There's something deeply comforting about a rich, savory gravy, and this Vegan Mushroom Gravy Recipe brings that cozy feeling in a way everyone can enjoy. It's simple, velvety, and bursting with mushroom goodness that’ll elevate your meals effortlessly.

A white oval gravy boat filled with smooth, dark brown mushroom gravy. Inside the gravy, there are light brown, thinly sliced mushrooms visible, with small green herb flakes and black pepper sprinkled on top. The gravy boat sits on a set of two white round plates, all placed on a white marbled surface. In the upper right corner, part of a white bowl with creamy mashed potatoes sprinkled with black pepper and green herbs is slightly visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Vegan Mushroom Gravy Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Vegan Mushroom Gravy Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Vegan Mushroom Gravy Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made plenty of gravies over the years, but this Vegan Mushroom Gravy Recipe stands out because it’s surprisingly easy to pull together and tastes just as hearty and satisfying as any traditional gravy. Plus, it totally wins over even those who think vegan gravy means bland.

Unbeatable Umami: The mushrooms add a deep, earthy flavor that makes the gravy feel indulgent without being heavy.
Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of these in your pantry already, making it a convenient go-to.
Versatile Use: It’s perfect over mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, or even vegan “meats” — the possibilities are endless!
Allergy-Friendly: Naturally gluten-free and vegan, plus easily adapted to what you have on hand.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Vegan Mushroom Gravy Recipe plays a key role in building flavor and texture, working together like a dream. Here’s a quick rundown to help you shop and prep wisely.

Flat lay of fresh whole garlic clove, thinly sliced cremini mushrooms, finely minced shallot in a small white ceramic bowl, a small white ceramic bowl with pale gluten-free flour, a small white ceramic bowl of rich vegetable broth, a small white ceramic bowl containing dark tamari sauce, a small white ceramic bowl with coarse kosher salt, a small white ceramic bowl with cracked black pepper, a small white ceramic bowl holding dried sage leaves, a small white ceramic bowl with dried rosemary sprigs placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Butter or Olive Oil: Butter adds richness, but olive oil keeps it plant-based and light; either way, it's your flavor base.
Mushrooms: I like using cremini or button mushrooms for their meaty texture; thin slicing ensures they cook evenly.
Shallot or Onion: Adds subtle sweetness and depth — shallots bring a more delicate flavor if you want to be fancy!
Garlic: Just enough to heighten the savory notes without overpowering.
Gluten-free Flour or Cornstarch: Flour gives a classic thickness; cornstarch works great if you want a glossy finish and quicker thickening.
Vegetable Broth: The backbone of the gravy, it’s crucial to use a flavorful broth for best results.
Tamari or Soy Sauce: Adds that salty, umami punch; tamari is best if you need it gluten-free.
Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: Essential for balancing flavors — don’t skip or skimp here!
Dried Sage & Rosemary: They lend earthiness and a hint of herbal warmth that make this gravy special.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I adore about this Vegan Mushroom Gravy Recipe is how easily it adapts to your kitchen and tastes. You can tweak it based on what you have or the flavor profile you prefer, and it still turns out fantastic.

Add a splash of wine or sherry: I've tried this a few times and it adds a lovely depth, especially for holiday dinners.
Use fresh herbs: When I have fresh rosemary or sage on hand, I swap out the dried for a brighter, fresher kick.
Swap mushrooms: Want a smokier gravy? Try shiitake mushrooms — they pack a punch!
Make it gluten-free or not: Depending on your dietary needs, pick between gluten-free flour, cornstarch, or regular flour without sacrificing texture.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Vegan Mushroom Gravy Recipe

A white round plate sits on a white marbled surface, holding a mound of creamy mashed potatoes with a smooth, slightly chunky texture. On top, there is a layer of brown mushroom gravy with visible slices of soft, cooked mushrooms softly blending into the sauce. The gravy glistens and fills the center of the mashed potatoes, sprinkled lightly with black pepper and herbs. To the right side of the plate, a silver fork rests partially in the mashed potatoes. In the upper right corner, part of a white bowl filled with more mashed potatoes is visible. White cloth napkins are placed around the plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Sizzle and Brown Those Mushrooms

Start by heating your butter or oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once shimmering, toss in the sliced mushrooms and your finely minced shallot or onion. I always make sure to stir regularly because you want the mushrooms to actually brown and caramelize, not steam — this step is where so much flavor develops. It usually takes 7 to 10 minutes. When the mushrooms start to look golden and the shallots are softened, add the minced garlic and cook for just about a minute more to avoid burning it.

