These Are The Best Ways To Keep Your Thanksgiving Gravy Warm

You spent all day hovering over a hot oven; all of your friends and family are gathered around the meticulously decorated table; the turkey is carved, cranberry sauce is jiggling, and the perfectly whipped mashed potatoes are being passed around — then it happens. It's a tale as old as Thanksgiving itself. Cold gravy gets poured all over the beautiful bounty that took hours, nay, days, off of your life. The horror!

Thankfully, this cold gravy nightmare never has to happen at your Thanksgiving table again. There are a few different ways to keep your gravy warm throughout the entire meal, and once you learn them, you're gravy temperature-related anxiety can be gone for good. Serious Eats suggests keeping your gravy warm by using something like an insulated carafe (or Thermos), or a hot water bath inside a slow cooker. Manufacturers have also started making insulated — and even heated — gravy boats that are perfect for Thanksgiving, and can be used year-round for maple syrup too (via The Spruce Eats). 

Keeping your gravy insulated does more than just keep it warm. According to Lifehacker, it will actually keep the gravy from thickening and needing to be thinned out again. How does it work? Before putting your gravy into a carafe, pre-warm the vessel with hot water and pour it out right before your gravy is done. Then add your hot gravy and seal the carafe or Thermos.

Because the temperature stays relatively the same, the starch in the gravy (typically flour or cornstarch) won't have be as likely to tighten and thicken. The best part is, using this method you can have your gravy ready and on the table long before carving the bird or passing the sweet potato casserole — one less thing to think about on a very busy day. With this quick trick (unlike some of the more comical Thanksgiving meal mistakes that could happen) your guests will gather and give thanks for warm, smooth gravy and your clever culinary skills instead of wondering what day you even made the sauce.