Vegan Mushroom Gravy

Equally at home on high-end dishes and classic family favorites, this Vegan Mushroom Gravy is one you’ll make time and time again. 

Having a few good sauce recipes under your belt can completely transform your home cooking, and a good Mushroom Gravy is as delicious as it is versatile. 

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Making your own gravy may feel intimidating, but it’s actually incredibly simple to make and uses just a few basic ingredients. 

Mushrooms

The mushrooms are sauteed off first with onions and garlic before making the gravy, as this helps them achieve their gorgeous deep brown color and lets the flavors develop. 

It may seem like a lot of mushrooms, but they shrink drastically when cooked. If you only have a small pan, you may prefer to fry your mushrooms in batches. 

Overcrowded the pan can result in watery mushrooms and may affect the end result of your gravy.

Ordinary white button mushrooms are usually the easiest to find and are great for using in Mushroom Gravy, as they are the ones used in this recipe. As their flavor isn’t as intense as other varieties, they also make for an ideal option when cooking for kids. 

However, if you love that savory, earthy mushroom flavor, then you might like to try a different type for this recipe. Cremini or Swiss Browns will pack more of a punch. 

More gourmet options like Porcini are absolutely delicious, but you are better saving these for a meal where mushrooms are the star of the show.

Vegan Roux

As with any gravy recipe, a roux is required to thicken your liquid and get that lovely, velvety consistency. 

As this is a vegan roux, all you need to make this roux is olive oil. You may also use grapeseed oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil. However, I find that using olive oil provide the same result as those ingredients used in the non-vegan version. 

Sautee the vegetables first before adding the flour and cooking for a few minutes, stirring to combine. Then, simply add your liquid a little at a time and simmer until it’s reached your desired consistency.

Dairy Roux Option 

All you need to make a roux is butter and flour, melting the butter first before adding the flour and cooking for a few minutes, stirring to combine. Then, simply add your liquid a little at a time and simmer until it’s reached your desired consistency.

Dairy: Milk, Half And Half Or Cream

This is completely optional, but if you would like a more creamy, rich gravy, then add the half and half or cream while cooking.

Add the broth to thin out the gravy. Cook over low heat to prevent burning; stirring occasionally. Remove the gravy from the stove to stop the cream from curdling.

Thicker Roux

Remember that vegan roux or dairy gravy continues to thicken as it cools, so if you are transferring it to a gravy dish a good tip is to take it off the heat when it’s ever so slightly thinner than you want. 

Even the slight cooling between the pan, the dish and the table is enough for it to noticeably thicken.

Liquid

Beef broth is a great choice for Mushroom Gravy as the flavors of beef and mushroom complement each other well and it also produces a rich, deep brown color. 

However, as in this vegan mushroom gravy, we used vegetable broth to create that light brown color. 

Other stocks, including chicken and vegetable, will work just fine, but just be aware that they will result in more of a light brown gravy. 

As the broth you use provides a lot of the flavor for the end product, it’s always recommended to use the highest quality broth you can afford. Another way to amp up the taste is to use any roast pan drippings you have leftover when making your roux. 

Simply add the butter or oil straight into the used pan and melt it together with the drippings for an extra element of flavor.

Vegan Mushroom Gravy Recipe Ingredients

All you need is a handful of basic ingredients to prepare this gravy:

• White Mushrooms (Sliced): They add a hearty texture and extra element flavor to this mushroom gravy recipe.
• Shallot and garlic – For sharp flavor. You may also use white non sweet onions. Best to use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder, this will provide a more in depth flavor.
• Sage & Thyme – If you want to amplify the flavor of your vegan mushroom gravy, we recommend adding these herbs. 
• All-purpose flour – This is needed to thicken the gravy. If you are gluten free, consider using a gluten free flour. 
• Vegetable Broth – This broth will provide a rich depth of flavor.
• Extra-virgin olive oil – We recommend using a good quality olive oil. The oil is also used to cook the vegetables.
• Salt and black pepper – Is needed to season your gravy!

How To Prepare

The exact measurement is listed below in the recipe card. For now, here’s a quick glance on how to make this gravy perfectly every single time. 

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallot and cook until soft, this process should take about 4 minutes.

Add the mushrooms and cook until soft, this process will take about 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic. 

Add the flour over the mushrooms and stir for 1 minute.

Add the broth, black pepper, vegetable cube, and thyme. 

Simmer until thickened over low heat, whisking often; this should take about 20 minutes. 

Serve warm over mashed potatoes, white rice, or cauliflower mashed. Enjoy!

Can I Make It Ahead Of Time?

Absolutely! Once made, wait for the mushroom gravy to cool and pour it into an airtight container. 

It can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days, making it a great way to cut down on cooking time for family events or celebrations. 

When you’re ready to cook, simply heat it on the stove on low until it reaches the desired temperature. 

Because this mushroom gravy is made from scratch, it can also be store in the freezer for up to 6 months.  

When ready to use, simply allow the gravy to thaw out in the fridge the day before serving and reheat over medium low heat until heated through. 

Mushroom Gravy Serving Suggestions

Savory, earthy Mushroom Gravy goes great with all kinds of meats and pasta, but pairs particularly well with salmon or beef. 

Steak, sausages, and schnitzel are all delicious topped with Mushroom Gravy. It can also make for a simple yet satisfying vegetarian meal on top of a pile of freshly mashed potatoes (just make sure to use vegetable broth!).

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