Vegan Gravy Recipe
FOR THE FULL LIST OF INGREDIENTS, SCROLL TO SEE THE RECIPE CARD AT THE END. BUT BEFORE YOU SCROLL CHECK IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT IS INCLUDED IN THE BLURB.
This is absolutely best tasting vegan gravy ever! It is very easy to make and your family and friends will be amazed by how delicious it tastes when you serve it.
I recently made this vegan gravy recipe for my cooking class and the class members were going crazy over my recipe. It is so easy to prepare, it is similar to the recipe in my Lentil Meatballs and my Smothered Tofu Chicken recipes.
Also, I absolutely love using this as a vegan turkey gravy to drench my Tofu Turkey with on Thanksgiving and the weekend afterwards. This gravy makes any food the embodiment of pure comfort and happiness.
What Is Bragg’s Liquid Aminos?
Liquid aminos, like soy sauce or tamari, is made with soybeans. It adds the “umami” or savory flavor profile that is essential to adding depth for many recipes. I also use it in place of some salt, since it not only adds saltiness but also flavor.
Liquid aminos also has the amino acids that are present in soybeans that are necessary for vegans to eat. I love ingredients that improve my food while also adding nutritional benefit.
Unlike many common soy sauces, Bragg’s liquid aminos is gluten-free. I love using it for this reason, I never need to check the label, however if you do not have access to liquid aminos there are specifically gluten free soy sauces you can use instead.
If you are looking for a non soy based alternative, there is aminos made from coconut. It isn’t made from the actual coconut that you may be thinking of, but actually the sap of the coconut tree. It has that same umami flavor, similar to soy sauce, while also being vegan, soy free, and gluten free.
Cashew Nuts Health Benefits
I absolutely love cashews, and so do most vegans if I’m being honest. The reason why cashews are found in the majority of any vegan’s pantry is because they make the creamiest and smoothest sauces or bases, but they are also nutritionally dense.
They are high in unsaturated fats, and if you have been around here a while you’ll know that natural plant fats are essential and cannot be demonized.
Cashews are also high in protein, fiber, copper, and a few other vitamins and minerals. Cashews, indeed nuts in general, are full of healthy calories that keep you full and energized, making them a great addition to anyone’s diet.
What Are Nutritional Yeast Flakes?
When one mentions yeast, you will usually think of the tan granules used to make bread and other wheat based bread products. However, nutritional yeast flakes are something completely different.
Although all three common yeasts are made from the same species, unlike brewer’s and baker’s, nutritional yeast is not left alive. It doesn’t have the same function as those, and is manufactured specifically to be for food.
Nutritional yeast adds an umami, savory or cheesy flavor, making it one of my favorite seasonings to add an extra “something” to my dishes.
But just like many of my ingredients, it is secretly a powerhouse. Nutritional yeast flakes contain all nine essential amino acids that you must intake, making it what is known as a complete protein. This can be rare, especially for vegans, making it an easy way to make sure you have no deficiencies.
Moreover, it contains vitamin B12, and other B vitamins in fact. Vitamin B12 is most commonly found in eggs, dairy, or meat, meaning that many vegans have a B12 deficiency if they aren’t careful.
Being deficient in vitamin B12 makes you feel sluggish and mentally foggy, which can be quoted as the reasoning for why some people’s vegan journeys fail. Adding nutritional yeast to your diet is extremely easy, as it can be added to most savory dishes quite easily, possibly eliminating the need for expensive supplements.
What Is In Vegan Turkey Gravy?
- Vegetable Broth
- Bragg’s Liquid Aminos
- Raw Cashews
- Nutritional Yeast Flakes
- Onion Powder
- Garlic
- Cornstarch
- Dried Thyme
- Ground Paprika
- Italian Seasoning
- Ground Cayenne Pepper
How To Make Vegan Gravy Recipe
This gravy is perfect to serve with you vegan loaf, mashed potatoes, and biscuit and gravy. Check out my favorite HOLIDAY RECIPES HERE!
I used cashews for a creamy flavor, nutritional yeast flakes give a lovely flavor also and the Bragg’s liquid aminos adds great flavor to the vegan gravy recipe.
I have been making this gravy for many years and it has never failed me, it is always popular even among meat-eaters.
