Transform your meals with this incredibly **Easy Vegan Gravy Recipe**, meticulously crafted with simple, wholesome ingredients and ready in just **10 minutes**! Prepare to be captivated by its vibrant golden hue and profoundly rich, savory umami flavor. This isn’t just another gravy recipe; it’s destined to become your ultimate go-to, winning over even the most ardent meat-eaters, as it has done for years. Experience the difference a truly exceptional plant-based gravy can make to any dish.
Jump to Recipe
Say goodbye to traditional, heavy gravy and embrace a healthier, yet equally indulgent, alternative. This **vegan and gluten-free gravy** isn’t just a lighter option for your holiday table; it’s renowned by all who try it as “THE BEST GRAVY EVER!” It boasts all the depth, richness, and comforting texture you expect from classic turkey gravy, but without a single animal product. Enjoy peace of mind knowing you’re serving a delicious and inclusive dish.
While perfect for holiday feasts like Thanksgiving, this **easy plant-based gravy** is far too delightful to reserve for just one day a year. My family, especially my husband, absolutely adores it! We smother our creamy vegan mashed potatoes, savory vegan meatballs, and even crisp roasted broccoli with its golden goodness. It’s also an extraordinary addition to a magnificent whole roasted cauliflower, elevating simple vegetables into a gourmet experience. With readily available ingredients and consistently delicious results, there’s no reason not to make this luscious gravy a staple in your kitchen year-round.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Vegan Gravy
- Effortlessly Simple: Imagine whipping up a gourmet-tasting gravy in just **10 minutes**! This recipe calls for only 9 staple ingredients (including salt and pepper), making it an accessible option even for novice cooks. Minimal effort, maximum flavor.
- Incredibly Delicious: Prepare for a flavor explosion! This gravy is universally adored, earning rave reviews from everyone, including skeptics. Its rich, savory profile makes it the perfect accompaniment for almost anything you can imagine – from mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables to your favorite plant-based proteins.
- No Special Skills or Tools Required: Forget fancy culinary techniques or expensive gadgets. All you need is a basic small saucepan and a trusty whisk. This recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimal fuss.
- Excellent for Meal Prep & Freezer Friendly: Planning a big holiday meal? You can easily make this vegan gravy ahead of time and freeze it without compromising flavor or texture. It’s perfect for stress-free entertaining or simply having delicious gravy on hand for quick weeknight meals.
- Ultimate Convenience: Unlike traditional gravies that rely on meat drippings, this recipe liberates you from waiting for a turkey to finish roasting. Make this delicious gravy whenever it suits your schedule, whether it’s days before a holiday or just moments before dinner.
- Deep Umami Satisfaction: Experience the profound, savory richness that only a well-crafted umami profile can deliver. Each spoonful offers a satisfying depth of flavor that truly enhances any dish.
- Miso: The Secret Ingredient for “Poultry-Like” Flavor: While many vegan gravy recipes use liquid aminos or soy sauce, our unique use of miso paste takes the flavor to an entirely new level. Miso provides a subtle, yet incredibly authentic, poultry-like essence, making this gravy taste remarkably similar to traditional turkey gravy, convincing even the most discerning palates. It’s the secret weapon for unparalleled depth.
Essential Ingredients & Smart Substitutions
Crafting the perfect vegan gravy starts with a few key ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need, along with helpful tips and substitution ideas:
- Vegetable Broth: The foundation of our flavorful gravy. While making homemade vegan stock allows for optimal control over ingredients and sodium content, quality store-bought vegetable broth works wonderfully. Opt for a low-sodium variety with a clean ingredient list, avoiding heavily processed vegetable oils if possible.
- Olive Oil: A touch of olive oil contributes to a luxuriously creamy texture and a richer, more profound flavor. While you can make this recipe using just vegetable broth for an oil-free version, the small amount of olive oil truly enhances the mouthfeel and overall deliciousness.
- Flour: This recipe is incredibly adaptable to various flours. I personally use King Arthur Measure for Measure Gluten-free Flour for its consistent results. However, any all-purpose flour, including whole wheat, spelt, or oat flour (which I’ve also successfully tested), will work beautifully. Choose the flour that best suits your dietary needs and preferences.
