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    Make It Skinny Please » Recipes » Sauces & Dressings » Apple Cider Gravy (low calorie gravy recipe)

    Published: Nov 2, 2022 by Toni Dash · 5 Comments

    Apple Cider Gravy (low calorie gravy recipe)

    Weight Watchers Points1
    Calories: 40kcal
    Carbs: 7g
    Protein: 2g
    Fats: 1g
    Jump to Recipe

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    apple cider gravy low calorie in gravy boat.

    Apple Cider Gravy is easy to make and absolutely delicious for Thanksgiving dinner or other other meals when gravy is welcome. This version is a low calorie recipe that still uses pan juices for wonderful flavor. If you thought you weren't a gravy maker, you will be after making this Apple Cider Gravy recipe.

    apple cider gravy low calorie in gravy boat.

    This gravy is super easy to make and you don't need a Thanksgiving turkey to make it! Though the pan drippings give it the classic Thanksgiving gravy flavor, we have some variations to make it other times too (and don't need to cook a bird either). The gravy isn't heavy or full of floury flavor; It's light and delicious, perfect for a holiday meal (especially when on a lower calorie diet plan).

    The star ingredient of this low calorie turkey gravy is the apple cider. It adds a subtle sweet flavor and spices that take the gravy up a notch. So if you have always felt gravy is the boring part of the meal, give this a go!

    No giblets or turkey neck are used. The gravy can be made in a roasting pan after roasting a turkey or on the stove top. Can also be made after cooking turkey in the Instant Pot with the cooking liquids (or chicken). It's very flexible and great any time of year.

    Jump to:
    • What makes this skinny?
    • Recipe Ingredient Notes
    • How to use a Gravy Separator
    • How to make Apple Cider Gray - Two ways
    • How to make it without pan drippings
    • Variations
    • Expert tips
    • How to Store
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • More recipes you'll love!
    • Recipe

    What makes this skinny?

    Using defatted pan drippings. Instead of just using what is in the pan you’ll remove the fat which leaves a wonderful turkey flavor without all the fat calories in regular gravy.

    No butter or cream used. We added some apple cider to perk up the flavor. Along with the defatted pan drippings the gravy is delicious.

    Cornstarch instead of flour. Both are used as thickeners in gravy. Flour has more calories and it can sometimes be tasted in the gravy (and needs to be fully cooked for safe consumption). Using cornstarch makes a silky smooth gravy with fewer calories.

    Recipe Ingredient Notes

    apple cider gravy labelled ingredients.

    Low sodium chicken stock. This will be the base of the gravy. If you have turkey stock you can use that instead!

    Apple cider. This adds a punch of flavor to the gravy recipe that replaces the need for giblets or lots of fat. You can use fresh apple cider, filtered or unfiltered regular apple cider. Be sure to use apple cider not regular apple juice. Cider has a stronger apple flavor and spices.

    Turkey pan drippings. If you are making the gravy from drippings after roasting a turkey you'll need to defat them before using. See the section below on using a gravy separator (also called a fat separator).

    Cornstarch. We love this for a thickening agent because it has fewer calories than all purpose flour, adds no flavor as flour can and you don't have to worry about it being cooked (flour is not safe to consume unless it has been properly heated first).

    Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. For seasoning.

    sliced turkey with apple cider gravy.
    Apple cider gravy served with Instant Pot Turkey Breast Roast, Air Fryer Green Beans, Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes and Cranberry Pineapple Sauce.

    How to use a Gravy Separator

    A gravy separator also called a fat separator is a 'must have' kitchen gadget for making gravy or other sauces. They work by effortlessly separating fats or oils from other liquids.

    So for pan drippings it will separate rendered fat from the roast turkey skin and any other fats added during basting, from the non-fatty liquids.

    It keeps the flavor without the fat. There are a few types of fat separators and any will work. Some have a pour spout (like the one shown in this recipe; photo 1 below) and others release the strained liquid from the bottom.

    Just pour drippings into the separator, give it a minute to separate the fat from the liquid then pour the liquid into a measuring up to make ½ cup.

