Not Just Any Old Brown Gravy Recipe

Gravy is an essential part of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner; your turkey and mashed potatoes just wouldn't be the same without it. If you've been buying store-bought gravy, consider making your own from scratch this Thanksgiving (the premade version tends to be loaded with salt and preservatives).

The basic process of making gravy is simple; make a roux by mixing equal parts flour and fat, add any meat drippings that you have (on Thanksgiving Day it will likely be turkey drippingsĀ  from the roasting pan), deglaze the pan with stock or wine, and then season the gravy, whisking and stirring as you go.

If you're looking for a special brown gravy recipe to serve alongside your dinner this year, we've got one that you should try; it has extra sweetness from Vidalia onion and a hint of spice from freshly cracked black pepper. The recipe also calls for homemade stock, making this brown gravy even more flavorful and delicious, but store-bought stock will work in a pinch.

Click here to see our favorite brown gravy recipe.

Kristie Collado is The Daily Meal's Cook Editor. Follow her on Twitter @KColladoCook.