Our Smoked Turkey Gravy recipe is simple, delicious, and the finishing touch to your holiday plate.
The Best Smoked Gravy Recipe
Make the most of your smoker and smoked turkey this holiday season and whip up a batch of this delicious smoked gravy. We use smoked turkey drippings to add a subtle smokey flavor to compliment to your dinner plate.
Looking for More Delicious Gravy Recipes?
Then check out our classic turkey giblet gravy recipe or our make ahead turkey gravy. Both are amazing!
What You Will Need
- chicken broth – Creates a savory base for the gravy.
- yellow onion & celery stalks– A classic root veggies to add a depth of flavor.
- fresh thyme – Adds subtle notes of mint, citrus, and clove.
- butter – Adds a creamy, savory flavor to your gravy.
- all-purpose flour – The key ingredient to making the gravy roux. Make it gluten-free by using gluten-free flour.
- smoked turkey drippings – Make the most out of your delicious smoked turkey!
- kosher salt & ground black pepper – to allow all these savory flavors to shine their brightest!
How To Make Gravy From A Smoked Turkey
Start by adding the broth, quartered onion, chopped celery, and fresh thyme to a roasting pan.
Then place the roasting pan in your smoker with a grate on top for your smoked turkey to atop. This will allow all of those juicy smoked turkey drippings to fall right into your roasting pan.
Place the smoked turkey drippings in a measuring cup or small bowl and use a spoon to remove the top layer of fat. This step must happen in order for your gravy to turn out.
To make the roux, melt the butter in a large cast iron skillet so that it coats the bottom of the pan. Then add in the flour and whisk it thoroughly until it makes a paste. Then slowly add in the turkey drippings, one quarter cup at a time, whisking throughout. Continue this same process with the broth until you’ve reached your desired consistency.
Not Enough Turkey Drippings?
This recipe requires a total of three cups of liquid, so if don’t have quite 2 cups of turkey drippings, just replace the rest with broth.
Continue to whisk your gravy mixture until it’s a smooth consistency. Serve it immediately with your smoked turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, and whatever other amazing side dishes that you have in store.
Recipe FAQs and Tips
- What if I don’t have enough turkey drippings? No problem! In our recipe card below, 3 cups of liquid are needed to make the gravy. This can be drippings or broth, so if you end up with 1 cup of drippings, 2 cups of broth will be needed. Drippings obviously have more flavor but a delicious gravy can still be made no matter the amount of pan drippings.
- Dairy-Free: Use plant-based butter.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Made this easy recipe and loved it?! We would love it if you would take a minute and leave a star rating and review – it is also helpful if you made any substitutions or changes to the recipe to share that as well. THANK YOU!
Don’t forget to check out my Instagram and TikTok account for some behind-the-scenes action and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more delicious recipe tutorials! Or give me a follow on Facebook or see what I am pinning on Pinterest!
Other Holiday Classics You Might Like
Smoked Turkey Gravy
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 3 cups 1x
- Category: Gravy
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
Description
Use those turkey drippings from your smoked turkey to make the best Smoked Turkey Gravy recipe! Super easy and full of flavor!
Ingredients
Roasting Pan:
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 large yellow onion, quartered
- 2–3 celery stalks, cut into 2-inch pieces
- fresh thyme
Gravy:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour (sub gluten-free)
- 2 cups smoked turkey drippings (skim fat off the top)
- 1 cup chicken broth (or turkey stock)
- kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Smoker: As you prep your favorite smoked turkey recipe, put all of the roasting pan ingredients in a large aluminum roasting pan. Place a wire rack on top of that and then the prepared turkey on top of the rack. That way the roasting pan will catch all of those amazing turkey drippings. Carefully remove from the smoker once the turkey is done.
- Pan Drippings: Scoop out the solid ingredients from the roasting pan and transfer the remaining drippings into a large, glass measuring cup.
- Skim off Fat: Take the smoked turkey drippings and ensure you skim off any fat that floats to the top. You can use a fat separator, but a spoon works just fine. Do not skip this step or your gravy will not turn out.
- Roux: Bring a large cast iron skillet to a medium-high heat and add butter to melt. Once melted, whisk in the flour to create a roux.
- Add Liquid: Slowly add in the turkey drippings about a quarter cup at a time, whisking consistently. Once all the drippings have been incorporated, continue this process with the broth. Be sure to keep the skillet at a medium high heat and whisk constantly, as you add a total of 3 cups liquid. To thicken, let simmer for a few minutes. To thin, add more splashes of broth. Taste and add desired amounts of salt and pepper, if needed.
- Serve: enjoy immediately over slices of your Smoked Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, etc.
Notes
- Liquid: you need 3 cups of liquid in total, so if you don’t end up with 2 cups of drippings just sub in extra broth.
- Broth: option to use your favorite store-bought version from the grocery store, but you can also learn how to make chicken broth or turkey broth.
- Dairy Free: simply use a plant-based butter.
- Gluten Free: swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free 1-to-1 flour.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 71
- Sugar: 0.1 g
- Sodium: 189.6 mg
- Fat: 5.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 3.6 g
- Protein: 1.8 g
- Cholesterol: 17.1 mg
Leave a Rating & Comment