Quick Pressure Cooker Gravy

Transform your holiday meals with the ultimate homemade gravy, effortlessly crafted in your Ninja Foodi or Instant Pot. This guide reveals how to create rich, flavorful gravy, especially after cooking your pressure cooker turkey, utilizing those precious drippings that hold the secret to unparalleled taste. Say goodbye to lumpy gravy and hello to a smooth, savory topping perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special occasion.

Imagine a holiday where your stovetop remains clear, and your gravy is simmering to perfection in your multi-cooker. In just minutes, you can convert turkey drippings (or even simple broth) into a luxuriously thick and warm gravy, ready to complement every dish on your festive table. This method not only saves time and space but also guarantees a consistently delicious result, making it a staple among Instant Pot recipes for many families.

While some might not consider themselves huge gravy enthusiasts, its presence at Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner is often non-negotiable. Traditionally, gravy might be made on the stovetop, perhaps following a beloved onion gravy recipe. However, discovering the ease and efficiency of preparing it in the same pot used for cooking the turkey means leveraging all those flavorful drippings for an incredibly rich sauce.

Even if you’ve prepared an Instant Pot frozen turkey breast, the drippings are a goldmine of flavor. It’s a culinary crime to discard them when they can be so easily transformed into something wonderful. These juices are the foundation of a truly exceptional gravy, adding depth and character that store-bought options simply cannot match.

Pressure Cooker Gravy: The Ultimate Holiday Side

Making gravy in a pressure cooker like the Ninja Foodi or Instant Pot is a game-changer for holiday hosts and home cooks alike. This method stands out for its simplicity, speed, and the incredible depth of flavor it imparts. By utilizing the sauté function, you can create a smooth, rich gravy without constantly stirring or worrying about lumps, freeing you up to focus on other aspects of your festive meal.

Why Choose Your Multi-Cooker for Gravy?

• Efficiency and Speed: Gravy can be prepared in under 15 minutes from start to finish.
• Deep Flavor Extraction: The concentrated heat helps to develop and deepen the flavors from the drippings.
• Stovetop Space Saver: Keep your precious stovetop burners available for other dishes.
• Easy Cleanup: One pot for cooking your meat and then making gravy reduces dishwashing.
• Keep Warm Function: Many multi-cookers offer a “keep warm” setting, ensuring your gravy stays at the perfect temperature until serving.

Mastering Ninja Foodi and Instant Pot Gravy

Whether you’re using a Ninja Foodi or an Instant Pot, the process for creating perfect gravy is remarkably similar and incredibly straightforward. The key lies in understanding how to leverage the sauté function effectively.

Key to Success: The Sauté Function

For Ninja Foodi recipes or Instant Pot gravy, remember that this dish is entirely made using the sauté function, and importantly, with no lid attached. That’s right, keep the pressure lid (and air fryer lid on a Ninja Foodi) safely set aside. You won’t need either for this creamy, dreamy side dish. The open pot allows for easy whisking and evaporation, essential for achieving the right consistency.

Ingredient Notes: The Heart of Your Gravy

The foundation of an exquisite pressure cooker turkey gravy begins long before you start whisking. After you’ve cooked your holiday turkey, a treasure trove of flavorful juices will be left in the bottom of your pot. These golden drippings are absolutely essential – do NOT discard them! They form the rich base of your gravy. This same principle applies if you’re making chicken dripping gravy; the rendered juices are pure culinary gold.

If your turkey was cooked directly in your Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi, you’re already one step ahead. There’s no need to transfer the juices to another pot, saving you a cleaning step and precious time. Beyond these fantastic drippings, you’ll need just a few more items. Salt and pepper are crucial for seasoning, but always remember to adjust them to your personal taste, as some prefer more than others.

The Role of Turkey Drippings

Turkey drippings provide an incredible depth of savory flavor that cannot be replicated with just broth alone. These juices often contain rendered fat, which adds richness, and browned bits from the bottom of the pot (fond), which are packed with concentrated flavor. For the best result, you might want to skim off some of the excess fat before making gravy, leaving just enough for a silky texture.

How to Thicken The Gravy to Perfection

Achieving the perfect gravy consistency is an art, but it’s easily mastered. The key is to add your thickening agent gradually and taste as you go. We recommend holding back on heavy seasoning until the gravy is fully thickened, allowing you to adjust to your precise liking.

