Transform your holiday meals with the ultimate **pressure cooker gravy**, effortlessly made in your **Instant Pot** or **Ninja Foodi**! This indispensable guide will show you how to create rich, savory gravy using the convenient sauté function – perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special occasion. The best results come from leveraging those precious turkey drippings after cooking your pressure cooker turkey, making this the easiest and most flavorful way to complete your festive feast.
This holiday season, free up valuable stovetop space and elevate your side dishes by making your favorite mashed potato topping right in your multi-cooker! In mere minutes, you can transform turkey drippings (or even simple broth) into a luxuriously thick and incredibly flavorful gravy. The beauty of using your Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi is its ability to keep the gravy perfectly warm throughout your meal, ensuring every spoonful is as comforting as the first. This method has become one of our most popular Instant Pot recipes, cherished and recreated every single year.
While I may not be the biggest gravy enthusiast myself, I understand its importance and popularity, especially when hosting a grand Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Traditionally, we might prepare an onion gravy on the stovetop, but the convenience and depth of flavor achieved by using the same pot as our turkey is simply unmatched. After preparing our festive bird in the pressure cooker, we’re left with an abundance of flavorful drippings – the ideal foundation for this beloved, homemade sauce.
For those who’ve embraced the versatility of their pressure cooker, you might even know the magic of an Instant Pot frozen turkey breast, which consistently yields incredible results. Regardless of how you cook your turkey, those succulent drippings are liquid gold. Instead of discarding them, thickening them up creates a truly wonderful accompaniment to your meal, adding an extra layer of richness without any extra effort or cost.
Ninja Foodi Gravy Perfection: Harnessing the Sauté Function
If you’re crafting this amazing gravy as part of your repertoire of easy Ninja Foodi recipes, remember that the entire process relies solely on the **sauté function**, with **NO lid attached**. That’s right – simply lift and set aside the pressure cooking lid, and you won’t need the air frying lid either. The open pot allows for easy whisking and evaporation, essential for achieving that perfect, creamy consistency. Engage the sauté function on medium or high, depending on your desired speed, and watch the magic unfold as your drippings transform into a luscious sauce.
The Essence of Flavor: Essential Ingredient Notes
The secret to an exceptional homemade gravy lies in its foundation. After you’ve cooked your magnificent turkey, you’ll find a concentrated pool of flavorful juices and browned bits at the bottom of your pressure cooker or pan. These are not to be discarded! These rich **turkey drippings** will form the deeply flavorful base for your **Instant Pot turkey gravy**. This principle applies equally if you’re making chicken dripping gravy – the concentrated liquid left in the pot is truly culinary gold, packed with savory notes ready to be enhanced.
One of the immense benefits of preparing your turkey directly in your Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi is the seamless transition to making gravy. There’s absolutely no need to transfer those precious juices into another pot, saving you a valuable step and, more importantly, another pot to clean. This convenience is a bonus, especially during the busy holiday season. Beyond the drippings, a little cold water, cornstarch for thickening, and simple salt and pepper to taste are all you truly need to create a masterpiece. We recommend holding off on excessive seasoning until the gravy is nearly complete, allowing the natural richness of the drippings to shine through first.
Achieving the Perfect Consistency: How to Thicken Your Gravy
The key to a velvety smooth gravy is careful thickening. After your drippings are simmering, it’s time to introduce your thickening agent. We highly recommend using **cornstarch** for a clear, glossy finish. To prepare, combine cornstarch with an equal amount of cold water in a small bowl, whisking vigorously until you have a completely smooth slurry. This slurry prevents lumps when added to hot liquid. Begin by slowly whisking this mixture into your hot pan juices, a little at a time. The gravy will start to thicken as it heats. Continue to whisk and add more slurry until you reach your desired consistency. Remember, it’s easier to add more thickener than to thin it out if you’ve added too much, which can also dilute the flavor. Taste and adjust seasonings – salt and pepper are usually sufficient, but feel free to add a pinch of garlic powder or a sprig of fresh thyme if you wish.
