You got a perfectly cooked Roast Turkey. All you need now is a great gravy! This Turkey Gravy with Red Wine is made using the drippings from the turkey tray.
We show you how to make your own quick and easy gravy from the turkey stock without giblets. The addition of rich red wine makes this the ultimate Christmas dinner gravy, but of course, it is not just for Xmas!
How to make a Turkey Gravy with Red wine?
Check out the video below for a visual guide of how to make your own Turkey Gravy with Red Wine.
Now you can continue reading the tips in this post to find out more?
On the other hand, if you just want to get on with it, use the below jump to recipe button!
Jump to RecipeMaking gravy using leftover turkey drippings?
Got a tray full of flavoursome drippings from the turkey? Don't let that go to waste!!
Of course, if you followed our small whole turkey recipe you will have stock in the pan, which has been catching all the delicious turkey drippings.
If you didn't follow our recipe (tut, tut) and there is no stock in the pan, simply add the stock now and give it a good stir into the drippings!
Feel free to top up with additional stock if you want the gravy to serve more people?
How to remove lumps from turkey juices for gravy?
To remove all the lumps from the turkey juices in the roasting tin, simply use a sieve and pour the liquid through!
How to separate fat from stock?
To separate fat from the stock, pour into a jug. Place the jug in the fridge/ freezer or if its cold outside cover and put out there!
The cold will naturally bring the fat to the top of the jug. As a result, the fat is easy to spoon off.
Why add red wine to gravy?
Red wine makes the turkey gravy extra special, the delicious flavours and aroma will complement the whole Christmas dinner perfectly!
Which red wine should I use for cooking in gravy?
I hear many people say you can use a cheap wine to cook with?
My mentality is if it doesn’t taste good enough to drink why ruin your recipe with it?!
That doesn't mean you need an expensive wine, choose a mid range wine which you enjoy.
In this case we used Yellow Tail Merlot, available from most supermarkets.
Can Red Wine Gravy be eaten during pregnancy?
This is a personal choice, remember the amount of red wine in the gravy once served between all, is minimal.
Plus the red wine is cooked, this means some of the alcohol is burned off!
Can I make this Turkey Gravy without red wine?
Of course, if you didn't want red wine you can just substitute with extra stock instead.
Add turkey juices to red wine for gravy
Bring red wine to the boil in a sauce pan for a few minutes, as a result this will reduce it a little.
Add the turkey drippings and extra stock if needed?
Give the red wine, drippings and stock a stir whilst bringing to the boil.
How to thicken gravy?
Gravy will thicken over time during cooking but also needs a bit of flour or cornstarch to help thicken.
However, before you chuck it into the gravy and end up with a lumpy mess, here are a few guidelines for thickening gravy.
Cornstarch or Flour for Turkey gravy?
So which is the best option, cornstarch or flour to thicken gravy? I have used both and don't have a go to option!
So I just go for whatever is easiest to reach for! However, the one difference is..... the amount you use.
How much cornstarch or flour is needed to thicken turkey gravy?
The amount of cornstarch or flour needed to thicken gravy is different.
If using cornstarch, you want to use about one tablespoon per 300ml of liquid in your recipe. Whereas, if using flour, you want to use about 1½ tablespoon per 300ml of liquid in your recipe.
| Tablespoon per 300ml of liquid | |
| Cornstarch | 1 |
| Flour | 1½ |
In this case, we used 400ml turkey drippings and stock + 200ml red wine, which makes 600ml of liquid.
So, the amount of cornstarch needed would be 2 tbsp. Or if using flour, it would be 3 tbsp.
How to add flour or cornstarch to flour?
It is important you don't just throw the tablespoons of flour or cornstarch straight into the stock and wine. That is a guaranteed way to get a very lumpy mess!
You can either make a slurry described below or slowly sieve it in a little at a time.
How to make a flour slurry?
To make a slurry, mix the flour or cornstarch with an equal measurement of cold water.
Give it a really good stir until a smooth paste, then slowly pour a bit at a time whilst stirring into the gravy.
How to remove lumps from turkey gravy?
Of course, despite following the steps above, there sometimes are still a few lumps!
So, don't despair... there is still a way to remove any lumps caused by flour/cornstarch from the gravy.
Use a sieve to pour the gravy through, thus removing any flour or cornstarch lumps.
Serve straight away in a gravy boat or, put a lid on to the pan and reheat when needed.
How to keep gravy warm?
To keep the gravy warm and prevent it from forming a skin, simply put it in a thermos flask until dinner is ready! Then transfer to the gravy jug.
How to store gravy?
If the dinner is not quite ready this turkey gravy will be fine sitting in a covered saucepan for up to an hour before reheating to serve.
As a result of being left to cool, the gravy will thicken more and will also get skin formed on top. Stir the skin back into the gravy whilst reheating before serving.
If you want to make ahead and store for longer than an hour, you will need to transfer it to the fridge.
How long does Gravy keep in the fridge?
Turkey Gravy with red wine will keep in the fridge for up to two days. Or you can indeed freeze for up to 4 months.
How to reheat Turkey gravy with red wine?
To reheat the gravy, you have two options, either reheat in a saucepan over the hob or use a microwave. Whichever option you choose just stir regularly and heat until steaming hot.
📖 Step by Step Recipe
Turkey Gravy with Red Wine - Make Your Own from Drippings
Ingredients
- Leftover Turkey Drippings - from the roasting tin
- 400 ml Stock - Turkey or Chicken from a cube
- 200 ml Red wine - Substitute with extra stock if wine not wanted.
- 3 tablespoon Flour - or 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- cold water
Instructions
- If following our Small Whole Turkey recipe the stock will already be in the roasting tin.If not, add the hot stock to the roasting tin now and stir through with the juices
- Use a sieve to separate the lumps from the stock and dripping mixture into a jug
- Cover jug and place in a cool place (outside/fridge/freezer) to allow the fat to separate from the stock.
- Use a spoon to take away the layer of fat that has formed on the top after cooling. Set to one side.
- Pour wine into a pan, bring to a boil for a few minutes. Allowing it to reduce.
- Add the prepared turkey dripping & stock to the wine. Stir through until dissolved.
- Mix flour or cornstarch with an equal amount of cold water until it is a lump-free paste!Add paste a little at a time, whilst stirring.Keep over medium heat for 2 minutes. Add more flour/cornstarch for a thicker gravy.
- If a few lumps have formed from the flour, simply use a sieve again to remove them.
- Pour into a gravy boat to serve
- Perfect poured over Roast Turkey for Christmas Dinner!
Video
Nutrition
What to serve your Turkey Gravy with Red Wine on?
This delicious Turkey Gravy is perfect poured over our air fryer turkey, Roast Turkey, Vegetables, Stuffing Balls, Yorkshire Puddings, and Roast Potatoes for Thanksgiving or Christmas Dinner. Why not make your own Bread Sauce and Cranberry Sauce too.
Of course, it can be enjoyed any time of the year!
Please leave us a review and a comment to let us and others know how you got on.
Linda says
You got me at red wine and I can't wait to try this recipe. It will make my Thanksgiving more delicious!
Kay says
Not long now for thanksgiving! xx
Chef Dennis says
This Turkey Gravy looks sooo delicious! Never red red wine on gravy. I am so excited!
Kay says
Red wine makes a great addition to Gravy 😉
Emily Flint says
I've always made gravy with white wine but maybe I will try red this year!
Kay says
Brilliant, I save the white wine for my wine glass lol! I love cooking with red wine!
Gillian says
Definitely going to use this recipe for my Christmas dinner this year thank you
Luke says
It is truly mouth watering!