For that matter, a lot of stores will sell chicken livers. If your gravy recipe uses the turkey liver as well as the gizzard and heart, a couple chicken livers would be a fine substitute. (For maximum awesomeness, though, definitely use the pan drippings too!)
There will likely be some leftover giblet gravy remaining at the end of meal if prepared with a roasted chicken or turkey. There are a couple of uses for this gravy. You can use it with the leftovers for your next meal to moisten the meat, as the wet ingredient in a homemade potpie with the leftover meat or freeze it in the freezer and use it for another meal where poultry is the meat, but no gravy was created; i.e. baked chicken breasts or thighs. I have even added it to soup since the remaining amount will not affect the overall consistency of a soup.
Giblets are the polite culinary term for the organ meat, also known as offal for poultry (chicken, turkey, goose, duck…you get the idea). Giblets typically include the heart, liver, gizzards and the neck. Yes, the neck is not an organ, but in the United States, the neck is typically included in with the Giblets. The word giblet comes from Old French via Middle English and means “game stew”
Giblets can be sourced two different ways. The first is when purchasing a whole bird (poultry). The plastic wrapping will indicate that there are partial giblets or whole giblets enclosed within the cavity of the bird, either in loose form or in a packet. I am confident that some of readers have not removed the giblets prior to roasting the bird in the past. Regardless, the giblets need to be removed before preparing the bird for roasting. The second source of giblets is to purchase the giblets in individual containers from the grocery store. Most grocery stores sell chicken livers and gizzards in this manner. Hearts are not as easy to find and the neck are typically packaged and sold frozen. More often then not, you will have difficulty in finding chicken necks, but turkey necks are a fine substitute.
When I first made Giblet Gravy years ago for Thanksgiving Dinner it was at the insistence of my mother. I had no idea what I was doing and followed her instructions. In time I have expanded upon her timeless recipe and have created what I believe is to be freestyle approach that takes advantage of whatever is available in the refrigerator.
Where appropriate in this post, I have explained that an ingredient is optional. Much of what I add to the stock that first must be prepared is based upon what I have been saving in the freezer in the event that I want to make a stock for a soup or a gravy.
How to Make Giblet Gravy WITHOUT Giblets
FAQ
What are the three examples of giblets?
What giblets not to use in gravy?
Do you have to cook giblets?
What is seasoned with giblets?
What to do with giblets?
Minus the liver which can give the stock a bitter flavor, the giblets are best prepared as a stock to then add to the drippings in the roasting pan, and end up with a flavorful gravy. They can also be added to a stock made with a leftover chicken carcass or two. In that case, toss them in raw while the stock simmers away.
What can I use as a substitute for nutmeg?
The closest substitute in flavour would be mace. This is because it comes from the same plant as nutmeg. Nutmeg comes from the seeds of the Myristica fragrans plant and mace is made from the hull of the seed. Another good substitute might be allspice, it tastes a bit like nutmeg mixed with cinnamon, cloves, and pepper. Cinnamon can also be used as a substitute for nutmeg, since they are commonly used together. Ginger can also be used as a substitute, although it doesn’t taste much like nutmeg. Cloves can also be used as a substitute, but only half the quantity is required, since it is stronger in flavour than nutmeg.
What can I do with leftover Giblet pieces?
If you are squeamish about using the chopped up giblet pieces make gravy without adding the pieces. Makes Great Leftovers: Use to top mashed potatoes, stuffing or hot sandwiches. With over 200 easy and delicious dinner ideas, you’ll never have to worry about what to make for dinner again. By subscribing, I consent to receiving emails.
What to do with Turkey giblets?
They can also be added to a stock made with a leftover chicken carcass or two. In that case, toss them in raw while the stock simmers away. The liver is best pan-fried with garlic and spread on toast, if you want one cook’s opinion. Turkey giblets are usually significant enough in size that they can be used in a dish like pâté.