Gravy Without Drippings

Drippings are obviously ideal, but they aren't totally necessary to make a really good gravy. What you do need: butter, onion, garlic, and all the favorite Thanksgiving herbs. Quick and easy, this is the perfect way to make gravy if you aren't cooking a whole roast turkey or chicken. Whether you're itchin' for poutine, need the perfect topping for your mashed potatoes or want to make things as easy on yourself as possible come Thanksgiving dinner, this super simple recipe will satisfy all your gravy needs.

What are drippings?

Drippings are the fat that 'drips' off of your meat when roasting. The rich, flavorful liquid is usually the heart of a gravy recipe, but, what if you want gravy without needing to roast meat? We used butter and chicken broth in this recipe to replicate the fat and liquid usually found in drippings, plus plenty of fresh herbs and garlic to pack in loads of flavor. 

Can you make gravy ahead?

Sure can! If you want to save yourself time on busy holidays, this recipe is the way to go. Because no drippings are involved, you can make this gravy days in advance and reheat when you're ready to serve — no meat roasting required! Simply store it in the fridge in an airtight container, then heat in a saucepan when you're ready to top your dish with a delicious, flavorful punch. 

Can I add anything else?

Of course! While we love the flavor and freshness of freshly chopped herbs, you can use dried if that's all that you have on hand. You can also add in spices, poultry seasoning or experiment with different kinds of bouillon (use veggie stock to make this a fully vegetarian gravy!) to up the flavor game. 

Made this recipe? Let us know how it came out in the comments below!

Editor's Note: This intro was updated to add more information about the dish on August 23, 2022.