Made with 5 simple ingredients and taking just 15 minutes, this easy vegan gravy recipe is one my family have used for years. It's savory, flavorful and the perfect partner to mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables. Gluten free too.
Mashed or roast potatoes aren't complete without gravy. Fact.
Nor are vegan sausages or almost any kind of roasted vegetable in my opinion!
It's the perfect savory sauce for all manner of dishes, from stuffing and roasted carrots to vegan poutine, stuffed pumpkin and nut loaf.
And this easy vegan gravy is made from scratch with 5 simple ingredients (that you probably already have in your pantry) in 15 minutes - though you wouldn't know, it tastes so good!
Mix together vegan butter, soy sauce, onion powder and flour to form a paste, then whisk in vegetable broth and simmer for a few minutes to thicken.
You'll be left with a delicious vegan brown gravy that's ideal for your Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner this holiday season.
Why you'll love this
Quick/easy to make - 15 minutes and minimal steps. The perfect easy recipe for your holiday table.
Uses 5 ingredients you probably already have - soy sauce, vegan butter or oil, onion powder, flour and vegetable broth.
Inexpensive - This homemade vegan gravy can easily be made for a couple of dollars. Way cheaper than store-bought!
Smooth & flavorful - You won't believe it's only 5 ingredients. It's the best vegan gravy recipe I know.
Ingredients
Vegan butter or oil - I recommend vegan butter (I use Earth Balance) as the flavour is creamier, but you can use oil in a pinch! Be sure to use an unflavoured oil or mild olive oil.
Onion powder - Adds extra body and flavor to the gravy. Can substitute garlic powder if needed.
Soy sauce - Provides saltiness and umami flavor (use gluten free if needed).
Flour - A thickener. Use regular or gluten free (I use brown rice flour, gluten free all purpose flour like Bob's Red Mill, corn starch or tapioca flour). DON'T use coconut flour or any nut flour - they behave differently and won't thicken.
Vegetable broth or stock - Adds salt and flavour. I like to use vegetable stock cubes to make my broth.
Step by step
Melt butter in a medium saucepan on medium-low heat.
Add onion powder, soy sauce and flour, and mix well to form a paste.
Slowly add veggie broth or stock and 1 cup water - about ¼ cup at a time - stirring or whisking well between each addition to ensure no lumps.
Once liquid is added (gravy will be thin), increase to medium heat until just bubbling. Simmer 10 minutes until gravy thickens (if it becomes too thick, add more water).
Serve with mashed potatoes, sausages or your favourite vegetable side dish!
See my step-by-step instructions for how to make this vegan gravy.
Tips
Lump-free gravy - To make sure your gravy is lump-free, the most crucial thing is to add broth and water a little at a time and stir/whisk thoroughly to incorporate into your gravy before adding more.
Then, keep stirring gravy occasionally as it simmers to avoid any lumps forming.
Stronger gravy - For a richer-tasting delicious gravy, allow it to simmer longer so the flavours can develop. You can also incorporate some of the flavour variations below!
What to serve with vegan gravy
Enjoy it with any of the following:
- A classic nut roast or loaf
- Mashed or roast potatoes
- Steamed veggies
- Stuffed pumpkin
- Sage and onion stuffing
- Maple roasted carrots
- All roasted vegetables!
Variations
To increase the depth of flavor, try adding any of the following:
Miso paste - Add with soy sauce/onion powder/flour to enhance the savory flavor.
Mushrooms - Add finely chopped fresh mushrooms like crimini or dried mushrooms like porcini as the gravy simmers.
Red wine - Gives a rich flavor. Add up to ½ cup in place of vegetable broth.
Diced white onion - Sauté in the vegan butter for 5 minutes before adding other ingredients.
Nutritional yeast flakes - Add with soy sauce/onion powder/flour mix for savory flavor.
Dried or fresh herbs - Chopped thyme or sage are a great addition. Add when simmering.
Storage
Store any unused gravy in a jar in the fridge for 3-4 days.
To reheat, simply simmer in a pan on the stove. Gravy thickens as it cools so you may need to add a little more water/broth.
Gravy can be frozen. Store in an airtight container and defrost thoroughly before reheating.
FAQS
Traditional gravy is made from animal products like meat stock, mixed with flour or cornstarch to thicken. As such, vegans have to use alternative plant-based ingredients like soy sauce, vegan butter and vegetable broth to make gravy.
Vegan gravy recipes usually consist of various ingredients and seasonings, such as soy sauce, flour, vegan worcestershire sauce, onion, mushrooms, yeast extract, miso, herbs, vegetable broth and oil or plant-based butter.
You can, but I recommend making your own. It's tastier and much cheaper! Plus, many grocery store gravy mixes are full of salt and additives, so by making your own you're getting a healthier option too.
Enjoy this vegan gravy with...
BEST 5 ingredient vegan gravy (Easy!)
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon vegan butter (or unflavoured oil)
- 1½ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari (gluten free if needed)
- ¼ cup flour (gluten free if needed)
- 3 cups vegetable broth/stock
Instructions
- Melt butter in a saucepan on medium-low heat.
- Add onion powder, soy sauce and flour, and mix to form a paste.
- Slowly add vegetable broth - about ¼ cup at a time - stirring well between each addition to ensure no lumps.
- Once liquid is added (gravy will be very thin), increase heat until just bubbling. Simmer 10 minutes until gravy thickens (if it becomes too thick, add a splash of water).
- Serve with mashed potatoes, sausages or your favourite vegetable side dish!
Notes
Nutritional information per serving
If you’ve tried this vegetarian gravy recipe, please leave a comment or tip for others below. I'd love to know how you’ve made it your own!
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Gerald
Great gravy! Love it
Elizabeth
Thanks so much! So glad you liked it. 🙂
Andréa
Gravy is such a great side dish to give some extra flavor. And this recipe looks delicious and easy!
Elizabeth
Agreed - it's an essential! Glad you like it Andrea. 🙂
Adam Morgan
My wife is vegan and she made this for our family for Thanksgiving this year! Fantastic tasting gravy! Will definitely be making this again.
Elizabeth
So glad to hear it Adam! Really glad you enjoyed it. Happy Thanksgiving. 🙂
Lathiya
The gravy looks awesome and I love it has only 5 ingredients. I love such simple recipes.
Elizabeth
Thanks Lathiya - hope you try it!
Luke
Great gravy recipe. I used to think it was really hard to make gravy from scratch.
Elizabeth
So happy to hear that Luke!