Easy Holiday Magic: Michael Symon’s Perfect Turkey Gravy Recipe

Michael Symon’s turkey gravy elevates every holiday meal with its luxurious, silky texture and profound flavor profile.

Professional chefs understand the delicate art of transforming simple pan drippings into liquid gold.

Skillful whisking creates a smooth base without lumps, revealing culinary expertise.

Regional thanksgiving traditions find new life through this masterful sauce technique.

Robust and velvety, the gravy captures the essence of home-cooked comfort and celebration.

Rich ingredients meld together, promising a memorable dining experience that transforms ordinary roasted meats: prepare to be impressed!

Reasons Michael Symon’s Turkey Gravy Takes Center Stage

• Maximize Flavor Depth: This turkey gravy utilizes every part of the bird, transforming often-discarded giblets into a rich, deeply flavored sauce that captures the essence of your roasted turkey.
• Master Simple Professional Technique: Michael Symon's method teaches home cooks a classic culinary technique of creating a perfect roux, which transforms simple ingredients into a silky, luxurious gravy with professional-level results.
• Versatile Holiday Hero: This gravy works perfectly for multiple occasions, from Thanksgiving to Christmas, and can elevate any roasted meat dish with its complex, savory profile that brings warmth and comfort to the table.
• Zero-Waste Cooking Approach: By using turkey neck, heart, and gizzards, this recipe demonstrates an ingenious way to reduce food waste while extracting maximum flavor from every part of the bird, making it both economical and delicious.

Ingredients for Michael Symon’s Turkey Gravy

• Turkey Neck, Heart, Gizzards: Fresh, meaty parts that provide deep flavor and rich base for gravy.
• Turkey Liver: Optional ingredient for extra depth, can be discarded if preferred.

• All-Purpose Flour: Key for creating smooth, thick gravy texture with no lumps.

• Turkey Drippings: Concentrated roasting pan juices with intense turkey flavor.
• Chicken Broth: Adds additional liquid and enhances overall savory profile.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Classic seasonings for balancing and enhancing gravy's natural taste.

Steps to Michael Symon’s Turkey Gravy

Step 1: Prepare Giblet Broth

Place turkey neck, heart, gizzards in a saucepan. Cover completely with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour. Remove giblets using a slotted spoon. Set aside and discard liver.

Step 2: Collect Turkey Drippings

After roasting turkey, pour drippings into a bowl. Allow liquid to sit and separate. Carefully skim off most of the fat using a spoon.

Step 3: Create Smooth Roux Base

• Turkey drippings
• All-purpose flour

Whisk ingredients together to create a smooth paste. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture turns golden brown.

Step 4: Build Gravy Liquid

• Chicken broth
• Additional turkey drippings

Whisk continuously for 5-8 minutes until gravy thickens and becomes smooth.

Step 5: Enhance Gravy Flavor

Chop reserved giblet meat into small pieces. Add meat to gravy. Adjust consistency using remaining giblet broth or extra drippings if needed.

Step 6: Season And Serve

Sprinkle salt and black pepper to taste. Stir well. Serve warm with roasted turkey.

Tips to Perfect Michael Symon’s Turkey Gravy

• Strain Gracefully: Remove any pesky bits by passing gravy through a fine-mesh sieve for silky smooth results.
• Herb Magic: Toss fresh thyme or sage sprigs while simmering to unlock deep, aromatic flavor profiles that dance on your taste buds.
• Whisk with Precision: Pour warm broth gradually while whisking constantly to prevent those dreaded gravy lumps from crashing your sauce party.
• Fat Be Gone: Use a fat separator to effortlessly remove excess grease, keeping your gravy light and delectable.
• Taste and Adjust: Season carefully with salt and pepper, tasting as you go to create a perfectly balanced turkey gravy that'll make everyone swoon.

Storing Michael Symon’s Turkey Gravy

• Freezer Method: Pour cooled gravy into sturdy freezer-safe glass containers with tight-sealing lids. Leave about an inch of space at the top to allow for expansion during freezing. Label each container with the date and contents using waterproof markers to track freshness accurately.
• Refrigeration Method: Transfer gravy to shallow, clean airtight containers to help it cool faster and prevent bacterial growth. Keep gravy at the back of the refrigerator where temperature remains most consistent. Consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and safety.
• Reheating Method: Gently warm refrigerated or thawed gravy in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently to maintain smooth consistency. Add a splash of broth or water if gravy seems too thick, whisking continuously to prevent scorching.

