Ingredients (8)
- Pan drippings, vegetables, and turkey neck from our Easy Roasted Turkey (recipe link in intro)
- 1 cup white wine or sherry
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (3/4 stick)
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups chicken or turkey stock or broth
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs (optional): rosemary, thyme, and/or flat-leaf parsley
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Tip
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There are several reasons Christmas is celebrated on Dec. 25. The date is nine months after March 25, a day recognized by Christians as Annunciation. It was the day Mary was told she would was having a baby. The nine months that follow are an approximation of Jesus’ birth. Dec. 25 also coincides with pagan Winter Solstice celebrations like Saturnalia' and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti. Since they were historically celebrated around that time of year there was precedent for holiday festivities during this time of year.
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Tip
What Does the Name 'Christmas' Mean and What Is the Meaning of Christmas?
Christmas is a shortened from the words “Christ’s mass.” It’s derived from the Middle English word "Cristemasse" which has Greek, Hebrew and Latin origins. Christmas is an annual holiday that honors the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated by Christians around the world and is regarded as an important religious and cultural holiday.
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Tip
How Can We Celebrate Christmas?
Christmas is traditionally celebrated in many ways and celebrations vary across cultures. In the days leading up to Christmas, people usually put up special decorations including colorful lights and evergreen trees. Gifts are often placed under the tree and exchanged on Christmas day among loved ones. Large meals are also typically served as part of the celebration as well.
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This simple gravy turns roasted turkey from good to amazing. To start, you’ll need the roasting pan (with the drippings) of our Easy Roasted Turkey. To make the gravy without the bird, follow the method in our Smoked Turkey recipe, omitting the pan juices.
We also recommend our easy Chicken Gravy recipe. And when you’re ready to graduate to something a bit more complicated, check out our recipe for Bourbon-Cream Gravy.
Instructions
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1Pour off the drippings from the roasted turkey into a small heatproof bowl. Let sit for a few minutes for the fat to rise to the top, then skim the fat off with a spoon and discard; set the drippings aside.
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- 2Place the roasting pan across two burners over medium heat. Put the onion and celery from inside the roasted turkey, along with the roasted turkey neck, in the pan. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a flat spatula.
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3Add the wine or sherry while scraping the bottom of the pan and simmer until reduced by half.
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Add the reserved drippings back to the pan. Pour the mixture through a strainer set over a medium heatproof bowl and set aside. Discard the solids from the strainer. - 4Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. When it foams, sprinkle the flour evenly over it.
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5Whisk the flour and butter together and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture (known as a roux) turns the color of peanut butter, about 5 to 7 minutes.
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6While whisking continuously, slowly add the chicken stock or broth and the strained pan juices.
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Add the fresh herbs, if using. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook, being sure to whisk at the edges of the pan, until the gravy thickens slightly. ![]()
Add salt and pepper to taste.![]()
Add the reserved drippings back to the pan. Pour the mixture through a strainer set over a medium heatproof bowl and set aside. Discard the solids from the strainer.
Add the fresh herbs, if using. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook, being sure to whisk at the edges of the pan, until the gravy thickens slightly. 
Add salt and pepper to taste.
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