    How to make Apple Cider Gray - Two ways

    Stove top (not using roasting pan)

    Combine ¼ cup chicken stock with the cornstarch. Whisk to make a slurry (photos 2-3). Set aside.

    apple cider gravy recipe steps 1-4.

    In a large saucepan combine the remaining stock, apple cider and turkey drippings (photo 4). Bring to a boil, allow to cook at a low bowl until it is reduced by half (to 2 ½ cups).

    Whisk in the cornstarch slurry (photo 5). Bring to a boil again then reduce to simmer. Allow to thicken (photo 6).

    apple cider gravy recipe steps 5-6.

    Add a pinch of salt and pepper or to taste. If the turkey drippings included solid bits, pass the gravy through a fine-mesh sieve or strainer before serving (if desiring smooth gravy).

    If using the turkey roasting pan

    1. Prepare the cornstarch slurry as described.
    2. Pour the pan drippings into a fat separator or skim any visible fat from the drippings. Return ½ cup to the roasting pan.
    3. Place the pan over a stovetop burner on medium heat. Add the apple cider and remaining stock. Bring to a simmer, stirring and scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook until it has reduced by half (to 2 ½ cups).
    4. Add the cornstarch slurry and continue to simmer until the gravy thickens. Salt and pepper to taste, pass through a strainer and serve (discard solids).

    How to make it without pan drippings

    Add an extra ½ cup of stock and 1 tablespoon of butter. Melt butter before adding to the other ingredients. This will add a bit of fat to the recipe which will give it more flavor.

    apple cider gravy in a gravy boat with thanksgiving food.

    Variations

    You can use the cooking juices from Instant Pot. If making a turkey in the Instant Pot, use the cooking juices instead of pan drippings. Put them through a fat separator and use ½ cup.

    Freezer trick. If you don’t have a fat separator place the pan drippings in a bowl or liquid measuring cup and place in the freezer. As the mixture chills the fat layer will become solid on the top. Skim it off and discard. Using the remaining liquid for the gravy.

    For more gravy; lessen the reduction. Reducing the liquids intensifies the flavor. But if you don’t want to make a double batch for a larger group you can simmer the liquids to only reduce it by one third (to about 3 ¾ cups).

    For thicker gravy. Use more cornstarch. Increase the amount of cornstarch to 3 tablespoons and add an extra 1 tablespoon chicken stock to the slurry (just subtract is from the remaining stock).

    Add some fresh herbs. If you want the gravy to have more aromatic flavors add some fresh sage, bay leaves, or fresh thyme sprigs when simmering. Strain and discard before serving your homemade gravy.

    Expert tips

    Don’t add cornstarch directly to the gravy. The reason we make a slurry with the cornstarch and a little bit of liquid is to allow the cornstarch to dissolve before it’s added to the gravy mixture. If added directly it will clump and not thicken the gravy properly.

    Whisk any lumps in the slurry. Be sure the slurry is smooth and lump-free before adding to the gravy.

    How to Store

    Store it in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can this turkey gravy be frozen?

    Yes! Allow it to cool. Then store in a freezer safe airtight container for 4-6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator.

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    Recipe

    apple cider gravy in a white gravy boat.

    Apple Cider Gravy (low calorie turkey gravy)

    Weight Watchers Points1
    Click to track Weight Watchers Points
    This delicious lightly sweet and savory Apple Cider Gravy is very easy to make with lots of ways to change it up. It's a great option for a lower calorie eating plan and can be made without a Thanksgiving turkey.
    5 from 86 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Sauce, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Low Calorie
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 8 ¼ cup servings (total yield: 2 cups)
    Calories: 40kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 4 cups low sodium chicken stock
    • 1 cup apple cider
    • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
    • ½ cup turkey pan drippings defatted (see notes)
    • kosher salt a pinch or to taste
    • freshly ground black pepper a pinch or to taste

    Instructions

    Stove top method (not using roasting pan)