- Combine cashews, water or vegetable broth, Bragg’s liquid aminos, nutritional yeast flakes, onion powder, garlic, and cornstarch in a high-speed blender, and process until smooth.
- Pour sauce into a saucepan, and add thyme, Italian seasonings, paprika, and ground cayenne pepper. Heat on medium-high, while stirring constantly with a wire whisk until gravy thickens and is bubbly.
- Serve immediately, or store in the refrigerator for 3 days.
If you enjoyed this post and would love to see more, join me on Youtube, Instagram, Facebook & Twitter!
Join Our Facebook Juice Support Group
Love seasonal recipes? Don’t miss out on my special offer for a limited time! Grab all three of my cookbooks for just $19.99! They’re filled with delicious, healthy dishes that are perfect for every season. Hurry and get your set before the offer ends!
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Healthier Steps.
Vegan Gravy Recipe
Equipment
- 1 saucepan
Ingredients
- 2 cups vegetable broth or water
- 2-3 tablespoons Bragg’s liquid aminos depending on whether you use water or veggie broth
- 1/2 cup raw cashews soaked for an hour
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes
- 1 teaspoon granulated onion powder
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- pinch of ground cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Combine cashews, water or vegetable broth, Bragg’s liquid aminos, nutritional yeast flakes, onion powder, garlic, and cornstarch in a high-speed blender, and process until smooth.
- Pour sauce into a saucepan, and add thyme, Italian seasonings, paprika, and ground cayenne pepper. Heat on medium-high, while stirring constantly with a wire whisk until gravy thickens and is bubbly.
- Serve immediately, or store in the refrigerator for 3 days.
Dang, you are my new BFF. I recently got diagnosed with celiac disease and I became a GF vegan 6 months ago and all your meals look so delicious and awesome, I am so glad I ran into your blog. I can hardly wait to start cooking your recipes. Thank you so much for making GF vegan food for all but especially, for people who really can’t eat wheat, dairy, eggs or meat. You are literally God-send.
Jeanette, thank you for your kind words, I hope you enjoy my recipes.
My son loves gravy and was looking for healthier alternative and saw this but he has a nut allergy. Wondered if you had any alternative to use for cashews that you think would work? Thanks
Sunflower seeds work great.
This was sooo delicious on your IP mashed potatoes! Thank you!
Amy thank you for sharing how you enjoyed it. I appreciate it.
Delicious! Used for the Roasted Whole Cauliflower recipe – but will use with potatoes soon – very good flavor!
Thank you Mindy, I’m so happy you enjoyed it, thank you for your feedback.
I didn’t have time to soak the cashews, so I used a half cup of besan/chickpea flour instead. That worked great, probably a little too well. Next time I will probably cut that back by a couple of tablespoons. Also, I used arrowroot powder instead of cornstarch. Instead of the Bragg’s, I used about a tablespoon and a half of Vegetarian Express’ Rich Brown Gravy Mix. I used smoked paprika, and about four or five pinches of cayenne pepper. In other words, I just dumped. The extra kick was wonderful!
Debi, I’m happy it worked for you with your adjustments.
Tried this tonight and it was delicious. I am always trying to find simple, delicious meals to feed my kids and this 1is a keeper.:-)
Anita thank you for your feedback, I’m happy that you and your family love it.
Do I have to use aminos?
No soy sauce or tamari is fine. I will update the recipe to include them.
Your receipes are so simple for someone who is a beginner vegan.
Thank you Susan, I have been vegan for 20 years and I’m just sharing the meals I cook at home. I love to cook simple, when I’m in the kitchen I’m always in a mode of I have to hurry and get out so I always cook easy meals.
I think this is the very best vegan gravy I’ve ever tried! I used Butler Chik-Style Seasoning to make broth. I’ve made it several times and it’s always delicious!
Thank you Dee, so happy you love it. I’m going to have to get some Chik-Style seasoning. Going to post my Instant Pot Lentil Soup, I can bet it would taste amazing with the Chik-Style Seasoning!
Tried this with broth prepared with a veggie bullion. It was too salty with the braggs so I had to add some soy milk and add more starch. Next time I will make it with sodium free broth. Pretty good taste.