Our preferred thickening agent is cornstarch. To use it, simply whisk it into a small bowl with an equal amount of cold water until it forms a smooth slurry. The “cold water” part is critical – hot water will cause cornstarch to clump instantly. Begin by slowly whisking this slurry into your simmering pan juices. Add a little at a time, allowing the gravy to come back to a gentle boil and thicken before adding more. This controlled approach prevents the gravy from becoming too thick or bland. If you add too much too quickly, it becomes challenging to thin it back down without diluting the flavor significantly.

Alternatively, flour can be used as a thickener, often combined with a bit of fat to create a roux. For those seeking a gluten-free option, arrowroot powder is an excellent substitute for both cornstarch and flour. Always remember to mix your chosen thickener with cold liquid before adding it to hot gravy to ensure a smooth, lump-free consistency.

How to Make Gravy without Drippings: A Versatile Approach

Even if you haven’t roasted a turkey or chicken, or perhaps want gravy for a different meal, you can still create a wonderfully flavorful version. The process remains largely the same, but you’ll start with turkey or chicken broth instead of drippings. When using broth, consider choosing a low-sodium option, as you’ll be reducing it, and the flavor will concentrate.

A crucial tip when starting with broth: hold off on adding salt during the initial sauté step. Many store-bought broths already contain a fair amount of sodium, and it’s always easier to add more salt later than to fix an overly salty batch. The true saltiness of the gravy often reveals itself once it has cooled slightly. It’s always better to under-salt initially and allow individuals to adjust their own seasoning to preference. The natural flavors from a quality broth can be quite robust on their own.

For added depth when using broth, consider sautéing a finely diced shallot or a pinch of dried herbs like sage or thyme in a tablespoon of butter or olive oil before adding the broth. This will build a flavor base similar to what drippings provide. This method is also fantastic for creating a crockpot gravy, offering year-round versatility.

Ninja Foodi / Instant Pot Gravy Recipe

How to Save Leftovers and Reheat Gravy

Properly storing and reheating gravy ensures you can enjoy its savory goodness long after the initial meal. Gravy tends to thicken considerably as it cools, so a little preparation goes a long way.

Storing Leftover Gravy

Allow your homemade gravy to cool completely at room temperature before transferring it into an airtight container. Once cooled, store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, gravy freezes exceptionally well. Pour it into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving a little headspace for expansion. Frozen gravy can last for up to 3-4 months. When ready to use, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.

This stored gravy is excellent for topping leftover turkey, mashed potatoes, or even adding moisture and flavor to dishes like pressure cooker cornbread when reheating.

How do you reheat leftover gravy?

Reheating gravy can be done a couple of ways, with a slight adjustment needed for its thickened state:

• Microwave Method: For quick reheating, place gravy in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for about 1 minute, then stir well. Continue heating in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until heated through.
• Stovetop Method (Recommended): For the most even warmth and best consistency, reheat gravy in a saucepan over medium-low heat. As it warms, it will likely be quite thick. Gradually whisk in a little chicken or turkey broth (or even water) until it reaches your desired consistency. This method gives you excellent control over the final texture, allowing you to thin it out perfectly.

Remember, gravy will always thicken in the fridge, so don’t be surprised if it’s quite solid when you pull it out. A little liquid and a good whisk are all you need to bring it back to its luscious state.

Explore Other Gravy Options

While turkey drippings gravy is a holiday classic, the world of gravies is vast and delicious. If you’re looking for a savory gravy option that can be enjoyed year-round, regardless of holiday roasts, consider our Instant Pot sausage gravy recipe. It’s perfect for breakfast biscuits or adding a hearty touch to various meals.

Serve and Enjoy Your Perfect Gravy

Once your pressure cooker gravy is perfectly thickened and seasoned, it’s ready to elevate any meal. Drizzle it generously over slices of turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, savory stuffing, or even a side of roasted vegetables. Its rich, deep flavor and silky texture will be the perfect complement to your holiday feast or any comforting home-cooked meal.

Making gravy in your Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi is a testament to how modern kitchen appliances can simplify traditional recipes without sacrificing flavor or quality. Embrace this easy, efficient method and prepare to impress your family and friends with a homemade gravy that tastes like it took hours, but only took minutes. Enjoy the compliments!