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Old Fashioned Giblet Gravy for Thanksgiving

Old fashioned giblet gravy is made with a homemade turkey stock, finely chopped giblets, and a butter-flour roux. It simmers until thick and smooth, with tender pieces of turkey giblets in every serving.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 41 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 51 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 120
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 package (about 1 lb) turkey giblets and neck liver separated from the other giblets
  • 6 cups water plus more as needed to make 4 cups stock
  • 0.5 yellow onion medium
  • 1 celery stalk
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 0.5 tsp black peppercorns whole
  • 0.33 cup unsalted butter
  • 0.33 cup all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper ground

Equipment

  • 1 4-quart saucepan

Method
 

  1. Combine the neck, heart, and gizzard with the water, onion, celery, bay leaf, and peppercorns in a 4-quart saucepan.
  2. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
  3. Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer for 1 1/2 hours, adding the liver for the final 15 minutes. Cook the giblets to at least 165°F and until the gizzard is tender.
  4. Strain the stock into a heatproof bowl and measure out 4 cups, adding water if needed; discard the vegetables and peppercorns.
  5. When the giblets are cool enough to handle, pull the meat from the neck and finely chop it with the heart, gizzard, and liver.
  6. Melt the butter in the same saucepan over medium heat.
  7. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2 minutes, whisking constantly.
  8. Gradually whisk in the 4 cups stock and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
  9. Cook for 5 to 8 minutes, whisking often, until the gravy thickens.
  10. Stir in the chopped giblets, salt, and ground black pepper.
  11. Simmer for 2 minutes before serving.

Notes

For smooth gravy, whisk the stock in gradually to prevent lumps. Refrigerate leftovers for 3 to 4 days or freeze; thaw and reheat gently. For a dairy-free option, use plant-based butter.