Alternate Ideas for Michael Symon’s Turkey Gravy

• Herbaceous Turkey Lifter: Enhance the gravy by adding fresh thyme, rosemary, and sage during the simmering process for an aromatic herb-infused flavor profile that elevates the traditional recipe.
• Smoky Depth Booster: Incorporate a splash of bourbon or dry white wine while whisking the roux to create a rich, complex undertone that adds sophistication to the classic gravy.
• Umami-Rich Enrichment: Stir in a tablespoon of tomato paste or a dash of soy sauce during the final whisking stage to introduce deep, savory notes that intensify the overall taste experience.
• Roasted Garlic Amplifier: Roast several garlic cloves before mashing and whisking them into the gravy for a mellow, caramelized flavor that brings warmth and depth to the sauce.

Overall Summary of Michael Symon’s Turkey Gravy

Culinary magic unfolds with Michael Symon’s turkey gravy, a symphony of rich flavors and classic technique.

Kitchen expertise shines through patient simmering and precise whisking, transforming basic drippings into liquid gold.

Giblet complexity adds depth and rustic charm to this traditional thanksgiving companion.

Silky textures and multilayered flavor profiles make this gravy an essential centerpiece for holiday meals.

Passionate food enthusiasts: share this recipe, comment below with your gravy-making experiences, and spread culinary joy across your favorite social platforms.

Michael Symon Turkey Gravy Recipe

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4.6 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Michael Symon’s Turkey Gravy brings rich, classic flavor to holiday tables with expertly layered depth. Home cooks can elevate their roast with this simple yet sophisticated sauce that promises restaurant-quality results for special gatherings.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or turkey or vegetable broth)
• ½ cup all-purpose flour

Drippings:

• 1 serving drippings from roasted turkey

Seasonings and Additional Components:

• 1 serving salt, to taste
• 1 serving pepper, to taste
• 1 serving giblets and neck of uncooked turkey, optional

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Instructions

1. Carefully clean the turkey giblets, separating the neck, heart, gizzards, and liver.
2. Transfer the giblet pieces to a medium saucepan and cover completely with cold water (approximately 4 cups or 1 liter).
3. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat, then reduce temperature to low and simmer gently for 60 minutes until the giblets are tender.
4. Remove the giblets using a slotted spoon, reserving the cooking liquid, and chop the neck and heart meat finely while discarding the liver.
5. After roasting the turkey, collect the pan drippings and allow them to rest in a large bowl, permitting the fat to rise and separate naturally.
6. Skim off the majority of the surface fat, leaving behind the rich, flavorful liquid base for the gravy.
7. In a clean saucepan, whisk 1 cup (240 milliliters) of drippings with ½ cup (60 grams) of all-purpose flour until a smooth, lump-free roux develops.
8. Cook the roux over medium heat, stirring continuously, until it transforms into a golden-brown color with a nutty aroma.
9. Gradually incorporate 4 cups (960 milliliters) of chicken broth and 1 cup (240 milliliters) of reserved drippings, whisking consistently to prevent lumps.
10. Simmer the gravy for 5-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until it reaches a thick, luxurious consistency.
11. Fold in the finely chopped giblet meat, adjusting the gravy’s thickness with reserved giblet broth if needed.
12. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, tasting and adjusting until the flavor profile is perfectly balanced.

Notes

• Catch drippings in a large measuring cup to track precise liquid amounts while cooking.
• Scrape every delectable brown bit from the roasting pan for maximum flavor depth.
• Mix cornstarch with cold water separately before introducing to hot liquid, preventing clumping instantly.
• Allow gravy to simmer gently, stirring consistently to develop rich, smooth consistency.
• Keep extra stock nearby in case gravy becomes too thick during preparation.
• Taste and adjust seasoning progressively, ensuring balanced saltiness and robust turkey essence.
• Cool slightly before final seasoning, as temperatures can alter perceived flavor intensity.
• Store leftover gravy in airtight containers, consuming within three to four days for optimal quality.
• Reheat gradually over low heat, whisking periodically to restore original silky texture.
• Freeze in small portions for convenient future meal enhancement.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Boiling, Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 80
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 2 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg