For those following a ketogenic diet, traditional gravy, often thickened with flour or cornstarch, is typically off-limits due to its high carbohydrate content. However, with a few clever substitutions, you can enjoy a rich, flavorful, and keto-friendly gravy that perfectly complements roasted meats, sausages, mashed cauliflower, and especially your holiday turkey dinner. This article explores various keto turkey gravy recipes, including those incorporating cream cheese for added richness and creaminess.
Understanding Keto-Friendly Gravy
The primary challenge in creating a keto gravy lies in finding a suitable low-carb thickener. Traditional options like flour and cornstarch are high in carbs, making them unsuitable for a ketogenic diet. Fortunately, several alternatives can be used to achieve the desired consistency without compromising your carb intake.
Acceptable Thickeners for Keto Gravy:
- Xanthan Gum: A very small amount is needed to thicken gravy, and it is often mixed with a small amount of the gravy to create a paste before adding it to the rest of the gravy to prevent lumps.
- Guar Gum: Similar to xanthan gum, use sparingly.
- Glucomannan: A fiber extracted from the konjac root, it's a great thickener that doesn't clump easily. Use about 1/4 tsp per 1 cup of liquid.
- Cream Cheese: Blending cream cheese into the hot broth adds thickness and a creamy texture.
- Cornstarch (with caution): One tablespoon contains 7 grams of carbs, which might fit into your macronutrient limits if you have some wiggle room.
- Oat Fiber: Mimics regular flour well and has a less strong flavor than almond or coconut flour.
It's worth noting that simmering the ingredients to evaporate water from the stock can also naturally thicken gravy.
Keto Turkey Gravy Recipes
Here are a couple of recipes that can be made to create that perfect keto turkey gravy.
Keto Turkey Gravy with Xanthan Gum (or without)
This recipe utilizes turkey drippings for extra flavor and can be made with or without xanthan gum, offering flexibility based on your preference.
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Ingredients:
- Turkey drippings (from roasting pan)
- Chicken or turkey stock
- Butter
- Xanthan gum (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Heavy cream or cream cheese (optional, for creamier gravy)
Instructions:
- If using the roasting pan, remove the turkey and place the pan (without the turkey) with the drippings on the hob. Alternatively, pour the drippings into a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add all ingredients except xanthan gum, bring to a boil, and simmer for 5 minutes.
- If using xanthan gum, place it in a small bowl, add a tablespoon of the gravy to the powder to make a paste, and then add it to the gravy.
- Taste and adjust seasonings.
- For a creamier gravy, add heavy cream or cream cheese.
Keto Turkey Gravy with Cream Cheese
This recipe incorporates cream cheese for a richer, creamier gravy.
Ingredients:
- Turkey
- Butter
- Cream cheese
- Heavy whipping cream
- Soy sauce
- Capers (optional, for topping)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Season the turkey with salt and pepper on both sides.
- In a large oven-proof pan, heat 1/3 of the butter over medium heat. Fry the turkey for 8-10 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove the pan from heat and place it in the middle rack of the oven. Roast for 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). (Note: If the turkey is not done at 30 minutes or the internal temperature is not achieved, roast for another 15 minutes.)
- Transfer the turkey to a serving platter and cover with a tent of foil.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat along with the turkey drippings. Add the cream cheese and heavy whipping cream. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
- Lower the heat and let it simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally.
- Add the soy sauce and season with salt and pepper.
- In a small pan, heat the remaining butter over medium-high heat. Stir-fry the capers until crispy (optional).
- Slice the turkey and pour the creamy cheese sauce over it. Top with crispy capers, if desired.
Low Carb Cream Gravy
This low carb cream gravy, or country gravy, has to be the ultimate keto comfort food. With just 1 carb per serving you can spoon it over mashed cauliflower, chicken, hamburger steaks, or anything else you’d want to put gravy over. It’s so quick and easy that you can whip it up in seconds.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cream, half and half
- 1 tablespoon cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon bacon fat
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon chipotle in adobo, mashed- optional
- Pepper
- Salt, as needed
Instructions
- Heat the cream and cream cheese up with the bacon fat, whisking until smooth.
- Add a little water as needed to get the right consistency.
- Stir in a little mashed chipotle in adobo if desired.
- Taste and adjust salt.
- Add a liberal amount of fresh ground black pepper.
- You may use any type of 0 carb stock in place of the water.
Tips for Perfecting Your Keto Gravy
- Taste as you go: The flavor of turkey drippings can vary, so adjust seasonings accordingly.
- Control Thickness: If the gravy becomes too thick, add more broth or stock to thin it out. For a richer flavor and creamier consistency, consider adding heavy cream or cream cheese.
- Prevent Lumps: When using xanthan gum, mix it with a small amount of oil or melted butter before adding it to the gravy.
- Use a Non-Stick Pan: A non-stick pan will ensure that the gravy does not stick to the bottom of the pan and burn.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure the ingredients are at room temperature for easier blending.
- Small Whisk: Use a small whisk to get everything blended right.
- Serve Hot: Serve this low carb cream gravy hot. Once it starts to cool it will thicken up and get clumpy. If your gravy thickens and gets clumpy just add a little water or cream and warm it back up, whisking to blend.
- Add Salt a Pinch at a Time: It’s easy to over or under salt gravy. The best thing to do is start with just a pinch of salt and then add more as needed. Add a little at a time and taste often.
- Change the Flavor: You can change the flavor of the gravy by using beef, chicken, or vegetable stock in place of the water.
- Add Cooked Ground Beef or Sausage: Add cooked ground beef or sausage to the gravy if you want to serve it over biscuits.
- Bacon Grease: You can use butter instead of bacon grease if you want but the bacon grease adds a nice smoky, salty flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Keto turkey gravy is incredibly versatile and can be served with a variety of dishes:
- Roasted Turkey or Chicken: The classic pairing for holiday meals or Sunday dinners.
- Mashed Cauliflower: A low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes.
- Sausage: Adds a savory touch to breakfast or brunch.
- Low-Carb Biscuits: For a comforting and satisfying meal.
- Chicken or Hamburger Steaks: Spoon it over chicken or hamburger steaks.
- Vegetable Dip: The cheesy sauce would also be great as a vegetable dip.
- Toasted Garlic Wheat Bread: If you’re trying to lower your carb intake, this recipe also goes well with toasted garlic wheat bread instead of rice.
- Poutine, Meatballs, Pork Chop Dinner: A spoonful of cream cheese gravy will take any of these meals up a notch and add to the comfort food factor as well.
Storage Instructions
Properly stored in an airtight container, refrigerated gravy will stay fresh for 2 to 3 days. If it smells or mold begins to form, then toss and make a fresh batch. Gravy of any kind is best made fresh but this does do well in the fridge for several days. So you can enjoy leftover turkey and keto gravy as long as you have the taste for it! It will thicken more as it cools. If it’s very thick, place it in a saucepan and add a few tablespoons of broth. Warm over low heat and whisk frequently until it thins out. You can also freeze it for several months. To re-warm, place in a pan and heat over low heat.
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