Vegan Mushroom Gravy

I’m just gonna come right out and say it: gravy is the most important dish on the Thanksgiving table. It is the one thing that makes all the other things feel complete. Serving Thanksgiving without gravy is like putting on a full face of makeup and forgetting the mascara; it simply isn’t done.

The thing about gravy, though, is it’s typically made with turkey drippings. And if you’re opting out of turkey, you’re gonna need a #wfpb plan B.

Enter this vegetarian mushroom gravy. This creamy (yet dairy-free) sauce relies on the meatiness of sautéed mushrooms for its ultra-savory flavor. A splash of white wine gives it a slightly acidic undertone, while the salty-savoriness is rounded out with soy sauce.

Key Ingredients + Substitutions

• Mushrooms: Cremini (a.k.a. baby bella) mushrooms have way more flavor than white/button mushrooms.
• All-Purpose Flour: Thickens this vegan mushroom sauce and makes it creamy. For a gluten-free take, use an all-purpose gluten-free flour blend, or half of the amount (1 tablespoon) cornstarch/arrowroot.
• White Wine: Use a dry wine (like sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, or pinot grigio) that you’d enjoy drinking from a glass; never use “cooking wine”. If you don’t drink alcohol and won’t have use for the rest of the bottle, compensate with a squeeze of lemon juice at the end of cooking.
• Broth: For the mushroom-iest flavor, use mushroom broth. If you can’t find it, regular vegetable broth will do.
• Soy Sauce: Adds umami and salt. For a GF version, use tamari.

Step 1: Sauté the Mushrooms

Cook the mushrooms with olive oil, salt, and pepper for ~10 minutes. Be patient and really let the mushrooms brown, since this caramelization is essential for flavoring the sauce; resist the urge to stir too often.

Step 2: Simmer the Gravy

Next, add minced garlic and flour, and stir to incorporate. Then add the wine and simmer for a few seconds to evaporate the alcohol. Finally, add the broth and soy sauce, and bring to a simmer; if the mixture seems a little goopy at this stage, that’s okay. Cover with a lid and simmer on low for 10 minutes.

Step 3: Purée Half of the Gravy

Transfer half of the mixture to a blender (see next paragraph for safety info!) and puree until smooth. Then combine both halves, taste, and adjust the seasonings, if needed.