Vegan Mushroom Gravy

This vegan mushroom gravy is a savory and flavorful addition to any meal! Made with only 8 ingredients (plus salt and pepper) and boasting hearty flavors, it’s easy to mix up in under 15 minutes.

Whether it's Thanksgiving dinner or just a celebration feast, some meals aren't complete until they're topped with gravy! This vegan mushroom gravy is a savory, elevated version of my go-to all-purpose gravy recipe.

It uses just a handful of pantry staples and comes together quickly. You can serve it rustic with chopped mushrooms, or puree it in a blender for a smoother gravy. But pouring it on mashed potatoes is non-negotiable!

Recipe features

• Quick & easy: Mushroom gravy is ready in just 15 minutes using a handful of inexpensive but flavorful ingredients.
• Flavors: Filled with rich and savory flavors from baby bella mushrooms, soy sauce, and garlic.
• Texture: This is a chunky mushroom gravy but it can be puréed in a blender if you prefer a smooth gravy.
• Dietary features: vegan, vegetarian, nut-free and gluten-free optional

Looking for a breakfast gravy? You might like my vegan sausage gravy instead.

🥘Ingredients

• Mushrooms: I use baby bella mushrooms (cremini mushrooms) but white mushrooms or regular-sized Portobello mushrooms also work. Mushroom gravy is all about the mushrooms, so don't be afraid to get creative with your mushroom choice!
• Vegetable broth: While homemade is the most flavorful option, store-bought veggie broth works just as well. I recommend using a reduced sodium broth so that the saltiness of the mushroom gravy can be adjusted to taste.
• Soy sauce: I recommend using regular (not reduced sodium) soy sauce because it contributes to so much of the flavor. Tamari or coconut aminos work for a gluten-free option.
• Sage: Fresh sage can be replaced with ½ teaspoon dry sage as needed.
• All-purpose flour: This thickens the gravy. To make this recipe gluten-free, simply use 2 tablespoon corn starch or arrowroot starch in place of ¼ cup flour.
• Yellow onion and garlic: Sweet yellow onion is my go-to, but white onion also works. Dice the onion very finely.
• Olive oil: I use extra virgin olive oil. Canola, vegetable, avocado or any similar oil will work. Non-dairy butter also works but leads to a slightly different and less traditional flavor profile.

🔪Step by step instructions

• Step 1. Heat a medium saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the oil. Add the finely chopped mushrooms and onions and sauté until mushrooms are softened, about 6-8 minutes. The mushrooms will shrink significantly while cooking, releasing moisture and concentrating their flavor.
• Step 2. Once the mushrooms and onions are softened, add minced garlic. Sauté 1-2 minutes more, until garlic is aromatic and golden.
• Step 3. Once everything is sautéed, don't remove the excess mushroom liquid. This liquid will contribute to the gravy. Sprinkle in all-purpose flour, whisking until lightly browned and cooked. This will take about one to two minutes. 
• Step 4. And now, the part where your mushrooms become gravy: add the vegetable broth. Slowly whisk the vegetable broth into the pan, about ¼ cup at a time.

Step 5. Reduce the gravy to a simmer over medium-low heat, then season with black pepper, soy sauce, and fresh sage. Simmer until the gravy reaches desired thickness. Whisk in additional vegetable broth to thin the gravy as needed and taste for salt and pepper.

📖Tips for success

New to cooking vegan sauces and gravies? Check out my complete guide on how to make vegan bechamel sauce to learn more about the roux method used in this recipe.

• Gravy texture/consistency: This a chunky mushroom gravy, but it can be pureed if you prefer smooth gravy. To puree, add the gravy to a blender. I recommend removing the center part of the blender lid and covering it with a paper towel while blending to allow steam to vent. Be careful while blending and make sure not to overfill the blender, as the hot gravy will build up pressure. Pulse the gravy until it reaches your desired consistency.
• How to tell gravy is ready: A fool-proof way to tell that your gravy is ready is the spoon test. If the gravy coats the back of a spoon without sliding off, it's thick enough to serve.
• How to thicken gravy: Simmering the gravy for long enough will always thicken it, but for a quicker option you can add a slurry of 1 tablespoon flour or corn starch + 1 tablespoon water to the simmering sauce. Mix these together in a small bowl before adding to the gravy. Simmer until thickened, repeating as needed.
• How to thin the gravy: Add 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable broth at a time to thin to desired consistency.
• Gluten-free option: Make this recipe gluten-free by replacing soy sauce with tamari. Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour mix, such as Bob's Red Mill, in place of standard all-purpose flour. Or use 2 tablespoons corn or arrowroot starch in place of ¼ cup flour.

My favorite way to serve mushroom gravy is on lentil loaf. You'll also want to drizzle this gravy on vegan biscuits, homemade mashed potatoes, or roasted root veggies. It's also great on sweet potato biscuits.More of my favorite vegan mushroom-centered recipes:

💭Storage tips

• Leftovers: Put in a closed container and refrigerate for 3-4 days. It will thicken a lot as it cools.
• Reheating: Reheat on the stove over medium heat. You may need to add a splash of broth since it will thicken as it sits.
• Freezing: You can freeze the gravy in a closed container for up to 3 months. Let thaw completely in the fridge before reheating on the stove or in the microwave.

Looking for more mushroom recipes?

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