10 Best Ways To Use Leftover Turkey Gravy

Have a batch of leftover turkey gravy from a Thanksgiving or Christmas feast? Learn the 10 Best Ways To Use Leftover Turkey Gravy to repurpose it in delicious recipes so it doesn’t go to waste!

Turkey gravy is a savory sauce traditionally made from the drippings of a roasted turkey, often thickened with flour or cornstarch and seasoned with herbs and spices. Lots of families make a big batch of turkey gravy during Thanksgiving or Christmas to complement a serving of delicious poultry.

And since people make large amounts of food for the holidays, it’s likely you’ll have a bunch of leftover turkey gravy, too! There’s no need to throw out the gravy. You can easily repurpose it into different dishes or even freeze it for later using these simple instructions and ideas.

🦃How To Store Turkey Gravy

The first step to using turkey gravy in recipes is to make sure it’s stored properly. Whether you use the fridge or freeze, proper storage will ensure that it remains tasty and doesn’t go bad quickly.

Refrigerating Turkey Gravy:

1. Cool It Down: Before storing, allow the turkey gravy to cool to room temperature. This helps to prevent condensation, which can encourage bacterial growth.
2. Transfer to a Container: Use a ladle or funnel to pour the gravy into airtight containers or heavy-duty resealable plastic bags.
3. Leave Some Space: If using containers, leave about an inch of headspace to allow for any expansion.
4. Seal Tight: Ensure the container or bag is sealed tightly to prevent air from getting in.
5. Label and Date: Using a marker or sticky label, note the date on the container or bag. This helps you keep track of how long it’s been stored.
6. Store: Place the gravy in the coldest part of the refrigerator.
7. Use Within 3-4 Days: For best quality, consume refrigerated turkey gravy within 3-4 days.

Freezing Turkey Gravy:

1. Cool It Down: Let the gravy cool to room temperature.
2. Pre-Portion: If you want to use small amounts of gravy at different times, consider portioning the gravy into ice cube trays or muffin tins. Once frozen, you can pop them out and store in a larger freezer bag.
3. Transfer to Freezer Bags or Containers: Pour the gravy into heavy-duty freezer bags or airtight freezer-safe containers.
4. Leave Some Space: Leave about an inch of headspace in containers to allow for expansion during freezing.
5. Seal Tight: Press out as much air as possible from freezer bags before sealing.
6. Use Within 4-6 Months: For best quality, consume frozen gravy within 4-6 months. While it can remain safe beyond this time, the quality may start to diminish. Thaw frozen gravy in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

🍗Leftover Turkey Gravy Recipe Ideas

1️⃣Turkey Gravy Soup

• 2 cups leftover turkey gravy
• 3 cups chicken or turkey broth
• 1 cup chopped leftover turkey
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (like carrots, peas, and corn)
• Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a pot. Simmer until vegetables are tender. Serve hot.

2️⃣Turkey Gravy Poutine

• French Fries
• Cheese curds
• Leftover turkey gravy
• Instructions: Lay cooked fries on a plate, sprinkle cheese curds on top, and pour hot gravy over it.

3️⃣Turkey Gravy Pot Pie

• 2 cups turkey gravy
• 2 cups chopped leftover turkey
• 1 pie crust
• 1 ½ cups mixed vegetables
• Instructions: Mix turkey and veggies with gravy. Pour into a pie dish and cover with pie crust. Bake until golden.

4️⃣Creamy Turkey Gravy Pasta

• 1 cup leftover turkey gravy
• 2 cups cooked pasta
• ½ cup cream
• 1 cup cooked turkey, chopped
• Instructions: In a skillet, combine gravy, cream, and turkey. Pour over pasta and serve.

5️⃣Turkey Gravy Rice

• 1 cup rice
• 2 cups leftover turkey gravy
• 1 cup chopped vegetables
• Instructions: Cook rice in gravy until soft. Stir in veggies and serve.

6️⃣Turkey Gravy Pizza

• 1 pizza base
• 1 cup leftover turkey gravy as pizza sauce
• 1 cup leftover turkey, shredded
• 1 cup cheese (your choice)
• Instructions: Spread gravy on pizza base, top with turkey and cheese. Bake as per pizza base instructions.

7️⃣Mashed Potato Bowls

• 2 cups mashed potatoes
• 1 cup leftover turkey, chopped
• ½ cup corn
• Leftover turkey gravy
• Instructions: Layer mashed potatoes, turkey, and corn in a bowl. Pour hot gravy on top.

8️⃣Turkey Gravy Sandwich Spread

• 1 cup turkey gravy
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• Instructions: Blend gravy with mayonnaise. Spread on sandwiches.

9️⃣Turkey Gravy Nachos

• Tortilla chips
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1 cup chopped turkey
• Leftover turkey gravy
• Instructions: Lay out tortilla chips, sprinkle cheese and turkey. Drizzle gravy and bake until cheese melts.

🔟Gravy Glazed Meatballs

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1 egg
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 cup leftover turkey gravy
• Instructions: Combine beef/turkey, egg, breadcrumbs. Form into meatballs. Bake or fry until almost done. Glaze with gravy and continue cooking until glazed and cooked through.

✅More Ways To Use Leftovers

• 10 Best Ways To Use Leftover Sweet Potato Casserole
• 10 Best Ways To Use Leftover Green Bean Casserole
• 10 Best Ways To Use Leftover Dinner Rolls
• 10 Best Ways To Use Leftover Mac and Cheese