Gravy, instant turkey, dry
Whole food · Soups, Sauces, and Gravies
Photo: Wikipedia
Instant turkey gravy mix is a pantry staple that transforms into a savory, glossy sauce with a rich, poultry-forward flavor and a smooth, velvety texture when reconstituted. It delivers a concentrated hit of umami and salt, with its carbohydrate content primarily from thickeners like modified starches. This makes it a quick, calorie-dense way to add moisture and flavor to dishes.
Calorie split: 11% protein · 56% carbs · 32% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore it for its unparalleled convenience and its ability to instantly elevate a simple roast or leftovers into a comforting, cohesive meal. Its familiar, savory flavor is deeply tied to holiday traditions and comfort food.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The primary downside is its very high sodium content and reliance on refined starches, which can contribute to blood-sugar spikes and may not suit low-sodium diets. To counteract this, use a smaller portion of the prepared gravy, dilute it with low-sodium broth, and always pair it with a substantial protein and fibrous vegetables to slow digestion.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick, consistent savory sauce base
- Adds significant flavor and moisture to lean proteins
- Shelf-stable and requires minimal preparation
- Source of quick energy from carbohydrates
- Enhances the palatability of simple meals
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'instant' gravy concept gained massive popularity in the post-WWII era, coinciding with the rise of processed foods and the marketing of turkey as a year-round protein, not just a holiday bird.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 5.2 g |
| Energy | 409 kcal |
| Energy | 1711 kj |
| Protein | 11.7 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 14.7 g |
| Ash | 10.8 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 57.6 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 3.8 g |
| Total Sugars | 7.6 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 115 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 9.6 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 30.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 203 mg |
| Potassium, K | 306 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 4090 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.1 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.17 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.19 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 19.4 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.90 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.13 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.26 mg |
| Niacin | 1.2 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.63 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.20 mg |
| Folate, total | 45.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 15.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 30.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 56.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 23.9 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.37 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 18.0 ug |
| Retinol | 17.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 3.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 63.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 6.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.74 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 2.0 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 4.9 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.07 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.32 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 3.0 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.2 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 5.3 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.35 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 4.7 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.07 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.04 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 4.5 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 4.0 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.43 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 24.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Gravy, HEINZ Home Style, savory beef — USDA does not publish this profile for Gravy.
| Tryptophan | 0.01 g |
| Threonine | 0.03 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.03 g |
| Leucine | 0.06 g |
| Lysine | 0.05 g |
| Methionine | 0.01 g |
| Cystine | 0.01 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.03 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.02 g |
| Valine | 0.04 g |
| Arginine | 0.06 g |
| Histidine | 0.02 g |
| Alanine | 0.06 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.07 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.44 g |
| Glycine | 0.10 g |
| Proline | 0.08 g |
| Serine | 0.04 g |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.04 g |
FAQ
How do I fix lumpy instant gravy?
Whisk the dry mix into cold water or broth first to form a smooth slurry before heating. If lumps form after heating, blend with an immersion blender or strain through a fine-mesh sieve.
Can I use milk instead of water?
Yes, using milk or cream instead of water creates a richer, creamier 'country-style' gravy, though it will alter the traditional turkey flavor profile.
Is instant gravy gluten-free?
Most are not, as wheat flour is a common thickener. Always check the label for a gluten-free certification if needed.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 4.09 kcal/g · 11% calories from protein · 3.8 g fiber · 7.6 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 13.37 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.