- Arrowroot Powder: A fantastic, natural thickener! Unlike traditional cornstarch, arrowroot powder is extracted from a root vegetable without harsh heat or chemicals, and it’s a non-GMO crop. It results in a glossy, smooth gravy and is easily digestible and grain-free. You’ll typically find it in the baking or spice aisle of most grocery stores.
- Miso Paste: Our not-so-secret weapon for unparalleled depth and umami! Miso paste, a fermented soybean paste, imparts a savory richness that beautifully mimics the complexity often found in meat-based gravies. I prefer mellow light miso for its balanced flavor, but any type will work. If you follow a soy-free diet, look for miso varieties made from fermented rice or chickpeas – they offer similar umami benefits. It’s truly superb, just like in my vegan yellow split pea soup!
- Onion and Garlic Powder: These pantry staples provide essential aromatic depth without the need for sautéing. Always double-check that you’re using **onion powder** and **garlic powder**, not their “salt” counterparts, to control the overall sodium content of your gravy.
- Fresh Herbs: A fragrant blend of fresh parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme is key to achieving that authentic, comforting gravy flavor. This combination is often referred to as “poultry seasoning herbs” and delivers an incredible aromatic boost. If fresh herbs aren’t available, a good quality dried poultry seasoning or 1 teaspoon of mixed dried herbs can be used as a convenient substitute.
Mastering Your Vegan Gravy: A Step-by-Step Guide
Crafting this rich, flavorful vegan gravy is surprisingly straightforward, requiring minimal time and effort. Follow these simple steps to create a show-stopping sauce that will impress everyone at your table.
Step 1: Prepare Your Dry Mix
In a small bowl, combine your measured flour, finely chopped fresh herbs (or dried equivalent), onion powder, garlic powder, sea salt, and white pepper. Whisk these dry ingredients together thoroughly until well combined. This ensures even distribution of flavors and helps prevent lumps later on.
Step 2: Create the Roux
Heat the olive oil in your saucepan over medium heat. Once shimmering, gradually whisk in the prepared flour mixture. Continue to whisk constantly as the mixture transforms into a thick, golden paste – this is your roux! Keep whisking for 1-2 minutes to cook off the raw flour taste, ensuring a smooth, nutty foundation for your gravy.
What is a Roux? A roux is a mixture of fat (like olive oil) and flour cooked together, forming the thickening base for many sauces and gravies. It’s crucial for a smooth, lump-free consistency.
Step 3: Gradually Add Broth
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Begin adding the vegetable broth, about ½ cup at a time, to the roux. Whisk continuously after each addition until the mixture is smooth and lump-free before adding more broth. This slow and steady approach is key to achieving a perfectly smooth gravy.
Step 4: Incorporate Miso and Arrowroot Slurry
Once you’ve added most of the broth and are down to the last ½ cup, prepare a slurry: whisk the miso paste and arrowroot powder into this remaining ½ cup of vegetable broth until fully dissolved. This step is vital for preventing lumps from the arrowroot and ensuring the miso’s rich flavor is evenly distributed. Do not skip the miso – it’s essential for that incredible umami depth!
Step 5: Thicken and Finish
Pour the miso and arrowroot slurry into the saucepan with the gravy mixture. Continue to whisk gently over low heat for another 2 minutes. As it cooks, the gravy will visibly thicken to a perfect, spoonable consistency. Remove from heat and serve immediately, or keep warm until ready to enjoy.
Debra’s Pro Tips for the Best Vegan Gravy
- Generous Servings: Plan for at least ⅓ cup of gravy per person, but honestly, it’s so good, you might want to factor in a few extra servings for second helpings (or secret kitchen spoonfuls!).
- Embrace Everyday Deliciousness: This simple vegan gravy recipe is too wonderful to be confined to special occasions like Thanksgiving dinner. A good gravy has the power to elevate ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary experiences, so make it a regular part of your weeknight rotation!
