Can You Make Gravy Without Pan Drippings?

The answer

Yes. King Arthur has a gravy recipe based on broth and a cornstarch mixture; pan drippings are optional rather than required.

Why

King Arthur directs the cook to dissolve cornstarch in some broth, add the remaining broth, then cook while stirring until thick. Its recipe suggests pan drippings or melted butter for extra flavor and explicitly allows omitting them. This supports a no-drippings route without promising it tastes exactly like roasting-pan gravy.

When it is usually OK

• Use a tested broth-and-thickener gravy recipe.
• Mix the starch with broth until smooth before heating.
• Season the finished gravy to taste.

When you should not

• Pan drippings are not mandatory in the cited recipe.
• Do not assume a no-drippings sauce will have precisely the same roast-derived flavor.

Risks and exceptions

• King Arthur frames drippings as an optional flavor-rich addition, so omitting them changes that flavor choice.

Best practice

Follow a tested broth-based recipe, mix the cornstarch with broth until smooth and cook while stirring until thickened. Add optional flavor ingredients only when you have them.

Alternatives

• Use a roux-and-stock make-ahead gravy recipe instead.
• Add pan drippings later when available, as King Arthur’s make-ahead recipe allows.

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