Dr. Axe > Recipes > Sauces & Dressings > Gluten-Free

Giblet Gravy Recipe, for Turkey or Chicken

Name: Giblet Gravy Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup boiled chicken (or turkey) giblets, minced; 1 tablespoon arrowroot starch; ¼ cup chicken or turkey drippings or grass-fed butter; 3 cups chicken bone broth; ½ shallot, finely chopped; 2 cloves of garlic, minced; ¼ cup celery, chopped; ¼ cup carrots, chopped; ¼ teaspoon cayenne; 1 teaspoon sage, chopped; 1 teaspoon salt

November 27, 2024 by Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CN

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One of the best parts of so many side dishes is the gravy, and come Thanksgiving, that means giblet gravy.

Sorry, mashed potatoes, but we all know that the star is the sauce. One thing I see often, though, is people buying pre-made gravy in a jar or mixing it together from a packet.

It’s a shame because homemade gravy is super simple to make. You can have fresh, healthy gravy on the table in just 20 minutes.

Next time you’re tempted to reach for the pre-made gravy, turn to this giblet gravy recipe instead. It will complement your turkey breast perfectly, as well as fit in with the these delicious Thanksgiving side dishes.

What are giblets?

If you always purchase your chicken or turkey from the bigger producers, you might not see giblets too often, as they’re often discarded before the birds are shipped to supermarkets.

Chickens and turkeys from your local butcher and certain brands include giblets, however. I always choose birds with giblets, because they’re so useful.

Chicken giblets are simply the innards of the chicken, like the gizzard, the neck meat, the liver, the heart and other organ meats, and they are usually found in a little bag stuffed in the bird’s cavity.

While giblets aren’t particularly useful for eating (except for the liver), they are fantastic for making giblet broth and, you guessed it, gravy. They add a complex, tasty chicken flavor naturally.

Because they’re part of the bird’ body, giblets also add extra nutritional benefits like vitamins and minerals you wouldn’t get from a pre-made, preservative-rich gravy.

Cooking with giblets also means you’re using the entire bird when cooking, instead of discarding certain bits. It’s a way of cooking much closer to how folks a few generations ago were preparing food — one that minimizes waste.

Nutrition facts

One serving of this giblet gravy recipe contains roughly the following:

52 calories
2.2 grams protein
4.3 grams fat
1.4 grams carbohydrates
0.2 gram fiber
<1 gram sugar

I can’t think of a better dressing than this giblet gravy. With only 52 calories a serving, it still packs in protein thanks to the giblets.

When you drizzle this sauce over savory turkey or chicken, you’re in for a protein-rich meal, and you won’t get the not-so-good-for-you ingredients found in canned gravies from the store and even some homemade gravy recipes that include so-so ingredients, such as cornstarch and chicken bouillon cubes.

Foods to serve it with

Now let’s talk about what to serve this giblet gravy with. It’s fantastic to have on hand for holidays like Thanksgiving.

As I mentioned, it’s excellent with potatoes but also perfect for serving alongside chicken or turkey. In fact, you can use turkey giblets to make this too.

You can also get creative with this homemade giblet gravy. It’s a great dressing on roast beef sandwiches.

If you have picky eaters, drizzling some of this giblet gravy on top of vegetables can make those carrots and broccoli go down a whole lot more smoothly.

In fact, this gravy is an easy way to sneak in an extra serving of veggies — I use some celery and carrots in it, but you can bulk it up with even more or add in some zucchini, which has a mild flavor.

And because this giblet gravy is prepared with arrowroot starch and not flour, it won’t upset delicate stomachs. Yes, this giblet gravy recipe is a winner!

How to make giblet gravy

Making giblet gravy is really simple. I usually like doing it while the chicken or turkey rests straight out of the oven so I can use the drippings.

If you don’t have chicken drippings, grass-fed butter is a good substitute.

Let’s get started. First, in a large saucepan over medium heat, add the giblets, arrowroot starch, meat drippings or butter, shallot, garlic, celery, carrots, cayenne, sage and salt, and whisk it all to combine.

Next, sauté the mixture until the roux thickens, about 2 minutes.

Next, add in the bone broth, and let the homemade gravy simmer for about 8–10 minutes, or until the gravy reaches the consistency you like.

Serve hot over your favorite dish, and enjoy your homemade chicken/turkey gravy! I think you’ll find this gravy makes for one of the most versatile condiments.

I love pouring this over dry brined turkey flavored with my favorite poultry seasonings, rosemary and thyme, with gluten-free cornbread stuffing and next to a sweet potato casserole.