Vegetarian Mushroom Gravy

Everyone in the Delish kitchen agrees, we'd stack this mushroom gravy up against any other "traditional" gravy and be blown away at just how formidable this umami-filled recipe is. Vegans and meat-eaters alike will be piling this flavor-packed gravy on top of all the Thanksgiving sides. Not only can it improve your next vegan holiday meal, but it can be a simple, new sauce you add to your repertoire. This gravy comes together in minutes —  and you won't miss roasting a whole turkey or chicken to make it.

What is gravy? 

Technically, gravy is a mixture of meat drippings, flour, and broth. If you're totally lost, no worries: Meat drippings are the fat that 'drips' off of your meat when roasting. The rich, flavorful liquid is usually the heart of a gravy recipe, but we do have a gravy without drippings (The secret? Using butter and broth to mimic the fatty liquid of the drippings). 

How can you make gravy vegan?

In this recipe, you’ll basically make vegetable drippings by sautéing hearty, earthy mushrooms and sweet-yet-spicy white onion in olive oil. Then, you’ll whisk in flour for a roux. With the veggies in the pan, it’ll be chunkier than when you’ve made roux with just butter or drippings, but no stress! Bring the gravy home by thinning the mixture with vegetable broth (we strongly suggest going low-sodium, so you can control how salty the sauce is). Like magic, you’ve suddenly got a rich, creamy gravy. 

How do I thicken mushroom gravy?

If you're gravy isn't the texture you're looking for, add some cornstarch! Stir a couple teaspoons of cornstarch into a small bowl of cold water until a thick paste forms. Slowly whisk into your gravy a little bit at a time until it reaches your desired consistency. You can also add slightly less vegetable broth for a thicker mixture.  

How do I store it?

If you managed to not pour all of your gravy on your mashed potatoes (or if you're looking for a make-ahead Thanksgiving side), you can store your gravy in the refrigerator for up to five days. Simply place it in an airtight container, and reheat just before serving.  

Check out our top vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes for even more holiday veggie inspo, or our favorite vegan recipes for delicious meals all year round. 

Tried this recipe? Let us know how it came out in the comments below!

Editor's Note: This intro was updated to add more information about the dish on September 27, 2022.