Half the family insists on using pan drippings only, the other half adds wine or broth for depth. Grandma's recipe card just says 'make gravy,' so we interpret it differently. Where do you stand on this?
The cornstarch versus flour debate is the real hidden fight here. My uncle uses cornstarch for a clear, glossy gravy, but it gets gummy if it sits. Flour makes a cloudy, homey gravy that holds up for hours on the table. That choice changes everything before you even get to the liquid.
My mom's trick is a half cup of drippings and a half cup of good broth. You get the flavor without it being too heavy, and it stretches for a bigger crowd. It's the only way I've found that keeps both sides happy.