Easy Southern Vegan Gravy Recipe that Goes Good on Everything! (2024)

By Bohemian Vegan Kitchen · Published: · Updated: 3 Comments This post may contain affiliate links.

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Everyone needs a good southern vegan gravy recipe, like this one that’s creamy, pepper-y, and flavorful. I don’t think there’s anything more comforting than gravy drizzled on top of your favorite dish, whether that be for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. No judgments for licking your plate.

And before you ask, YES there is a difference between brown gravy and southern gravy. Southern gravy should be creamy and white, savory and peppered. It should hit all the right taste buds, and be so delicious that you’d rather scrape every last bit from the pan than see a drop go to waste.

This is that recipe.

You can enjoy this vegan gravy recipe on top of heaping scoops of mashed potatoes, these easy air fryer biscuits or this yummy soy-free vegan turkey. It’s all gravy baby!

Jump to:
  • Why you’ll love this southern vegan gravy recipe
  • What to serve it with
  • Ingredients + Substitutions
  • How to make it
  • Storage + Reheating
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Southern Vegan Gravy

Why you’ll love this southern vegan gravy recipe

Of course, this recipe is one of my absolute favorites and I’ve been making it for years. I’ve served it over just about every meal I can think of and it always hits the spot and makes me feel good.

You’ll love this vegan gravy recipe because it’s:

  • Easy. Nothing complicated about the steps!
  • Quick. You can make this vegan gravy in just a few short minutes.
  • Delicious. Creamy and savory, your taste buds will love the flavor.
  • Comforting. I love making this vegan gravy recipe when I need some good ol’ comfort food. It’s also perfect for holidays, like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

What to serve it with

Yes, there are the classic options, like mashed potatoes or buttered toast, but here’s a few more recipes that would go great with this southern staple:

  • The Best Vegan Turkey to Satisfy All Cravings
  • Best Vegan Biscuits Recipe in the Air Fryer or Oven
  • Amazing Vegan Cornbread Stuffing That’s Secretly Gluten-Free
  • Healthy Street Corn

Ingredients + Substitutions

  • Plant-based milk. I prefer unsweetened almond milk because I think it has a mild flavor, but soy, coconut, or cashew works here too. Just keep in mind it may change the taste a touch.
  • Vegan bouillon. I like using Not Chicken bouillon cubes for this vegan gravy because it gives it a “meaty” flavor that is included in all good southern gravy. You can also use Not Beef or vegetable bouillon too.
  • Nutritional yeast. This adds a touch of flavor + the fortified nutritional yeast adds B12.
  • Cornstarch. I use non-GMO cornstarch. This helps thicken your gravy.
  • Salt and black pepper. I use Himalayan sea salt. The pepper is the finishing touches for perfect southern style gravy.

How to make it

See the recipe box below for exact measurements.

  1. Add 1 ½ cups of the plant milk to a small sauce pot with the vegan bouillon cube and the nutritional yeast. Stir. Bring to a boil on medium-high heat. Be mindful to watch this closely because your milk can quickly bubble over.
  2. Meanwhile, whisk together remaining plant milk and cornstarch. Set aside.
  3. Once milk has come to a boil, turn heat down to medium-low and stir in the cornstarch mixture. Whisk until thickened, about 1-2 minutes.
  4. Once thickened, remove from heat and season with salt and pepper to taste. I like a good amount of pepper in mine!
  5. Enjoy on meal of choice.

Storage + Reheating

  • Refrigerator: Keep this vegan gravy in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.
  • Freezer: Keep this gravy in a sealed freezer bag, lay flat to freeze, and store for up to 3 months. To defrost, refrigerate overnight or run freezer bag under hot water before heating on stove/microwave.
  • Reheat (stovetop): Heat leftover gravy in a small saucepan on medium-low, stirring until heated through. You may need to add a splash of plant-based milk. For frozen gravy, follow the defrosting instructions above, and then proceed with stovetop reheating.
  • Reheat (microwave): Place gravy in a microwave safe dish and nuke for 1-2 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is in vegan gravy?

For this vegan southern-style gravy, I use a combination of plant-based milk, vegan chicken bouillon, nutritional yeast, and salt and pepper. To thicken I use cornstarch.

Can I make this gravy consistency thicker or thinner?

Absolutely! For thicker gravy, add an extra tablespoon of cornstarch to the mix. For thinner gravy, subtract a tablespoon.

Can I make this vegan gravy brown?

Totally! For a brown gravy variation, add 1-2 tablespoons of soy sauce and use Not Beef bouillon instead of chicken. Another great “beefy” vegan bouillon is the Better Than Bouillon brand, vegetable base.

