Why You Should Add Soy Sauce to Your Thanksgiving Gravy

Whether you're frying your turkey, roasting it, or even opting for a vegetarian feast this Thanksgiving, chances are gravy will make its way onto your table. So what's an easy way to upgrade your go-to gravy recipe? Soy sauce.

The popular Asian condiment actually imbues your Thanksgiving gravy with heightened flavor. "Soy sauce is loaded with umami—the super savory, hard-to-define flavor that can make food insanely addictive. In gravy, you won't actually taste the soy sauce (unless you add a crazy amount); you'll just react more strongly to depth of flavor," writes Lauren Miyashiro for food site, Delish.com.

For vegetarian gravy recipes, the addition of soy sauce gives the dish that meaty kick that can be hard to replicate without animal products.

If you're not concerned with keeping your gravy plant-based, Delish also recommends Worcestershire sauce as an excellent option to intensify the flavor of your Thanksgiving gravy (some brands of Worcestershire sauce contain anchovies). Whether you amp up your gravy with soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce, be sure to start by adding only a tablespoon or so, and tasting it to see how you like it.

Other Thanksgiving Gravy Options

Why You Should Never Use Jarred Gravy on Thanksgiving

Whether you elect to lace your Thanksgiving gravy with soy sauce or not, there is one thing you won't be doing on turkey day: using jarred gravy! Read our input on why you need to avoid that choice.

Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy Recipe

The logistics of Thanksgiving are given a smoother approach when the chef is able to prep ahead. Believe it or not, there is a way to make Thanksgiving gravy ahead of time. Here's how to avoid that last minute scramble to get the gravy on the table.

Old-Fashioned Turkey Gravy Recipe

Food traditions during the holidays work because they meet a collective flavor expectation. Thanksgiving gravy is no exception. Give our Old-Fashioned Turkey Gravy recipe a try.

Mushroom Gravy Recipe

Gravy is so important to the holiday meal that it gets its own slot on the pot-luck sign-up sheet. Not just anyone can be entrusted to bring that rich and creamy dish (is it a side or a condiment?) that is best served from Grandma's heirloom gravy boat. Here's our best approach with mushrooms as the key ingredient.

Roasted Herb Turkey and Gravy Recipe

Here's the full package for all you traditionalists out there. The turkey and the gravy, done up with aromatic infused butter, sage, thyme, and fennel seeds. The gravy gets special treatment with onions, celery and carrots added to the pan.