For those seeking alternatives, **all-purpose flour** can also be used as a thickener. Create a roux by cooking equal parts butter and flour in the pot for a couple of minutes before adding the drippings. For a **gluten-free option**, **arrowroot powder** is an excellent choice, used in the same slurry method as cornstarch, though it’s best added towards the end of cooking as prolonged heat can reduce its thickening power.
No Drippings? No Problem! How to Make Gravy Without Drippings
Even if you haven’t roasted a turkey or chicken, you can still create a wonderfully flavorful gravy from scratch. The process is similar, but instead of pan drippings, you’ll start with high-quality **turkey broth** or **chicken broth**. Begin by sautéing a tablespoon or two of butter in your pressure cooker pot. You can even brown some finely chopped aromatics like shallots or mushrooms for added depth. Then, whisk in your chosen thickener – a flour roux, or a cornstarch/arrowroot slurry – before gradually adding your broth. Bring it to a boil using the sauté function, whisking constantly until it thickens to your liking.
A crucial tip when making gravy, especially when using drippings or store-bought broth, is to be cautious with salt. Many broths and drippings already contain a significant amount of sodium and concentrated flavor. It’s often difficult to accurately gauge the saltiness of gravy until it has cooled slightly and its flavors have melded. Therefore, it’s always better to *under-salt* initially and adjust at the very end. You can always add more salt, but you can’t easily remove it once it’s in, risking ruining an entire batch. Moreover, individual preferences for seasoning vary greatly, so allowing each person to adjust their own salt and pepper at the table ensures everyone enjoys it perfectly. The natural juices from a roasted bird already pack an incredible amount of flavor on their own, a testament to the simplicity and richness of this dish. This method also works beautifully for a comforting crockpot gravy, offering flexibility for different cooking styles.
Ninja Foodi Gravy Recipe
How to cook pressure cooker gravy and turkey this year for Thanksgiving or Christmas! If you’re ready to use your Instant Pot during the holidays, we can help.
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Equipment
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1 pressure cooker
Ingredients
- 4 cup turkey drippings, or chicken broth
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 1 pinch salt, to taste
- 1 pinch pepper
- 1/2 cup cornstarch, to thicken if desired
Instructions
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Prepare Meat Bits (Optional): If you desire small bits of meat in your gravy, ensure they are precooked. Alternatively, add a tablespoon of olive oil to your pressure cooker pot and set it to sauté. Brown any raw meat bits thoroughly before proceeding.
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Simmer Drippings: Using the sauté mode on your Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi (without the lid), bring your pan juices (turkey drippings or broth) to a gentle boil. Let them simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. This can also be done on your stovetop over medium heat if preferred.
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Create Cornstarch Slurry: In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch with the 1/2 cup of cold water. Whisk continuously until the mixture is completely smooth and free of lumps. This slurry is crucial for achieving a lump-free gravy.
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Thicken the Gravy: Slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering pan juices in your pressure cooker, whisking constantly. Continue to whisk until the gravy begins to thicken to your desired consistency. If you prefer a thicker gravy, you can add a little more slurry (mixed with cold water) until it’s just right. Taste the gravy and add salt and pepper as needed to enhance the flavors.
Nutrition
Serving: 2oz | Calories: 25kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Sodium: 401mg | Vitamin A: 215IU
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Tried this recipe? Mention @thetypical_mom or tag #thetypicalmom!
How to Store Leftovers and Reheat Gravy Like a Pro
Proper storage is essential to enjoy your delicious homemade gravy for days to come. Once your gravy has cooled completely to room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container. It can then be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This leftover gravy is incredibly versatile and can breathe new life into various dishes. It’s fantastic drizzled over leftover roast turkey or chicken, adding moisture and flavor. Don’t forget to try it with Pressure cooker cornbread for a delightful savory treat, particularly when reheating, as it prevents the cornbread from drying out and infuses it with extra taste.