Allergy Information & Variations

  • This southern gravy is 100% vegan, meaning it is meat-free, dairy-free, and egg-free. It is also naturally gluten-free and soy-free.
  • Make this gravy nut-free by swapping the almond milk for another plant-based milk of choice.
  • Don’t want to use Not Chicken or Not Beef bouillon? Swap it out for a vegetable-based bouillon instead.
  • Make this brown gravy by adding 1-2 tablespoons of soy sauce and using a Not Beef bouillon cube instead.
  • Want more chicken-y flavor? Try adding in a teaspoon of Butlers vegan chicken seasoning.

Easy Southern Vegan Gravy Recipe that Goes Good on Everything! (6)

Southern Vegan Gravy

Randi Tisdall

Everyone needs agood southern vegan gravy recipe. I don’t think there’s anything more comforting than gravy drizzled on top of your favorite dish, and this recipe checks all the boxes. Serve on top of mashed potatoes, biscuits, or vegan turkey slices.

5 from 9 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Servings 6

Calories 38 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups plant-based milk, such as unsweetened almond
  • 1 cube vegan bouillon, such as Not Chicken (enough bouillon for 2 cups liquid)
  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper (optional, or season according to taste)
  • salt, seasoned to taste (I use Himalayan pink salt)

Instructions

  • Add 1½ cups of the plant milk to a small sauce pot with the vegan bouillon cubes and the nutritional yeast. Stir. Bring to a boil on medium-high heat. Be mindful towatch this closelybecause your milk can quickly bubble over.

  • Meanwhile, whisk together remaining ½ cup of plant milk and cornstarch until smooth (no clumps!). Set aside.

  • Once milk has come to a boil, turn heat down to medium-low and stir in the cornstarch mixture. Whisk until thickened, about 1-2 minutes.

  • Once thickened, remove from heat and season with salt and pepper to taste. I like a good amount of pepper in mine, so the ¼ teaspoon is perfect for southern style gravy. However, you can always scale it back if you want to go light on the pepper.

Notes

  • I preferunsweetened almond milk because I think it has a mild flavor, but soy, coconut, or cashew works here too. This swap can make it nut-free too. Just keep in mind it may change the taste a touch.
  • I like usingNot Chicken bouillon cubesfor this vegan gravy because it gives it a “meaty” flavor that is included in all good southern gravy. You can also useNot Beefor vegetable bouillon too.
  • For thicker gravy, add an extra tablespoon of cornstarch to the mix. For thinner gravy, subtract a tablespoon.
  • For a brown gravy variation, add 1-2 tablespoons of soy sauce and use Not Beef bouillon instead of chicken. Another great “beefy” vegan bouillon is the Better Than Bouillon brand, vegetable base.
  • Want more chicken-y flavor?Try adding in a teaspoon ofButlers vegan chicken seasoning (affiliate).

Storage and reheating:

  • Refrigerator:Keep this vegan gravy in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.
  • Freezer:Keep this gravy in a sealed freezer bag, lay flat to freeze, and store for up to 3 months. To defrost, refrigerate overnight or run freezer bag under hot water before heating on stove/microwave.
  • Reheat (stovetop):Heat leftover gravy in a small saucepan on medium-low, stirring until heated through. You may need to add a splash of plant-based milk. For frozen gravy, follow the defrosting instructions above, and then proceed with stovetop reheating.
  • Reheat (microwave):Place gravy in a microwave safe dish and nuke for 1-2 minutes.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 38kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 165mg | Potassium: 51mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 1mg

Tried this recipe? Tell me about it + share!Comment and let me know how it was! Then follow BVK on Pinterest @bohemianvegankitchen

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Easy Southern Vegan Gravy Recipe that Goes Good on Everything! (8)

About Bohemian Vegan Kitchen

I believe that wellness starts in your kitchen, but it doesn’t have to be complicated or boring! That's why I'm dedicated to sharing the best vegan comfort food and healthy recipes. Because at the end of the day, you should feel good about what you eat and how you feel, regardless of health restrictions or crazy schedules. Bohemian Vegan Kitchen has been featured by VegNews, Delish, Beyond Meat, MSN, and HuffPost.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Donna Biederman

    This gravy is outstanding! I crumbled up a couple of your lentil sausage patties in it and served it over mashed potatoes, yum! I cannot wait to make the biscuits. 🙂Easy Southern Vegan Gravy Recipe that Goes Good on Everything! (9)

    Reply

  2. Courtney

    I’ve always been afraid to make vegan gravy, but this was excellent! Thank you for sharing this fool-proof recipe. It was delicious over biscuits and your vegan lentil breakfast sausages!Easy Southern Vegan Gravy Recipe that Goes Good on Everything! (10)

    Reply

  3. Randy

    Very easy and very good!Easy Southern Vegan Gravy Recipe that Goes Good on Everything! (11)

    Reply

Have something to say? Let me know!

