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Home » Recipes » Thanksgiving

Southern Giblet Gravy Recipe

Close up of southern giblet gravy in a gravy boat.
An Old Fashioned Southern Giblet Gravy recipe is full of deliciously tasty flavors and comforting warmth.
Prep Time :2 hours hrs
Cook Time :30 minutes mins
Total Time :2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Servings :8 people
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Published: Mar 12, 2024 · Modified: Jul 28, 2025 by Melanie Cagle · Leave a Comment

An old fashioned Southern Giblet Gravy Recipe that's perfect as a Thanksgiving gravy for your turkey or just because you're craving some down-home comfort food.

Southern giblet gravy in a gravy boat.
Southern Giblet Gravy Recipe

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As I already mentioned, yes, it's the perfect gravy for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it's also great any time of year.

Like maybe you're craving some old fashioned southern comfort food and this giblet gravy served over some creamy mashed potatoes won't disappoint!

Jump to:
  • What makes this recipe so yummy
  • Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
  • Recipe walkthrough: Instructions
  • Recipe variations and substitute ideas
  • Necessary gear: Equipment
  • More turkey recipes I think you'll love
  • How to store leftovers
  • Mel's kitchen notes
  • Melanie Cagle
  • Frequently asked questions: FAQs
  • Southern Giblet Gravy Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

What makes this recipe so yummy

  • It's easy to make and a great use of those extras found inside your turkey.
  • This is the kind of recipe that grandmas make.
  • You can make it directly in the roasting pan too using the pan drippings from roasting the turkey.

Groceries you'll need: Ingredients

Overhead shot of ingredients needed to make a southern giblet gravy recipe with text overlay.

See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.

Recipe walkthrough: Instructions

This is an overview of the recipe steps. For more detailed instructions visit the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

A pot of water cooking some turkey giblets and a turkey neck.
Step 1: In a medium saucepan add the turkey neck and giblets and cover with water. Simmer for 2 hours, covered.
Some cooked turkey giblets in a bowl.
Step 2: Remove the meat from the pot and set aside. Reserve the giblet broth to use later.
A large skillet with finely diced vegetables and butter.
Step 3: Add the butter, chopped onions, carrots and celery to a large skillet and cook for 5 minutes (or until soft).
Flour added to a skillet of cooking vegetables.
Step 4: Add the flour and cook another 5 minutes.
Slowly pouring chicken broth into a large skillet of cooking vegetables.
Step 5: Slow pour the chicken broth into the mixture stirring constantly.
Seasonings added to a skillet of gravy with a bay leaf.
Step 6: Add the seasonings and bay leaf and cook for 15 minutes over medium-high heat.
Meat removed from bone and finely diced, on a chopping board.
Step 7: Chop the meat (from the neck bone) and add to the pan, cook for another 5 minutes.
Meat added to a large skillet.
Step 8: Discard the bay leaf and thin with some of the giblet broth if needed.

Hint: Another way to add great flavor is to use the drippings from your roasted turkey in place of some of the broth.

Recipe variations and substitute ideas

  • Thyme - if you don't have poultry seasoning. There is a lot of thyme in it though.
  • Rosemary - or your favorite fresh herbs.
  • Hard-boiled Eggs - a chopped hard boiled egg is often added.
  • Garlic - for some added flavor.
  • Heavy Cream - can be used to thicken, if needed. The roux is usually enough though (flour and butter).
Close up side show of a plate of sliced turkey and sides with a giblet gravy poured on top.

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Necessary gear: Equipment

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I use a medium sized saucepan to cook down the turkey neck and giblets first. I also use a large 12" skillet to make the final gravy.

You could cook the giblet gravy right there in the roasting pan though. I know a lot of people that do this.

More turkey recipes I think you'll love

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  • A whole turkey that has been cooked with a smoked turkey injection recipe.
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How to store leftovers

Once the southern giblet gravy has cooled completely, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, for up to 4 days.

It can be frozen too, store in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.

Mel's kitchen notes

Prepare the first step (making the giblet broth) the day before you need it. It makes it much easier on your cooking day if you don't have to do that step... plus it helps the flavors marry better.

About The Author

Melanie Cagle

Melanie is a professional cook, food photographer and Cajun food connoisseur. Since 2020 she has been sharing rigorously tested recipes and tutorials right here on this blog.

Her work has been featured on Fox News channels, Yahoo news, Southern Living and more.

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A delicious looking plate with turkey, mac and cheese and sweet potato casserole with giblet gravy poured over the turkey.


Frequently asked questions: FAQs

What is giblet gravy made of?

This is a southern favorite during the holidays. Using the neck and other little parts that are usually in a bag in the cavity of the turkey, a delicious comforting gravy can be made.

How long do you boil the giblets?

I like to cook them for 2 hours. It helps create that really delicious broth that you can use (in place of the chicken broth) or just to thin it out.

What part of the giblets would you not use?

You can use them all, sometimes people find the liver to impart a bitterness though when boiled, so this can be left out.


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Close up of southern giblet gravy in a gravy boat.
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Southern Giblet Gravy Recipe

An Old Fashioned Southern Giblet Gravy recipe is full of deliciously tasty flavors and comforting warmth.
Prep Time2 hours hrs
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Total Time2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Servings: 8 people
Cuisine: American, gravies and sauces, Sauces, Southern Food
Author: Melanie Cagle
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Equipment

  • 1 Large 12" Skillet
  • 1 4.5 Quart Pot

Ingredients

  • 1 Each Turkey Neck & Giblets
  • ¼ Cup Unsalted Butter
  • 1 Cup Yellow Onions finely diced
  • ½ Cup Carrots finely diced
  • ½ Cup Celery finely diced
  • ¼ Cup All Purpose Flour
  • 5 Cups Chicken Broth or turkey broth
  • 1 Each Bay Leaf
  • ½ teaspoon Poultry Seasoning

Instructions

  • Add the turkey neck and giblets to a pot and cover with water (about 4 cups water). Bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 hours.
    1 Each Turkey Neck & Giblets
  • Remove the meat from the pot and put aside. Keep the broth for use later.
  • Add butter to a large skillet and cook the onions, celery and carrots until soft, about 5 minutes.
    1 Cup Yellow Onions, ½ Cup Carrots, ½ Cup Celery, ¼ Cup Unsalted Butter
  • Add the flour and cook another 5 minutes.
    ¼ Cup All Purpose Flour
  • Slowly pour in the chicken broth, stirring constantly.
    5 Cups Chicken Broth
  • Add the seasonings and cook over medium-high heat for 15 minutes.
    1 Each Bay Leaf, ½ teaspoon Poultry Seasoning
  • Remove all the meat from the neck and chop into small pieces. Add to the gravy and stir, cooking for 5 more minutes.
  • Remove the bay leaf.
  • Thin with the giblet broth if you like your gravy to be thinner.
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Nutrition

Serving: 2floz | Calories: 63kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 611mg | Potassium: 106mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1372IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg

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