Reheating Leftover Gravy: Tips for Optimal Texture
Gravy tends to thicken significantly in the refrigerator, so it will require a bit of attention when reheating to restore its original smooth consistency. You have a couple of excellent options:
- Microwave Method: For a quick reheat, place the gravy in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on medium power for approximately 1 minute intervals, stirring thoroughly halfway through each interval. Continue until it’s heated through.
- Stovetop Method (Recommended): For the most even warmth and best results, reheat your gravy in a small saucepan over low to medium heat on the stovetop. Whisk continuously as it heats. As it warms, you’ll notice it will be quite thick. To achieve your desired pourable consistency, gradually whisk in small amounts of turkey or chicken broth, or even a splash of water, until it reaches perfection. The stovetop method gives you precise control over the thickness and temperature.
Remember, the goal is to thin it out slightly from its refrigerated state, as cooling always makes gravy more viscous.
Should you find yourself craving a rich, homemade gravy but lack the drippings from a holiday meal, fear not! Our Instant Pot sausage gravy recipe offers a fantastic alternative. It’s a hearty, flavorful option that can be enjoyed year-round, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a comforting dinner.
Gravy Variations and Serving Suggestions
While classic turkey gravy is a star, don’t hesitate to experiment with variations to suit your taste. For an herbal twist, simmer a sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme with your drippings. A splash of dry white wine or sherry can also add sophisticated depth to the flavor profile, just ensure it cooks off completely before thickening. For a richer, deeper color, consider adding a tiny dash of kitchen bouquet or a roasted vegetable concentrate.
Beyond the traditional mashed potatoes, gravy is incredibly versatile. Drizzle it generously over roasted vegetables like asparagus or Brussels sprouts. It’s a fantastic accompaniment to stuffing, biscuits, and even makes a wonderful addition to a simple weeknight chicken or pork chop dinner. Consider it a flavorful sauce that can elevate almost any savory dish.
Troubleshooting Common Gravy Issues
Even experienced cooks can encounter hiccups when making gravy. Here are a few common issues and how to fix them:
- Lumpy Gravy: This usually happens if the thickener wasn’t properly mixed into a slurry with cold liquid before being added to the hot drippings. To fix, you can pass the gravy through a fine-mesh sieve or use an immersion blender right in the pot to smooth it out.
- Gravy Too Thin: Simply create another small cornstarch (or flour/arrowroot) slurry with cold water and whisk it into the simmering gravy, a little at a time, until the desired thickness is achieved.
- Gravy Too Thick: Whisk in small amounts of hot broth, water, or even milk/cream (for a richer gravy) until it reaches your preferred consistency.
- Bland Gravy: Taste and adjust! Add more salt, freshly ground black pepper, a pinch of poultry seasoning, or a dash of Worcestershire sauce. A small amount of nutritional yeast can also add a cheesy, umami depth without changing the texture.
Why Your Pressure Cooker Is the Ultimate Gravy Maker
Utilizing your Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi for gravy offers several distinct advantages, especially during the often-hectic holiday cooking marathons:
- Time-Saving Efficiency: The sauté function brings liquids to a boil quickly, speeding up the thickening process considerably compared to traditional stovetop methods.
- Stovetop Space Saver: As mentioned, it frees up burners for other critical dishes, making kitchen management much easier.
- Consistent Heat: Multi-cookers maintain a steady temperature on sauté, which helps in consistent cooking and reduces the risk of scorching, provided you stir regularly.
- One-Pot Wonder: If you’ve cooked your meat in the same pot, you retain all the flavorful fond and drippings without needing to transfer them, maximizing flavor and minimizing cleanup.
- Keep Warm Function: Once your gravy is perfect, many models offer a ‘Keep Warm’ function, allowing you to hold it at serving temperature without further thickening or scorching, ensuring it’s ready when your meal is served.
By following these simple steps and embracing the power of your pressure cooker, you’ll be able to create a luscious, flavorful gravy that will undoubtedly become a highlight of your holiday spread and any meal thereafter. Say goodbye to lumpy, bland gravy and hello to a smooth, rich accompaniment that truly enhances your culinary creations!