Easy Southern Vegan Gravy Recipe that Goes Good on Everything! (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good gravy? ›

Here are my principles for making great gravy without fear:
  • Make it ahead. This is the most important one. ...
  • Make a really good homemade turkey stock first. Don't skimp on this crucial first step. ...
  • Reinforce the stock's flavor. ...
  • Simmer, simmer, simmer. ...
  • Strain and cool. ...
  • Reduce. ...
  • Hot liquids only.
Nov 5, 2021

Which of the non-dairy milks is best for gravy? ›

One alternative is to use a non-dairy milk such as almond milk or soy milk. Another option is to use a roux (a mixture of butter and flour) to thicken the gravy, and then add a flavorful broth or stock in place of the milk.

Is gravy better with flour or cornstarch? ›

Browning adds more flavor to the gravy and gets rid of the raw flour taste. You're basically making a roux. We find that a flour-based gravy holds up better and reheats better later, which is why we tend to prefer using flour over cornstarch to make gravy unless we have a guest who is eating gluten-free.

What is the formula for gravy? ›

A traditional roux uses roughly an equal amount of flour and fat, but gravies often call for a bit more flour than that, to ensure the gravy is thick enough. (The classic ratio for gravy is three:two:one, so 3 tablespoons flour, 2 tablespoons fat, and 1 cup of hot stock.)

What is in marigold vegan gravy? ›

Rice Flour*, Maltodextrin (from maize)*, Sea Salt, Vegetables (tomato, onion, pumpkin)*, Maize Starch*, Yeast Extract, Sunflower Oil*, Chicory Extract*, White Mushrooms*, Concentrated Vegetable Juice (carrot, onion)*, Spices (lovage root, garlic, fennel seed)*, Lovage*.

Is Kentucky gravy vegan? ›

KFC gravy is not vegetarian or vegan because it's made with chicken fat. Although they don't share their exact recipe, their nutritional & allergen page shows it also contains egg and milk.

What can I add to gravy to make it tastier? ›

Fortunately, Shannon has several suggestions for fixing bland gravy, starting by adding a bouillon cube, herbs or a splash of wine or cognac. But if you have time to spare, add pan drippings from turkey, bacon or bacon drippings, caramelized vegetables (like onions, leeks, carrots and celery), herbs or garlic.

Why is my gravy not tasty? ›

If the gravy lacks oomph, adjust seasoning as necessary with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. If you used canned stock instead of homemade, the gravy might not be as flavorful. Homemade stock, even made with chicken stock rather than turkey, will produce a superior gravy—so it's worth the effort.

Why add soy sauce to gravy? ›

Their experiments have proved the best gravy should be made from meat juices, vegetable water – and a dash of soy sauce to bring out the umami, or meaty taste.

What is the best vegan milk to cook with? ›

Among other milk alternatives like almond milk, soy milk and oat milk, soy milk is by far the best for baking. I learned this over the course of several years and many cookies, cakes, muffins and pies.

What tastes like milk but is dairy free? ›

Soy milk: This option is the most consumed plant-based alternative globally, dominating more than 50% of 2018 market share. The demand for soy milk comes from its creamy texture and slightly nutty flavor, making it an excellent cooking and baking ingredient.

What is the closest non-dairy to milk? ›

Soy milk is the OG of non-dairy milk and is made by soaking soybeans (which have been hulled and ground) in water. Soybeans contain essential amino acids, high levels of protein, and iron, and soy milk has lower fat and cholesterol levels than cow's milk.

What thickener is best for gravy? ›

Similar to flour, cornstarch is another ingredient that can be used to make gravy thicker. With cornstarch, making a slurry is also an option, but with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch whisked into cold water. Again, you'll want to add the slurry in increments so you don't over-thicken the gravy.

What can I add to gravy to make it richer? ›

Add flavorful brown butter

Although it will take a little time to prepare this ingredient before adding it to store-bought gravy, it's well worth it. Brown butter can elevate many recipes because it provides a richness that just can't be achieved with ordinary butter.

What is the best ingredient to thicken gravy? ›

I typically use a cornstarch slurry because it's easy, and that works great for the first day.

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