Easy Vegan Brown Gravy
This easy vegan brown gravy is a must-have for a roast dinner, family gathering, or holiday feast. It takes about 15 minutes, and add magic to every meal component!
I don’t know about you, but when I was growing up, gravy was a non-negotiable at Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s such a simple way to marry a meal that contains multiple components.
When I started my plant-based journey, I was determined to develop an easy vegan brown gravy recipe that my whole family would approve of. Thick, glossy and luscious, this gravy is a result of adjustments and improvements over the years… It’s finally just right!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This easy vegan brown gravy recipe is full of flavor. Amazingly, it comes together in no time!
- I bet you already have some of these ingredients in your pantry and spice rack. This means you don’t have to spend a fortune!
- By making gravy from scratch, you know exactly what’s on your plate. Plus, it’s nice to be able to adjust the seasonings to suit your preference.
- This recipe is practically impossible to mess up. Perfect for beginner cooks and first-time dinner hosts.
Key Ingredients
- Vegetable broth is the liquid base that already carries a lot of flavor.
- Tomato paste adds some acid and a deep crimson color.
- Soy sauce is the source of umami flavor, which you can achieve with a relatively small amount. It also contributes to the beautiful brown hue.
- Spices and herbs round up the flavor profile that complements everything from mashed potatoes to crispy tofu cutlets.
- Cornstarch helps to thicken the gravy to desired consistency.
Hack It!
- With a small adjustment, this gravy can be gluten-free. Swap regular soy sauce for tamari and voila!
- If you don’t like nutritional yeast, or have trouble finding some, there is another way to add extra umami flavor. Simmer some dried mushrooms in the gravy and take them out before serving.
- If you have a soy allergy, use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce. It’s a great way to add that savory quality to your gravy.
- You can use store-bought vegetable broth or make your own in advance. There is an amazing low-waste recipe in PlantYou Scrappy Cooking. Alternatively, you might use vegan “chicken” broth or hidden vegetable broth.
How to Make Easy Vegan Brown Gravy
Step 1: Prepare the cornstarch slurry. In a jar or small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with 1/4 cup of vegetable broth, until fully combined.
Step 2: Add the rest of the vegetable broth, soy sauce, nutritional yeast, tomato paste, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder and thyme to a saucepan.
Step 3: Set the pot over medium heat as you whisk everything together. Bring to a low simmer.
Step 4: Little by little, start adding the cornstarch slurry as you whisk continuously to avoid any lumps. Continue to simmer for 2-3 minutes until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency.
Step 5: To serve, transfer to a bowl or gravy boat. This easy vegan brown gravy should be glossy and velvety.
Step 6: Enjoy over vegan mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, carrots… Anything tastes better with gravy!
Frequently Asked Questions
To stop gravy from congealing at the top, store it with plastic or silicone wrap against the surface, so that there is no contact with air. Refrigerate for up to 3 days, and whisk vigorously when you reheat it. You may also add extra vegetable broth to dilute it.
Alternatively, you can get scrappy. Freeze leftover gravy in an ice cube tray and add it to soups, stir-fries, sauces, and stews.
Reduce the heat and gradually add in extra water or vegetable broth. Whisk until the consistency is slightly thinner than you’d like, then wait for the gravy to thicken.
This usually happens if you don’t whisk your mixture fast enough, or if the heat is too high. The first step is to reduce the heat. If you cannot manually get rid of the lumps with a whisk, use an immersion blender, adding extra broth as needed.
More Plant-Based Festive Dishes
- Mushroom Pie with Herb Biscuits
- Whole Roasted Cauliflower
- Potato Stacks
- Vegan Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
- Warm Brussels Sprouts Salad
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The Recipe: Easy Vegan Brown Gravy
Ingredients
- ¼ cup vegetable broth, for the cornstarch slurry
- 2 tbsp cornstarch, or arrowroot powder
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp soy sauce, or tamari
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast, optional, for umami
- 1 tsp tomato paste
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- First, prepare the cornstarch slurry. In a jar or small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 1/4 cup of vegetable broth, until fully combined.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, add the vegetable broth, soy sauce, nutritional yeast, tomato paste, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder and thyme. Whisk until completely combined and then bring to a gentle simmer.
- Gradually whisk in the cornstarch slurry while stirring to avoid lumps. Continue to simmer for 2-3 minutes until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
-
- With a small adjustment, this gravy can be gluten-free. Swap regular soy sauce for tamari and voila!
- If you don’t like nutritional yeast, or have trouble finding some, there is another way to add extra umami flavor. Simmer some dried mushrooms in the gravy and take them out before serving.
- If you have a soy allergy, use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce. It’s a great way to add that savory quality to your gravy.
- You can use store-bought vegetable broth or make your own in advance. There is an amazing low-waste recipe in PlantYou Scrappy Cooking. Alternatively, you might use vegan “chicken” broth or hidden vegetable broth.
- This recipe yields 4-6 servings depending on how much gravy you like to add to your plate.