Step 2: Toast the Flour

Sprinkle your flour (or cornstarch) over the mushrooms and stir quickly. Cook for about one minute — you’re essentially toasting it here, which removes any raw flour flavor and helps thicken the gravy smoothly later on. Don’t skip this step; it makes a noticeable difference in taste and texture.

Step 3: Build the Flavor Base

Carefully pour in your vegetable broth along with the tamari, salt, pepper, sage, and rosemary. Give everything a good stir, scraping up any browned bits that clung to the pan’s bottom — those bits are gold for flavor! Then, bring everything to a gentle simmer.

Step 4: Let It Thicken

Keep stirring the gravy over medium-low heat until it thickens to your liking, usually 5 to 10 minutes. Stirring constantly helps avoid lumps and keeps that velvety texture. If it gets too thick, just whisk in a splash more broth or water. Taste and adjust the seasonings — sometimes I add a bit more tamari or fresh pepper for a final punch.

Top Tip

From my experience, the magic in this Vegan Mushroom Gravy Recipe lies in patience and attention during cooking. Rushing the mushrooms or skipping the flour toasting step can leave you with a less flavorful or runny gravy.

Perfect Browning: Don’t overcrowd the pan — mushrooms release water and will steam instead of brown if packed tightly. Cook in batches if needed.
Toast Your Flour: Always cook the flour for a full minute; it removes raw flavors and ensures smooth thickening.
Constant Stirring: When adding broth and thickening, stirring helps you catch lumps early and incorporates flavors evenly.
Adjust Seasonings Late: It’s easier to add more salt, tamari, or herbs after the gravy thickens than to fix over-seasoning.

How to Serve Vegan Mushroom Gravy Recipe

Vegan Mushroom Gravy - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping this gravy with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or thyme for color and a bright finish. Sometimes, I toss in a handful of sautéed mushrooms on top for an extra “wow” factor—makes it feel extra special without extra effort.

Side Dishes

This gravy shines over creamy mashed potatoes or roasted winter veggies. I’m a huge fan of drizzling it on hearty vegan meatloaf or lentil loaf for Thanksgiving dinner too — it’s an all-star in that department.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays or special dinners, I pour this vegan mushroom gravy into a pretty sauce boat so guests can ladle their own. You can also swirl it artistically over plates of mashed potatoes or roasted Brussels sprouts to make a rustic yet elegant presentation that impresses every time.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After cooking, I let the gravy cool, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate. It keeps beautifully for 3 to 4 days. Just give it a good stir before reheating as it can thicken up while chilled.

Freezing

This recipe freezes surprisingly well. I portion it into small jars or freezer-safe bags and thaw overnight in the fridge. While reheating, a splash of broth helps restore its smooth consistency if it thickened too much in the freezer.

Reheating

I prefer reheating on the stovetop over low heat, stirring gently until warmed through. Microwaving works too, but watch it closely and stir every 30 seconds to prevent uneven heating or lumps.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Vegan Mushroom Gravy Recipe nut-free?

Absolutely! This recipe contains no nuts by default, making it safe for nut allergies without any changes needed.

What can I use if I don't have tamari or soy sauce?

If you don’t have tamari or soy sauce, coconut aminos make a fantastic substitute to keep that umami flavor while staying gluten-free and soy-free.

Can I make this gravy ahead of time?

Yes! This Vegan Mushroom Gravy Recipe actually tastes even better the next day after the flavors meld. Just store it in the refrigerator and reheat gently when ready to serve.

How thick should this vegan gravy be?

Aim for a consistency that’s thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but still pourable. If it thickens too much, whisk in a little broth to loosen it up without losing flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Vegan Mushroom Gravy Recipe has become my secret weapon for adding cozy, comforting flavor to all sorts of dishes — it’s the kind of gravy that pulls everyone closer to the table. I’m certain when you give it a try, you’ll find yourself reaching for it whenever you want that warm, homey feeling without fuss. Go ahead, make a batch and watch how it transforms your meal into something truly special.