    • Combine ¼ cup chicken stock with the cornstarch. Whisk to make a slurry. Set aside.
      2 tablespoons cornstarch
    • In a large saucepan combine the remaining stock (3 ¾ cups), apple cider and defatted turkey drippings. Bring to a boil, allow to cook at a low bowl until it is reduced by half (to 2 ½ cups).
      1 cup apple cider, ½ cup turkey pan drippings
    • Whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Bring to a boil again then reduce to simmer. Allow to thicken stirring periodically.
    • Add a pinch of salt and pepper or to taste. If the turkey drippings included solid bits, pass the gravy through a fine-mesh sieve or strainer before serving (if desiring smooth gravy). Discard the strained solids.
      kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper

    If using the turkey roasting pan (after roasting a turkey)

    • Prepare the cornstarch slurry as described above.
    • Pour the pan drippings into a fat separator or skim any visible fat from the drippings. Return ½ cup to the roasting pan.
    • Place the pan over a stovetop burner on medium heat. Add the apple cider and remaining stock.
    • Bring to a simmer, stirring and scraping any cooked bits from the bottom of the roasting pan. Cook until it has reduced by half (to 2 ½ cups).
    • Add the cornstarch slurry and continue to simmer until the gravy thickens. Salt and pepper to taste, pass through a strainer and serve.

    Notes

    Nutrition Facts notes
    • The calories in the pan drippings can vary depending on how you cooked the turkey or what you basted it with. Defatting the drippings should remove most of the fat however. 
    • Weight Watchers. There is no tracker entry for pan drippings so we increased the stock amount and added 1 teaspoon of butter to account for any residual fat after straining the drippings.
    Defatted pan drippings. Put the pan drippings in a gravy separator or fat separator. Give it a minute to separate the fat from the liquid. Pour ½ cup of the liquid into a measuring cup.
    You can use the cooking juices from Instant Pot. If making a turkey in the Instant Pot, use the cooking juices instead of pan drippings. Put them through a fat separator and use ½ cup.
    Freezer trick. If you don’t have a fat separator place the pan drippings in a bowl or liquid measuring cup and place in the freezer. As the mixture chills the fat layer will become solid on the top. Skim it off and discard. Using the remaining liquid for the gravy.
    For more gravy; lessen the reduction. Reducing the liquids intensifies the flavor. But if you don’t want to make a double batch for a larger group you can simmer the liquids to only reduce it by one third (to about 3 ¾ cups).
    For thicker gravy. Use more cornstarch. Increase the amount of cornstarch to 3 tablespoons and add an extra 1 tablespoon chicken stock to the slurry (just subtract is from the remaining stock).
    No pan drippings (or don't want to use them)? Add ½ cup additional stock plus 1 tablespoon of butter. Though you don't absolutely have to add the butter, fat gives flavor so it will replace some of the flavor added by the pan drippings.
    Add some fresh herbs. If you want the gravy to have more aromatic flavors add some fresh sage, bay leaves, or fresh thyme sprigs when simmering. Strain and discard before serving your homemade gravy.
    How to store
    Store it in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
    How to Freeze it
    Allow it to cool. Then store in a freezer safe airtight container for 4-6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 40kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Sodium: 37mg | Potassium: 131mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 0.3IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.3mg
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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutritional Coach and certified Weight Loss Specialist, writer/blogger, photographer, chief recipe developer and creator of Make It Skinny Please. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her slimmed down recipes using real food ingredients bring excitement to the dining table and never taste like 'diet food'. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Tayler says

      November 02, 2022 at 7:46 am

      5 stars
      I love the apple flavor in the gravy! Making it again for Thanksgiving!

      Reply
    2. Heather says

      November 02, 2022 at 7:24 am

      5 stars
      I love making homemade gravy for the holidays but never thought to make with apple cider! Delicious. Will definitely make for Thanksgiving!

      Reply
    3. Jen says

      November 02, 2022 at 7:56 am

      5 stars
      This is such a great gravy recipe!! An awesome addition to our menu!

      Reply
    4. Andrea says

      November 02, 2022 at 7:55 am

      5 stars
      What an amazing gravy! I love apple cider this time of year and adding it to the gravy was a genius idea.

      Reply
    5. Sara D says

      November 02, 2022 at 6:39 am

      5 stars
      Brilliant!! Apple cider is the perfect touch!

      Reply

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