Food52's Best Thanksgiving Gravy Recipes

For the past year, Food52.com readers have been voting in weekly showdowns of reader-submitted recipes on a given theme. The winning recipes of each week will end up in Food52's upcoming cookbook, along with bios of the people who submitted them (Food52 explains the process in simple detail here).

Food52 and its co-founders Amanda Hesser and Merrill Stubbs have invited HuffPost Food readers to vote on week 10's contest (of the second year, and the second book).

This week's showdown is for the best gravy recipe.

Check the finalists out below, and vote for your favorite here.

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Cider-Sage Gravy

Photo: Sarah Shatz

Amanda and Merrill's notes on Cider-Sage Gravy on Food52.com:

ChrisandAmy's Vermont-inspired gravy would transform even the saddest, most dessicated turkey into a delicacy. It's ready ten minutes after the turkey emerges from the oven, and it's wonderfully smooth and lush, perfumed with the sweetness of apples and grassy sage. We made this in the roasting pan the second time, doubling the recipe because we had over 6 tablespoons of drippings, and we highly recommend it -- and don't strain out the lovely brown bits! - A&M

View the Cider-Sage Gravy recipe here.

Vote for this recipe here.

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Vegetarian Mushroom Thyme Gravy

Photo: Sarah Shatz

Amanda and Merrill's notes on Vegetarian Mushroom Thyme Gravy on Food52.com:

Sticksnscones' mushroom gravy solves nearly every Thanksgiving dilemma there is. It's vegetarian-friendly, requires no pan drippings (ideal for when you're deep-frying your bird or when brining has rendered the drippings too salty), and comes together in no time, yet hides deceptively deep layers of flavor -- umami-rich dried mushrooms fortify the stock, and sauteed shallots, soy sauce, fresh thyme and sherry round out the rich but balanced sauce that we'd like to pretend is actually a soup. Heads up: One time we tested it, we accidentally used just 2 tablespoons of flour and ended up really liking that too -- it was less creamy and voluptuous, more free-flowing with a concentrated hit of mushroom flavor and color. - A&M

View the Vegetarian Mushroom Thyme Gravy recipe here.

Vote for this recipe here.

Comments

[MexiChick67]

11:52 AM on 11/15/2010

I soak my turkey in a brine made with sea salt, natural herbs and spices. After the turkey is baked I use the drippings and it makes the best gravy. My mom used the canned gravy and she loves the new gravy I make. You can really taste the difference.

[thestargazer]

11:48 AM on 11/15/2010

Got giblets?

[0hhenry]

10:47 AM on 11/15/2010

Those look really tasty. Now if only I could convince my mother to try a new recipe. She prefers the store-bought gravies *shudders*

[DavidMG]

09:05 AM on 11/15/2010

These look greaa. You'll find other veg Thanksgiving choices - actually 1300 - in "American Wholefoods Cuisine" - often called "the veg Joy of Cooking."

[anewearth]

09:08 AM on 11/15/2010

I appreciate that! I always seem to be searching for compelling TG veg alternatives since my niece became a vegetarian. Thank you--F&F!

[E in A2]

10:15 AM on 11/15/2010

Thanks for the info!

[Need To Know Why]

08:40 AM on 11/15/2010

TO THE VEGETARIANS ON HP: This site offers great meal ideas for Thanksgiving if you would like to check it out. http://www.gentlethanksgiving.org/
Have a great and gentle thanksgiving.

[GraniteSkyline]

08:57 AM on 11/15/2010

Thanks!

[anewearth]

09:11 AM on 11/15/2010

Many thanks!

These gravy recipes look great--I may try the sage one. Dr. Daniel Amen touts sage as a good brain food.

Wishing all huffpost commenters a great holiday!

[bmermaid]

11:32 PM on 11/14/2010

My Mom's gravy is the best in the world. Her secrets are bacon drippings & use the water that the potatos cooked in.

[Sister777]

10:21 AM on 11/15/2010

Yeah, my mom uses the potato water too. Bacon grease sounds interesting, will have to try it.

[willclower]

09:43 PM on 11/14/2010

Great Gravy ideas for Thanksgiving. These look delicious, too.

[InedaName]

07:06 PM on 11/14/2010

You could even make a vegan mushroom thyme gravy by substituting the butter with a vegan buttery spread like Earth Balance, and the cream with a slurry of cornstarch and water.

[DavidMG]

09:19 AM on 11/15/2010

More vegetarian choices at http://www.healthyhighways.com/wholefood.shtml