- The Secret to Lump-Free Gravy: Consistent, continuous whisking is your best friend here. Pay extra attention during the initial roux-making step, ensuring a smooth paste forms. Then, slowly add your vegetable stock, whisking vigorously after each addition until the gravy achieves a uniform consistency. Patience and persistence pay off!
- For Silky Smooth Perfection: If you’re aiming for an ultra-smooth, velvety gravy, an immersion blender is a game-changer. Simply use it directly in the pot while the gravy is still warm to blitz away any tiny imperfections.
- Mind the Heat: Keep your stovetop heat on medium-low as you whisk in the stock. If you find the gravy is thickening too quickly or becoming difficult to keep uniform, reduce the heat even further. Gentle heat ensures a controlled thickening process.
- The Slurry Method is Key: Always use the last addition of vegetable stock to create a slurry with your arrowroot powder and to fully dissolve the miso paste. This prevents grainy textures from undissolved thickener and ensures the miso’s flavor is seamlessly integrated into the gravy. Add this slurry *before* mixing it into the main gravy pot.
- Smart Holiday Prep: If you’re making this for a holiday like Thanksgiving, embrace the make-ahead magic! You don’t have to wait until the last minute. Prepare it fresh while other dishes are in the oven, then leave it covered in the pot on low heat for gentle reheating. Better yet, make it a day or two in advance and refrigerate, or freeze it weeks ahead to lighten your holiday workload.
- Double the Delight: This recipe doubles beautifully! And trust me, you’ll want extra. Leftovers always taste infinitely better when generously smothered in this rich, savory vegan gravy.
- Sharing is Caring: Last year, I gifted jars of this healthy vegan gravy to friends who weren’t hosting Thanksgiving, and they raved about how it transformed their holiday leftovers. It makes for a thoughtful and delicious gift that spreads joy and flavor!
Meal Prep & Storage Solutions for Your Vegan Gravy
This versatile vegan gravy isn’t just easy to make; it’s also incredibly convenient for meal prep and storage, allowing you to enjoy its deliciousness whenever hunger strikes.
- Serving Suggestions: For the best experience, serve your vegan gravy piping hot. If you don’t have a traditional gravy boat, a small, elegant pitcher makes a wonderful serving vessel. It’s fantastic drizzled over roasted vegetables, creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy vegan biscuits, or even warm rice.
- Preparation Ahead: You can prepare the entire recipe up to two hours in advance. Simply turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let it rest on the stove. For longer storage, allow the gravy to cool completely to room temperature before refrigerating it in an airtight container.
- Storage Guidelines: Once cooled, transfer your homemade gravy into an airtight container. It will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to one week, making it perfect for weekly meal planning. For longer storage, this gravy freezes exceptionally well for up to three months. Wide-mouth mason jars are an excellent choice for both refrigeration and freezing.
- Freezing for Future Feasts: Leftover gravy is a true bonus because it freezes so well. If using glass jars, remember to leave 1-2 inches of headspace to allow for expansion during freezing, preventing the glass from cracking. For convenient portioning, pour cooled gravy into silicone molds (like Souper Cubes) to freeze in 1-cup increments, then transfer the frozen blocks to freezer-safe zip-top bags. This allows you to easily grab just the amount you need. Frozen gravy can be reheated directly from the freezer on the stovetop.
- Reheating Instructions: Reheat your gravy gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently. Don’t be alarmed if it appears thicker after refrigeration; it will naturally thin out as it heats back up. If it’s still thicker than your desired consistency, gradually whisk in 1-2 tablespoons of additional vegetable broth until it reaches perfection. For a delicious shortcut, smother your leftovers with gravy and then heat everything together in the oven until warmed through.
Explore More Wholesome Holiday Recipes
Planning a full holiday spread or simply looking for delicious, healthy plant-based options? Complement your perfect vegan gravy with these other fantastic recipes:
- Homemade Vegan Dinner Rolls
- Gluten-free Cornbread Stuffing
- Easy Recipe for Green Beans with Almonds
- Cranberry Chia Jam Recipe (no refined sugar)
Did you know that commenting on and rating recipes is one of the most impactful ways to support your favorite food bloggers? If you’ve made this delicious vegan gravy, please take a moment to leave a five-star rating below and share your thoughts in a comment. We’d also love to see your culinary creations on Instagram! Tag me @dkhealthcoach and use the hashtag #debraklein so I can admire your beautiful dishes. Your feedback and shares mean the world!
