Turkey Wing Gravy with Onion, Celery, and Homemade Thickening Recipe
Introduction
This turkey gravy recipe is rich, flavorful, and made from scratch using turkey wings and fresh aromatics. Perfect for Thanksgiving or any time you want a comforting and savory gravy to serve with your meal.

Ingredients
- 1.5 to 2 pounds of turkey wings
- 3 tablespoons of butter (for wings)
- 4 cups of turkey broth
- 1 packet of turkey gravy mix (approximately 0.87 ounce)
- 1 packet of brown gravy mix (approximately 0.87 ounce)
- 1 heaping teaspoon of corn starch
- 1/4 cup of cold water
- Poultry seasoning mix of your choice
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Black pepper
- Kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons of butter (for sautéing)
- 1/3 cup of finely minced onions
- 1/4 cup of finely minced celery and celery leaves
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C) and prepare a small roasting dish that just fits your turkey wings. Season the wings lightly on all sides with black pepper, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder, then generously with poultry seasoning. Place 3 tablespoons of butter on top of the wings, if desired.
- Step 2: Place the wings in the roasting dish and cover tightly with foil. Bake for about 90 minutes, checking halfway through to see if there is liquid in the bottom. If not, add 1 cup of water, cover tightly again, and continue baking.
- Step 3: While the wings bake, heat 3 tablespoons of butter in a large, deep skillet. Add the minced onions and celery and sauté for 10–12 minutes until soft.
- Step 4: Remove the turkey wings from the oven and let cool slightly. Save the pan juices. Remove and discard the skin and bones, then finely mince the turkey meat. Add the minced meat to the skillet with onions and celery and sauté for 5 minutes.
- Step 5: Pour the drippings from the roasting pan along with the 4 cups of turkey broth into the skillet. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat, cover, and let simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 6: If you prefer a smooth gravy, use an immersion blender to blend the mixture, or strain it to remove turkey bits and veggies. Otherwise, leave it chunky for extra texture.
- Step 7: In a bowl, whisk together both packets of gravy mix with about 1 cup of the hot liquid from the skillet until smooth. Slowly stir this back into the skillet and simmer for about 5 minutes, whisking as the gravy thickens.
- Step 8: For thicker gravy, mix the corn starch with cold water until smooth and add gradually to the gravy, whisking continuously until the desired thickness is reached. Adjust seasonings as needed.
- Step 9: Serve immediately, or refrigerate for 3 to 5 days. You may also freeze the gravy and thaw before reheating.
Tips & Variations
- Adding the minced turkey meat gives your gravy extra flavor and texture, but you can strain it for a smoother version if preferred.
- Use an immersion blender to blend the gravy for a creamy consistency without needing to strain.
- Adjust seasonings at the end to suit your taste—more black pepper or poultry seasoning can enhance the flavor.
- If you don’t have turkey broth, substitute with chicken broth or homemade stock for a subtle difference.
- For a richer gravy, finish by stirring in a splash of cream or a small pat of butter before serving.
Storage
Store leftover gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring occasionally. If the gravy has thickened too much after cooling, whisk in a little broth or water to loosen it. This gravy can also be frozen for longer storage and thawed when needed.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use other turkey parts instead of wings?
Yes, other parts like drumsticks or thighs can be used, but cooking times may vary. Wings work well because of their size and flavor concentration.
Do I have to use both turkey and brown gravy mixes?
Using both packets adds depth and complexity, but you can use just one according to your preference or what you have on hand.
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Turkey Wing Gravy with Onion, Celery, and Homemade Thickening Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: About 4 cups of turkey gravy 1x
Description
A rich and flavorful turkey gravy made from slow-roasted turkey wings, aromatic sautéed vegetables, and a combination of turkey and brown gravy mixes. This homemade gravy is perfect for serving with mashed potatoes, turkey, or any savory dish, offering a comforting and hearty sauce with tender turkey meat and a luscious texture.
Ingredients
Turkey Wings and Seasoning
- 1.5 to 2 pounds of Turkey Wings
- 3 tablespoons of butter (for wings)
- Black Pepper, to taste
- Kosher Salt, to taste
- Garlic Powder, to taste
- Onion Powder, to taste
- Poultry Seasoning Mix, generously
Sautéed Vegetables
- 3 tablespoons of butter
- 1/3 cup of finely minced onions
- 1/4 cup of finely minced celery and celery leaves
Gravy Base and Thickener
- 4 cups of Turkey broth
- 1 packet of turkey gravy mix (approximately 0.87 ounce)
- 1 packet of brown gravy mix (approximately 0.87 ounce)
- 1 heaping teaspoon of corn starch
- 1/4 cup of cold water
Instructions
- Prepare Turkey Wings: Preheat oven to 325°F. Select a small roasting dish that just fits the turkey wings. Lightly season the wings on all sides with black pepper, kosher salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Then generously coat all over with poultry seasoning mix. Place 3 tablespoons of butter atop the wings (optional).
- Roast the Wings: Place the wings in the roasting dish and tightly cover with aluminum foil. Bake for approximately 90 minutes. Halfway through cooking, check if liquid has formed in the dish; if not, add 1 cup of water, cover again tightly, and continue roasting.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large, deep-sided skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced onions and celery with leaves, sautéing for 10 to 12 minutes until softened.
- Prepare Turkey Meat: Carefully remove roasted wings from the oven and let cool enough to handle. Reserve the pan drippings. Remove skin and bones from the wings, finely mince the turkey meat, and discard skin and bones.
- Combine Meat and Vegetables: Add the minced turkey meat to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Cook and stir for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
- Add Liquids and Simmer: Pour the reserved drippings and 4 cups of turkey broth into the skillet. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cover. Let it simmer gently for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Optionally, use an immersion blender to blend the mixture for a smooth gravy, or strain to remove bits and keep just the liquid.
- Prepare Gravy Mix: In a bowl, whisk together the turkey gravy mix and brown gravy mix packets with about 1 cup of the hot liquid from the skillet until smooth.
- Thicken the Gravy: Return the skillet to a low simmer and whisk in the prepared gravy mix. Continue whisking and simmering for about 5 minutes until the gravy thickens.
- Adjust Thickness: For thicker gravy, whisk 1 heaping teaspoon of cornstarch with 1/4 cup cold water until smooth. Gradually add this slurry to the simmering gravy while whisking. Cook for 1-2 minutes until desired thickness is reached.
- Final Seasoning and Serving: Taste the gravy and adjust seasoning if necessary with salt, pepper, or seasoning mix. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 3 to 5 days, or freeze for later use.
Notes
- For stronger flavor, do not discard turkey bits and vegetables; they add texture and richness to the gravy.
- Use an immersion blender for a smooth gravy or strain for a smoother texture without meat bits.
- The butter on the wings before roasting helps retain moisture and add flavor but is optional.
- If no liquid forms during roasting, adding water ensures enough drippings for flavor and moisture.
- Adjust seasoning at the end to suit personal taste preferences.
- This gravy can be made ahead and reheated, making it perfect for holiday meals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Gravy
- Method: Baking and Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: turkey gravy, turkey wings, homemade gravy, Thanksgiving gravy, brown gravy, turkey broth, savory gravy

