For folks who really want to get ahead on their Thanksgiving prep, we present this make-ahead gravy, which you can stash in your refrigerator up to 5 days before T-day. (And, frankly, in your freezer for up to 3 months.) Since we don’t assume you have a casual turkey carcass and drippings lying around, this recipe deploys a different poultry that’s available (and relatively inexpensive) year-round: chicken wings.
For the most flavorful gravy, you’ll fortify pre-made stock (store-bought or homemade) with the seared wings and a few aromatics. For thickening the gravy, we turn to Wondra flour, a very finely milled variety that is less prone to lumps. (It’s also great for frying and makes pretty great pie crust too.) You can use all-purpose if you wish, just be sure to add the liquid slowly, and whisk well between each addition.
When you’re ready to reheat the gravy, have a cup or so of stock on standby. Gravy has a tendency to thicken over time, but a splash more liquid and a vigorous whisk will easily bring it back to silky, mashed-potato-pooling glory.
Recipe information
Total Time
1½ hours
Yield
8 servings
Ingredients
1
1
1
1
1
1
6
3
¼
½
Preparation
Step 1
Heat 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium-high. Cook 1 lb. chicken wings, turning occasionally, until golden brown, 10–12 minutes. Add 1 large onion, unpeeled, coarsely chopped, 1 large carrot, peeled, coarsely chopped, and 1 celery stalk, coarsely chopped, and cook, stirring and turning wings often, until everything in pan is deeply browned, 14–16 minutes. Add a small handful of rosemary, thyme, and/or bay leaves and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in 1 cup dry white wine and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of pan. Bring to a boil and cook until wine is reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Add 6 cups Thanksgiving Stock or low-sodium chicken broth and return to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced by a third, 35–40 minutes.
Step 2
Strain fortified stock through a fine-mesh sieve into a heatproof bowl. (You should have about 4 cups. If you don’t, add enough stock or water to get you there.) Discard solids. Keep fortified stock warm while you make your roux.
Step 3
Heat 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium. Whisk in ¼ cup Wondra or all-purpose flour and cook, whisking constantly, until roux is golden brown and looks smooth and shiny, about 4 minutes.
Step 4
Whisking constantly, ladle fortified stock into roux, pouring in gradually and making sure to incorporate after each addition before adding more. Simmer, whisking often, until gravy is thickened and reduced to about 3 cups (it should coat a spoon), 8–10 minutes. Stir in ½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce, taste, and season with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper.
Do Ahead: Gravy can be made 5 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill. Reheat over low before serving.
Editor’s note: This Make-Ahead Gravy recipe was first printed in our November 2017 issue. Head this way for more of our best Thanksgiving recipes →
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