Vegan Gravy
Make this easy homemade vegan gravy recipe in minutes! I’ll share with you my secret ingredients to add depth of flavor, so you can make this easy, delicious gravy every time.
This gravy is perfect for vegan mashed potatoes, vegan stuffing, or vegan biscuits (aka, your next vegan biscuits and gravy breakfast). Of course, your Vegan Thanksgiving is not complete without this gravy!
I know the importance of good gravy, so I was determined to deliver the best recipe! Besides, I intend to drizzle this tasty sauce over all my favorite recipes, like this Vegan Meatloaf, this Vegan French Dip Sandwich, Vegan Breakfast Casserole, and more!
I knew I wanted to make my vegan gravy easy to make so you can add it to any dinner to make it special.
The nice thing about vegan gravy? No drippings needed at all!
Why This Recipe is a Winner
- Using vegetable broth creates a savory base, with no drippings necessary
- Creating a roux makes a thick, creamy gravy, but I’ll show you a slurry gravy as well
- Adding vegan butter makes an irresistible gravy with a rich, buttery flavor!
What You Need
Let’s begin with the list of ingredients for this recipe:
- Vegan butter — I use Earth Balance, but you can use your favorite dairy-free butter or make your own vegan butter.
- Flour — We’ll add all-purpose flour to make a roux (more on this below), or you can use a slurry to make a gluten-free gravy
- Nutritional yeast flakes — I like adding nutritional yeast for its delicious umami flavor.
- Vegetable broth — I recommend a high-quality vegetable broth like Better Than Bouillon Vegetarian.
- Salt & Pepper
How to Make Vegan Gravy
- Make a roux by melting butter in a skillet and then drizzling with flour.
- Add vegetable broth a little at a time, stirring regularly.
- Toss in some flavorings like nutritional yeast, flakes, salt, and pepper.
I can’t say enough about this easy vegan gravy recipe. It’s a favorite sauce to add to all my plant-based meals. Here are more detailed steps to make it:
Step One: Make a Roux
To make perfect gravy, start with a skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and use a spatula to break it into pieces to help it melt faster.
Once the butter is melted, slowly add the flour, a tablespoon or so at a time, and stir continuously. It’s the stirring part that helps prevent lumps. Allow this to thicken and form what is referred to as a roux.
Marly’s Tips
- If, despite your best efforts, you’re staring at a skillet of lumpy gravy, don’t dismay. Transfer the gravy to a food processor or blender and pulse until the lumps are gone.
- Make vegan brown gravy by adding a tablespoon or two of tamari or soy sauce.
Step Two: Add Vegetable Broth
Next, begin adding the vegetable broth. Again, you’ll want to add this slowly while simultaneously whisking.
Once the vegetable broth is added, add other ingredients like nutritional yeast flakes, salt, and pepper to taste.
Roux vs. a Slurry for Gravy
This recipe features using a roux to make gravy, but there is another way. Let me explain the differences between the two first.
What is a Roux?
To make a vegan Roux you’ll combine fat (like vegan butter), whisked with flour.
What is a Slurry?
You make a Slurry by combining cornstarch with water. You stir that together and then pour it into a warm liquid mixture in order to thicken it. We use cold water to make a slurry because it makes the cornstarch dissolve more easily and it also helps prevent lumps when you add it to the warm liquid.
Why I chose a Roux
It’s a completely personal preference, but I like the thick, creamy gravy that results from a roux. You can make it with gluten-free flour, although a slurry gravy can be made gluten-free as well.
Is Gravy Vegan?
The traditional gravy is not vegan because it’s typically made with meat drippings. Some gravies are also made with cow’s milk, so either way, you’ll want to steer clear of most gravies unless they’re labeled vegan. However, it’s easy to make gravy vegan for mashed potatoes, stuffing, biscuits, and more!
Other Optional Ingredients
- Sautéed veggies — I love adding tender onions, shallots, or even mushrooms
- Seasonings — Add a bit of dried thyme or rosemary at the end of cooking
- More Flavor — For a richer flavor, add a bit of soy sauce or vegan Worcestershire.
Storage Tips
Transfer gravy to an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 5 days. Or you can store it in freezer-safe containers where it will keep up to 2 months.
What to Serve with Vegan Gravy
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Homemade Vegan Gravy
Ingredients
- ½ cup vegan butter
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 ½ cups vegetable broth (see note)
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast flakes
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- In a large skillet, cook the vegan butter over medium heat. Use a spatula to break it up into smaller pieces and cook until melted, about 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle the flour over the melted butter while continually stirring. Cook for a few minutes until flour has completely absorbed the butter.
- Turn heat down to medium-low and slowly add the vegetable broth, one cup at a time, stirring continuously. Sprinkle with nutritional yeast flakes, pepper, and salt. Stir to combine. Cook for approximately 5 minutes until the gravy has thickened.
- Keep over low heat until ready to serve. Transfer gravy to a serving dish to serve immediately. Alternatively, place in a sealed container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. When reheating gravy, add water or broth if it gets too thick while reheating.
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Notes
The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
This post was originally published in 2020 and was updated to include new photos, new text, and an updated recipe in 2021.
I always use this vegan gravy for my holiday dinner and everyone loves it, even the non vegans!
Wow! It’s so easy to make! Thanks for this healthy recipe, Marly!