A Much Better Gravy and Lots of Thanksgiving Recipes

Smoked Turkey Recipe

By Mark Hinds | Updated January 23, 2026

Thereโ€™s a reason why people say โ€œitโ€™s all gravyโ€ when things are going well. A truly delicious gravy brings a meal together, elevating the dishes itโ€™s being served with, and giving people a reason to sop up every last morsel on their plate.ย 

Since very few of the gravy recipes weโ€™ve come across explain how to consistently make a smooth, delicious gravy. We set out to developย A Better Gravy Recipeย that uses a simple technique that can be used with any meal and is versatile enough to be adapted to fit the flavor profile of whatever dishes are being served.

Homemade Gravy Recipe

What youโ€™ll find is a simpleย Homemade Gravy Recipeย that has all the tricks, tips, and techniques you need to make a silky smooth, flavor packed, delicious gravy from scratch. This recipe has well-balanced flavors that come from a simple fortified stock, fresh herbs, and a few spices to create a gravy that is both interesting and familiar.

Weโ€™ve also loaded this issue of Umami Bites with some of our favoriteย Thanksgiving recipes, starting with our favorite way to cook a whole turkey.ย 

Thereโ€™s something about the crisp brown color and the smell of hickory smoke that lingers in the air when you set aย Smoked Turkeyย on the table that lets people know theyโ€™re in for a memorable Thanksgiving.ย 

We love to pair the turkey withย Grilled Sweet Potatoes, our famousย Cranberry Sauceย that gets its flavor from a touch of bourbon, andย Sweet Cornย sautรฉed with Anaheim peppers that add an extra dimension to a dish that is often overlooked.

Sweet Corn And Anaheim Pepper Recipe
This recipe is packed with brilliant colors and great flavor

Weโ€™re big fans of holiday dishes that are full of flavor and use ingredients in interesting ways like thisย Stuffing with Sausage, Apples, and Cherries,ย the stunning presentation of a whole stalk ofย Roasted Brussels Sprouts, or this unique combination ofย Wild Rice with Butternut Squash and Dried Cherries.ย 

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Umami Bites is Umamiโ€™s electronic newsletter. Each issue is filled with recipes, cooking tips, and ideas to help the curious cook explore the world of food. Check out our archives for past issues.

Mark is an experienced food writer, recipe developer, and photographer who is also Umamiโ€™s publisher and CEO. A passionate cook who loves to cook for friends, he can often be found in the kitchen or by the grill testing new recipes.

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