonfulhome.com/crockpot-turkey-gravy/