Delicious rich Vegan Mushroom Gravy made with simple dairy-free gluten-free ingredients! This incredible mushroom gravy recipe is easy and full of flavor. Use it for soup, shepherd’s pie, mashed potatoes, and more!
Good Gravy! You’re Going to Love this Recipe
An often underrated mealtime staple, gravy is an essential component to so many of our favorite comfort foods! However, it’s not always easy to find a recipe that fits everyone’s needs, especially around the holidays. Sure, there are store-bought versions, but they’re often full of unnecessary ingredients and additives. So, how do you satisfy the meat-eaters in your family while also meeting the needs of those who are dairy-free, gluten-free, or vegan? Easy! You make this Vegan Mushroom Gravy, of course.
I’ve served this recipe to countless people paired with all kinds of main dishes and sides, and the results are unanimous. This mushroom gravy recipe is a winner. Not to mention, it’s super easy to make! Whether you’re preparing for the holidays or need a warm dinner, this recipe can be whipped up in minutes with just a few simple ingredients. So, let’s get to it!
Gravy vs. Sauce: What’s the Difference?!
Often described interchangeably, gravy and sauces are actually 2 different things! However, given that a gravy is always a sauce, but a sauce isn’t always a gravy, the confusion is understandable. So, let’s clarify the difference once and for all.
Gravy: Gravies are sauces typically made from meat juices combined with a liquid such as broth, wine, or milk and thickened with flour or cornstarch. In some cases, a gravy is also simply the juices leftover from cooking meat, poultry, or fish.
Note: To make a vegan gravy, we used juices released from onions and mushrooms sauteed in butter or oil instead of meat.
Sauce: The word “sauce” stems from the French language meaning to relish or make food more appetizing. Unlike gravies, sauces do not typically require the use of meat juices.
Fun Fact! Did you know there’s much debate about what constitutes a sauce and what is a gravy? The exact origins of both terms remain debated.
Vegan Mushroom Gravy Ingredients
Unlike other gravies, this recipe calls for no meat! Instead, we’ll use simple pantry staples and fresh produce to create a rich flavor both meat-eaters and vegans will love! Here’s what you’ll need:
Olive Oil or butter (vegan “ghee” or plant based butter may be used) – Adding oil or butter to the saucepan helps create a roux for the base of the gravy.
Shallots (or white onion) – When paired with oil, shallots caramelize and create a rich, bold flavor that pairs deliciously with mushrooms.
Mushrooms – The star of the show, mushrooms help form the “meat” of this gravy!
Nutrition Note: While the nutritional benefits of mushrooms vary slightly, they are great sources of fiber, B vitamins, copper, and potassium. They can also be used to add a bit of plant-based protein to any meal!
Dry White Wine – An optional ingredient, white wine helps release the juice from the mushrooms. Don’t worry, the alcohol cooks out!
Tamari – Tamari is a gluten free soy sauce alternative that elevates the umami flavor of mushrooms. However, if you don’t have a gluten intolerance, soy sauce or liquid aminos can be used in its place.
Broth – Vegetable broth helps smooth out all of the ingredients and combines the flavors.
Slurry – A crucial thickening agent, vegan slurry is made by combining equal parts arrowroot starch or cornstarch and water or broth.
Extras – For added flavor, this mushroom gravy recipe also uses fresh herbs and spices including paprika, salt, pepper, and parsley.
How to Make Easy Mushroom Gravy
Unlike some traditional gravies that can take hours to make, this vegan gravy comes together in under an hour with just a few simple steps!
- Sauté. To start, heat the oil or butter in a pan, and sauté the shallot until soft before adding the mushrooms and white wine. Once the mushrooms are soft, add the garlic and paprika, cook for another minute, and stir in the tamari.
- Simmer. Pour in the broth, and let the mixture simmer for 10-12 minutes.
- Make the Slurry. In the meantime, combine the slurry ingredients, and add it to the saucepan.
- Thicken. Stir to combine the ingredients, and let them simmer until they have thickened. Season. To finish, add the seasonings, and enjoy!
Recipe Variations
While the original recipe is great, we all love options! Am I right? So, feel free to switch up and experiment with this vegetarian mushroom gravy to fit all your taste bud and dietary needs! Here are a few options to get you started:
Alcohol-Free – For an alcohol-free mushroom gravy recipe that has just as much flavor, try replacing the wine with vegetable broth instead!
Pro-Tip: Another option to help sweat your mushrooms without the use of wine is to add them to a hot pan without any other butter, liquid, or oil. They will naturally “sweat” or release the trapped moisture. Then, you can add in butter and any other ingredients!
Creamy – For a creamy mushroom gravy option, stir coconut cream into the final mixture for a super rich taste and thicker texture.
Smooth – Create a smooth vegan gravy recipe without any of the mushroom chunks, blend the finished recipe in a food processor or high-speed blender.
How to Thicken
If your mushroom gravy is too thin, the easiest way to thicken it is to let it simmer on the stovetop a bit longer. Or, add an additional serving of slurry!
How to Store Vegan Gravy
Make this gravy ahead of time for tasty meals all week long! All you have to do is let it cool completely, add it to an airtight container, and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Can I Freeze this Recipe?
Yes! The best way to freeze this recipe is to blend it first. Then, just pop it in the freezer for up to 3 months, and thaw it in the fridge overnight when you’re ready to use it.
easy ways to use
Mushroom Gravy
The great thing about this vegan gravy recipe is that it can be used on both meat and plant-based options! Some of my favorite ways to use it are with:
- Meat like Pork Chops or Lamb Chops
- On side dishes like Mashed Potatoes
- In casseroles, soups, and bakes like Shepherd’s Pie
How to Make Vegan Mushroom Gravy (Gluten Free)
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4–5 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Vegan Mushroom Gravy is a gluten free recipe made with simple ingredients for an easy way to add flavor to any meal in minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon pure olive oil or butter (or plant based ghee/butter)
- 1/3 cup diced shallot or white onion
- 2 cups sliced cremini or baby portobello (about 8-10 ounces)
- 1/4 cup dry white wine (optional)
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic (about 2 small cloves)
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 Tablespoon tamari (gluten free soy sauce) (*See notes)
- 1 1/2 – 2 cups vegetable broth
- Slurry: 1 Tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot starch mixed with 1 Tablespoon water or broth *See notes for thicker gravy
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil or butter in a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot/onion, and cook for about 4 minutes or until it is soft.
- Add the mushrooms and optional white wine (wine helps sweat the mushrooms), and let them cook for 8-10 minutes or until the mushrooms are soft.
- Add the garlic and paprika, and let it cook for 1 minute. Stir in the tamari.
- Add the broth, and let it simmer for about 10-12 minutes. While the saucepan is simmering, make the slurry.
- Whisk together the starch and liquid, and let them simmer. After 12 minutes of simmering, pour this mixture (slurry) back into the pan, and stir it until well-combined. Cook the gravy for an additional 2-3 minutes on medium-low heat until it thickens.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, and garnish with fresh finely diced parsley.
Notes
Too thick? Just add hot broth or water, and cook the gravy until is is heated through.
*Too thin? Let the gravy simmer on the stove longer to allow it to reduce and thicken. Or, add another teaspoon of slurry.
For the Whole30 option: Use coconut aminos in place of tamari and omit the wine.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Condiments
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 58
- Sugar: 1.7 g
- Sodium: 492.8 mg
- Fat: 2.9 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 5.2 g
- Fiber: 0.6 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: gravy, mushroom, sauces, condiments, gluten free, dairy free, vegan
I hope you enjoy this mushroom gravy! If you make it, let me know how you use it down in the comments below!
Cheers,
LC
