America's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated LogoAmerica's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated Logo

Turkey Gravy for Julia Child's Stuffed Turkey, Updated

By Andrea Geary

Published on September 25, 2013

Time

3¼ hours

Yield

Serves 10 to 12 (Makes about 4 cups)

Turkey Gravy for Julia Child's Stuffed Turkey, Updated

Ingredients

Reserved turkey giblets, neck, backbone, and thighbones, hacked into 2-inch pieces 2 onions, chopped coarse1 carrot, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces1 celery rib, cut into 1-inch pieces6 garlic cloves, unpeeled1 tablespoon vegetable oil 3 ½ cups chicken broth 3 cups water 2 cups dry white wine 6 sprigs fresh thyme ¼ cup all-purpose flour

Before You Begin

If you do not have 1/4 cup of reserved turkey fat in step 4, supplement with unsalted butter.

Instructions

  1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees. Place turkey parts, onions, carrot, celery, and garlic in large roasting pan. Drizzle with oil and toss to combine. Roast, stirring occasionally, until well browned, 40 to 50 minutes.
  2. Remove pan from oven and place over high heat. Add broth and bring to boil, scraping up any browned bits. Transfer contents of pan to Dutch oven. Add water, wine, and thyme; bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer until reduced by half, about 1 1/2 hours.
  3. Strain contents of pot through fine-mesh strainer set in large bowl. Press solids with back of spatula to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard solids. Transfer liquid to fat separator and let settle, 5 minutes.
  4. Transfer 1/4 cup fat to medium saucepan and heat over medium-high heat until bubbling. Whisk in flour and cook, whisking constantly, until combined and honey-colored, about 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in hot liquid and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. (Gravy can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.)
Turkey Gravy for Julia Child's Stuffed Turkey, Updated

Turkey Gravy for Julia Child's Stuffed Turkey, Updated

Save

Time

3¼ hours

Yield

Serves 10 to 12 (Makes about 4 cups)

Ingredients

Reserved turkey giblets, neck, backbone, and thighbones, hacked into 2-inch pieces
2 onions, chopped coarse
1 carrot, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 celery rib, cut into 1-inch pieces
6 garlic cloves, unpeeled
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 ½ cups chicken broth
3 cups water
2 cups dry white wine
6 sprigs fresh thyme
¼ cup all-purpose flour

Ingredients

Reserved turkey giblets, neck, backbone, and thighbones, hacked into 2-inch pieces
2 onions, chopped coarse
1 carrot, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 celery rib, cut into 1-inch pieces
6 garlic cloves, unpeeled
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 ½ cups chicken broth
3 cups water
2 cups dry white wine
6 sprigs fresh thyme
¼ cup all-purpose flour

Ingredients

Reserved turkey giblets, neck, backbone, and thighbones, hacked into 2-inch pieces
2 onions, chopped coarse
1 carrot, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 celery rib, cut into 1-inch pieces
6 garlic cloves, unpeeled
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 ½ cups chicken broth
3 cups water
2 cups dry white wine
6 sprigs fresh thyme
¼ cup all-purpose flour

Why This Recipe Works

We use the bones from the deconstructed turkey to as the base for a rich, flavorful turkey gravy that can be made in advance.

Before You Begin

If you do not have 1/4 cup of reserved turkey fat in step 4, supplement with unsalted butter.

Instructions

  1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees. Place turkey parts, onions, carrot, celery, and garlic in large roasting pan. Drizzle with oil and toss to combine. Roast, stirring occasionally, until well browned, 40 to 50 minutes.
  2. Remove pan from oven and place over high heat. Add broth and bring to boil, scraping up any browned bits. Transfer contents of pan to Dutch oven. Add water, wine, and thyme; bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer until reduced by half, about 1 1/2 hours.
  3. Strain contents of pot through fine-mesh strainer set in large bowl. Press solids with back of spatula to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard solids. Transfer liquid to fat separator and let settle, 5 minutes.
  4. Transfer 1/4 cup fat to medium saucepan and heat over medium-high heat until bubbling. Whisk in flour and cook, whisking constantly, until combined and honey-colored, about 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in hot liquid and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. (Gravy can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.)

Gift This Recipe

Enjoyed this dish? Let others know by sharing it as a gift recipe.

This is a members' feature.