Giblet Gravy

If you normally don't use the giblets that come with your Thanksgiving turkey, this is the year to start. Giblet gravy is richer and meatier tasting than the traditional brown gravy, and you can make the gravy while the turkey is cooking—no need to wait on it to finish roasting to use the drippings! 

It also means you'll be able to use every part of the turkey and you don't have to throw out that little plastic bag that comes along with your bird. We love a zero-waste recipe! 

What the heck is a giblet?

Giblets are the edible offal meat of the turkey, typically the liver, heart, gizzards, and neck, that come in a small paper or plastic pouch stuffed inside the cavity of the bird. They give the gravy a boost of extra flavor and texture. Liver cooks faster than the other offal meat, so adding the liver toward the end of the cooking time keeps them from overcooking and imparting bitterness to the gravy.

Add a flavor and texture boost

When cool enough to handle, use a fork or your fingers to remove as much of the meat from the neck bone as you can, and chop the meat up along with the giblets. Adding the chopped giblets to the gravy gives it an extra jolt of flavor and texture. But for giblet beginners, those who aren't a fan of cooked giblet texture, or super-smooth gravy lovers, the final step of adding the giblets back in can be optional if you just want the flavor without the actual giblets.

Are giblets good for you?

Yes! Turkey gizzards are packed full of protein. And livers and hearts are packed with a ton of vitamins and minerals including iron, zinc and Vitamin B12

This gravy can be smothered on turkey, spooned over stuffing and mashed potatoes, or any roasted veggies, but if you have any left over (though we doubt you will) this is the perfect sauce for a leftovers sandwich or for a chicken dinner a couple of days later. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

If you've made this recipe, be sure to drop us a comment down below and let us know how you liked it! And if you're sticking to a Keto diet this Thanksgiving, try our Keto Gravy instead!