📖 Recipe: The Best 10-Minute Vegan Gravy
Effortless Vegan Gravy Recipe
Debra Klein
★
★
★
★
Rate this Recipe
📌Pin Recipe
2 minutes
8 minutes
10 minutes
Condiment
American
2
½ cups
104
kcal
Equipment
- Balloon whisk
- Glass Measuring Cups
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- 3 quart pot
Ingredients
-
¼
cup
olive oil -
¼
cup
+ 1 Tablespoon flour* -
1
Tablespoon
fresh herbs* -
1
teaspoon
onion powder -
1
teaspoon
garlic powder -
¼
teaspoon
white pepper -
¼
teaspoon
sea salt -
2
cups
Vegetable Broth
-
2
Tablespoons
light miso paste -
1
Tablespoon
arrowroot powder
Instructions
- In a small bowl, thoroughly stir together the flour, fresh herbs, onion powder, garlic powder, white pepper, and sea salt until completely combined. This pre-mix ensures even flavor distribution.
- MAKE A ROUX: Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Once shimmering, whisk in the dry flour mixture vigorously until a thick, smooth paste forms. Continue whisking this roux for 1-2 minutes over low heat to cook off the raw flour taste, creating a nutty base. It will be quite pasty at this stage.
- Slowly, ½ cup at a time, add the vegetable broth to the roux, whisking continuously and vigorously after each addition. Ensure the gravy is smooth and uniform in consistency before adding the next batch of broth to prevent lumps.
- When you have about ½ cup of vegetable broth remaining, whisk the miso paste and 1 tablespoon of arrowroot powder into this last ½ cup until completely dissolved. This creates a smooth slurry. Add this slurry to the saucepan of gravy and continue to whisk until everything is well incorporated and the gravy thickens to your desired consistency over low heat, usually within 2 minutes.
- For storage, allow the gravy to cool completely to room temperature before pouring it into a glass jar. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 3 months*.
- To reheat, gently warm the gravy on the stovetop over low heat, whisking occasionally. Note that gravy will naturally thicken when refrigerated and will thin out as it heats back up. If it’s still thicker than you prefer, whisk in 1-2 tablespoons of additional vegetable broth until it reaches your desired consistency. Continuous whisking during reheating helps prevent lumps.
Notes
Fresh Herbs: If fresh herbs are unavailable, a convenient substitute is 1 teaspoon of dried mixed herbs. During the Thanksgiving season, it’s often easy to find potted rosemary, thyme, and sage at grocery stores, which you can then grow on a sunny windowsill year-round for continuous fresh flavor.
Vegetable Broth: My recipe calls for homemade vegetable broth, prepared without any added salt to allow for maximum control over seasoning. If you opt for store-bought broth, please note that it is typically pre-salted. In this case, omit the initial ¼ teaspoon of sea salt from the recipe and taste for seasoning before adding any extra salt to ensure perfect balance.
Freezing Tips: Ensure the gravy is completely cool before transferring it to glass jars for freezing. Alternatively, for convenient single servings, pour the cooled gravy into silicone molds (such as Souper Cubes) and then transfer the frozen blocks to zip-top, freezer-grade bags. Remember that liquids expand when frozen, so leave about 1-2 inches of space at the top of glass jars to prevent cracking.
Nutrition
Serving:
1
g
Calories:
104
kcal
Carbohydrates:
4
g
Protein:
1
g
Fat:
9
g
Saturated Fat:
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat:
8
g
Sodium:
524
mg
Fiber:
1
g
Sugar:
1
g
Note
The nutrition calculations provided here are estimates generated using online tools. For the most precise nutritional information for any given recipe, it is recommended that you calculate the values based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. You are ultimately responsible for verifying the accuracy, completeness, and applicability of any nutritional data for your dietary needs.
Did you make this recipe?
Please leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag me @dkhealthcoach or use hashtag #dkhealtcoach on Instagram so I can see it!!