Thanksgiving is a wonderful time for family, friends, and of course, a delicious feast. But let’s be honest, the day can be a whirlwind of cooking and kitchen chaos. Imagine this: the turkey is finally out of the oven, the mashed potatoes are whipped to perfection, and then it hits you – the gravy! Suddenly, you’re scrambling, trying to recall your mom’s gravy recipe while hungry guests hover around the kitchen. This year, take a page from the Pioneer Woman playbook and get ahead of the game. Imagine serving a rich, flavorful, homemade gravy, all while staying cool and collected because you made it weeks in advance.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/optaboutcomcoeusresourcescontent_migration__simply_recipesuploads201810__SR-Make-ahead-gravy-1-7f67a55bdc6d4b9c8136028b0fa718ca.jpg)
The Magic of Make-Ahead Gravy: Pioneer Woman Style
Creating gravy ahead of time isn’t just about convenience; it’s about infusing incredible depth of flavor. Just like the Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, emphasizes building flavors from scratch, this make-ahead gravy recipe starts with roasting turkey wings and vegetables. Roasting brings out a rich, savory base that you simply can’t achieve when making gravy at the last minute with just turkey drippings. This method ensures your gravy is the star of the Thanksgiving table, not an afterthought.
To capture that intensely roasted flavor, we begin by roasting turkey wings with aromatic vegetables – onions, carrots, and celery. This combination creates a flavorful foundation for your stock, the heart of any great gravy. After roasting, the magic continues as you deglaze the roasting pan with chicken broth, capturing all those delicious browned bits, and then simmer everything together to create an ultra-rich stock. While this process involves some time for roasting and simmering, remember, much of it is hands-off. Think of it as an opportunity to relax and enjoy the aromas filling your kitchen, just like a peaceful day on the ranch.
How Long Can You Keep Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy?
One of the best things about make-ahead gravy is its flexibility. You can refrigerate your finished gravy for up to 4 days, making it perfect for prepping ahead in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. For even longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 4 months. Imagine making your gravy weeks in advance and simply pulling it out when you need it – a true time-saver during the busy holiday season!
Reheating Your Make-Ahead Gravy: Simple and Seamless
When Thanksgiving Day arrives, reheating your pre-made gravy is a breeze. Simply pour it into a saucepan and gently reheat on the stovetop. No need to thaw frozen gravy beforehand; you can reheat it directly from frozen over low heat, covered, until it’s smooth and hot. The beauty of this recipe, which is made without milk or cream, is that it reheats beautifully without separating, maintaining that perfect, silky gravy texture every time.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/optaboutcomcoeusresourcescontent_migration__simply_recipesuploads201809__20180912_SRMakeAheadGravy-106-924d8c38da5f45a68b54f5301a21e398.jpg)
Bonus: What to Do with Leftover Turkey Stock
This recipe thoughtfully yields a bit more stock than you need for the gravy itself, about 1 to 2 extra cups. Don’t let this liquid gold go to waste! This extra turkey stock is incredibly versatile. Freeze it for up to 4 months or refrigerate for up to 5 days. It’s perfect for last-minute gravy adjustments if you want a thinner consistency or for adding a flavor boost to your Thanksgiving stuffing. Having homemade turkey stock on hand is like having a secret weapon for deliciousness throughout the holiday season.
Embrace the Pioneer Woman’s approach to cooking – plan ahead, build flavors, and enjoy the process. This make-ahead turkey gravy recipe will not only save you stress on Thanksgiving Day but will also elevate your holiday meal with its rich, homemade taste.
