During the holiday season packaged gravy mixes can be a big help to the home cook. Some server the holiday crowd better than others. Taste testers reported Knorr Roasted Turkey mix had a “Nice meaty smell, pleasant turkey.” but also “starts out pretty darn good, flavor of turkey; fades a bit at end.” (Bill Hogan/Chicago Tribune/MCT

Kitchen novices looking for an assist in the gravy-making department this holiday season have several packaged, powdered options. Some are pricier than others, few wowed our tasting team of from-scratch gravy-makers. But in a pinch …Each packet we prepared and tasted makes about 1 cup gravy, which, according to the package notes, gives you about 4 servings.What do you get in that roughly quarter-cup serving? About 15 to 25 calories and a good sodium kick (280 to 360 mg). Fat scores? Zip. Most are thickened with wheat flour and/or a gloss-creating starch (i.e. corn, potato, rice). A mix of chicken and turkey products adds to the flavor profile; so does MSG in three of the five tested.In a blind taste test, we rated five brands on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 9 (highest). Here’s what the taste panel found. (Prices may vary by location.)

Knorr Roasted Turkey Gravy Mix (6.6 points)Price: $1.99Comments: “Good golden brown.” “Nice meaty smell, pleasant turkey.” “Good thick, but creamy.” “Some turkey but overwhelmed by sugar.” “Deep, full turkey flavor.” “A bit artificial, not offensive. Might even taste good over mashed spuds.” “Starts out pretty darn good, flavor of turkey; fades a bit at end.”

Safeway Turkey Gravy Mix (5 points)Price: $1.19Comments: “Tawny brown gold.” “Faint scent of canned broth.” “Medium thickness; turkey flavor good, not salty.” “Not much flavor, but not awful.”

Simply Organic Roasted Turkey Gravy Mix (3.8 points)Price: $1.99Comments: “Golden brown; you could see bits of spice.” “Gelatinous dark beige.” “Smells a bit peppery.” “Smells like giblets.” “Gelatinous, too thick.” “Like the roasted taste and spice.” “Dried something — onion?” “A bit acrid.”

McCormick Turkey Gravy Mix (2.8 points)Price: $1.89Comments: “Golden brown, glossy.” “Pepper and dried herb scent — reminds of frozen pizza.” “Medium, dried herb taste, salty, slight sage flavor.” “Smooth, strong salt, chemical.” “Medium thick, very salty and full of dried herbs.”

TIPS• Add a small amount (a tablespoon or so) of the water to the powdered mixture first, stirring to smooth out any lumps before adding remaining water.• Water should be room temperature or barely warm — not hot — when added to the package contents. Adding hot water will make it difficult to dissolve the starch and could lead to lumps.• Consider adding sautéed chopped mushrooms, cooked minced giblets, fresh chopped chives.

During the holiday season packaged gravy mixes can be a big help to the home cook. Some serve the holiday crowd better than others. Taste testers reported Knorr Roasted Turkey mix had a “Nice meaty smell, pleasant turkey.” But also, “starts out pretty darn good, flavor of turkey; fades a bit at end.” Photo by MCCLATCHY