No holiday feast is complete without gravy, and this one skips the flour entirely. Keto turkey gravy starts with real pan drippings, so save those after roasting your bird.
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Xanthan gum is a genuinely powerful thickener, and it does not behave the way flour or cornstarch does. Start small, and let it rest a few minutes before deciding you need more.
No pan drippings? You can still make a good gravy, it just takes a slightly different approach.
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Chef Jenn’s Take on Keto Turkey Gravy
Xanthan gum is genuinely powerful, made from fermented sugar and dried into a powder, and it thickens without adding any carbs.
Take the pot off the heat before whisking it in, then let it rest 3 to 4 minutes before deciding you need more. Do not add more unless it has rested at least 10 minutes, and if you want it thicker after that, add just an eighth of a teaspoon more and let it rest again. Too much turns the gravy slimy fast. Lumps anyway? An immersion blender smooths them right out.
A reader once asked what to do without pan drippings, and the honest answer is it takes a slightly different approach. Sacrifice a wing, simmer it in a small pot with water, onion, celery, and a bay leaf, adding the turkey neck too if you have one, for real turkey-flavored stock. Only cooking a breast? You can still make good gravy without drippings, just cut back a bit on the xanthan gum until it thickens nicely.
A touch of sage makes this more savory, a tablespoon of bacon fat adds real richness, and red pepper flakes bring heat if you want it.
What You’ll Love About Keto Turkey Gravy
- Flexible enough to make even without drippings, with a bit of planning.
- Real pan drippings and no flour, a genuine holiday-table staple.
- Ready in about 15 minutes, mostly hands-off simmering.
Ingredients
- Roasted turkey pan drippings – Save these after roasting your bird.
- Chicken broth – Low sodium.
- Butter – Salted.
- Xanthan Gum – Added off the heat, used sparingly.
- Garlic powder Fresh minced garlic works too, in a smaller amount.
- Worcestershire Sauce – Regular.
How to Make Keto Turkey Gravy
Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions.
Whisk the butter, turkey drippings, and chicken broth together in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes.
Add the garlic powder and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well and simmer an additional minute. Take the pot off the heat and whisk in the xanthan gum. Mix well, then let rest for 3 to 4 minutes to thicken.
Season with salt and pepper, and serve.
Make It A Meal
Serve this over turkey with all the fixings, and don’t forget Cranberry Sauce. It’s also great smothered over a Turkey Chaffwich for leftovers. For sides, Parmesan Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Cheesy Baked Asparagus with Bacon & Peppers round out the table.
Storage
This freezes well. Package in freezer-friendly containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge, or gently on the stovetop over very low heat, and serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe runs about 1 net carb per 1/4 cup serving. The number in the recipe card below will recalculate once this post is republished, so use it as an estimate until then.
Making keto turkey gravy is as simple as combining pan drippings with broth or water and then thickening it!
If it fits your macros, absolutely! Some gravies are thickened with cornstarch or arrowroot powder which adds some carbs but not quite as much as a traditional gravy thickened with flour.
Yes, it’s a natural product made from fermented sugar, and it adds essentially zero net carbs while thickening the gravy.
Add Preferred SourceKeto Turkey Gravy
Ingredients
- 1 cup roasted turkey pan drippings
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
Instructions
- Whisk the butter, turkey drippings and chicken broth in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic powder and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well to combine and simmer an additional minute.
- Take the pot off the heat and whisk in the xanthan gum. Mix well to combine, then let rest for 3-4 minutes to allow it to thicken. Season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Recipe Card Tips
- Take the pot off the heat before adding the xanthan gum, and let it rest before deciding you need more.
- Don’t add more xanthan gum unless it’s rested at least 10 minutes, or the gravy can turn slimy.
- If you get lumps, an immersion blender smooths them right out.
Nutrition
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed. Erythritol carbs (sugar substitutes) are not included in the carbohydrate counts as they have been shown not to impact blood sugar, and they have zero calories and zero carbs. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Want even more keto deliciousness? How about a hot and hearty keto soup & chowder, a tasty casserole, or a fabulous dessert? This sausage dish is one of my all-time favorites, and for lunch, I’m loving this keto French dip chaffwhich!
Great option to complete the turkey!
Sounds amazing! Keto and gravy sounds like it would not mix but you prove it does! THANKS
Hm, I always add cream to my turkey gravy and never thought to do it any other way. But now I am intrigued… will try it this way next time!
This is delicious and goes really well with roast turkey.
I love how easily this comes together. Easy recipes full of flavor are the best!
Hey Jenn, Where would you start / suggestions for if you don’t have pan drippings? Thanks!
No pan drippings makes it a bit trickier and with chicken broth, you’re going to end up with more chicken gravy than turkey. What I’d do is sacrifice a wing – cut it off and simmer it in a small pot with water, some onion, celery, and a bay leaf. Add the turkey neck if you have one. This will give you good turkey flavored stock. If you’re just doing a breast, you can still make tasty gravy without the drippings – just watch cut back a bit on the xanthan gum until it’s thick and luscious. Hope that helps!