Vegan Gravy

The Perfect Vegan Gravy Recipe is Easier Than You Think!

• The perfect texture. This gravy is smooth and rich, and thick enough to not run all over your plate without being so thick it’s gummy. You’re going to love it.
• A recipe for everyone. Despite being vegan, this gravy is one that everyone at the table will enjoy. That way, you can make just one gravy recipe for Thanksgiving!
• Full of savoury flavour. When you’re making gravy, you want it to give foods an instant flavour boost. This vegan gravy recipe delivers.

Notes on Ingredients

Scroll down to the recipe card below the post for the full printable recipe with amounts.

• Vegan butter or olive oil⁣ – Vegan butter will impart a richer flavour, but if it’s not something you buy regularly or keep on hand, by all means, use olive oil.
• Flour⁣ – Make your vegan gravy gluten-free by using your favorite gluten-free flour blend.
• Onion powder⁣ – This is important! It’s how you get so much flavour in this gravy without adding diced onions.
• Garlic powder⁣ – And this is the second addition that amps up the flavour.
• Vegetable broth – The third component of the flavour in this gravy is vegetable broth, which means you need to use a good one. I strongly recommend a homemade vegetable broth, but if you don’t have time, spring for a high-quality store-bought vegetable broth. You could also swap the vegetable broth for mushroom broth if you prefer the flavour.
• Soy sauce⁣ – Soy sauce adds that signature umami flavour to your gravy. Use Tamari for a gluten-free option.

• Make a roux. Melt vegan butter in a pan over medium heat, and whisk in the flour until it’s lump-free. Let the flour cook off for 2 minutes, or until it’s golden brown. This step removes the taste of raw flour from the gravy, so don’t skip it!
• Whisk in the broth. Next, stream in the broth with one hand while continuously whisking with the other. I usually pour in about a half cup at a time. Whisking is key to a smooth gravy without any lumps.
• Finish the gravy. Lastly, stir in the onion powder, garlic powder, soy sauce, and black pepper. Let the gravy simmer on low heat until it thickens. Season to taste with salt, then serve!

Can I Make This Gravy Gluten-Free?

Yes. To make gluten-free vegan gravy, you’ll need to use a gluten-free flour blend (like Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 gluten-free flour or similar). I don’t recommend using a substitute like almond flour or coconut flour. These don’t behave like wheat flour in gravy recipes and will impact the texture and flavour.

Tips, Tricks, and Gravy FAQs

• Customize to your tastes. If you want a dark, thick gravy, you can let the gravy simmer for a longer time. Prefer a milder flavour? You might want to remove the gravy from the stovetop after only a minute or two of simmering.
• Make sure your spices are fresh. If you’ve had your onion powder and garlic powder in the pantry for a while, open up the bottles and take a whiff. Do they smell like onion and garlic, or do they have a musty, stale kind of smell? Just like herbs, these powders can lose their flavour over time. Make sure to replace old, stale spices with fresh ones.
• Sift the flour. As an extra step against clumping, you can sift the flour into the melted butter when making the roux.
• Whisk constantly. Pour the broth with one hand while whisking constantly with your other hand, so any lumps are broken up right away.
• What thickens gravy without flour? If you’d prefer to make this recipe without flour, an alternative is to thicken your veggie gravy with cornstarch. You’ll need less cornstarch than flour, about half the amount. Rather than adding it when you’d add the flour, I recommend whisking the cornstarch with a small amount of vegetable broth to make a slurry. Stir that in, then add the remaining broth while whisking.

Try These Variations

Here are some ideas for changing up your vegan gravy:

• Love mushrooms? Add them in, diced or sliced, to make a delicious mushroom gravy.
• Add minced celery, carrots, and onions for a chunkier gravy.
• Stir in dried or minced fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or sage.
• Season with smoked paprika for a smoky flavour.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

• Refrigerate. Store vegan gravy in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can reheat it on the stovetop over medium heat or warm it in the microwave.
• Freeze. Freeze gravy in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to three months. You can reheat it from frozen in the microwave or let it thaw in the refrigerator, then warm it in a saucepan on the stove or the microwave.

More Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes

• Tourtière
• Vegan Turkey
• Corn Soufflé
• Vegan Stuffing Recipe
• Vegan Pumpkin Pie (9 Ingredients)